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Hey TheLonelyPather, just perused the article and did a bit of editing, another marvelous work! Please let me know especially if you create or grace any article concerning Christianity in Sichuan (my priority). Hope you enjoy Wikipedia. Uriel1022 (talk) 20:31, 7 April 2023 (UTC)
Thanks for the kind words. Happy Holy Week! TheLonelyPather (talk) 02:54, 8 April 2023 (UTC)
Happy Holy Week! Uriel1022 (talk) 10:46, 8 April 2023 (UTC)
A barnstar for you!
The Original Barnstar
W. H. Aldis is a very good article. Well done! BoyTheKingCanDance (talk) 02:44, 18 May 2023 (UTC)
Another article for your perusal
Dear Uriel1022:
Hope all is well. I recently wrote about Emmanuel Zheng Ma'nuo, the very first Chinese Jesuit priest. Indeed, he predates the spread of Christianity in Sichuan, but I hope you will enjoy it nevertheless. To confess, I was quite moved writing this article; I don't know why.
I guess because it's quite a journey his whole life? We can only hope he found his own "holy grail". Thank you for this message and, Wikipedia's Christian section is really lucky to have you as a contributor. Uriel1022 (talk) 00:32, 11 July 2023 (UTC)
An article needs help
My dear mystic friend,
Hope all is well. I recently came across St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai. The article is in dismal state– large sections with no references, pictures all over the place, and the prose isn't cohesive. Judging by the {{Copyedit}} template at the top, I think the article has been in such bad state for more than half a year. However, the article is of great importance: the cathedral is likely where Thomas the Apostle is buried, and it has over 400 visits per day.
I assume you know very well that the Church of the East historically had a foothold in Southern India, as St. Thomas allegedly came to India and martyred in the 1st century. This place contains relics of St. Thomas as well.
I am thinking about a total revamp of the article. I looked for some texts today, and I found the following book to be available online. I think it will be highly useful.
I also think the following book could be important in providing context, but I don't have one at hand:
Robinson, Rowena (2003). Christians of India. London: Sage. ISBN978-0761998228.
If you have any ideas or would like to work on the article, please don't hesitate to let me know. Since the current sanctuary of the cathedral was built under British control, maybe some histories on British colonialism in Southern India could also be helpful. I take you're the guy/gal/pal to go to on British stuff.
Apologies for the delayed response, I'm "taking a break" from WP, only doing some minor edits. I'd love to help, but to be honest, I'm not really familiar with British colonial history in India. But, it's a pleasure to peruse and fix small problems. Hope you understand. Uriel1022 (talk) 16:45, 12 July 2023 (UTC)
Zhongding Catholic Church is in Bingzhongluo, Gongshan, Yunnan, China. It was originally founded in 1908, destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and rebuilt in 1996.
I see that you have included Catholic Church of Yerkalo in the Christianity in Sichuan template. I am wondering if you'd like to include Zhongding Catholic Church as well. The history of the two churches are similar–both are founded by french priests, and both suffered from local Buddhist uprisings. The two churches are only 120km away from each other.
Hi TheLonelyPather. The reason of including Yerkalo Church is that it once belonged to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kangding, and it still does from the Vatican's point of view. If there is hard evidence to support Zhongding Catholic Church belonging to any diocese of Sichuan at some point, I'm more than happy to include it to the template. Uriel1022 (talk) 09:15, 17 July 2023 (UTC)
I decided to randomly check on Zhongding Catholic Church today and my goodness-- you have found an old pic of the church! And you have included it into Template:Christianity in Tibet. Thank you very much for your dedicated work.
As for the Cross Temple, I am waiting on the arrival of a book by A. C. Moule. If it doesn't get to me, I will try to borrow it from my institution. Gotta be patient... TheLonelyPather (talk) 16:30, 12 September 2023 (UTC)
Thank you for your dedicated work, TheLonelyPather. And no hurry, take your time, though I'm curious about what would you bring into "Cross Temple" (as probably being the first article about a Church of the East church in East Asia on Wikipedia? Which means it could be a milestone). Just out of curiosity, have you ever considered creating an article about Christianity or Catholic Church or Protestantism etc. in your province of origin, or any province or cultural region you're familiar with? I believe a simple "China" can not represent the many differences, all the diversity and uniqueness of each individual province. It's gonna be more special and more fun to read about such topic than a generalization. Uriel1022 (talk) 17:56, 12 September 2023 (UTC)
Thanks for your response, @Uriel1022. I understand that you are fascinated by regions and regional culture in China, as seen in your immense work dedicated to Christianity in Sichuan. However, I think I might be approaching Wikipedia in a slightly different perspective. Please kindly see my explanations below.
