DOCSLIB.ORG

The Palm: a Symbol of Hope Luke 19:28-40

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Palm: a Symbol of Hope Luke 19:28-40 The Palm: A Symbol of Hope Luke 19:28-40 I believe it was Clare Boothe Luce who said, “There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them.” A couple weeks ago, I used as an introduction for my sermon, a story about a farmer whose donkey fell into a well, and thinking that he would not be able to get the donkey out, he called his friends to help him bury the donkey alive. However, with every shovel-full of dirt they threw into the well, the donkey shook the dirt off its back and stepped on the dirt until it was out of the well. I do believe that there is no hopeless situation, not as long as God is in charge. Since God is always in charge, every situation simply becomes a matter of perspective. Today we celebrate Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday, depending on what we choose to focus on in our worship of God. The story of Palm/Passion Sunday is well-known as that time of the Christian calendar of rituals when we remember the account of Jesus’ final journey into Jerusalem for the Passover Feast, just before he was crucified. On this Palm/Passion Sunday, I wish to focus on the theme of “hope” as this morning is we reflect on where is God in this world crisis of the coronavirus. And so especially in a time when people will cleave to anything that offers the slightest glimmer thereof. Some place hope in politics and politicians, some in their mates, some in their child/ren, some in their jobs, some in their bank account, some in their intellect, some in their beauty/comeliness. The truth is that we have a need to hope in something. Isn’t it amazing that in this season of Lent and going forward into Easter that the world is gripped with one of the most terrifying and monumental crises to have ever be visited upon humanity? As the season of Lent winds down, we remember that it is a time when we recount the hardships and trials of Jesus, which foreshadowed the hardships and trials of those who follow him. As undesirable as that may sound to many, Lent does not merely recount Jesus’ suffering and foreshadow his followers’ suffering but very importantly, it predicates and is the pathway into the promise of Easter. In the context of today’s excessively glum reality, from which not even the Church is spared, where may the suffering, the hurting, the wounded, the broken, the ailing, the dying, the helpless, the confused, and the lonely find hope in a menacing and perplexed world? To find an answer to that question, I will turn to the Scripture passage for today. Luke paints for us a picture of a royal procession – Jesus entering Jerusalem one last time to attend the Passover Feast – where he was greeted by enthusiastic followers who hailed him as the King who comes in the name of the Lord. 1 | Page In the words of Jack Zavada: “The… people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus' path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans. Their shout, "Hosanna" meant, "save now."” To help us understand the symbolism of the palm, an anonymous source writes: “The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in pre-Christian times. The Romans rewarded champions of the games and celebrated military successes with palm branches... Jews followed a similar tradition of carrying palm branches during festive times. “Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful... In Christian art, martyrs were usually shown holding a palm (branch) as an attribute, representing the victory of spirit over flesh, and it was widely believed that a picture of a palm on a tomb meant that a martyr was buried there... Palms also represented heaven, evidenced by ancient art often depicting Jesus in heaven among palms.” We all know that Jesus was not a political figure and neither was he a military figure. The people hailing him as “King”, might have mistaken the triumph and the victory that they pre-celebrated with the use of palm branches. Surely, Jesus delivered triumph and victory to all of humanity but it was not a political or military victory and triumph. Why were these Jews’ hopes dashed? The victory hailed by the palm procession was tied up in Jesus’ Passover passion. For this reason, to celebrate Palm Sunday is to celebrate a great event of the sacrifice of God. Though the Passover was not yet, Exodus 12:3, 5-6 points us to the significance of the time: “Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household… Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight.” The lamb mentioned here in Exodus was regarded as the “paschal lamb.” In Judaism, the Paschal lamb was the lamb sacrificed at the first Passover, on the eve of the Exodus from Egypt. The story of the Passover in Exodus 12 tells us of how the Jews marked their doorposts with the blood of lambs, and this sign spared them from destruction. Fast-forward to Jesus’ coronation as King of the Jews riding into Jerusalem, Jesus was that Lamb of God that was without blemish, chosen not only by God but also by the