Good Friday Funeral Procession by Theodora Markos

For Orthodox Christians, the Friday before Easter Sunday, Good Friday, is one of the most solemn days of the year. Commonly practiced throughout Christianity, Good Friday is mourned as the day Jesus was persecuted by the Jews. Although many Christian sects celebrate this day, what is uniquely Orthodox is the funeral procession with the ‘Epitaphio’ that each parish enacts in order to represent Christ’s funeral. The solemnity of the day is felt by all, as they are to fast from meat, dairy, and olive oil in order to share in the suffering of Christ, and in the evening, members gather at their local church in order to take part in the procession. According to Orthodox tradition, “the divine services of Great Friday with the richness of their ample Scripture lessons, superb hymnography and vivid liturgical actions bring the passion of Christ and its cosmic significance into sharp focus. The hymns of the services on this day help us to see how the Church understands and celebrates the awesome mystery of Christ's passion and death.” Therefore, this holy service and procession allow a deep connection to Orthodox religion and faith through participation of all members.

            In these videos, one can see the Good Friday service at Holy Cross Church in Whitestone, NY. The procession spans a several block radius with over a hundred Orthodox Christians walking behind the Epitaphio, the representation of the coffin of Jesus, while holding lit candles. The Epitaphio, beautifully decorated with flowers, is carried by men in the Church, while the parish priest chants in commemoration of Christ. The outside community can even be seen participating by standing outside their homes or stores in reverence. This procession is difficult to accomplish in a bustling urban area, but as can be seen by the flashing lights, the procession is led by the NYPD. This shows the characteristically American protection of religious expression and liberty. That this act of faith can be openly expressed and protected is a culmination of the inalienable rights that Americans enjoy.

            The Good Friday procession allows Orthodox Christians in the community to actively participate in their faith, especially where they would not have otherwise. Whether they are avid churchgoers, or only attend services during the major holidays, those in attendance feel a connection to Christianity in that moment. It allows Orthodox immigrants and American-born members alike to stay rooted to their ethnic religion, especially since a majority of the service is performed in the native language. Even those officially unaffiliated to the Orthodox faith are encouraged to take part in a relationship with this religious practice. Not only does it bring members to the church, it also brings them together as one community celebrating the life and death of Christ. They stand in solid commemoration and mourning for the pillar of their faith. Like the procession for our Lady of Guadalupe, this day is the ultimate expression of Orthodox Christians’ connection with Christ and their faith.

            By looking at this video and procession as a text, many can come to understand and realize the great and holy significance that this holiday holds for Orthodox Christians. It would be obvious to notice the great reverence that these members hold for their Lord and Savior, and even if not all the members are avidly religious, they understand the significance and solemnity of the procession. It is a beautifully passionate and emotional service that participants truly feel.

Source:

http://lent.goarch.org/holy_friday/learn/

Bronx Memorial by Gianna Giuliano

            It is not uncommon to see a memorial pop up on the streets of New York City, especially in the Bronx. I saw this one from the window of the ram van, not far away from campus. It is a fairly large memorial site that was set up for a young man named Lenny.  I found this one particularly interesting as it has the expected candles, flowers and signs, but it also has a large amount of empty alcohol bottles, which brought me to think what the significance of them could be.

            Upon looking at the memorial site, it is clear that the person who passed and likely his family or friends who set up the memorial for him were some sect of Christianity. Aside from the fact that there are crosses on the written sign, in general setting up memorials such as this one is a tradition of Christianity. It is a way for the people of the religion to both mourn their loved ones and to remember them. It is a public display showing respect for the deceased.

            This memorial in particular consisted of a majority of blue and white candles.  In the Christian religion, blue tends to be a color representing the sky and in relation to the sky, heaven. At the place of remembrance for the passing of a person, this makes sense. His loved ones choice of the blue candles could be seen as a way to display that he has gone to heaven. As for the white candles, white has a meaning of innocence, purity and holiness. The white candles placed at this memorial therefore make this site seem pure and peaceful. In death, the man Lenny is remembered with peace and holiness.

            The center of the memorial site appears to be the most religious while the back of it is the most personal. In the center is a heart made out of candles with religious artifacts placed on top of the heart. There is a rosary, a figurine of an angel and what appears to be a cross made out of palms. Each of these items has a symbolic meaning to those of the Christian faith. Since these items are on this memorial, it shows that the people involved hold their religion close to them and want God to be a part of the honoring of Lenny’s death. The numerous bottles of alcohol towards the back of the site can be interpreted in many ways. I personally interpreted in one particular way. I view the bottles as a way of saying we are mourning your loss Lenny, but we are also celebrating your life. Alcohol is typically used as a drink of celebration, and therefore placing the empty bottles at the memorial is like saying, "we drank these in honor of you and your life."

