PIETA- UKRAINE

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has caused tens of thousands of deaths on both sides and instigated Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. To commemorate, we start Lent with the theme of PIETA, and illustrate with the oldest known image of the Pieta in the Ukraine.

This Pieta is a Mosaic in Holy Assumption Pechersk Lavra Cathedra, in  Kiev Ukraine. It is the oldest Ortordox Monastery in Ukraine and Russia, dating from 1051.

(Photos: William Perry)

When we think of the term “Pieta”, most of us automatically call to mind Michelangelo’s famous Pieta in the Vatican, but  this Lamentation is an ancient theme in Christian art.

The word Pieta means “Pity” or “Compassion,” and represents the Virgin Mary cradling the body of her Son Jesus in her arms as He is taken down from the Cross. The image is often so poignant that we are invited to meditate on this moment of tenderness and grief  with Mary who sorrowfully contemplates the dead body of her Son which she holds on her lap.

The ability to capture the physical suffering of Christ and the emotional suffering of Mary is a sorrowful scene, but one that gives the promise of hope and redemption.  We continue our prayers for the people of the Ukraine that their sufferings may soon end. May the strength and serenity of our Mother be with her people in these dark times, and may they soon know peace.