"Fastentuecher" "The Veils of Fasting"

I mentioned these "Veils of Fasting" or, as they are also called
the "Veils of Hunger" in my little story about the Vice Bishop of Gurk, below.
Although this custom was first known in the 11th Century, it is still in use
in certain areas of Austria and Bavaria.
In Austria, predominantely in the Provinces of Carinthia and the Tirol,
one may find, between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, the Altar(s)
covered by these artistically decorated cloths.
The story tells of the Altar, containing the tabernacle, being hidden from the view
of all present, who, of course, were all Sinners (with a Capital S)...
and therefore had to be deprived of the view of the Holiest of Holies....
Originally a simple piece of sack cloth was used, to make the Mass-goers
"hunger" for the view of the Altar.
Later a finely woven piece of material was painted on by local artists,
depicting various scenes of the story of Christ
and some of the martered Saints.

 

What has always puzzled me is why is Religion (mostly Christianity)
always so full of pictures of torture and killing and mayhem?
Why does it always show the worst of "Man's Inhumanity to Men" ?
Why is it  always about the worst aspects of "mankind" ?
Rarely, almost never, is it  about Love! Why not?
Why do we never see Christ hugging one of the women in his life?
These are not questions about Christ..
They are questions of what we did to His teachings.
How we depict his life. And that's not His fault.

Christ, I believe, was a good man. He was even a Great Man.
The people after him, were  small, powerhungry, greedy men,
out to control the mass of His followers.
And how to best control people ?
Instil them with feelings of Guilt and Fear.
Christian Teachings (as opposed to Christ's Teachings)
is built on those two elements: Guilt and Fear.
And that's how I control you:
If you feel guilty about some imagined wrong you did,
"Original sin", "desire for, and actual sexual contact"
(how cleverly the second strongest impulse in the human make-up is used)
and
if you fear the consequences of such aledged "Sins"
(Purgatory and Hellfire)
then you are most easily controlled.
Then you are most easily severed from your worldly goods.
And if I swindle you out of your "worldly goods" I am no better than a thief.

Hear, hear, I have digressed from my original presentation:
That of the "Veil of Fasting" or the "Veil of Hunger".

Quick...somebody explain all of this to me
Bertstravels.

Doggie-dog-dog and I

My Dog, called "Doggie-dog-dog and I went up to the "Koemmel"
a hill range just on the edge of Bleiburg, for a little hike in the springtime Sun.
I am not certain who enjoyed it more: Doggie-dog-dog or I. 

Summer is on its way.

This is hard to believe...
I'm sitting in my bathing trunks in a deck chair in our garden. The sun is beating down with all its might. One might think it's July or August. I got so hot that I came indoors to cool off. I regret that our pool is not in operation yet, or I would have been in it.
I remember a day like today also in March, but many years ago. I was in Algonquin Park, having just completed a single portage from Opeongo Lake into Proulx Lake, then the paddle through Proulx Lake, Proulx Marsh and on into Big Crow Lake... I was hot and bothered and went for a swim.... In Canada... In March... 200 km North of TO.
You may believe me when I tell you that I did not stay in the water very long. The lake was still freezing cold and I was more "in and out" in an awful hurry, than in for a leisurely swim.
I am looking forward to this summer.. in particular to my Visit in May, all of May, to Canada... Mostly TO, but on the plan is also Shakespeare in Stratford, Algonquin Park and several other wonderful things to do and enjoy.

Let me just tell you something that struck my funny-bone:
I accidentally (of course) spelled Shakespeare as "Sheakespeare" .. right away my Spell check underlined the word in red. I right clicked for the correction and there were several alternatives: Of course there was "Shakespeare" but there also, in second place, was the alternative: "Speakerphone"....
I truly think that's funny: Shakespeare and Speakerphone...  there is a spiritual connection.. even if not a spelling connection...
Don't you think that's funny ? I would enjoy your comment.

quickly... somebody hand me a Theosaurus. (spell check this)
Bertstravels.