people, albeit unbeknownst to them. Their cry of “hosanna,” which means, ‘save now,’ was heard by Jesus, the Lamb of God which was slain before the foundations of the world for God’s wrath to pass over the soul of everyone marked by Christ’s blood. This is the hope of Palm Sunday! That we gaze again upon the Paschal Lamb of God, who promises not only to cover us under his blood as protection from the evils of this world, but also that after our own season of passion, Easter will come. 2 | Page Hope is the state which promotes the desire of positive outcomes. [Wikipedia.org] To hope is "to cherish a desire with anticipation"; "to desire with expectation of obtainment"; or "to expect with confidence". [Merriam-Webster] According to John Piper, there are three ways by which we understand hope: 1. Hope is the desire for something good in the future 2. Hope is the good thing in the future that we are desiring 3. Hope is the basis of the reason for thinking that our desire may indeed be fulfilled. Piper continues, that ‘ordinarily our expression of hope is to express uncertainty. The Biblical meaning for hope, however, is not an expression uncertainty but rather, certainty.’ We generally express hope as wishful thinking. The hope that the Bible expresses is the hope that not only ‘desires something good for the future; it expects it to happen. Also, it not only expects it to happen; it is confident and knows with unequivocal certainty that it will happen. This hope says that there is a moral certainty that the good we expect and desire will be done.’ This hope is moral because ‘it is rooted in the commitment of the will, and the will is the seat of morality.’ As Jesus brings us the hope of Easter that is rooted in truth and moral certainty on this Palm Sunday, the hope that can never be contradicted or distorted, there are a couple of considerations I would like to offer you for your own reflection. 1. Hope is a Choice Hope is a function of the will that is rooted in the knowledge of the truth and is incontrovertible. It defies logic, reason, and science. Can we but have hope in the midst of what we now face in the world? All of our lives have been disrupted and turned upside-down. And, to make matters worse, the pessimists are hard at work, forecasting the apocalypse. We hear the negative talks all over the media, and the truth be told, we are better off listening and watching less than more of the media hysteria and sensational frenzy about what is happening now and what will happen next. Only God knows what is happening now and what will happen next. We must choose to believe that though the sky may seem to be falling that we are covered under the protection of the Lord. We must trust that there is a silver lining in the dark cloud of the virus and its impact on the world that hang over our heads. We must stop letting those who know little to nothing tell us what our future looks like. Only God knows what our future looks like because he holds our future in his hands. We must believe that one day sooner rather than later, this too shall pass. 3 | Page In times like these when persons are shaken to the core of their beings and the future seems wholly uncertain, we cling with confidence to the One who created order out of chaos, and out in the darkness says, “Let there be light.” The One who holds our future! In times like these that cast a long shadow over the future of a struggling church that we put our hands in the hand of the One who says, “Upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” That “rock” is the faith or the hope of those who believe.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Palm Sunday Bulletin
    PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION April 5, 2020 THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION APRIL 5, 2020 “Christ’s Entry Into Jerusalem” by Hippolyte Flandrin “Behold, your king comes to you meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” Matthew 21 PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION April 5, 2020 Daily Readings Monday: IS 42:1-7, JN 12:1-11 Tuesday: IS 49:1-6, JN 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday: IS 50:4-9A, MT 26:14-25 Thursday: EX 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 COR 11:23-26; JN 13:1-15 Catholic websites to visit during the Friday: IS 52:13—53:12; HEB 4:14-16, 5:7-9; Coronavirus crisis. Here is a list. JN 18:1—19:42 Immaculate-Conception-Sandiego.org Saturday: GN 1:1—2:2; GN 22:1-18; EX 14:15—15:1; Sunday Mass, 8:30 a.m. IS 55:1-11; MT 28:1-10 Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego www.sdcatholic.org PRAYER TO MARY Sunday Mass VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Here is a CNS translation Daily Mass of the prayer Pope Francis recited by video Covid-19 Response March 11 for a special Mass and act of prayer Upcoming Events asking Mary to protect Italy and the world during of the coronavirus pandemic. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops www.usccb.org O Mary, Online Masses you always shine on our path Prayer Resources as a sign of salvation and of hope.
