Overhead work in the Holy Sepulchre

.

In the 12th Station of the Cross I was surprised to see a man working ABOVE the heads of the many pilgrims and tourists.
I was there at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre a few weeks ago.
Had to take the pictures in the dark, so click a few times on the photos to enlarge them and see a bit of detail.

Everyone was waiting in line for a chance to kneel under the Greek Orthodox altar and touch the stone of Calvary.
Being Jewish and not Christian, this is not something I do, so I was quite happy to instead watch the work going on overhead.

I think the man is Rael Khalil, a Palestinian restoration expert from the Jericho Mosaic Center.

You can see a video about him and read about mosaic cleaning and restoration in the Chapel of Calvary (aka Golgotha) in this article by the Franciscans.
.
(Linking to inSPIRED Sunday meme.)
.

First Time On Ice

We took Ellie to the holiday rink in Kiener Plaza yesterday afternoon. First time on ice skates. The little kids can have a double-bladed model and this sled-cum-walker to hang on to. After entering the rink under the watchful eye of the SLPD, she found that she just loved it.

Her mother, Emily, hadn't been on skates in at least twenty years and found it very difficult. Mrs. C and I wouldn't even consider going out there. (I never learned and I'm too old to start.) But this kid, who is nearly fearless, has a lot of promise.     

In Honorem S. Ludovici

You don't need to have been a poor student of Latin like me to translate this: in honor of St. Louis. This town, not just le roi saint, could use a few honors. We have something of an image problem.

This is part of the facade of the Old Cathedral, under the Arch on the edge of downtown.

Broadway Line Up

Same light, different view. Looking north on Broadway, the Old Courthouse, 100 and 200 N. B'way. My office building is three more blocks behind.    

Nice Light

Out of the office late yesterday afternoon . . . must - shoot - something. Felt like Frankenstein staggering around downtown in the cold, looking for something, anything. Turns out the sunset colors were gorgeous, the light as good as it could get. It hit the north wing of the Old Courthouse with perfect framing and the new lamps in Kiener Plaza added a nice touch.