Apollinare's Cross – 6th Century Mosaic – Catholic Art – Archival Quality

Saint Apollinare's Cross6th Century MosaicThe Basilica of Sant' Apollinare of Ravenna, Italy, was consecrated on May 9, 549 AD, shortly after the city had been reconquered by the Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantium. They had the wealth of the empire and the craftsmen and the fervent faith to construct gorgeous churches. This Basilica is a masterpiece of antiquity, listed at UNESCO as a world heritage site. According to tradition, St. Apollinare was consecrated by St. Peter and sent to Ravenna, a major Roman city. He was their first bishop, and was thrown out of town several times by angry pagans, but he kept returning. Finally, he was martyred in the city. His relics remain in the basilica that bears his name. This mosaic cross is in the apse of the basilica. You can see the hand of God at the top, coming out of the void. Moses and Elijah are above the Cross, and below is Saint Apollinare. It took us a long time to fashion this image, as it's tricky to flatten what is a round image and kee