I'm curious about what would you bring into "Cross Temple"
Probably just gonna do my "history thing"–trace through the founding and development of the Cross Temple. I am waiting on the book by A. C. Moule because he looked at the site before 1949, and because he found some other evidences / stories of Nestorianism in China. If possible, I will also look into how much the site was damaged post 1949, though I will need to look harder on that front.
have you ever considered creating an article about Christianity [...] in your province of origin, or any province or cultural region you're familiar with?
I grew up in Shanghai and left China when I was ~16. I grew up in an Evangelical church that was not officially regulated, if you know a bit about the religious scene in China. There was no liturgy nor tradition, and the church was 100% not on a map.
Shanghai is a big city by itself, but a lot of Wikipedia articles have covered the Christian history of Shanghai. In fact, I think it is one of the best-covered Chinese city when it comes to its Christian history:
Since it's well-covered, I think my effort would be more helpful if I write about places outside of Shanghai.
It's gonna be more special and more fun to read about such topic than a generalization.
I take my Wikipedia work as
a way of offering my devotion by clarifying the missing histories of Christianity in China as a whole. In a way, I am "burying the dead" (a corporal work of mercy) through cyber means. Therefore, joy and specialness is not my end goal. If I find some person or some place worthy of being remembered, I will aim to write an article.
a unique way of learning through praxis. Since I left China at such a young age, I feel obligated to learn its history, especially the part of history that is susceptible to censure and erasure. Writing articles all across China allows me to understand better the impacts of the PRC.
I suspect my Wiki philosophy might make me look like a WP:SPA, that's why I also do a bit of women figures of the 20th century and a bit of science on the side. If anything, please read Charm quark. Physics is a "cultural region" that I am very familiar with.
I believe a simple "China" can not represent the many differences
In a way, you are right as there are so many regions and regional cultures. However, while you are looking at things horizontally through geography, I am looking at things vertically through history, and to me "China" is a series of well-defined time periods and centralized regimes across many geographical and cultural areas.
I hope you find my explanation reasonable, and please kindly let me know if you have any questions.
I grew up in an Evangelical church that was not officially regulated.
I must say that's a very special experience you had regarding your former Evangelical church. My former parish (Catholic) is "regulated", but still, we got big-brother-in-plainclothes-is-watching-you situation from time to time, though at that time, this was relatively much better than the difficulties and persecutions faced by the underground church Catholics. As far as I know, the situation has now become much worse even for the "regulated" churches.
Since I left China at such a young age, I feel obligated to learn its history.
My case is slightly different. The educational system has a particular taste for metanarrative propaganda instead of reasonable local histories. I virtually never knew the local cultures and histories until, ironically, I left that place. I feel like I'm getting reacquainted with Sichuan through Christianity, learning something for real this time.
Physics is a "cultural region" that I am very familiar with.
Science is not my forté, but I do believe it will lead you to God.
While you are looking at things horizontally through geography, I am looking at things vertically through history.
Horizontal and vertical ultimately form the Cross, so, let's contribute according to which field we excel in.
Looking forward to your Cross Temple, cheers! Uriel1022 (talk) 14:09, 13 September 2023 (UTC)
Uriel1022, thank you for your kind words. I never learned that you went to an "official" Chinese Catholic church! I often discuss this topic whenever I meet the priest at my institution and it pains both of our hearts. My prayers go to you and the people. In this spirit, let us work and contribute for the defense and advancement of the church universal.
P.S.1. I trace my lineage to Sichuan. I have visited Chengdu for a few times, and indeed the city is 巴适得很！However, my ancestors were originally Hakka people who migrated during zh:湖广填四川 (they no longer identify as Hakka after moving into Sichuan), so I still see my Chinese identity as a blur.
P.S.2. If you need any Anglican books, let me know. I will have access to the library of the University of Cambridge. Name one and I shall find one for you.
I'm glad you liked the city, TheLonelyPather. With regard to your "blur identity", I guess Hakka Sichuanese can be a choice if you'd like. Historically, there were Persian Sichuanese; and as Audrey Donnithorne described herself as a "Sichuan country girl", I guess that makes her an English Sichuanese.
