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A Baroque facade was added to the lower west front, which centers on a sculpture of St. Matthias holding an axe. The figure holds an open book with a reference to John 15:14: 'You are my friends if you do what I command.'

Bring binoculars to the St. Matthias Abbey Church to see architectural marvels

By • Catholic Online • 7/24/2012

St. Matthias Abbey Church or Abtei St. Matthias in Trier, Germany, is a beautiful 12th-century church, part of an active Benedictine abbey and is still visited by many Catholic pilgrims. The abbey houses the relics of St. Matthias, the apostle who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as he ...

With its short length and multitude of towers and turrets, the Maria Laach Abbey resembles a fairy-tale fortress, accentuated by its scenic, lakeside setting.

Masterpiece of German Romanesque architecture, the Maria Laach resembles fairy tale castle

By • Catholic Online • 6/29/2012

The Maria Laach Abbey, or as it is known in Germany, the Abtei Maria Laach or Kloster Maria Laach is located on the wooded shores of a crater lake. The church is considered an important example of German Romanesque architecture. With its short length and multitude of towers and turrets, the ...

The monastery was a respected center of Catholic learning with a theological college and an extensive library when Martin Luther joined the order on July 17, 1505.

Augustinian Church and Monastery was where Martin Luther lived for six years

By • Catholic Online • 6/25/2012

The chief stop on the Luther trail is in Erfurt, Germany is where the Augustinerkloster, or Augustinian Monastery. Luther became an Augustinian monk here in 1505, and lived there for the next six years. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Inside the monastery is a permanent Luther exhibition, ...

In a hallucinatory touch worthy of M.C. Escher, the figure on the inner bottom right jamb grasps the two solid grooves and pulls them around his neck like a scarf.

German church remains faithful to its Irish roots

By • Catholic Online • 6/12/2012

The 12th Century church, the Schottenkirche St. Jakob, or Scots Church of St. James in Regensburg is a fascinating Romanesque church founded by Celtic missionaries. It is most noted for its north portal, and remains faithful to its rich northern heritage in its arts and architecture. ...

Mount Athos is largest of Greece's monasteries

By • Catholic Online • 5/2/2012

A mountainous peninsula in northern Greece, Mount Athos or the "Holy Mountain" is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms an autonomous state under Greek sovereignty. Only monks are allowed to live on Athos. The current population hovers around 1,400. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic ...

After another damaging earthquake in 1999, the monastery was closed for restorations - and has remained closed since. There is no estimated date of completion.

Daphni Monastery is one of the great masterpieces of the Byzantine empire

By • Catholic Online • 4/17/2012

The 11th-century Byzantine monastery, Daphni Monastery is found just outside of Athens. A World Heritage site, Daphni Monastery is one of the most important masterpieces of the Byzantine Empire, noted for its beautiful interior mosaics. The church has been closed for restoration work ...

Herodian Mansions discovered underneath the Old City of Jerusalem in the Jewish Quarter

Catholics for Israel on Understanding the Temple: Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus

By • Travelujah • 3/27/2012

There's no better way to learn about Jesus's own spiritual life during the Lenten period, then to get to know the the Jerusalem Temple, the central seat of Judaism during Jesus's days. JERUSALEM, Israel (Catholic Online) - During Lent, one great way to gain new insights into Christ's ...

Founded in the 14th century by St. Athanasios Meteorites, who was a scholarly monk from Mount Athos. The monk ascended the highest pinnacle, which legend says he was carried alight by a giant eagle - and named it the site Megalo Meteoro.

Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ highest, largest of six monasteries of Meteora

By • Catholic Online • 3/23/2012

The Great Meteoron or the Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ is the highest, largest and oldest of the six monasteries of the Meteora. If one only has time to visit one monastery in the Meteora area, this monastery is the one to choose. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Founded in ...

Ropes, pulleys and baskets were all used to lift materials to build on the top of the rock. After all the material was lifted to the location after 22 long years, the construction work took only 20 days.

Varlaam Monastery, founded in 14th Century still active today

By • Catholic Online • 3/20/2012

Varlaam Monastery, also known as Barlaam Monastery in the Meteora is named in honor of the monk who first built the tiny chapel on this rocky promontory in the 14th century. The monastery, still occupied today, features an elegant church with 16th-century frescoes by a well-known ...

The rules of Japanese hot springs

By • Catholic Online • 3/12/2012

Japan is located squarely astride the infamous "ring of fire" and is one of the world's most geologically active zones. As such, it is home to many of the world's natural hot springs. In fact, Japan is home to more than 25,000 natural hot springs spread across 3,000 resorts. KYOTO, JAPAN (Catholic ...