A&O Meetup in Oklahoma City Museum of Art + Film: "Tree of Life"

ALPHA OMEGA ARTSBy Ernest BrittonThere is no place like Oklahoma City, and there's no larger collection of Abrahamic Bibles on display anywhere else in the world. Join us for "Passages" at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art on Saturday, July, 9, 2011.Connect with: Greg Disney (@GregoryDisney)Exhibit Title: "Passages, The Bible Experience"Day/Time: Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 10 amLocation: Oklahoma City Museum of ArtCost: $10 for non-membersRSVP: Call...

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Sand Sculpture Honors Hindu Holy Man

Sathaya Sai Baba (1926-2011),A sand sculpture by Sudarshan Pattnaik [Read Pos...

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Buddhist Monk Displays Art in Bangkok

Conceptual work by Chitti Kasemkitvatana [Read Po...

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Saudi Artwork Sets Auction Record: $843,000

"Message/Messenger" by Abdulnaser Gharim [Read Pos...

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AO-PROJECT: ARTS

BY ERNEST BRITTONWe received big news this week! The Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts proposal has been accepted into the highly competitive 16th annual Spirit & Place Festival (our first attempt). I also learned that the juror's gave our project proposal THE highest sco...

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SABBATH ART | NEWS IN REVIEW

ALPHA OMEGA ARTSBy Tahlib, A.O.A."ONE NATION UNDER GOD" (above) by Jon McNaughton, and other religious and spiritual arts news stories of the past week are listed below. The stories are grouped into five faith categories: Buddhist; Hindu; Islamic; Christian; and Other. BUDDHIST:Harvard Welcomes Chinese Religious Art Expert, James Robson (USC US-China Institute)Transcendental Transmission in Bangkok (Bangkok Post)HINDU:Book...

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AOA MUSEUM LISTINGS

All displays and exhibitions below are at US museums unless otherwise noted:COLORADO: Denver Museum of Art: ""Cities of Splendor: A Journey Through Renaissance Italy," through July 31. This show focuses mostly on second- and third-tier artists — many well-regarded by experts — such as Giovanni da Bologna. Denver has one of just four known signed paintings by the Venetian artist, "The Coronation of the Virgin" (circa 1380). 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO, (720) 865-5000, deverartmuseum.org.ILLINOIS: Art Institute of Chicago:...

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Danish Artworks Resonate with Mormons

KSL NEWSBy Nicole WarburtonOne of 23 Carl Bloch paintings inside Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerod, Denmark. DENMARK - About a mile’s walk through the streets of this picturesque and quaint little town is Frederiksborg Castle. It’s perched in the middle of a lake, and tourists aptly describe it as the Versailles of Denmark, with its meandering gardens and majestic inside rooms. But members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consider...

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Art Review: Liza Lou in California

LOS ANGELES TIMESBy Leah Ollman"Zulu love letter" by Liza LouCALIFORNIA - Liza Lou’s first Los Angeles show since 1998, at L&M, features more than 30 works, all but one made since 2008: sculptures on pedestals and on the floor, mounted on the wall and hanging from it in the manner of paintings, a small selection of drawings, and one large installation. Over the years, Lou has made both oblique and direct reference to her upbringing in an evangelical...

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Hunter Reynolds: Art as Survival in the Age of AIDS

HUFFINGTON POSTBy G. Roger DensonNEW YORK - The myth of the modern medical cure both inspires and deludes us. It's within this overlapping zone of hope and uncertainty that arose with AIDS that I see the art of Hunter Reynolds fulfilling a unique need. His art has been conceived entirely in response to the shocking mortality, disillusionment and prejudice that came flooding in on the AIDS generation. New York city residents and visitors can see the...

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Philippians 4:6-7 (No Worries!)

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jes...

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Saudi Artists Achieve New Records in Dubai's Art Auction

ARAB NEWS"Message/Messenger" By Abdulnasir GharimSAUDIA ARABIA - Last week was special for the Saudi artists in Christie's Fine Art Auctions – Middle East, which was held in Dubai, UAE. In the auction, artworks of artists from all over the world were displayed, including outstanding artworks for Saudi artists within the framework of "Edge of Arabia" exhibition, which is supported by ALJ Community Initiatives. The auction witnessed a new record through...