Thank you for the offer, really appreciate it. I'll let you know if I need one. And thank you for praying for me and for the people suffering under oppressive regime. Let us unite in prayer. Cheers! Uriel1022 (talk) 21:03, 14 September 2023 (UTC)
How to name this potential article?
My Eastern-minded, mystical, and how-on-earth-did-you-end-up-as-anglican friend,
I am currently working on an English version of zh:十字寺遗址, arguably the only remaining site of the Church of the East in China. I am sure this piece of news will excite you, but I am not sure how to properly name the article in English. I hope you may provide some good insight.
The first issue is whether to include the word site / ruins? / 遗址 in the name of the article. There are a lot of academic literature refering to the place both as "十字寺" and "十字寺遗址". The place is registered as "十字寺遗址" in the catalogue of Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. It is currently in ruins (sold in 1910s, rediscovered in 1931, demolished in late 1950s), but the historical significance lies in the temple itself, not the ruins.
The second issue is how to translate "十字寺". I am torn between "Temple of the Cross" and "Cross Temple". It seems that academic sources in English refer to the place as "Cross Temple" (see [1][2][3]), "Temple of the Cross" ([4]), or even "Monastery of the Cross" ([5]).
It is registered on Wikimedia Commons as "Temple of the Cross". On German Wiki, it is named as "Stätte des Kreuz-Tempels"–"Site of the Cross Temple", and I am wondering if I should follow suit.
Given the plethora of resources on this subject, please expect an article on par with Luo Wenzao and Zheng Manuo. Of course, it will take about a month or more... but you are welcome to check my progress at User:TheLonelyPather/sandbox2. Honestly, I feel like I am stealing from you the opportunity to create this article, as you are the one on the Church of the East in China. Cheers, --TheLonelyPather (talk) 22:05, 31 July 2023 (UTC)
Hi TheLonelyPather, it's definitely good news you creating [I can already tell] another quality article. With regard to naming this "church", I vote for Cross Temple following the example of Tintern Abbey (also in ruins). For another reason for choosing "Cross Temple" over "Temple of the Cross" please see Wikipedia:CHURCH.
"I feel like I am stealing from you the opportunity to create this article". Absolutely not. To be honest, my interest in things concerning China has faded away since a year ago (excluding Christianity in Sichuan, and to a lesser extent, Church of the East in Chinese Turkestan or "Xinjiang"). Besides, with your proficiency in English and spirit in researching, I believe "Cross Temple" is in good hands.
I'm thinking on creating contents about certain Jewish and Christian illuminated manuscripts created in Spain, such as the Kennicott Bible; or Syriac manuscripts, e.g. the Rabbula Gospels (my current favourite). This could be my future orientation on Wikipedia. But, it's always a pleasure to reading your works, so feel free to drop me a message when you finish a superb work.
"how-on-earth-did-you-end-up-as-anglican", same here. Uriel1022 (talk) 01:46, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
A bit of a talk page stalker moment, but I wanted to offer any help I can to both of you (the Rabbula Gospels contain some of the few images I regularly return to in private prayer). Looking forward to more information on the Church of the East in China! ~ Pbritti (talk) 07:27, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
Hi Pbritti, you are always a welcome "stalker" and your sense of humour is unmatched.
"Rabbula Gospels contain some of the few images I regularly return to in private prayer". That's absolutely amazing. In my case, it was "love at first sight" for those attractive miniatures. Uriel1022 (talk) 12:32, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
Thanks, Uriel1022, for the kind words! In case you are wondering how I ended up as Anglican (Anglo-Catholic, in particular), let's just say having Catholic friends certainly helped a lot, and going to Tridentine Masses was the final nail on the coffin. TheLonelyPather (talk) 12:05, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
Very interesting! I grew up under the influence of both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, but it was the faith of my grandpa (who was Anglican) that finally settled me down. I definitely go for Tridentine Mass in a Catholic sense, but I love everything in an Anglican sense (Anglo-Catholic, Evangelical or anything in between). Uriel1022 (talk) 12:55, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
Merry Michaelmas & Mid-Autumn!
Today is the feast day of all the angels. I hope you enjoy doing some celebration / veneration today. I was especially delighted when the priest at the parish church I'm visiting today mentioned Uriel–none of the hymns mention this archangel.
