We walked the mile+ to the small (and I mean small) meeting place for the Burgos Branch. I immediately went about looking for the Branch President to offer a special musical number. I saw a young man who we had met last year. He had returned from his mission in France shortly before we arrived in 2023. Well, to my surprise he said, "I am the Branch President! I was called last week." There was a bit of trepidation in his eyes. Sunday was a day of firsts for him; a young man who is probably only about 22 years old. He did a magnificent job presiding and conducting the meeting. His grandmother sat in front of us and sobbed out of pure pride. Really a great meeting with some wonderful people.
In the afternoon we took the students to the Catedral de Burgos. It is a beautiful building whose construction began in the 13th century. Below are some highlights:
Through this door you access the Cathedral. It is known as the Puerta del Sarmentel. What is interesting about this entrance is the beautiful tympanum with its representation of Christ in Glory (holding the book of the law). Above him are two scribes (the evangelists John and Matthew) sitting at their desks with Mark and Luke on either side of the Christ figure; likewise sitting at their scribal desks. This door initiates a theme that pervades many aspects of the Cathedral: testament and testifying. The four Evangelists are busy recording their testimonies of Christ. Just to the left of the left door are two capitals: one of the Christ in glory and the other of a man holding a book in his lap (below):
(Mary the mother of Christ and John the Beloved flank the Christ in Glory)
In the Chapel of Santa Ana or the Concepción you will find one of the most beautiful examples of the Tree of Jesse; a reminder of Mary's royal heritage.The two large figures in the center are Joaquin and Ana, Mary's parents. Immediately above them is the figure of Mary hold the Christ child.
Below is the Escalera dorada (the Golden Staircase). They lead from the Puerta de la Correría. As you might suppose the Cathedral is built into a hill so that the doors on one side are not at the same level as those on the opposite side.
This is the High Altar (Retablo Mayor) of the Cathedral. It is from the Renaissance and the workmanship of Rodrigo de la Haya, one of Spain's best known sculptors. The beauty of his work is found in the deeply human expressions on his figures. One of Jannette's favorite figures is that of Mary high on top next to the crucified Christ. Her look of compassion is breathtaking. My favorite is just opposite that of Mary; John the Beloved. His extended hand toward the crucified Christ calls us to contemplate the condescension of the Savior who gave himself for us.
The choir of the Cathedral is like opening up the Scriptures. There are two tiers that we can consider. The lower tier has episodes from the life of Christ. For example:
Christ eating with the two disciples that he met on the Road to Emmaus
Doubting Thomas
The upper tier, starting from the left side and moving right tells the story of the Creation beginning with God's presence....
Another favorite is this scene from the altar in the Chapel of the Condestables de Castilla. It is the presentation of the baby Jesus to Simeon in the temple. What I love most is that the figure of the child is so natural. He pulls away from the priest Simeon and lunges towards his mother. Joseph, who holds the babe, simply smiles, looking kindly on the somewhat frightened child. Ana stands to the far right pointing to the scene.
This is the cloister of the Cathedral.
All in all it was a lovely day filled with learning and the spirit.
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