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Nicollo Cosme's Love for Christian Icons Earns Int'l Award

GMA NEWSBy Kimberly Jane Tan"Brotherhood of Men" by Niccolo CosmeKOREA - Niccolo Cosme, a 30-year-old Filipino fashion and commercial photographer, beat more than 500 entries from Japan, Korea, Philippines, China, USA and Canada to win the 2011 Asia Pacific District Photographic Competition of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). "I use this imagery to easily catch attention, because of its iconic stature... most especially in our country,...

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Artist Jon McNaugton Pulls Artwork from Mormon College Bookstore

DESSERT NEWSBy Sara Israelson-Hartley"One Nation Under God" by Jon McNaughtonUTAH - As thousands of women flock to the BYU Bookstore during Women's Conference this week, one artist's work will be noticeably absent. Utah painter Jon McNaughton decided to remove all of his artwork from the bookstore after school officials decided they would no longer sell one of his most famous, and politically charged paintings, "One Nation Under God," which features...

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10-foot Religious Mosaic Mysteriously Appears Near San Diego

KABC-TV10-foot stained glass mosaic called the 'Surfing Madonna' CALIFORNIA - A stained glass mosaic is stirring up some controversy. The 10-foot by 10-foot mosaic called the "Surfing Madonna" appeared a few days before Easter on the bridge east of Highway 101 in Encinitas. The Madonna, wearing wetsuit booties, is surfing the face of a wave and appears with the slogan, "Save the Ocean." The mosaic was put up in the middle of the day by mystery men...

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SJMA to Feature Comic Book Artist R. Crumb's Book of Genesis June 23 – September 5, 2011

SAN JOSE MUSEUMPress ReleaseCALIFORNIA - The San Jose Museum of Art will showcase the work of legendary underground comic artist R. Crumb this summer. The Bible Illuminated: R. Crumb's Book of Genesis will be on view from June 23 through September 25, 2011. The exhibition will feature 207 individual, black-and-white drawings from Crumb's critically acclaimed 2009 adaptation of the first book of the Bible, which incorporates every word from all...

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Holy Man, Sai Baba laid to rest in India

DECCAN CHRONICLEINDIA - Sai Baba, whose message of universal love and brotherhood attracted millions of followers across the globe, was today [on Wednesday] interred at the very spot from where he used to meet and address his disciples for years. The mortal remains of the 85-year-old spiritual leader, whose clout spread far and wide among both the commoners and the high mighty, were buried after the last rites were performed by his nephew R.J. Ratnakar...

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King James Bible's 400th Birthday: May 2, 2011

METROUNITED KINGDOM - Next month the King James Bible celebrates its 400th birthday. The tome, which first went on sale on May 2, 1611, took previous English language versions and created a definitive Bible that became the most influential book ever written, a cornerstone of British society, permeating everything from art and literature to politics and morality, here and around the world. "All societies need a common fund of stories and sayings," says the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. "Not just to help them get along but to help...

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Russian Jeweler Takes Inspiration From Orthodox Church

THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMESBy Galina StolyarovaRUSSIA - Vladimir Mikhailov occupies the unique position of a jeweler crafting collections inspired by Orthodox symbols, saints and values in a centuries-old technique developed in the 12th and 13th centuries in northern Russia — and all with the blessing of the Russian Orthodox Church. Carved in silver or gold in an ascetic style using a highly intricate technique, Mikhailov’s rings, pendants and crosses...

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Transcendental Transmission in Bangkok

BANGKOK POSTBy Pattara Danutra Chitti Kasemkitvatana at the Jim Thompson Library in BangkokCHINA -Chitti Kasemkitvatana is truly one of the local conceptual artists. With a paradoxical title, "Tomorrow Was Yesterday", his current exhibition showcases six pieces which look back on his past experiences, both as a professional artist in Thailand since 1992 and as a Buddhist monk in the North between 2002-2009. "During my monkhood, most of my old works...

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Artist Scott LoBaido: Victory from the Right to Hate

STATEN ISLAND ADVANCEBy Ben Johnson "The Truth" A Portrait of Rev. PhelpsKANSAS - Staten Island artist Scott LoBaido brought some of his work to church yesterday, though the people at Westboro Baptist Church weren't keen to let him in. The intrepid Staten Islander, who is on a trip across the country with his paintbrushes this month, went to the Topeka, Kansas church yesterday -- an independent Baptist church infamous for its hate speech protests...