Also I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn festival. Have you considered taking the consecrated host as a mooncake? It really, really, really looks like one...
TheLonelyPather: I did my private devotion at home with the Prayer Book. The church I currently attend is evangelical to its core, they practically do nothing for this feast. They drink grape juice, let alone consecrated Host. It's fine with me though, experiencing with different styles of service is kind of my thing. But personally I believe in real presence. I can't help but imagine the bells and smells at your parish today, lol. By the way, what did the priest say about Uriel? He's usually one of the "forgotten angels". Also, I'd like to know your patron saint. And I wish you a Happy Michaelmas! Cheers. Uriel1022 (talk) 23:51, 29 September 2023 (UTC)
@Uriel1022, thanks for the response. The parish yesterday was high-church but small. There was only one priest, with no deacon or subdeacon. The priest only mentioned Uriel by name when he was enumerating the four archangels.
The statue behind the altar, La Madeleine, Paris
To me, the real presence is a beautiful idea by aesthetic judgement. I wholeheartedly support it, although I think the Calvinist view that "our souls partake in the heavenly banquet when we take communion" also makes sense to me. (In a way, the two views don't conflict that much, for only Christ as the Host can connect the physical with the spiritual.) I myself consider eucharistic adoration a little bit too far, though I have not seen any Anglo-Catholic parishes doing it.
I grew up evangelical and I was not assigned a patron saint. I personally like Mary Magdalene very much, probably because I have visited La Madeleine, Paris, and I enjoy Madeleine (cake). I recommend you to visit the Paris Madeleine. When I was there I enjoyed beholding the statue (right) behind the altar, I think it is quite mystical. (Well, if you have read The Da Vinci Code, you will know one heretical interpretation of the statue...)
TheLonelyPather, thank you for the beautiful picture. I read The Da Vinci Code years ago, a bit foggy on the details. I'll check out the heretical interpretation. Magdalene is certainly one of those curious figures with several appearances in the apocrypha. I agree with you on the Eucharistic adoration, balance is one of the features that drew me to the Anglican Church. While I admire many things about the Catholic Church, it just doesn't feel right when it comes to certain teachings, e.g. transubstantiation, papal infallibility, and the exaltation of Mary (personally I consider it has gone too far). Uriel1022 (talk) 15:34, 30 September 2023 (UTC)
Wish you a good All-Saints & All-Souls
... and let us pray for those who have gone before us, especially those who died because of their faith in China.
T. C. Chao in academic gown, in front of a (perhaps Chinese?) altar
I have some figures that I hold dearly as my personal collection of saints (Luo Wenzao and Zheng Manuo for sure, but also Alopen and Rabban bar Sauma). I am also thinking about T. C. Chao–I have mixed feelings for him over his involvement in The Christian Manifesto, but I believe he was genuinely trying to do his best at his time. Attached is a photo of him, very fitting for the spirit of All-Saints and All-Souls.
I wonder what figures you hold dearly in your hearts? What "personal saints / patrons" do you have?
It should also please you that I have begun working on "Cross Temple", after getting Chen Xiaocui off the list. I do have a great love for the Nestorian 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo' [zh]. I should, or perhaps we should, work on it in the future. I consider it a fine translation.
旡上诸天深敬叹，大地重念普安和，人元真性蒙依止，三才慈父阿罗诃。
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will
一切善众至诚礼；一切慧性称赞歌；一切含真尽归仰；蒙圣慈光救离魔。
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give thanks for your great glory
Whenever I read this I see myself joining the Chinese souls that have gone before me (something along the lines of "thousands thousands saints attending / swell the triumph of his train"), and I would be greatly moved and comforted. I guess that is the spirit for All-Saints and All-Souls.
TheLonelyPather: Happy All Souls! And thank you for the message. Indeed, those who died in China for their faith are as numerous as the stars of the sky. It has never ceased to be an anti-Christian empire.
I think T. C. Chao was just caught up in a political ideology that is essentially incompatible with his faith, it's an omnipresent phenomenon in that country. John Lei Jiapei (Bishop of Ningyuan) offended the faithful by giving a little communist red concert in chasuble. This phenomenon not only affects people of faith, but also anyone in it. I believe you already know this well especially after your excellent contribution to Chen Xiaocui (by the way, see also Nellie Yu Roung Ling's experience during the Cultural Revolution, no one is safe).