            Whoever created this Bronx memorial for the man who passed away ensured that there were aspects of religion to commemorate his death as well as a personal touch to add more meaning to the area. It shows that Lenny was highly respected and loved and that he was a believer of God. 

Encounter a preacher on the subway, by Yuanyuan Xu

        I took this picture on a subway, D-line, while I was on my way to have a brunch in the city on the weekend. The train was crowded, and there was no empty seat available. People in the subway were quiet, and most of them looked at their cell phones, put on their earphones, and others were fallen asleep. Then a man holding a white board dressed in a red coat walked in.
It is normal to encounter people who get on the subway to sell snacks, perform, or ask for a donation. Some of them were salesmen, some of them were artists, and some of them were homeless people. However, it is abnormal to encounter a preacher on the subway. This guy who was standing in the middle of the train with a blue backpack was a religious believer. He got on the subway at a station within the Bronx area. He looked like every other passenger that got on this subway for travel, except the white board that he held on his left hand.  He walked in and talked about the misfortune happened in everybody's life, or the difficulties and choices that people may need to face. People usually got mad, depressed, and quarreled with others because of the difficulties in their lives. But that did not work. Actually, it is not hard to overcome these problems in our lives: we do not need to be mad, we do not need to be depressed, and we do not need to have quarrels with others. "Just read the Bible." He said. People sitting in this subway nodded their heads, and some replied "Yes." 
        This scene reminded me of the New York Crusade where Billy Graham made an excellent preaching. During the Crusade, audience interacted with Graham after every strong statement that he had made. The audience replied with "Yes" ,"Yeah" and nodding their heads. The passengers actively interacted with the preachers just like the audience actively interacted with Graham in the New York Crusade. Moreover, I found that most of the passengers who interacted with the preachers were Black Americans. There might be another explanation that D train started from Bronx and the preacher entered the subway within the Bronx area. However, White Americans usually disregarded the people speaking in the subway. I had seen a Black Americans had a good chat with the performers and gave them some tips, but I haven’t seen any White American did this before. The possible reason might be the performers, salesmen or preachers were all black, and they had different culture backgrounds. Personally, I also somehow did not know how to communicate with the speakers on the subway, and sometimes cannot understand what they were speaking about (because they talked too fast), but I always appreciate it. I appreciate their courage even though sometimes what they said was exactly the same, but when you enter a subway that had people performing, snacks serving and religious preaching, you will find the beauty of the subway culture. 
        After all, although I talked too much about the subway culture, I felt that the preacher on the subway taught people at a loss or unsure about their future a bright way to go. “Read the Bible.” This sentence has the same function as “Ask your Mom or Dad.” for those who do not have parents to consult or have no children to depend on. Interestingly, most people who took the subway fit into this category. Thus, I believe this preaching would attract those people who need help and made Christians Christian.

American Relgious Text: Statue of Atlas in New York City by Desmond Djekovic

American Religious texts are embedded all throughout the United States, but as I walk to work in Midtown from the Grand Central Terminal, I realize Manhattan is a focal point for religious symbolism. On my expedition to 6^th Avenue, I came across a huge bronze statue embodying the power of a God, so I took a second to admire the religious text and learn about its purpose. Before getting into the meaning and positioning of the Statue of Atlas on 5^th Avenue in Midtown, I will begin by describing its appearance to give my audience a perspective on the subject.

            As I stand staring at this large bronze statue, I come to the conclusion that it must be a depiction of a God because it stands as tall as a couple story building. While the mere size of Atlas entails a Godly figure, the body language of the sculpture is what reveals the story behind the monument. The Godly figure, better known as Atlas, is in fact a Greek Titan, and is using his power to hold up the heavens on his shoulder. Although a Titan is a second order of divine beings in classical Greek mythology, the Statue of Atlas represents more American symbolism than one would imagine.

            While Greek mythological figures usually represent the origins of theology, the positioning of the Statue of Atlas offers contemporary meaning as well. In order for one to see this, one must take into account the location of the Atlas in relation to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The fact that Atlas in facing one of the most famous Churches in all of New York City shows the monuments significance to American Religion.  St. Patrick’s Cathedral is known for welcoming various nationalities and faiths in an effort to promote the Church’s message that God loves all his children. Moreover, the Church aims to invite people from different backgrounds and nationalities to open their hearts and let Jesus in.