    [Show full text]
  • Th E Bells of St. M Ar
    GOD IS GOD IS FEBRUARY 2017 Dear Saint Mary's family, We are off to a good start for 2017. As I write this letter we are just three full weeks in to the new year and already so much is happening. We have held our first Annual Meeting together, and the response has been very posi- tive. At that meeting we were able to make amendments to the church’s By-Laws that will allow us to go forward with a smaller eight person Vestry, all of whom were elected unanimously by the members present at the meeting. At our February Vestry meeting we will vote for a Junior Warden, Treasurer, and Secretary. With that accomplished we will begin the process of looking at all of the different aspects of the way we at Saint Mary’s currently do things. The end goal of that process is to identify and eliminate any barriers to growth that might not have been considered, and to find ways to improve upon many of the things we are already doing well. To that end, please begin to pray to see if God may be calling you to participate in any of the ministries that currently exist at Saint Mary’s. This is going to be a fun and exciting time for us to bond and grow together as we seek to strengthen the teams and look at the ways they function. Ushers and Greeters, the Flower and Altar Guilds, Eucharistic Ministers and Visi- tors… Perhaps you have a special talent or hobby that could be used to the Glory of God and you have never considered how.
    [Show full text]
  • Rev. Charles W. Webb Bethlehem Lutheran Church Glen Arbor, MI Palm Sunday March 29, 2015 the Text for Today Is the Gospel Which
    Rev. Charles W. Webb of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of Bethlehem Lutheran Church leafy trees, and willows of the brook" (Lev. 23:40), Glen Arbor, MI Palm Sunday March 29, 2015 and "You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens The text for today is the Gospel which you have in Israel shall live in booths, in order that future just hears, especially these words (John 12:12-19) “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of generations may know that I made the Israelite people the Lord, even the King of Israel!” live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Dear Friends in Christ: Greetings from our Egypt" (Lev. 23:42-43). As the Israelites were triumphant King of kings, Jesus Christ. Amen! delivered from Pharaoh, Christ now delivers all men Today is Palm Sunday. Let me tell you something from sin by his march toward Calvary. Even as He about palms. The palm branch is a sign of victory, enters Jerusalem, His triumph is assured! Even the triumph, peace and eternal life. Pharissees who had opposed him all his life had to The palm was sacred in Mesopotamian religions, and admit and “said to one another, ‘You see that you are in ancient Egypt represented immortality. In Judaism, gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.’ a closed frond of the date palm is part of the festival Little did they suspect they would every defeat him of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles during which the and even when they did, his resurrection proved they Israelites celebrate their sojourn in the fragile booths never would or could.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cambridge Companion to Age of Constantine.Pdf
    The Cambridge Companion to THE AGE OF CONSTANTINE S The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine offers students a com- prehensive one-volume introduction to this pivotal emperor and his times. Richly illustrated and designed as a readable survey accessible to all audiences, it also achieves a level of scholarly sophistication and a freshness of interpretation that will be welcomed by the experts. The volume is divided into five sections that examine political history, reli- gion, social and economic history, art, and foreign relations during the reign of Constantine, a ruler who gains in importance because he steered the Roman Empire on a course parallel with his own personal develop- ment. Each chapter examines the intimate interplay between emperor and empire and between a powerful personality and his world. Collec- tively, the chapters show how both were mutually affected in ways that shaped the world of late antiquity and even affect our own world today. Noel Lenski is Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. A specialist in the history of late antiquity, he is the author of numerous articles on military, political, cultural, and social history and the monograph Failure of Empire: Valens and the Roman State in the Fourth Century ad. Cambridge Collections Online © Cambridge University Press, 2007 Cambridge Collections Online © Cambridge University Press, 2007 The Cambridge Companion to THE AGE OF CONSTANTINE S Edited by Noel Lenski University of Colorado Cambridge Collections Online © Cambridge University Press, 2007 cambridge university press Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, Sao˜ Paulo Cambridge University Press 40 West 20th Street, New York, ny 10011-4211, usa www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521818384 c Cambridge University Press 2006 This publication is in copyright.