Uriel is my patron saint, formerly Gabriel while I was Catholic. Now I venerate both of them as my patrons. I'm also fascinated by John the Evangelist, Johannine literature is my favourite Biblical text collection (the two Anglican cathedrals in Sichuan were both dedicated to Saint John). As well as Anne Conway, not a saint but a highly interesting figure. Really, find yourself a patron saint, it'll be perfect for you as an Anglo-Catholic; and if you do, don't forget to tell me.
"'Thousands thousands saints attending / swell the triumph of his train', and I would be greatly moved and comforted." – I'm really happy for you, kind of reminds me of When the Saints Go Marching In, check it out if it interests you, a good hymn.
Hope you get more spiritual nourishment, and happy editing. Uriel1022 (talk) 01:45, 3 November 2023 (UTC)
Nellie Yu Roung Ling is an excellent article you created, and it makes me think about the recent response, both governmental and public, to Lisa's performance at Crazy Horse Paris and people who attended it. I think "dancers" / "performers" are of a special category in Chinese society, as I am also reminded of Farewell My Concubine. I gotta philosophize on that a bit more.
I also share a strong love of John the Evangelist–I really enjoy reading his gospel during my spare time, and its first chapter is my favourite passage of the entire scripture. One can really see a "call-and-response" John attempted with Genesis 1. When I read it I usually start from the part where Lazarus dies, for his flow of narrative is quite cohesive and one can read all the way through the crucifixion to the resurrection and ascension.
Anne Conway is very, very fascinating. I will go talk to some priests and ask how to get a patron saint. Stay well, stay safe, and happy editing.
Regarding Lisa's Crazy Horse show controversy, I guess it's because of "Everything is everyone's business" normality in that country, if they have nothing more serious or private to consider... (happy philosophizing on this).
I'm glad you found Anne Conway fascinating, and I like how you described the Gospel of John, and you too, stay well, safe, and wish you good luck finding the perfect patron saint. Uriel1022 (talk) 23:08, 3 November 2023 (UTC)
Thanks! Since you're interested in the "call-and-response", I must share it with you this interlocking structure between John 1 and Genesis 1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Gen 1:1, 2)
The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:2, 3)
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. (Gen 1:3, 4)
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:4, 5)
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. (Gen 1:5)
This is swell! Thank you, love it! Uriel1022 (talk) 23:31, 3 November 2023 (UTC)
Happy Feast of Christ the King, and happy Advent
... as the title says. I have been working very hard on the Cross Temple article. You may take a quick peek at User:TheLonelyPather/sandbox2. It is close to maturity.
I went to a very famous Anglican place this morning for Mass, and I was intrigued that they were practicing something Tridentine, although versus populum. The music setting was one of Byrd's Masses. I am starting to like Byrd, and I especially recommend his Vigilate (slow versions, no rushing).
Now that we are in Advent, I hope you are also enjoying some Advent carol services (if your environment and situation allow you to). I hope I can publish Cross Temple and ask for it to be put up for DYK for Christmas. If you have some good hooks of the article, kindly let me know, and I will shamelessly steal it from you with gratitude.
With prayers, thoughts, and... Cheers, --The Lonely Pather (talk) 01:30, 27 November 2023 (UTC)
@Uriel1022 The work is done. Also pinging our Roman friend @Pbritti–they surely will love this stuff. Cheers, --The Lonely Pather (talk) 15:08, 27 November 2023 (UTC)
Happy feast to both of you! Uriel1022 (talk) 17:48, 27 November 2023 (UTC)
You may consider it your magnum opus. I'll read it later and think about the hook and let you know. Cheers! Uriel1022 (talk) 17:51, 27 November 2023 (UTC)
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Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Chengdu
My dear esoteric friend,
As you have just seen it, I added some more photos to the article Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Chengdu. Thank you for your compliments. Actually I asked a friend to go to the Cathedral and take the photos. To my knowledge they had a hectic visit. Would love to share more details of their visit if the situation is more opportune.
I feel like the article could use much more expansion. One could trace its history back to the 1895 anti-Christian riot and its aftermath, and how Dunand and Rouchouse acquired the funds to build it. To my knowledge the current cathedral is quite new, and the most precious part is actually the Sacred Heart Chapel within the complex.[1]
Another key piece of information missing from the current article is that how and why did the chapel survive the CCP regime, in particular the Cultural Revolution. Its location is crucially central, and it is just a stone toss away from the haunting Mao statue of Tianfu Square.
