Image courtesy of the Magdala Project. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

In light of Mary Magdalene's Feast, scholars and archaeologists at Magdala are speaking about her real identity.

Since Pope Francis’ recent decree about Mary Magdalene's feast, Magdala, her hometown, is committed to continue researching and restoring the archaeological finds of her birthplace. The archaeological remains and scientific research, have revealed tangible and real evidence about Mary Magdalene and the life of other followers of Jesus in Galilee.

The archaeological complex has produced historical sources and studies which reveal that Magdala was occupied by influential and wealthy people. Magdala was the largest and main city in Galilee until the foundation of Tiberias in 19 CE (seven miles away from the old Magdala).

Dr. (TJ) Tina Wray, Biblical Scholar from Salve Regina University, USA, explains that “usually, when a town or village is mentioned in connection with a woman’s name in the Bible, it indicates that she is a woman of wealth or higher social status.” This statement would affirm that Mary Magdalene was wealthy and indeed, an influential woman. Wray affirms that “We no longer have to “guess” because now we have real, tangible evidence that Mary was a woman of substance.”

Among the archaeological finds at Magdala were found a large fish industry and fishing accessories, such as forty pools to salt fish, weights, and fish hooks. These discoveries are attributed to the city’s name. “The town´s full name is Magdala Tarichaea (roughly translated as tower where the fish are salted), and not surprisingly, the town is known for its salted-fish industry…This detail provides yet another clue to Mary´s identity,” Dr. Wray says.

Additionally, to the archaeological heritage, the current Magdala site, houses the Duc In Altum center. In the “Women’s Atrium” the dignity of all women is remembered and promoted. The Women’s Atrium is held up by eight marble columns; each one is carved with the names of all the women mentioned in the New Testament who followed Jesus, among them, Mary Magdalene.

 Courtesy of the Magdala Project. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Father Juan Solana LC says that “The women´s leadership throughout history must be recognized. Mary Magdalene's and Jesus' encounter, is a clear icon of mercy and love towards all human beings. After having been freed from seven demons, Mary recovers her identity and dignity as a woman.”

Wray added, “I believe that Mary Magdalene is an older, wealthy widow who serves as Jesus' comrade, confidant, and friend. That she is present and bears witness to the two most pivotal events in the Gospels, Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, demonstrates that she is a courageous and steadfast disciple… Through careful reading of the Gospels and other sources, we have begun to recover the true image of Mary Magdalene as Jesus' trusted friend and Apostle.”

Magdala's site is preparing for the upcoming Mary Magdalene Feast. On July 23rd at 11:00 AM GTM+3, a solemn Mass will be presided over by H.E. Msgr. Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Bishop to the Latin Patriarchate in Israel. More than 500 people are expected from the Christian-Arab community, diplomatic corps, friends and many others who would like to attend.

For more information, please visit www.magdala.org

Academic sources:

Prof. Marcela Zapata-Meza, Chief Archaeologist, Universidad Anáhuac de México.

Dr. TJ Wray, Biblical Scholar and Associate Professor of Religious and Theological Studies at Salve Regina University, USA, and author of “Good Girls, Bad Girls of the New Testament: Their Enduring Lessons” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016).

About Magdala: Magdala is a unique Holy Land site with a first century town where the Jewish residents gathered in a synagogue where Jesus visited and taught. It is home to the beautiful Duc In Altum, which provides a place for worship, Mass, and prayer.

With only 10% of the archaeology uncovered, the hometown of Mary Magdalene already provides pilgrims an authentic location to walk where Jesus taught and to connect with the first century life of Jesus’ followers.

Because of its unique nature, Magdala will actively contribute to building positive relationships with the diverse community of Christian believers and between Christians and Jews. In the coming days, Magdala will feature excellent accommodations, in addition to an expanded archaeological park.

Copyright 2016 Mariana Bravo for the Magdala Project and Extrategia Israel

Perseidas

 

 

Perseidas
Meteoro a la derecha de la Vía Láctea.
Período	17 julio-24 agosto
Fecha máximo	11-13 de agosto
Radiante	alfa: 46 delta: +58
Velocidad	59 km/s
Índice poblacional (r)	2,6
Tasa Horaria Cenital (THZ)	100 meteoros/h
Progenitor	109P/Swift-Tuttle
[editar datos en Wikidata]

Las perseidas, popularmente conocidas como las lágrimas de San Lorenzo,¹​ son una prolífica lluvia de meteoros anual durante los meses de julio y agosto.

Historia[editar]

Las perseidas son también conocidas en los países de tradición católica con el nombre de lágrimas de San Lorenzo²​ porque el 10 de agosto se celebra su santoral. Durante la Edad Media y el Renacimiento, las perseidas tenían lugar la noche en que se le recordaba, de tal manera que se asociaron con las lágrimas que vertió san Lorenzo al ser quemado en una parrilla.

El registro más antiguo que se tiene de la actividad de las perseidas es del año 36 d. C., de los anales históricos chinos donde se cita un pico de meteoros en esas fechas.³​ Pero no fue hasta 1835 cuando el astrónomo belga Adolphe Quetelet muestra que se produce una lluvia de meteoros, de forma cíclica en agosto, con su radiante en Perseo.⁴​

 Características[editar]

Meteorito de 10 mm de tamaño de las Perseidas en tiempo real, tomado el 14 de agosto de 2019 en Berlín.

Si bien las percibimos como estrellas fugaces, se trata de partículas de polvo del tamaño aproximado de un grano de arena que deja el cometa Swift-Tuttle en su órbita alrededor del sol.⁵​ El efecto luminoso se produce cuando estos granitos atraviesan la atmósfera terrestre, atraídas por nuestro planeta, y se volatilizan. Lo hacen a unos 210.000 kilómetros por hora.

Su período de actividad es largo y se extiende entre el 16 de julio y el 24 de agosto. Su máximo es entre el 11 y el 13 de agosto con tasa horaria zenital (THZ) 100, lo que le convierte en la tercera lluvia más intensa del año (después de las cuadrántidas y las gemínidas), aunque las perséidas son las más populares por ser visibles desde el hemisferio norte durante el verano.

Origen[editar]

A pesar de que deben su nombre a la constelación de Perseo, lo cierto es que poco tienen que ver con ella. Sí, porque el cuerpo progenitor de las Perseidas es el cometa 109P/Swift-Tuttle.⁵​ Fue descubierto por Lewis Swift y Horace Parnell Tuttle el 19 de julio de 1862, posee un diámetro de 26 kilómetros y su órbita alrededor del Sol tiene un período de 135 años.⁶​

Su última aparición tuvo lugar en 1992, produciéndose en 1993 un pico de actividad con THZ 300. Desde entonces la actividad ha descendido progresivamente hasta el nivel normal de la actualidad.⁷​

En 2009 hubo un paso hacia una corriente de detritos de mayor densidad poblacional, por lo que la THZ fue de 173.