            Trying to make the connection between the two, I stare at the Statue of Atlas in an attempt to find the significance of its positioning in front of the Cathedral. I may be going on a limb when I say this, but I believe the Statue of Atlas is somewhat of a depiction of humanity. To elaborate, I think the Statue of Atlas stands to represent the power we as humans possess in regards to our faith. Moreover, Atlas reminds us that we must use our individual minds, in combination with the feelings in our heart, when taking part in a particular faith. It brought me back to class when we discussed the Great Awakening and Revivalism. That new wave of worship reminded the population that we not only have emotions, but we also have the power to reach God and feel his power within ourselves. While St. Patrick’s Cathedral invites all people to let Jesus in their hearts, I believe the Statue of Atlas stands to remind humans that God gave us individual power to create our own path in life.  

It’s no surprise that this iconic image is situated on one of the busiest streets in all of New York City, but more importantly in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It stands to represent human’s individual power to guide their faith and live a holy life. As one exits Jesus’ home, they are faced with the reminder that if Atlas has the power to hold up the heavens, so to do we.

Greenwich Village Mural by Julia Day

Greenwich Village is an exciting area of New York City, full of enticing restaurants, charming coffee shops, charismatic individuals, and last but not least, captivating street art. Whether it’s graffiti on an otherwise blank alley wall, or enthusiastic pop up bands playing on street corners, there is a ton of artwork to be textually analyzed throughout Greenwich.

This particular mural exists peacefully on a side street of the bustling area. The Keith Haring styled painting includes the earth from a distance, as if looking from space. A small, but radiant red heart is painted at the center, surrounded by a larger heart in a darker shade of ocean-blue. Around the earth is a ring of lions painted in red, trailing behind each other facing clockwise. Finally, surrounding the lions is a black background with several people, symbols, and designs painted in white, fitting together like puzzle pieces.

Using the textual analysis skills I have acquired from American Religious Texts this semester, I found this piece particularly moving and immensely inspirational on an entirely new level. At first glance, the eye is immediately drawn to the color red in the mural, whether it’s the lions surrounding the earth or the heart at the center. Due to their hue and eye-catching capabilities, I could only assume they were of great importance when analyzing this work of art. From a broad religious perspective, I imagined the small red heart as a symbol of the unity and harmony of all people no matter their religion, race, or sexual affiliation, as well as a symbol of love for all people by a higher power. I also imagined the larger blue heart as the ripple effect of the tiny red heart in the center, representing the powerful, positive affect unity, harmony, and love all have on the different individuals of the world. Next, lions usually appear in works of art to signify strength. In this mural, I imagined that the lions each represent different significant strengths people contribute to the greater good of the world. A good example of a strength we discussed in class this semester is selflessness. Dorothy Day contributed this particular strength, as her saint-like generosity encouraged others to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give shelter to the homeless. It was individuals like her that were admired for her strength. Lastly, the people, symbols, and designs painted in the outskirts of the mural represent people of varying religions, races, and sexual affiliations that make up our population on earth. They may act differently, they may practice religion differently, and they may live differently; but they exist in harmony and are loved, no matter their differences. Not featured in the photo was a collection of litter, such as newspapers, cigarette butts, and coffee cups, scattered on the ground below the mural. I thought this accurately symbolized the obstacles we have overcome in bettering our society, whether it is the abolition of slavery or acceptance of same sex marriage.

In total, a picture can quite literally be worth a thousand words (or a minimum of 500 in this case), and deeper meanings, whether they be religiously affiliated or not, are all around us.