Again, probably another task very fitting for you. Outside of my work, I am absorbed into preparing the Nestorian Gloria in Excelsis Deo article. It will be a big project, for literally every single book on Chinese Nestorianism talks about it. I'll be very grateful if it comes out before September.
When I was studying about Nestorianism, I was also intrigued by the history of religions in Fujian. People have found crazy stuff from Quanzhou (Caitun, Zaitun), including Nestorian crosses and Catholic tombstones of Italian merchants and Manichaeist stuff. None of these are covered in the article Christianity in Fujian. Heck, the Hakka in me is nonexistent. If only you had a Fokien sibling, who would be interested in covering history of Christianity in the province, we would have be living in a better (Wikipedian) world...
Talking about ancestry: I was at a famous Anglo-Catholic venue the other day and I encountered a Sichuanese. He said that his great-grandfather was an Anglican missionary back in the day. I double checked with him if he was you, but unfortunately he knows nothing about editing Wikipedia.
Enjoy the Advent season. Stay vigilant, stay sane (I looked into esotericism, particular Freemasonry, in my younger years, but never delved deeper), and... Cheers, --The Lonely Pather (talk) 16:49, 10 December 2023 (UTC)
I'm grateful to you and your friend for these handsome photos. The altar images are a bit reminiscent of Art Nouveau works. The Sacred Heart Chapel has since long drawn my attention, because of its peculiar architectural style ("peculiar" as in this type of church architecture being very rare in Sichuan).
And thank you for your insightful comments on the article. As you can see, my current priority is the general history or background of the Church in Sichuan, connecting the dots, in order to see the whole picture, which is largely ignored and forgotten due to CCP's whitewashed history and propaganda, besides other complex reasons. The article definitely needs an expansion, which will be done when the time comes, following a step-by-step process.
I once read somewhere that "museum of religions" is a nickname of Zaiton which makes perfect sense. Speaking of Christian tombstones, I learned the Seleucid calendar was a thing for East Syriac Christians thanks to this tombstone rubbing, though it was discovered in Yangchow, actually much closer to Shanghai (I suppose it's your birth city?)
You said "None of these are covered in the article Christianity in Fujian." I guess now you know why I believe priority should be placed at regional and local level. If we only talk about Christianity in China, countless details would be lost and buried because they are not significant at a national level given the size of that country, but may well be very important for a particular region. For example, I can't seem to find anything concerning Christianity in Sichuan in the "Christianity in China" article except for being included in the survey table along with all other provinces, which is understandable because of Sichuan's frontier and peripheral nature. The best solution is therefore no doubt an independent article.
But I don't mean you should give up your current priority and put emphasis on regional stuff right away. Your forté is evident in your articles and is special to you as individual. If some day you reach at this point of feeling right to expand, let's say, Christianity in Shanghai or in Fujian, it would be a great delight to peruse them. Besides, a comparison among Christianity in various provinces is very interesting, at least in my opinion.
The amusing anecdote of your "Anglican Sichuanese encounter" is quite unexpected, isn't it a remnant of one of the most influential Protestant denominations in the region? Did he tell you the name of his great-grandfather? By the way, as you told me you trace your lineage to Sichuan, a big welcome to you if you'd like to consider the Sichuanese Christian heritage as part of yours.
The last one, Freemasonry, which I like to learn a little bit from time to time. My interest mostly lies in the Anglo-American branch and its relationship with Christianity, and the fact that there is a Szechwan Lodge existing to this day, and as far as I know, whose original members were all Protestant missionaries (or possibly even until before its transfer to Taiwan). Unfortunately, there is basically no information about the history of this Lodge. I do have a taste for esotericism and mysticism, but I also understand caution must be exercised regarding these isms.
That's long enough. May the Lord be with you. Uriel1022 (talk) 18:23, 11 December 2023 (UTC)
Uriel1022,
Thanks for the long and thoughtful response. The altar could have some Art Nouveau influences, but still it makes me worry about the aesthetic state in general in China. It is not that good aesthetics cannot exist on this land, but that good aesthetics must be carefully nurtured. The altar uses to many different textures of materials at once (metal and plaster and glass), it uses pale electrical lights, and that its shape is an uncoordinated hybrid of gothic pointiness and classical simplicity. Surely a work made in the 90s or 2000s, when the church was trying to make a comeback.
