TravelswithCharie

Former Foreign Affairs Government House on Republic Square Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. Its beginnings can be traced to the 8th century BC when Erebuni Fortress was founded as the administrative and religious center of the Urartian kingdom. The name Yerevan evolved from Erebuni. After a long history under the rule of the Safavid (Persian) Empire, the Soviet Empire, the Ottoman Turks and the Soviet Union and after having been destroyed by an earthquake in 1679 and its population annihilated by the Ottoman Turks in 1915, Yerevan is the proud capital of Armenia today. The Pink City as Yerevan is referred to, was transformed in the early 2000s when new structures and businesses rose especially in the city center. Republic Square with its unique pink hued structures has been designated as one of the most beautiful squares in the world. It is not only elegant, it is also well loved by locals who flock to the square to enjoy its fountains and views ...

  Symbolic Keys of St. Peter The Jubilee Year happens every twenty five years except in 2015-2016 which was designated an Extraordinary Jubilee by Pope Francis. The declaration of a Jubilee year comes from Leviticus 25:8-55 which commands the Israelites to count 7 sabbatical years (7 x 7 = 49) and on the 50th year, celebrate a year of Jubilee.  Leviticus 25:10 sums it clearly: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land and to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you.” The central theme of the Jubilee Year is freedom, mercy and reconciliation. Pope Francis knocked on the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24, 2024. The door was opened and he passed through in his wheelchair to celebrate Christmas Eve mass. The Jubilee Year celebration continues until January 6, 2026, the feast of the Epiphany. There are five designated Holy Doors: St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. A fifth doo...

  Basilica of St. Rita of Cascia Saint Rita was a widowed woman with two sons. After her husband was assasinated around 1406, she worried that her sons might resort to violence against the family that murdered her husband. She prayed that they would not avenge his death. Her sons died not long after, possibly of the plague. Saint Rita joined the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene in 1407 where she remained until her death in 1457. In 1442, as she was praying and contemplating on the love of Christ for humanity, she prayed to participate in his suffering. It was then that a piece from the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ pierced her forehead which stigmata she had to endure for the rest of her life. The colorful frescoes at the Basilica were the works of Luigi Montanarini, Luigi Filocamo, Silvio Consadori, Gisberto Cerracchini and Cesarino Vicenzi. A screen separates the coffin of Saint Rita from the rest of the church. St. Rita of Cascia St. Rita of Cascia Prayer to St. Rita "O Glorio...