Worship takes place at appointed seasons and places. Other means for focusing attention on the presence of the holy have a long and significant place in worship. The religious calendar is thus of great importance for the worshipping community, since communities’ associate worship with critical times in the life of the society. Religious communities are aided in worship through a variety of objects and activities. The power of the holy is focused not only in sacred spots and on special occasions but also in animate and inanimate objects.
The desire of worshippers to have an example of strength, beauty, wisdom, and riches appears to be the motive behind the great honour lavished upon kings and emperors. Worship was believed to be enriched by the indications of excess, the overabundance of vitality and riches. These were pointers to the heavenly world, to the richness of life for which the worshipper longed and prayed. Thus, much of the trappings of worship and the lavishness of temples, churches, and shrines are accounted for by this longing for opulence on the part of those denied it. A full human life may often require acts and modes of celebration—activities that bring into focus the heights and depths of human being and experience that offer a way to transcend and understand ordinary existence and provide renewal of life for humanity and for the world itself.
1. Divine Emotions
“Too fair to worship, too divine to love.”
The Greek term “ekklesia”, which came to mean church, was originally used to refer to an official assembly of people during the Classical period. It symbolized unity amongst the society and religion, especially Christianity was the way of life for most people. Churches are ways compared with a feeling of peace. Whether it's an old tin shed or a huge gothic cathedral, there's plenty for everybody. However, there is no doubt that this makes no difference in terms of where we commune with a higher power. Think about it; “keep silence, reduce the level of noise. Whatever it is that you must do. do this even do this in nature, which is the first place to go anytime when we want to do anything to clam. The sense of wonder is overwhelming upon entering; not only is it a feast for the senses and very encouraging, but it also exudes a peaceful and serene atmosphere that makes you want to light a candle and linger in silence or do whatever it is you prefer. Light candles for loved ones or for yourself. Pray or meditate, or do whatever it takes to restore, stabilize, or just bring healing to the soul.
The sight of religious monuments evokes a sense of spirituality amongst many people even today. While it may not be the centre of attraction as it so used to be, these are still some of the most well-built and preserved buildings around the world. Although, aiming at a spiritual viewing, these building architecturally beautiful in their own ways. The beauty of such religious monuments only enlarges once you go inside.
The Gothic works of the church, serve as an exemplary example to the structural masterclass put on a show. The ambience of churches is very silent and it helps one to connect with God. During the mass, this feeling is elevated to higher levels and one can feel the heavens ascending, quite literally thanks to the design of the altar, compounded with its displacement high above the ground. This quite the sight to behold especially during times of Saints feast. One can capture a vast array of photographs with multitudes of emotions and colours. It’s a feast for the eyes and the mind can find peace.
2. Habitual Dimensions of Religion
“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”
Given that many people of religion tend to downplay the importance of religious buildings as merely representing the outside of the superficial part of their religion, it is remarkable how much time, energy and above all money are put into the construction of new religious buildings all over the world. One of the most perceptive answers to the puzzle of why people put a lot of time into something they proclaim to be obsolete is the argument that religious buildings may not be crucial for religious reasons but are important in a social or political sense.
The Istanbul-the largest city in Turkey is remarkably a beautiful place that actually bridges the continents of Europe and Asia. It is located on the west side of the Bosporus strait which is responsible for the merging of the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Istanbul was once known as the capital of turkey. It is a city with glorious skylines what makes this pic special is exactly the same. Hagia Sophia a cathedral in Istanbul turkey is also called the Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom. The mosque is one of Istanbul’s greatest treasure. Presently, Hagia Sophia is a museum, which features design elements of both a church and a mosque.
It was initially built as a Christian church in the 6th century under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In the following centuries, it became a mosque then a museum, and a mosque again. Hagia Sophia is a part of his endowment which he converted into a Mosque after he conquered Constantinople in 1453. Christians of all denominations fought for centuries for the possession of this historical religious monument and secularists condemned this. This issue also divided the Turks. A majority of them wanted it reinstated as a mosque while a minority wants it to retain its museum status.
The typology of religious architecture is complex, because no basic requirements such as those that characterize domestic architecture are common to all religions and because the functions of any one religion involve many different kinds of activity, all of which change with the evolution of cultural patterns.
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