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Sanctuary for Holy Humorists at Atlanta's Sister Louisa's Church

CREATIVE LOAFINGBy Madison LeeGEORGIA - A sign over the door beckons, "Come On In Precious!" Owner Grant Henry was once a student of the bible pursuing a master's in divinity with a major in pastoral care. Henry decided to put the words in his mind onto the devout paintings. He signed each one "Sister Louisa." The paintings were a hit (selling more than 60 at his first show) and the idea of a bar called Church was born. Every inch of wall space at...

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"How Great Thou Art" by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill

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Ascension Press Updates Catholic Study Guide

EARNED MEDIA"The Bible Timeline" has proven to be extremely successful in helping people read and appreciate Scripture. Using a unique color-coded system, 'The new Bible Timeline' study follows this same proven format, but is now re-filmed in high definition and revised to include new theological insights and illustrations," says Jeff Cavins, co-author and presenter of the study. "We provide animated maps of ancient biblical journeys, definitions and spellings of unfamiliar words, classic art and contemporary images of well-known ancient biblical...

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American Religious Art Master, Ed Knippers from Kentucky

IMAGE JOURNAL By Theodore Prescott"The Foot Washing (Christ and His Disciples)" By Ed KnippersONE of the enduring myths of the twentieth century is the idea that art is really about the artist. I met Ed Knippers's work before I met Ed Knippers. Outside of the Festival Center is a sculpture of Christ washing someone's feet, an image that speaks of the center's dedication to service. A friend in the Church of the Savior knew that one of Ed's paintings...

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Pittsburgh Mural is USA's 2nd Largest of the Ascension of Christ

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEWBy Jeremy BorenOil-on-canvas mural of Christ's ascent by Fredeic Stymetz Lamb PENNSYLVANIA - Inside the Church of the Ascension in Shadyside, a giant oil-on-canvas mural by Frederick Stymetz Lamb (b. California) reminds members of the end of the Easter story, with Christ's ascent into Heaven, 40 days later. The window and the mural are part of the unique, early 20th-century religious artistry found in Pittsburgh-area churches...

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Jeremy Cowart's Portrait of Christ, via Video

A Portrait of Christ from Jeremy Cowart on Vimeo [Twitter: CI...

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Book Review: "Living Traditions in Indian Art"

THE HINDUBy Kausala SanthanamINDIA - Unlike in the West, the genre of spiritual art is still vibrant in India, says Martin Gurvich, Director, Museum of Sacred Art, in his introduction. Published by the museum, "Living Traditions in Indian Art" celebrates the presence of the divine even amidst the mundane and the material in our country. It showcases popular, devotional art in India and also metal icons, masks, sculptures, puppets, and ritual...

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NJ Artist Michelle Romanelli Paints Toward the Light

DAILY RECORDArtist painting for exhibitionNEW JERSEY - Celestial light and poetry are all Michelle Lukasiewicz Romanelli needs to start painting a new image for her ongoing impressionist "Light Source" series. Romanelli, who trained at the duCret School of Art in Plainfield said, "Everything in the paintings is growing toward the light. Call it God, nature, light, sun, source, unconditional love. Call it what you will. Without it, there is no growth."...

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Impact of Playing the Role of Jesus During Holy Week

INDIANAPOLIS STARBy Robert King and Dan McFeely INDIANA - Easter Sunday marks the culmination of Holy Week, a time when millions of Christians ponder and pray about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago. For many, this time of reflection is heightened by a vivid experience -- a dramatic re-creation of events that seeks to bring to life the Gospel's description of Christ's final week. Such live events, often known...

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Harvard Welcomes Chinese Religious Art Expert, James Robson

USC US-CHINA INSTITUTEMASSACHUSETTS - Harvard University welcomes James Robson in a Special Lecture on Chinese Religious Art & culture on April 27, 2011 at 4:00pm at the CGIS South, Tsai Auditorium (S010), 1730 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA. The occassion is cosponsored by the Harvard China Fund.Professor Robson specializes in the history of Medieval Chinese Buddhism and Daoism and is particularly interested in issues of sacred geography, local religious history, talismans, religious art, and the historical development of Chan/Zen...

