Cathedrals

== ==

Cathedrals are magnificent forms of architecture and artwork. In cathedrals, there is an overwhelming amount of artwork and outstanding architecture with priceless things filling room after room. Cathedrals built during the Middle Ages had many sculptures and stained-glass windows depicting saints and Bible scenes, as a visual aid for those who could not read. Many Cathedrals built between CE 1200 and 1550 are in the Gothic style of architecture. Gothic characteristics include: pointed arches, pillars, flying buttresses, and large windows. Some of the earliest cathedrals were built in the style of Byzantine, an art form that was started after the fall of Rome. The image of the St. Louis Basilica shows the stage where the bishop sits and preaches and the stands where the church congregation sits, prays, and worships. Without all of the glamorous architecture in most cathedrals, cathedrals would simply consist of the stage (alter) and pews. Most cathedrals are in the shape of a cross, with a nave (aisle) and transepts (two arms of the cross). This is where the worshipers sit.

A cathedral has religious importance in Christianity - and more specifically the Catholic faith - starting with the religious rule in medieval times. Each cathedral showed the people’s faith to god through artwork and also gave the people a safe place to worship.  A Church becomes a Cathedral only when a bishop is present. The word "cathedral" comes from the Greek word "kathedra" meaning "seat". A Cathedral serves as a headquarters for a diocese - a district of churches all headed by the same bishop. The bishop authority over all the churches in his diocese and is in charge of ordaining priests. Cathedrals can also be Basilicas, which have been blessed by the Pope. Not only were Cathedrals an important part of religion, but also as a part of government. Leaders would commission Cathedrals to be built as a sign of their faith, to demonstrate wealth, and to commemorate important events during their rule. This shows us how interconnected religion and government have been throughout history.

Research Notes:
 * Where Confessions are held
 * Catholic church
 * Basilica: blessed by the pope himself
 * Usually made with incredible architecture
 * Presence of a bishop
 * Because of the fact that they are usually tall, over the top beautiful, filled with priceless things and more the Cathedral has become a religious piece of art to Christianity
 * A place to take Communion
 * Where mass is held
 * The Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome,The Washington DC National Cathedral, The Lincoln Cathedral, The Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Basil's Cathedral, St. John the Divine, Seville Cathedral, St. Louis Basilica (MANY HISTORICAL ELEMENTS!)
 * Bishop present, "Kathedra" = "seat", diocese
 * Middle Ages: 1000 - 1500
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Gothic and Byzantine
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Visual Aids for illiterate
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In shape of cross

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">Bibliography:

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10.8pt;">"About Us." <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">__Our Communion__ //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%;">. // <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10.8pt;">November 10th, 2009. http://ourcommunion.org/cathedral.html <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10.8pt;">"Cathedrals - Cathedrals of the World." __Sacred Sites at Sacred Destinations__. 10 Nov. 2009. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/sacred-sites/cathedrals.htm <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Hennessey, William J. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10.8pt;">"Cathedral." __World Book Student Online Encyclopedia__. November 10th, 2009. http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar100080&st=cathedrals

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Search Terms:


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Cathedrals
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Cathedrals and Christianity
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Cathedrals and Religion
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">For the database, we first tried using the History/Social Studies ABC - CLIO site on Ancient World History. This only gave us pages on individual cathedrals, so next we tried the General Reference sites. World Book Encyclopedia Online gave us a page on cathedrals.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">All of the pictures are from the Sacred Destinations website, on each Cathedral's individual page.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Individual Paragraph - Erin

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Charlie and Denzell's project on Islamic mosques tells us about how Mosques are constructed and how Muslims worship Allah. Mosques are the Muslim equivalent of a Cathedral, but without a bishop or other religious figure present. Mosques have many towers and a courtyard, while Cathedrals generally have pillars, flying buttresses, and stained-glass windows. While basic designs of Mosques and Cathedrals are different, their purposes are the same. Mosques are a place for Muslims to worship Allah and Cathedrals are a place for Christians to worship God. This shows us that regular worship is an important aspect of both Islam and Christianity. Kevin and Girija's project on that nativity also relates to Cathedrals because without Jesus, there would be no Christianity. There are many statues and stained-glass windows depicting images from the New Testament, which starts with Jesus' birth. In Catholic Cathedrals there are many sculptures of the Virgin Mary. The nativity is also celebrated in Cathedrals worldwide on December 25th. The nativity is the most important event in Christian history, besides the crucifixion of Jesus, and this shows us how important the life of Jesus Christ is to Christians.

<span style="color: #ff009c; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Individual Paragraph- Leah

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 102%;">Having religious art is important for every religion to bring the followers closer and give them a reason to believe. The Cathedrals in the Catholic faith all stand for something more than just a building, they are an example of a safe place to come and worship. If you look at the artistic qualities in religious artifacts and monuments such as the Kaaba, Harrison and John explained that “It didn’t stand for peace, it stands for Islam”. A building or a safe place for a religion helps followers identify with their faith and feel comfortable and confident. Religions are based on faith and without special art specifically for the religion I feel as though faith wouldn't be a strong. Just as a mosque (Denzell and Charlie) is a piece of art but at the same time a religious safe place, art holds a strong bond with religion.

[|Christianity]