"'...something made me stop by the temple of Tanith on my way back and put oil in a lamp - not for them, understand, but for all poor mariners, on whom rests the well-being of Tyre.'" (p. 302)
Economic activity: mariners and well-being;
religious practice: oil in a lamp in a temple.
To this day, in port cities like Dublin and Liverpool, people light candles in churches for seafarers. When I attended Latin classes, we read about people kissing a statue of Hercules. When I sat in a church to meditate, a woman kissed statues of saints. CS Lewis suggested that people who attend church only at Christmas and Easter are Pagans celebrating the midwinter and spring festivals. In Poul Anderson's The Last Viking Trilogy, someone says that he misses old Thor but St Olaf will do instead. Anderson's "Star Of The Sea" is about historical continuity of religious images.
Ave Stella Maris!
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Yes, but the CONTENT of those "religious images" can change, from polytheism to monotheism. And instructed Catholics know the saints are not to be regarded as gods or like gods, but as intercessors with God.
Alas, many churches have replaced REAL candles with electric lights. I think because many insurance companies have insisted on that to help prevent fires. I do understand that, but it doesn't FEEL quite satisfactory, electric lights in place of candles.
Ad astra! Sean
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