I philosophized upon this matter for a little bit more, and find it similar to the unfortunate event in which a woman climbed unto the chapel altar: the people desire the West yet does not comprehend the West (or, in further cases, rejects to comprehend the West). The other side of the coin is that, any one who comprehends and embraces the West will be often rejected by the Chinese. It pains me whenever I think about it. The current ideology among the higher ranks of the Catholic Church in China calls for "sinicization", yet they certainly will not return to the traditional Chinese-Catholic style.
Christianity in Jiangsu–documents around the same time of the Fangshan Cross Temple indicates that there were other "Cross Temples" in Zhenjiang. And yes, there were things unearthed in Yangzhou too. Christianity in Jiangsu certainly needs a rework. Missionaries were very present in the rural northern Jiangsu too. Ruth Graham was born there to presby missionaries, and because of this Billy Graham visited her birthplace in 1988.
It will be a great delight to pursue the history of Christianity in one single province in the future, but that demands one to work for a long period and dive into numberless rabbit holes. Whereas, writing about a local church usually takes me from a few hours to a week. Your "Christianity in Sichuan" series is awesome, and I look up to you when it comes to this kind of work.
Sichuanese in Anglican Church–I have encountered people from Christian Chinese lineages, and meeting them always make me jubilant. I once met someone whose family had been three to four generations of Christians, who are from the islands of Zhejiang. Now I have seen another one from the ultimate interior. I could ask him the name of his great-grandfather when I meet him next time. It was generally a happy and magical experience meeting him. Attached is a photo of the place I met him, for your appreciation and to show how badly church-spoiled I am.
I realized I wrote too much. So may the Lord be with you too, and... Cheers, --The Lonely Pather (talk) 02:30, 12 December 2023 (UTC)
It's encouraging to see Christianity in four regions on your to-do list. Just please don't look up to me, working on a single province is already overwhelming. Besides, I don't think I'm qualified to work on other provinces with which I'm not familiar (I've never been to any other region except for Beijing, not expert on this one either). But it's a pleasure to peruse and check for minor errors like misspelling. Keep up the good work, cheers! Uriel1022 (talk) 21:06, 24 December 2023 (UTC)
Thank you for this beautiful photo, All Saints is one of my favourite churches. Uriel1022 (talk) 21:08, 24 December 2023 (UTC)
Merry Christmas!
I wish you a very merry Christmas. Words cannot describe my gratitude for your cyber-companionship throughout the past year. Attached is a calligraphic copy of parts of the text of the Xi'an Stele. "He hid his mightiness and became human... the skies proclaim his glory and the bright star tell of blessing." Likely the first Chinese description of the incarnation, cf. John 1:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.
It will surely please you that I began to look into churches in Shanghai. They are also poorly documented and therefore very much worthy of investigation. As an Anglican I am very proud to create All Saints, Shanghai, where the first ever Chinese Anglican bishop was consecrated.
May the Lord's blessing be with you. Looking forward to another year's fruitful work. Cheers, --The Lonely Pather (talk) 17:49, 24 December 2023 (UTC)
@Pbritti Merry Christmas to you too, and here's to another year where I, like many high-church Anglicans, occasionally ponder if I should swim the Tiber... Cheers, --The Lonely Pather (talk) 18:07, 24 December 2023 (UTC)
I'm considering it too. I have been studying on this now for the last 10 days. It'll be a big leap if the decision is final. Uriel1022 (talk) 20:32, 24 December 2023 (UTC)
St John Henry Newman, ora pro nobis... Cheers, --The Lonely Pather (talk) 01:42, 25 December 2023 (UTC)
@Uriel1022 I shall offer you a "Christmas present": I did some digital work and merged the two pre-existing images of the Nestorian Gloria into one. Now it is much more cohesive. If you don't mind me spamming your talk page, please see below.
Thank you, TLP. Happy New Year. Uriel1022 (talk) 21:47, 1 January 2024 (UTC)
^Regarding the old chapel, apparently earlier this year some 女娃娃爬到祭坛上去拍照, and she was inappropriately dressed. This caused a row in the diocese and everyone was on tight nerves. Needless to say the chapel is closed. One can only imagine how good the French high altar would look like...
Courtesy link: Cross Temple, Fangshan
