Free stock photos of Catholic subjects.
This Lectionary was created ca. 1000 in Trier. Written in a clear Caroline minuscule, it contains decorated initials at the openings of important readings. A set of illuminated letters marks the beginning of the Epistle and Gospel lessons for Easter; they display the hierarchy of scripts with capital letters decorated...
This Gospel Lectionary from the eleventh century was written in clear Carolingian minuscule in Regensburg, Germany. Its original treasure binding is very fragile because the spine is made from delicate Byzantine or Islamic silk, so it is not possible to photograph the whole manuscript. Only the cover has been photographed,...
This is a fragment from the upper arm of a hand-held bronze cross. One side contains a bust of Saint John the Baptist. The other side displays a cross-shaped monogram whose letters form the word KYPIE, vocative of "Lord" - probably the beginning of an inscription that once...
A plain gold hoop with a high bezel treated with a row of fleur-de-lys in high relief. The bezel is inset with a disc nielloed with a cross within a wreath. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domainPL2_57.1582_Top_BW.jpg864 KBdownload-circle Please Subscribe or Donate to...
State officials in the early Byzantine Empire often inspected newly minted silver objects and stamped them to attest to the metal's purity. Four such stamps on the bottom of this cup for Communion wine contain, together with the inspectors' names, the monograms of Emperor Justinian (ruled 527-65)...
Ceramic vessels with monochrome painting in a similar style are typical of Christian Egypt. Birds and other animals are often found depicted on them. The meaning of the composition seen on this example is unclear. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domain1200px-Coptic_-_Dish_with_a_Human_Figure_and_...
The center of this thin dress ornament, which would have been sewn onto a garment through the four holes, is dominated by an imperial cross. The two globes on either side of it represent the two empires (East and West), ruled by two-emperors during the 2nd half of the 5th...
This small gold pectoral cross of Roman form has splayed ends, and is set with five cabochon garnets, with a tubular ring for suspension. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domainPL7_57.1734_Fnt_BW_H44.jpg633 KBdownload-circle Please Subscribe or Donate to Help Keep This Site Free!...
The blue nicolo inltaglio has a delicate figure of Nike (Victory) standing on an orb and holding a wreath in her outstretched hand. The circular bezel is almost completely separated from the hoop and is held up by a pair of leopards. Other rings of this type contain coins of...
The Church of Saint Sava is 79 m high and sits on the Vračar plateau in Belgrade, Serbia. It is the main cathedral of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The church is dedicated to Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and an important figure in medieval Serbia.
The most common icon of Jesus holding a Bible (or more accurately, the Gospels) is the Christ Pantocrator. This icon depicts Jesus as the ruler of the world, often shown with a stern, somber expression, holding a book (the Gospels) in his left hand and making a blessing gesture with his right.
This image captures a sacred moment in an Eastern Catholic Chrismation ceremony, focusing on the priest anointing a catechumen, with the intricate golden embroidery on the priest's vestments hinting at the solemnity and tradition of the rite.
This photograph captures the solemn procession of the casket of Pope Francis through a crowd of onlookers and clergy, likely within St. Peter's Square, distinguished by the iconic colonnade and statues visible atop the Vatican architecture.
This formal photographic portrait of Pope Francis, in an ornate gilt frame and accompanied by a devotional candle, serves as a contemporary prayer station. It is an example of modern devotional imagery, particularly poignant following the recent death of the Pontiff.
This Byzantine silver spoon features a pear-shaped bowl incised with a cross and a slender handle, typical of Late Roman or Byzantine tableware and potentially liturgical implements.
This outdoor devotional statue presents the Madonna and Child atop an inscribed plinth, typical of Marian columns or roadside shrines found throughout Central Europe.
The Byzantine Catholic Great and Holy Wednesday Pre-Sanctified Liturgy is a solemn evening service (often celebrated in the morning for convenience) that combines Great Vespers with Holy Communion.
The Philippines features impressive Catholic statues. This one, of Moses holding the Ten Commandments, symbolizes a rich historical and religious heritage. This awe-inspiring sculpture draws visitors for its intricate artistry.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during a Benediction service involves displaying the consecrated Host in a monstrance for adoration. The congregation kneels and sings, and the priest incenses the monstrance. Silent prayer, structured prayers, Scripture readings, or a homily may follow.
The Rite of Matrimony, or Mystery of Crowning, is a sacred ceremony with key elements: betrothal, exchange of vows, crowning, blessing, and procession. The crowning, introduced in 1646, places crowns on the couple, symbolizing their status as “king and queen” of their new family.
The Gothic nave of the city parish church in Graz is lit up during the Advent season in the liturgical color violet, the symbol for the transition and transformation.
Commissioned by Duke Moritz of Saxony, this medal depicts the Trinity in the form of the Throne of Grace. God the Father holds the cross on which Christ has been crucified, expressing God’s acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice, with the Holy Spirit between them in the form of a dove.
One of the most revered icons in the Russian Orthodox church, Our Lady of Kazan represents the Virgin Mary as the patroness of the city of Kazan and the Holy Protectress of Russia.
This remarkable object, meant to be carried in religious processions within a great church, is an example of the high level of skill achieved by 15th-century Italian silversmiths.