    [Show full text]
  • Was Constantinople Founded As a Christian Capital?
    WAS CONSTANTINOPLE FOUNDED AS A CHRISTIAN CAPITAL? by JOHN HOLLAND A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of MPhil (B) in Late Antiquity Institute of Ancient Antiquity School of Historical Studies University of Birmingham March 2004 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT This thesis examines the theory of Krautheimer that Constantinople was founded as a Christian Capital. This theory is compared to the work of Dagron who believed the city was founded with a much more dynastic motive in mind. Under discussion are the buildings, such as the Mausoleum and Hippodrome as well as the images used by Constantine in Constantinople. The conclusions are that it was not a Christian city and that although there are elements that suggest it was in competition to Rome this was not the primary motive in the foundation. Although there are elements of the city that would become important in the future as important to the creation of Byzantium as a successor to Rome it is argued this was not the situation when the city was founded.
    [Show full text]
  • Keeping the Muslim Culture Alive Full Book W.Pdf
    The Multicultural Inter-Agency Group of Peel (MIAG), Peel Community Connections (PCC) and project partners have been working with the Muslim community to develop this resource book. Funding for this book has come from the Ontario Early Years Challenge Fund. As part of our “Diverse-city: A Strategy for Change” project, songs and stories from the Muslim community have been collected, translated and compiled into this book. BOOK FORMAT Keeping the Muslim Culture Alive has been designed to reinforce the importance of culture and tradition in the lives of our children. It has been designed to include songs and stories from various countries as well as to include some child rearing information for parents/caregivers. Countries have been sectioned off by continent to appear in the following order: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. General parenting tips are found after the songs. A SPECIAL NOTE Although there is a great diversity in infant care practices in the different societies, babies are considered precious in every one. Appreciate Multiculturalism: Children are usually open to different cultures. Most of them have gone to fully integrated schools from the beginning. They have been provided a wealth of life experiences that are just not available to children living and studying in predominantly mono-cultural societies. Multicultural Inter-Agency Peel Community Connections (PCC) We recognize the Group of Peel (MIAG) 3034 Palstan Rd. Suite M3 Government of Ontario 3034 Palstan Rd. Suite 201 Mississauga, ON L4Y2Z6 for its financial support of Mississauga, ON L4Y2Z6 Tel: 905-270-2295 Fax: 905-270-6263 “Diverse-city: A Strategy Tel: 905-270-6252 Fax: 905-270-6263 [email protected] for Change”.
    [Show full text]
  • A Medallion of Constantius II Julia Ruff Lawrence University
    Lawrence University Lux Lawrence University Honors Projects 2005 A Medallion of Constantius II Julia Ruff Lawrence University Follow this and additional works at: https://lux.lawrence.edu/luhp Part of the Byzantine and Modern Greek Commons © Copyright is owned by the author of this document. Recommended Citation Ruff, Julia, "A Medallion of Constantius II" (2005). Lawrence University Honors Projects. 70. https://lux.lawrence.edu/luhp/70 This Honors Project is brought to you for free and open access by Lux. It has been accepted for inclusion in Lawrence University Honors Projects by an authorized administrator of Lux. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This honors these submitted by Julia Ruff has been read and found acceptable for Honors in Independent Study Randall McNeill, Member of the Examinin~ Committee Je#ld Podair, Member of the Examining Committee Carol Lawton, Thesis Adviser A MEDALLION OF CONSTANTIUS II Julia Ruff TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface 1 Introduction 2-3 The Sources 4 Historical Background 4-9 Ammianus Marcellinus 9-12 Reign of Constantius II 13-18 Medallions: Definition 18-19 Medallions: Occasions for Minting 19-22 Medallions: Intended Recipients 23-27 Description of the Medallion 28 Obverse 28-33 Reverse 34-39 Medallions: Production 39-45 The Messages of the Medallion of Constantius 45-50 Conclusions 50-51 Figure 1 52 Figure 2 53 Figure 3 54 Figure 4 55 Figure 5 56 Figure 6 57 Figure 7 58 Figure 8 59 Figure 9 60 Bibliography 61-62 ( 1 ( PREFACE I would like to acknowledge those individuals who have helped to make this work possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Educating Christians About Judaism
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Senior Thesis Projects, 1993-2002 College Scholars 2000 Educating Christians About Judaism Margaret cock Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_interstp2 Recommended Citation cock, Margaret, "Educating Christians About Judaism" (2000). Senior Thesis Projects, 1993-2002. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_interstp2/53 This Project is brought to you for free and open access by the College Scholars at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Senior Thesis Projects, 1993-2002 by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Educating Christians About Judaism Margaret E. Pattison University of Tennessee Committee: Dr. Gilya G. Schmidt Dr. Karen Levy Dr. Vejas Liulevicius Table of Contents Abstract Introduction 4 Literature Review 5 Experiment 23 Results/Conclusions 25 Education Part One 36 Education Part Two 36 F inaI ThoughtslRecommendations 43 Reference List 45 Appendixes Abstract Many Christians are unaware of their religion~s connection to Judaism. Because of centuries of false doctrine and anti-Semitism on the part of the church leaders, much of the Christian community has little or no understanding of the parental role of the Jewish faith. They forget that Jesus, the central figure in Christianity, was a practicing member of the Jewish church. This project's goals are to teach a smalI popu1ation of Christians some minor details of Judaism, but more importantly, to instill a deep appreciation in Christians' hearts for the Jewish faith and tradition. To determine the relative knowledge of Christians, different age groups of members of Central Baptist Church of Bearden were surveyed.
    [Show full text]
  • (Fijp Fflrnaa
    (FIjp fflrnaa E P T E m E R 1 0 6 7 (lib? Sngal OlroHB OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING Miss Lillian Janet Soper, Edisor EDITORIAL OFFICE, 6407 32d Street, N. W., Washington. D. C. 20015 THE MESSAGE OF A CATHEDRAL WINDOW I am the Light; heaven's greatest gift to man. I am the sunrise; And the sunset; And the rainbow—■ The daily miracle of color. I am the springtime and the Autumn. I am the only art discovered by any religion— I am the dawn and little children's laughter— The brook in the woods. I am as fragile as a child, and as beautiful; As compelling as a lovely woman. As magnificent as the character of a great man— improved by every attack. I am the moon on the lake at midnight. I am memories—the woman who went away and daily returns to bless you. I am phantasy; and witchery—and mystery. I am yesterday; and tomorrow. I am the good Lord's leading missionary; For eight hundred years I have functioned twelve hours a day while the pulpit speaks for twenty minutes a week. I appeal to all races and all ages. 1 am beauty; and beauty is God made manifest. James Sheldon PUBLICATION OFFICE, Jackson, Tenn. NATIONAL OFFICE: THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING, INC. Boom 600, The Episcopal Church Center, 81S Second Avenue. New Tork, N. T. 10017 b-lRS. Herbert Norris, Office Administrator Failure to receive THE ROYAL CROSS should be reported to the National Office, giving full name and Changes of Address should be received before the 1st of the month preceding month of issue.
