| Slovak bishop Jan Babjak, SJ, versus Rusyn art... (crucifixes scandal) (this issue has 4 pages and it was created 9th May 2005) page 1/4 |
| In July 2004, the Greek Catholic Bishop of the Slovak Eparchy of Presov, Slovakia, monsignor Jan Babjak, SJ, openly published a personal article in his eparchial circular (Obeznik number 4, page 2 - see below scanned circular) criticizing the artistic accuracy and theological artistry of 2 Greek Catholic Basilian Priests: Reverend Josaphat and Gorazd Timkovic, OSBM. The 2 Basilian clerics had been since 2000 regularly restoring numerous religious monuments, items which had earlier been commonly found throughout the beautiful Slovak countryside. Such religious monuments erected over the centuries throughout the present local of the two brother priests of Eastern Slovakia, were things looked upon in the words of the Reverend Timkovics as, "silent witnesses" which reveal the tremendous cultural and religious faith amid the Rusyn-Ruthenian people in the territory of ancient Subcarpathian Rus... |
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| This project had initiated out of the Basilian Fathers Greek-Catholic monastery at Presov eastern Slovakia, and to date (2000-2004), the dedicated brothers have successfully repaired over 600 (six hundred!) crucifixes for both Greek Catholic and Orthodox parishes alike. Freely and without any reimbursement, the 2 brother priests took on the work in the hope of reestablishing the ancient Rusyn Eastern Rite tradition of availing those passing bye either in car or on foot, the opportunity and pleasure of seeing religious 'art' along the country roadsides anew... See the detail, click here. In 2003, with the installation of the eparchy's new Bishop, Rev., monsignor Jan Babjak, SJ, things began to change, and in his seeing fit to prejudicially critic the Timkovic brother's noble efforts, the new bishop quickly decided to share his abilities in the field and openly published a public attack on the project calling it 'religiously degrading' and even down right 'blasphemous'! For those looking for more information pertaining this matter please proceed to the final results in the Timkovic brothers' work and decide for yourselves if whether or not their artistry is really deserving of such criticism. Comments such as: "blasphemous" and "religiously degrading" are certainly those the right of bishop Jan Babjak to hold based on his own personal and subjective opinion. However, as to be safe, and (if one should care to ponder our advice on the matter), we believe that the local bishop rightfully ought to just leave it at that 'ones' personal opinion! Simply put, just stop, and call it a day because otherwise, the actual 'REAL' work of "religious degrading" and its source of "blasphemy" dear bishop, might before too long become rather obvious to all us! Is this something any normal Christian would consider as "religiously degrading" and/or "blasphemous"? According to the Presov, Eastern Rite Bishop Jan Babjak, SJ, these were his actual words used for publication in his circular last July 2004 regarding such art work. Nevertheless, some believe that even the least educated artistically can clearly appreciate a more profound interpretation on the matter seeing in the art as evidentially religious in character and credulously authentic in its depiction of 'Christ crucified'. So judge for yourself and see, even Picasso here would be interested! Below find published picture of some repaired Eastern Rite crucifixes before their out-door exhibit throughout the Bardejov (Bardijov) district of Eastern Slovakia... |
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| Find an easy way to link to pics by 'clicking' bishop Babjak & quality of judging artwork. Also check out pictures of wooden Greek-Catholic crosses repaired in 2004. Cross-depicted at next page stands beside the renown tourist local of Borkut, Presov district, Eastern Slovakia... Please click here to visit next page of this issue |