Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Trees and Christianity

Although we read the Bible that Abraham at Mamre to the Sacred Oak prayed to God, demanded the commanders of the Council of Arles in 452 of the people, to stop the "blasphemous cult tree." It began with the destruction of the Holy Forest. But entirely without trees does the Christian religion, because "the Lord God, let the trees grow all kinds of soil, tempting to see with precious fruits." In the center stood the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. painting in the katheraal St. Michael in Hildesheim
The St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote, "You will find more in woods than in books. The trees and stones will teach you things that no man can tell you. "
When the conversion of the Gentiles began, the first thing to be done, the removal of the tree cult and destroying the sacred forest. The worship of trees was seen as idolatry was to be contested. Sacred trees were felled, holy wells renamed Christian baptism wells. The locations of felled trees, missionaries were often small churches or chapels built. In the countryside continued to use old trees around veneration still long time.
The council of Arles (452) determined that it was forbidden to worship trees. Yet it failed the tree cult to eradicate completely.
Boniface left the sacred Oak of Geismar to Thor caps. 50 years later Charlemagne destroyed the Irminsul, a huge trunk, which supported the sky. Boniface
According to an archaeological document of 1854 there were in the Oise region, France has 253 trees that were worshiped: elm, oak, white hawthorn, walnut, beech and lime. Sometimes sacred trees also Christianized and dedicated to Mary or a saint. In Brittany, the old customs were kept the longest. This area was then covered with an impenetrable oak forest where one could find easy refuge. Christianized mainly hermits lived there, at the same time supporters of the old Celtic mythology remained.
There are also stories of saints, monks and mystics, a special relationship with trees maintained. They lived literally in a tree to be closer to God.
The Flemish mystic Jan van Ruysbroeck, wrote and read under a tree in the monastery Groenendal seated. According to legend, he meditated under a lime tree which radiated a mysterious light. Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi in the valley of Spoleto in Italy lived inmidden of nature that was sacred to him. He wrote the famous Canticle:
"Glory to the Lord, our Mother Earth, who maintains us and cares for us, those kinds of fruits, colored flowers and herbs. Honor and bless the Lord! Thank him and serve him with great humility. "

No comments:

Post a Comment