To Howard Carson and the Vice Bishop of Gurk.

"Once, some time ago, I had a problem with the Vice Bishop of Gurk....but that's a long story.


You are right, Howard, the more often I now read this line, the more it sounds, as you suggested, like the opening line of a Monty Python sketch. And I too now laugh about it.
I think that I now owe you an explanation for this funny line:

In several regions of Austria, in particular in Carinthia and Tirol, but also in some regions in Germany, there is the custom of the "Fastentuecher" or loosely translated, the "Lenten Veils"...(sometimes they are also referred to as "Hungertuecher, (hunger veils)"
In the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, Roman Catholic Churches  in the above described areas, while observing a Fasting period (Lenten) will hang a "Tuch" (Cloth) over the Altar, so as to prevent the "repentant sinners" to see the Altar, containing the Tabernacle...
This custom started in the 11th Century. At that time the Altar was hidden by a simple sack cloth. Later the cloth was finely woven material and hand painted by local artists, with scenery from the bible, so that the largely illiterate congregation could learn the history of Christianity through these pictures.
(You can learn more about this custom, by googling "Fastentuecher")
So now comes the "Monty Python Sketch"
I decided to photograph as many of these "Lenten Veils" and for this purpose I travelled to 9 or 10 churches.
One of them is the Cathedral of Gurk (Google will tell you about this church). As always I photographed without a flash, so as not to disturb other persons meditating there.
The Lenten Veil in Gurk is particularly interesting since it contains many squares depicting Christian history.
I am quietly going about my business, when a group of tourists enters through a side door. They are examining a side altar. A lady peels away from the group, and with the nastiest of voices, not at all becoming the christian, "love thy neighbour" teachings, orders me to immediately cease and desist my "pagan activity".
I turn to Christin and ask her: "Who is this lady?", whereupon Christin smiles and answers: "A busybody."
I ignore the nice Christian Lady and continue taking pictures of this Lenten Veil. "Busybody" prances off and disappears through a side door. Minutes later, I am still taking pictures, she re-appears with the most ludicrous looking apparition. A Man, at least 6'6" weighing not less than 250kgs, dressed in a floor length black caftan like entire body engulfing dress. With eyes blazing he orders me to stop taking pictures at once. I ask him: 'Who are you? the Mesner?" ( A Mesner is the Church maintenance man, cleaner, and general factotum)
He ignores my question and now he goes a step further: "Leave this Church at once" he shouts loudly.
I reply very quietly that I thought this was "God's House" and if He ordered me to leave I would do so, but not if the "Mesner" tells me to leave.
He is quite obviously incensed at my second reference to his status. I turn from him and very deliberately take some more shots. He turns red in the face (now you have to imagine a black mountain with a red head on top)
and again quite loudly tells me that if I take one more picture he will take my camera from me.
I turn away, and very quietly take 4 more, completely unnecessary shots in the opposite direction of the Lenten Veils. I was, I admit provoking him to the nth degree. He grabs my camera strap and pulls on it.
I asked him not to do this, since I would otherwise have to lay a charge against him for assault.
He stops pulling on the camera strap, when a man comes from the group of tourists, approaches us and in a very quiet voice informs me that he is an off-duty police officer and that he now places himself  "on duty".     He shows me "his badge" (I ain't got no badge, I don't need no stinkin' badge.These words were not uttered then)... Anyway he shows me his badge and informs me with a very quiet voice that this gentleman is the Vice Bishop of the Cathedral of Gurk and totally within his right to order me to leave the church.
Please, he says, you have taken your pictures, please leave now, so that I need not escort you out of this building..
By this time, Christin has fled the scene and I find her in the Vestibule, crying with laughter....
The Police Officer, a very nice man, and I have a nice little chat, he wanting to know why I spoke to the Lady (Christin) in English. I tell him that I am a Canadian Citizen and that I am here on a visit, taking home with me very good impressions of Austrian Off Duty Cops, but very poor impressions of Austrian "Vice Bishops".
We have a good laugh, shake hands and Christin and I leave this House of God, from which I was evicted by  the Vice Bishop and an Off-Duty Cop.
So there, dear Howard, is truly the makings of a Monty Python sketch.
(Shortly thereafter the Vice Bishop was demoted (not because of this incident) and transferred as a simple Priest to a small country community.)
See images below taken at great risk to my body and soul.

