“12 Apostles”: history of the attraction
Every three hours a unique performance takes place in the Mari capital. The door on the balcony of the building on Patriarchal Square opens and passers-by can watch the movement of the sculptural composition “12 Apostles”.****
****
Following Jesus Christ on a white donkey are his disciples: Andrew the First-Called, Judas Iscariot, Peter, Simon the Canaanite, John the Theologian, Thaddeus, Jacob of Zebedee, Jacob Alpheus, Matthew the Evangelist, Bartholomew, Thomas the Unbeliever, and Philip of Bethsaida. In the hands of Judas is a wallet with 30 pieces of silver received for betraying the teacher.****
****
The plot of this short performance is based on the gospel story of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem. The sculptures are 1.5 meters high and made of bronze. Parts of the body of each of them, including arms and legs, are movable. The total weight of the composition is 3 tons!****
****
The 12 Apostles complex opened on November 4, 2011. The musical accompaniment of the performance - the chant “Let all human flesh be silent” - was chosen by Metropolitan John of Yoshkar-Olinsk and Mari:****
****
“Let all human flesh be silent, and let it stand with fear and trembling, and let it think of nothing earthly in itself, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, comes to sacrifice and be given as food to the faithful, but before Him come the faces of angels with all principality and power, many eyes of cherubim, and six-winged seraphim, covering their faces, and crying song, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia"****
****
The meaning put into this chant is interesting. It is performed in all churches on Holy Saturday - the last day before Easter. For Christians, this is both a sad and joyful day. Christ still lies in the tomb, the Resurrection has not yet arrived, but the world is filled with pre-Easter joy. On this day, believers remember the burial of Jesus Christ and his descent into hell. The chant “Let all human flesh be silent” is intended to remind spectators of the action on Patriarchal Square of eternal and deep meanings.****
****
Following Jesus Christ on a white donkey are his disciples: Andrew the First-Called, Judas Iscariot, Peter, Simon the Canaanite, John the Theologian, Thaddeus, Jacob of Zebedee, Jacob Alpheus, Matthew the Evangelist, Bartholomew, Thomas the Unbeliever, and Philip of Bethsaida. In the hands of Judas is a wallet with 30 pieces of silver received for betraying the teacher.****
****
The plot of this short performance is based on the gospel story of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem. The sculptures are 1.5 meters high and made of bronze. Parts of the body of each of them, including arms and legs, are movable. The total weight of the composition is 3 tons!****
****
The 12 Apostles complex opened on November 4, 2011. The musical accompaniment of the performance - the chant “Let all human flesh be silent” - was chosen by Metropolitan John of Yoshkar-Olinsk and Mari:****
****
“Let all human flesh be silent, and let it stand with fear and trembling, and let it think of nothing earthly in itself, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, comes to sacrifice and be given as food to the faithful, but before Him come the faces of angels with all principality and power, many eyes of cherubim, and six-winged seraphim, covering their faces, and crying song, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia"****
****
The meaning put into this chant is interesting. It is performed in all churches on Holy Saturday - the last day before Easter. For Christians, this is both a sad and joyful day. Christ still lies in the tomb, the Resurrection has not yet arrived, but the world is filled with pre-Easter joy. On this day, believers remember the burial of Jesus Christ and his descent into hell. The chant “Let all human flesh be silent” is intended to remind spectators of the action on Patriarchal Square of eternal and deep meanings.****