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Tom de Freston's new altar reredo "Desposition and Resurrection"

AOA WEEKLY"Desposition and Resurrection" (2011) by Tom de FestonEnglish artist Tom de Freston's new altar reredo was unveiled on Easter Sunday at Christ’s College Chapel in Cambridge University. He said: “The two paintings are intended to offer a binary narrative, one of rise and fall. They are made with the very particular demands of the Chapel in mind, and will hopefully provide a visual and spiritual fulcrum to the space”.  (More on Tom de...

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Anonymous Artist Creates Online Defense of "Piss Christ"

REPORTAGEAUSTRALIA - An anonymous artist has protested the destruction of Andres Serrano’s infamous photograph Immersion "Piss Christ" (1987) by distributing their own interpretation called The Resurrection of Piss Christ online. Launched on Easter Sunday, the artist has offered the image for download at resurrectionofpisschrist.com and encourages the public to republish, reuse and re-purpose the image as they wish. Unlike Serrano, who used his piece...

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Sudarshan Pattnaik - Sand Sculpture Honors Hindu Holy Man Sathya Sai Baba (1926-2011)

NPRBy Associated PressSand sculpture of Sathya Sai Baba by Sudarshan PattnaikINDIA - An unidentified Indian woman (above) prepares to lay a flower before a sand sculpture of Hindu holy man Sathya Sai Baba, created by artist Sudarshan Pattnaik at Golden Sea beach at Puri, Orissa, India, Sunday, April 24, 2011. Baba, considered a living god by millions of followers worldwide, died Sunday in a hospital near his southern Indian ashram, a doctor said....

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Video: Spiritual Guru Sathya Sai Baba Passes Away

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Book Review: A New Definitive History of Christian Art in “Ars Sacra”

BIG THINKBy Bob DugganNEW ZEALAND - "Ars Sacra: Christian Art and Architecture of the Western World from the Very Beginning Up Until Today" should instantly assume the role of the definitive guide in words and pictures of Christian art. With 800 oversized pages of high quality photography and insightful text adding up to a mammoth weight of 23 pounds, Ars Sacra wins the heavyweight title of the world of religious art books. All the familiar...

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Who Wrote the Books of the Bible?

CHRONICALLY CHRISTIANBy Kevin SwartzendruberUSA - Although all true Christians believe the Bible to be God’s Word, the God’s Spirit inspired men to write at His leading. Second Timothy 3:16 tells us that the Bible was “breathed forth” by God. That does not mean that He directly dictated to each of these authors exactly what to write, but instead breathed upon their hearts in such a way that their writings are true, yet influenced by their own perspectives and personalities. The Bible was written by approximately 40 men of diverse backgrounds over...

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Religious Art on Display at Michigan's Artworks Through April 30

BIG RAPIDS PRESSMICHIGAN - Cultural artifacts from Jewish, Christian and Zen Buddhist communities are currently being displayed at Artworks in Big Rapids. The “Arts in the Religions of the World” exhibit is viewable on the second floor of the downtown art gallery during normal business hours through April 30. [li...

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Blessed Art Thou: A Celebration of Mary in Art and Story

MERCER SPACECommunity CalendarNEW JERSEY - St. Paul’s Catholic Church, located at 214 Nassau Street, is holding an evening retreat “Blessed Art Thou: A Celebration of Mary in Art and Story” on Wednesday, May 18, at 7:30 pm in the St. Paul’s Spiritual Center. Renowned artist, Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, will use paintings and prayers to offer a fresh look at her traditional titles and remind you why she holds such a special place in our hearts and our Church. Admission is free. For more information, please call Ernie Andreoli, St. Paul’s Church,...

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Saint Mark's Church | MO

ALPHA OMEGA ARTSBy Ernest Disney-BrittonEpiscopalians are enthusiastically Easter People. This Sunday morning, April 24, we worshiped at Saint Mark's Church, an Episcopal church in the quiet and tree-filled neighborhood of St. Louis Hills. Arriving a little late, we filled the last of the 200 seats as we joined the warm and welcoming congregation. We sat next to Oliver, age 14-months, and his mother & father. Oliver's parents were married at St. Mark's and while they live far from this church they come back for Christmas and Easter....