Can anybody give me a quick absolution?
Bertstravels.

The Cathedral of GURK in the Province of Carinthia, Austria

The "Fastentuch" (The Cloth of Fasting)
hides the Altar of the Cathedral of Gurk
as well as many other churches in Carinthia and Tirol.

A closer look at this "Cloth of Fasting"
in Gurk.

 

Another "Fastentuch" hiding the Altar in the
Abbey church of Millstadt, Carinthia.

LONDON, a wonderful town.....

It is astonishing what you can do in London in 6 days when you are young and vigorous....

We arrived at Heathrow airport at about 3 PM on the 8th of March and proceeded to our hotel.

A 4 star property owned and operated along with several others by my former client and now friend, Shiraz.

In our room awaited us a lovely arrangement of flowers, a bottle of Champagne, one of Red wine, a Delicatessen tray, as well as a bowl of fruit. All this was a token of the hospitality of Shiraz and his wife, Shamin. A hospitality which we enjoyed for the next 6 days.

The weather was cloudy and cool, when on the next morning we took a boat ride along the Thames from the Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge and back again. There is history along this river, which goes back almost 2000 years.

You can walk and walk and each 100 meters or so there is something else of keen interest to see, photograph and talk about.

Let me not bore you with a day to day description of our activities, but let me just tell you that we visited the church of St. Martin in the Field where an "eclectic choir" sang at a "Candle light Vespers"...

In the "Royal Albert Hall" we saw and heard an absolutely wonderful performance of Verdi's "Aida".

It was performed in the costumes of its time and place, but beautifully framed by silent scenes of a relatively modern "archaeological excavation" during which artifacts were found which then played a role in the actual Opera. This was in no way intrusive, but, in fact, was so cleverly arranged that it felt as if it actually belonged to the Opera. The Voices were stunningly beautiful and the acting superb.The music was performed by the Royal London Symphony Orchestra... You can't get it much better... Can you?

Westminster Abbey is an absolute "Must" for any visitor to London. There is more history in this place than you can shake the proverbial stick at. Every square foot of every wall features History (spelled with a capital H)...

The Abbey was founded in the 10th Century and it seems as if every King and Queen, every Duke and Earl was buried there, along with Generals and Explorers.

Naturally Photographing is strictly prohibited within the Abbey. Many "information guides" clad in red, green or blue gowns make sure that you don't use your camera. It's not just that you may not use a camera flash, which I could understand since it would be disturbing to have 100s of flashes pop off all around you, but there is a total photographing prohibition.

I carried my D300 over my left shoulder. I had set the 'mode' to "P" fully automatic program, the ISO to 3,200 the lens to 18mm and when I saw something worth a shot or two, I pointed the camera in the approximate direction of the subject, while I looked into the other direction and clicked the shutter. 

Quite frankly, I did not expect great photography, but some of the shots came out quite well. Well composed, 

beautifully exposed... and I never got caught.

So, down along this Blog I post several of these images, taken in this rather unorthodox way.

In the National Theater we saw Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors"... beautifully acted...in a modern setting... unfortunately I had a hard time understanding much of the dialog.

Then we saw the Chelsea Football Club play against Stoke City F.C.in the Chelsea stadium, fully packed.

Although a low scoring game, (1:0 for Chelsea ) it was exciting from opening to closing whistle.

Our host Shiraz owns a box there. Quite frankly: That's the way to see a soccer game. 

In the "Tate Modern" Art Gallery an exhibition by Boetti was on display. Don't ask me ...

look him up on Google....