    [Show full text]
  • SCHEDULE for HOLY WEEK St
    I hope this email finds everyone safe & in good health at home. This update is also available on our webpage www.stmarysrockvalley.org when you click on the April 5th link. Fr. Doug, and the office staff have been working on many ways to keep our parishioners engaged during this time where we are not allowed to celebrate the mass as a parish. All masses will be livestreamed on our Facebook page for the upcoming week. We understand that several parishioners do not have Facebook so below you will see several other options for participating. The Live Stream schedule is attached to this email as Holy Week 2020. You can also find it on our parish website at www.stmarysrockvalley.org 2020 Palm Sunday, April 5th 9am Mass streamed from Christ the King (English) 10:00AM Drive by Palm/branch blessing at Christ the King* 11:00AM Mass streamed from Christ the King (Spanish) 12:30PM Drive by Palm/branch blessing at St. Mary* • Cut a green or budding branch to use at home. See “drive-by” times above. Fr. Doug will be outside the church blessing you and your “Palms” as you drive-by. Place the branch on or by your front door as a reminder to you or others that we are in Holy Week. • Kids can also download a Paper Palm to color. • Read the Gospel of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and have a procession in your homes. [See parish Facebook for a song provided by Shelli.] The Diocese has put together the helpful aid that is attached to this email which includes the readings for the week.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Pulpit to the Palm-Branch;
    Book. S7 T5 FROM THE PULPIT TO THE PALM-BRANCH COPYRIGHT. The above Portrait of Mr. Spurgeon has been produced from the last Photograph taken at Menton, Januarv 8. 1892. {See page 32.) FROM THE PULPIT TO THE PALM-BRANCH 3 Memorial of C. H. SPURGEON SEQUEL TO THE SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, ENTITLED jFrom tl)e B&W^ Refill to tijc Cabemacle pulpit FIVE MEMORIAL SERMONS BY REV. A. T. PIERSON, D.D. M DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNTS .OF MR. SPURGEON'S LONG ILLNESS, AND PARTIAL RECOVERY ; HIS LAST MONTH AT MENTONE, INCLUDING VERBATIM REPORTS OF THE LAST TWO ADDRESSES GIVEN BY HIM AND THE LAST TWO ARTICLES HE WROTE IFITH THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH HIS FUNERAL Beta gorfe A. C. ARMSTRONG AND SON 51 East lOth Street, near Broadway 1892 All Rights Reserved i 07.0U CONTENTS PAGE. Adieu to the Tabernacle 13 Breaking the Long Silence ..« 20 The Last Month 32 Home in February 40 Two Characteristic Illustrations ... 46 Memorial Service at Menton 50 The Bereaved Church 55 The Blessedness of the Holy Dead 61 A Door opened in Heaven 7^ The First Day of the Second Week 90 Tributes of Affection « ... 95 Memorial Meeting for Members of the Church 99 Memorial Meeting for Ministers and Students 125 Memorial Service for Christian Workers ... ... ... 153 Memorial Meeting for the General Public 176 Funeral Service 191 From the Tabernacle to the Tomb .« 205 j^Meiaori«l,%f^(^efctrChiMfehI.*r 212 " Aft teWmpk of' Service..'."^ ' .'.. ' .« 219 ^cRerP^iJibec yourc]>ad,er,... r-..^', ••• -•• ... ... 231 c'AXl^oroli'giily'Fumisbea Life ..: ' 247 List of Deputations from various Societies represented at the Funeral 267 List of Churches, Societies, and Public Bodies sending Letters of Sympathy and Condolence ..
    [Show full text]
  • Constantine I and a New Christian Golden Age: a Secretly Christian Reverse Type Identified? David Woods
    Constantine I and a New Christian Golden Age: A Secretly Christian Reverse Type Identified? David Woods HE PURPOSE of this paper is to explore the significance of a reverse type used on solidi struck in the name of T Constantine I (306–337) alone at the mints of Nico- media, Sirmium, Ticinum, and Trier during his vicennial year starting on 26 July 325.1 This type depicts what is usually described as two interlaced wreaths surrounded by the legend CONSTANTINVS AVG ( fig. 1).2 With the exception of the issue from Trier, Constantine used this type as part of the coinage struck for donatives as he stopped in the various mint-towns during the course of his journey from Nicomedia to Rome.3 The only minor variation between the mints is that the coins from Sirmium, Ticinum, and Trier always depict a single star cen- 1 The standard catalogue of the coinage of Constantine I remains Patrick M. Bruun, RIC VII (London 1966). I refer to the coins of Constantine and his Caesars by their numbers under the relevant mints in this volume. For a detailed treatment of the coins struck by Constantine as he travelled from Nicomedia to Rome during this vicennial year, including many types not known to Bruun, see Lars Ramskold, “Constantine’s Vicennalia and the Death of Crispus,” in Miša Rakocija (ed.), Niš and Byzantium Symposium XI (2013) 409–456 (cited hereafter by author’s name). In matters of dating and the structure of various issues, I follow Ramskold. However, while Ram- skold’s paper is invaluable in most respects, it avoids discussion of iconogra- phy.
    [Show full text]