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Resurrection Week Art | 2011

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS By Ernest BrittonPlate 28 : “Celui qui croit en moi, fut-il mort, vivra” John 11:25 by George RoualtMISSOURI - We returned to Saint Louis for Easter Weekend 2011, and this time for the work of George Roualt at the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art. Another wonderful visit which I will write about in detail later. The weekend, which included The Stations of the Cross at Saint John the Evangelist in Indianapolis; followed on Saturday...

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A&O Meeting to St. Louis: Easter Sunday at Basilica

ALPHA OMEGA ARTSGregory A. Disney (left) and Verneida I. Britton (right)Easter Meetup 2011 outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, St. Louis, ...

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Your Grandmother's Jesus

ON MY GRANDMOTHER'S WALL hung a copy of this painting, "The Head of Christ." According to Newsweek it is the most reproduced image of Jesus Christ ever, but who know's the name of the artist? His name is Warner Sallman (American) and his original work is in the archives of Anderson University in India...

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Buddhist Work Graces College, Then Dismantled

A BUDDHIST MONK IN MAINE,  Geshe Gendun Gyatso led a prayer last Sunday during the "deconstruction ceremony" of an intricately designed sand mandala. The mandala had been created over the course of a week by monks at the Maine College of Art in Portland. It's one of the many lessons of Buddhist theology through art. Through this deconstruction, they teach that everything in life is temporary. [li...

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"Piss Christ" and Other Holy Week Controversies

WITHOUT CONTROVERSY how would we know it was Holy Week? This year offered a feast of religious art controversies. A group of Christians in France attacked Andres Serrano's controversial work, "Piss Christ." Michigan Pastor Rob Bell's artist-inspired book, "Love Wins" continued to infuriate Christian Fundamentalists; and there was even a new mural in Utah of the Mormon Temple in flames stirring...

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AO PROJECT: ARTS

BY ERNEST BRITTONWe are in Saint Louis today for Easter weekend (follow on Twitter), and it's been a sensational trip! The drive home will be packed with talk of the "George Rouault" exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art and the breathtaking Saint Louis Cathedral Basilica, as well as the other local sights including the great storm of 2011. This morning we are heading to 10:00 a.m. Easter service at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church with its stunning art deco design and stained glass windows which...

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RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

THE ALPHA OMEGA ARTSBy TAHLIBWe are in Saint Louis today for Easter weekend, and it's been a sensational trip! The drive home will be packed with talk of the "George Rouault" exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art and the breathtaking Saint Louis Cathedral Basilica, as well as the other local sights including the great storm of 2011. This morning we are heading to 10:00 a.m. Easter service at Saint Mark's Episcopal...

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Test Your Easter Story Knowledge

KANSAS CITY STARBy Helen GrayThis painting from the Latin Holy Family Church in city of Ramallah depicts Christ’s resurrectionMISSOURI - Many interpretations, explanations, questions and viewpoints surround various aspects of the resurrection story. And even the four Gospels give differing details, leading to scholarly debates. Here is a quiz based on the accounts of the Easter story as told in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Give yourself...

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Holy Dirt in the Hills of New Mexico

CNNBy William WalkerNEW MEXICO - El Santuario de Chimayo, the Roman Catholic adobe mission church set in these hills of northern New Mexico, dates from 1816. Here, on Good Friday night around 1810, a Chimayo friar reportedly found a miraculous crucifix glowing on the ground near the Santa Cruz River. The church is built on the site of the reported discovery. During Holy Week - culminating on Good Friday - thousands of pilgrims converge on Chimayo....

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Jesus Tweets

ABS-CBNBy Arlene BurgosHEAVEN - This is not the Jesus all those weekend catechism classes prepared you for. For one, he drinks Hennessy. He's also into body-building: his Twitter wall picture depicts him with muscles bulging, ripping himself off from the cross. This is ‘Jesus_M_Christ,’ possibly among the fastest rising celebrities in the social media site Twitter these days. He advertises a hash tag (Twitter tags) for a particular topic and people use it. He has, to date, 69,223 followers, 902 updates, and has been listed 2,290 times since he...

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