When is the next plane leaving for London?

Bertstravels would like to be on.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

Christin, Shiraz, Shamin, Maureen and John.
(unfortunately I forgot the name of the young man
who is one of the care-givers for Shiraz.)

Christin with our hosts: Shiraz and Shamin

Shamin and Christin are puzzling over the betting slips.
Shamin put 2 pounds on Chelsea to win:
Christin predicted a draw...
with a little bit of luck she could have been right.

Who is this handsome young man with Christin ???

CHELSEA (1) vs STOKE CITY(0)

Chelsea in their traditional "blue and white" home strip,
today's opponents, Stoke City, in their 'away strip' Red and White stripes.
Although low scoring, it was an exciting game with much
at stake for Chelsea

 

 

Great goal keeping held the score low.
Chelsea needed a win to remain in contention.
1:0 is a win.
The well behaved crowds went home happy.

THE WESTMINSTER ABBEY

I would like to have a penny for every photo ever taken of this
particular view of "Westminster Abbey" (Not to be confused with
Westminster Cathedral)

The interior of this Abbey is absolutely stunning.
There is, I said to Christin, History on literally every square inch.
It is, of course, strictly forbidden to take photographs.
Male and Female guards are everywhere to politely enforce this rule.

Along every wall there are 'sacophargs' and coffins made of stone
or metal. Every King, and Queen, every Earl, Count, General and
other military or civilian heroes, along
with everybody who was anybody lies burried in Westminster.

"AIDA" in the famous "Royal Albert Hall"

The "Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences", although accoustically not
the greatest Opera House or Concert Hall, is, nevertheless,
a most popular venue for performances of all kinds.
Completed in 1871 it accommodates about 8000 persons.
We saw one of the greatest performances of Verdi's Aida.

 

It was refreshing to see an Opera in the costumes of Old
instead of in all modern clothing and setting, where the Pharao
would have been a Mafioso, entering not on a litter, but in an old Cadillac.
The "Palace Guards", instead of carrying spears and lanzes,
would have been armed withe sub-machine guns.

I enjoyed the performance immensely and I am certain
that Verdi would have been proud of it too.

LONDON, some images

"Big Ben".
Probably the most famous clock tower and bell
forming the main attraction of "Westminster Palace."
At the end of Westminster Bridge is the memorial to Queen Boudicca

The "London Eye" a giant ferries wheel
takes 30 minutes for one whole revolution
and affords a wonderful view of the entire City.
The "Aquarium" at its base is well worth an extended visit.

The "Tower Bridge", one of the oldest bridges spanning the river Thames.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where the bard's plays are performed
in their original version: without sound= or light enhancements

Bert, writing about the Atomic Bomb??? Is he crazy ???

Last Monday, 5th March 2012, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency spoke of  "serious concerns" that Iran "might be hiding secret atomic weapons work."
Yuria Aman  admitted that for the second time this month, Iran had refused the investigating team access to certain installations.
Any decision regarding sanctions to deter Iran from continuing its clandestine efforts to enrich its uranium supplies to reach fissionable standards, which might be arrived at by the IAEA,   must go to the UN Security Council, where Russia and China block all efforts to urge Iran to "actively disprove the substantial doubt about the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program".
Does the above sound frighteningly "deja vu" ?
Have we not had the same, or similar circumstances not so long ago with Iraq and its then existing leadership?
The UN issuing its suspicions of Iraq's production of "Weapons of Mass Destruction"...
Iraq refusing access to its installations to the inspection team,
UN passing a resolution, permitting "all necessary means" .... and so on and so forth.
I hope that this time around, the UN and the EU will pull their own chestnuts out of the fire and not, like before, when the USA had to do the dirty work.
However, reading the statements issued by the President of the USA, Barak Obama, one might come to the conclusion that if the need arises, the USA will again be in the middle of the fray, since Europe is nothing much more than "talk, talk, talk" and when action is needed, they are nowhere to be seen.

Bertstravels.