My Seasonal Greetings

Tuscany; roughly triangular region is one of the communes located in Central Italy. Situated, between the northern part of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the central Apennines. It is famous for Beautiful landscapes and artistic legacies. Regional capital of Tuscany is Florence. A few historians considered Florence as the Birthplace of Italian Renaissance. In Ancient Rome it served as Bread Basket once…Toscanini Music, It’s Literature, its dialect reveled her depth, richness and intense Life!

Santa Marian Church in Florence is known by its massive quality, its thick walls, round arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults, large towers and decorative arcading!It is an architectural style of Medieval Europe, Often called as Romanesque architecture and later evolved into the Gothic style. Marian church was located at the vale of a hill which changes its skin with the seasons. In the times of renaissance this church became a center of art as well.

In every year, Church is celebrated Christmas with a drama, House of Bread played in the drama house. Since the artists were new in every year, audience didn’t turn off by seeing the same drama for years in the season. Every girl in the church was dreamt to put on the role of St. Mary in the play. Even the presence of St. Mary in the drama was short; but her graceful appearance was enlightening. Rachel, a girl from the village of Florence played the character in that year. It was conversed widely about her at every corners of the commune. Some said character was apt for her by her beauty. Some said she revealed Mary’s true innocence. The following days after the play, she was keen about Mary’s life. Then she started to re-read The Holy book and tried to make out her character and life. She adapted her traits in her life. (Rachel was the lone daughter of a tuscanian farmer. Every morning, she walked with her father to their farm for their livelihood and it was one of the finest pictures of Tuscany life. In the evenings, she weaved long white clothes and embroider it with flowers and leaves. When she wore the fabric, people were doubted whether she was beatified with cloth or in other way!)

In the years of 1629 to 1631, there was a series of plague affected the cities of Tuscany. This epidemic claimed a death of 280,000 people from the region. German and French troops carried the plague to the city in 1629 as a result of troop movements with the thirty years war. Venetian troops infected with this disease retreated in the northern and central Italy and spreading the infection. During those years church was the hospice of the people of Tuscany. Infected tuscs were abandoned their homes and moved to the local churches. In those days Santa Marian church was overcrowded with the patients, Women and children, Old and Young. Church chants were mixed up with the cries. Priest sent a messenger to Rachel’s home to call her to serve these people at the church. She recited the word of God from Luke Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. She went with him in haste and tried to console the women and children at the church. In every night she shared the stories of Hope and Love from the sides of holy Altar. Every eye was shined and filled with tears as they heard about the life of 'Job' from her. They gave praises to God when she enlightened that God knows about our state. After weeks, cries became prayers and then to praises. After a few months, doors of Santa Maria were opened to a better world. While going back to her home, Rachel sang

My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Your Christmas season; my warm wishes

Subin.