Week Reflection No.2

Architecture, in all its brilliance and mystique, serves a much more deeper purpose then to simply be lived in, looked at and known about. It is a symbol, and most commonly a symbol of devotion, of passion and revolutionary milestones of humanity itself. "What does architecture have to do with religion at all?" I once asked this with a growing interest and curiosity of the truth. In this week of my "Study of Religion" class, I have examined several videos of Architecture, participated in activities and discussed via mouth and pen to what my opinions were on it. Through the week, we have looked at architectures such as Leshan Giant Buddha in China, Russian Cathedrals and the ancient anomaly of Great Britain - Stonehenge.

"Stonehenge", an ancient and sacred space, created over a number of ages in Old Britain

Although I have not had the pleasure of visiting it face-to-face myself, St. Peter's Basilica is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and revolutionary architectural designs that still stands today. A behemoth structure, standing one hundred and thirty eight metres, and spanning at a length of two hundred and twenty metres, decorated with renaissance patterns, illustrating a devotion to God and his holiness, St Peter's Basilica remains to be one of the most significant and sacred locations for Christianity. Not only is it a place of pilgrimage and worship, but is also the burial site of the apostle "Peter", whom is a significant follower of Jesus, depicted in the New Testament of the bible. Therefore, it is not only sacred to Christianity as a whole, but Catholicism in particular, since they place emphasis on the saints.

Crowds of tourists, exploring the halls of St Peter's Basilica

Among the ceilings and higher walls of the basilica, windows are placed intentionally, allowing rays of the sun to reflect through and into the halls of the building - and I have no doubt this is not only an addition to the beauty of this architectural brilliance, but also a symbolism that God watches over our world constantly, with a holy omnipotent stature. In fact, this very factor of the architecture may be referring to the verse in Matthew 5:14-16:
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Sun rays shining through the windows of St Peter's Basilica

As you can see, through the art depicted in the basilica, along with the architectural structure, such as the rays coming through the windows and the announced burial sight of a sacred prophet, St Peter's Basilica creates an extremely holy sacred space for Christians. And in fact, Christians can be excluded from the equation, because it is enough to say that a group of people whom are not Christian, may still walk into the Basilica and feel at peace, ultimately marvelling at the work which devotes itself to the divine power above, and through this curious and touching sacred space, feel compelled to pursue God himself.

A brief video, demonstrating the environment and awe of St Peter's Basilica