Christian Beardsley ’16 – Today has been a very unique and bizarre day, one that I will never forget. being a Christian, today was especially important and spectacular because it was personally very uplifting seeing the multitude relics, frescos, and mosaics. Personally, my favorite ones were at the Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. Coming into the church I was not too impressed at the overall state of it or anything within its walls; however, the side chapels would prove to hold many different things that would alter the simplistic mindset that I was in. In the side chapel, we saw the nail of the cross of Christ, the thorns of His crown, and even the shroud of Jesus. I was amazed when I saw all of these things and am very blessed to have been given this opportunity to have done so.
This trip has taught me many things along the days involving the beginning of Christianity and the early parts of the Roman Empire, even the culture of the people who live here. Another thing I have learned was that there were many changes made to the monuments of the ancient times so that they could build over the old and start again with the new on top. Christianity became a major religion and it was shown in the basilica and churches throughout the city. Even among the churches, there were many frescos and mosaics from the past centuries, underneath the new structures, that depict key stories within the bible. The stories would relate to the old and new testament and would also relate to that respective church in some way.
Rome is very different in terms of how people live and interact with others. It is a very busy city, full of life during all times of the day. There is never a dull moment to be had whilst here. Overall, this trip has been a very unique and worthwhile experience, one that I will remember for the rest of my life. It has taught me much and has provided me with useful tools and perspectives to look upon the world, such as enjoy the smaller things as well as the larger things of life and to just experience new things that may seem different. I am very grateful to have this experience.