Trinity Church by Mackenzie Meyer

   Coined as the economic hub of the world, Wall Street epitomizes the global financial market and business culture of America. This area of downtown Manhattan represents the coming together of communities world-wide and the pieces of each culture impacting the progression of the current economic, political, and societal conditions near and far. Around the corner from the iconic New York Stock Exchange and the myriad of other firms on Wall Street stands the Trinity Church and Graveyard. Located on Broadway, the Trinity Church illustrates the importance of preserving religious structures in a modern city and their continued contribution to the surrounding community.
    When one thinks about finance in America, one thinks about Wall Street. Historically, Wall Street has been a symbol of American success, and even more so, a symbol of the American dream. Being located on Broadway and only a few short steps away from such an world-renowned economic complex, the Trinity Church is undoubtedly a perfect representation of American Catholicism. When I was coming out of a job interview the day I saw this church, what caught my eye in the sky was the pairing of the Freedom Tower and the Trinity Church and the resulting image that was created. The Freedom Tower is another symbol of American success and power. The two buildings shared similarities in their architectural style of construction. Each structure had a thin, tall shaped tower with a spire on top. In fact, the steeple of the Trinity Church was the tallest structure in New York until the year 1890. For the Trinity Church to be surrounded by such impressive icons of American and even New York culture highlighted its association with the term “American”.
    The first Trinity Church was finished in the mid eighteenth century. Over time, due to fires and other destructive causes, reconstruction of the original building occurred three times after its grand opening. The Trinity Church is an Episcopal parish, whose preaching is centered around the story of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Parishioners of the Episcopal church believe in the power and legitimacy of the Bible and emphasize carrying out love for God and one’s neighbors fully. As the population of New York City tremendously increased during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, so did the parish of the Trinity Church and its contributions to the neighborhood. The Trinity Church conducts a number of sacramental services, such as baptisms, communions, reconciliations and marriages, that are all extremely central to the Catholic Church and the Episcopal parish. In addition, the Trinity Church is home to a Sunday School, where people of all ages learn about the Bible and the workings of God. The Trinity Church has an important impact on the surrounding community as a source of religious practices and services.
    Finally, the Trinity Church can also be analyzed as a “text”. To anyone quickly scurrying back to their office from their lunch break or a tourist visiting the financial district of Manhattan, they would automatically realize that this building is a church from the number of visible crosses on its exterior to the style of traditional church design. Also, from the old and Gothic style of architecture, they can also conclude that that building has been there for a while unlike the number of buildings with modern architectural construction. Its location also signifies its importance to the framework of the community. Among the chaotic atmosphere of Wall Street and the rest of the financial district of lower Manhattan, the Trinity Church provides an outlet of comfort, peace, and religious fundamentals for many people in the area.

Works Cited
"Trinity Church." Trinity Church. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2016

Arthur Avenue Jesus by Shannon Kelsh

Shannon Kelsh

 Arthur Avenue Jesus

On Arthur Avenue, down an alley just a few blocks from Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus, a colorful graffiti mural of Jesus resides on the side of a building. This mural is located within a historically immigrant community, made up largely of Italian and Albanian immigrants, both of which tend to be very religious. Though the neighborhood is increasingly African American and Puerto Rican, there are still visible signs - such as this mural and the shops and restaurants nearby - that its longer-established residents’ Mediterranean cultures are still alive and thriving.

The mural in question has two parts to it. To the left, Jesus stands with a halo behind his head and his right hand is making a peace sign. A flaming heart is placed prominently on his chest. On the right, there is a large Albanian flag with the likeness of a man painted inside it. There is writing in both English and Albanian above the man that mourns his death. The man depicted does not appear to be very old so one can assume that he was probably middle aged when he died, though it is hard to know for certain as the artist may have wanted to portray him in his prime instead of his old age. A cross bridges the gap between the two halves. The style of the mural is rather cartoon-like, and though it is not at all poorly done, it can easily be seen that whoever painted it was not a professional.

This particular mural is dedicated “in loving memory of Anton D. Nikci,” who, from the text to the left of the depiction of Nikci and the prominent flag behind him, can be deduced to be of Albanian - not Italian - heritage. Though Albania is dominantly Muslim, it does have a large Christian community. The northern region of Albania tends to be Catholic, while the southern portion - bordering on Greece - tends more towards Greek Orthodox. Though it is difficult to discern whether Nikci was Catholic or Greek Orthodox, it is clear that he held very strong Christian beliefs that were rooted in his heritage right up until his death. Even though the Albanian community has been established in this section of the Bronx for generations, the community still holds on to its original religion, language, and culture, despite being fully assimilated by now.

Though this mural is an image and contains very little writing, it can still be read as a text. Even someone who does not know much about the neighborhood or art can quickly deduce that the mural commemorates an Albanian man who held a strong Christian faith. From the Albanian writing, one can assume that it was painted for a group of Albanians residing nearby who can understand the language. It can also be inferred that Nikci was a popular member of the community, otherwise he likely would not have been commemorated through a medium that celebrates his life so publicly. The mural does not need an explanation to accompany it for its message to come across to viewers, and can therefore be considered a text.