In the previous article Star. The Golden Ratio. Places of Power. Ley Lines there was information about the so-called Stellar Road. I mentioned that once I had encountered the Stellar Road, my brain had worked in the “stop and look closely” mode. Herein I have already walked the Stellar Road, gathering pebbles, and there has turned out to be plenty of them. Perhaps, I lost sight of some pebbles, while some I did notice, but decided not to collect them (the Way passes through Southern France, Occitania, Languedoc, one of Cathars’ bases. Most probably, Knights Templar controlled this pilgrimage route in their time). I left these pebbles for those who might possibly desire to follow this Way, just like myself.
This article contains many photographs. In my opinion, we cannot do without photos here, since it’s a sort of a journey along the Way of Saint James, and we need to see it at least on the images. Moreover, I need to mention the article is composed slightly differently than usual. In my articles I normally comment and analyze in the course of narration, while herein the official information is given first, and only thereafter I analyze and comment. I thank GOD for giving me the opportunity to work on this part of the series, which I even didn’t plan initially, at that it’s not me who should judge the quality of this work.
LEGEND
Apostle James (the Greater) was born in Palestine. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, while the latter was a sister of Mary (Jesus’ mother). James and his younger brother John were engaged in fishing like their father. Later on the brothers became close disciples of Jesus Christ and along with Apostle Peter were honoured with the Teacher’s special favour to be selects among the selects, and Jesus unveiled his divine essence to them many times.
According to legend, after the Holy Spirit descent Christ’s disciples went to different lands to carry the Evangel to the world. And Apostle James went to the Roman province of Hispaniа on the Iberian Peninsula to preach the Gospel. At first he had difficulties with heathens, but then he called Virgin Mary who appeared to them, and the seeds of Christianity were sown in the noble Spanish ground.
Then James returned to Jerusalem, where Jesus’ prediction came true: in the name of faith James was destined to drain the cup of woe – he became the first Apostle to die as a martyr for preaching the Resurrection. In 44 A.D. king Herod Agrippa (the grandson of Herod the Great) who hated Christians ordered to seize and behead James.
After the execution Apostle’s disciples secretly took his body and went by sea to the Iberian Peninsula where James had preached in the past. Their boat was miraculously cast up on the shore of Galicia, in the mouth of Ulla River (where the city of Santiago de Compostela is currently located). There, pious Christians took the relics to a city of Iria Flavia (contemporary El Padrón). At this point the story loses its course due to permanent barbarian incursions and fights with Moors who ruled over the peninsula south.
Several centuries passed. And in 813 only, following a bright star in the sky, a sarcophagus with the Kpostle’s imperishable relics was discovered by hermit Pelayo. By the order of the king Alfonso II of Asturias, nicknamed the Chaste, and bishop Theodemir of Iria, in the early 9th century a small church was built over St. James’s shrine, and the place was named Compostela (of Latin Campus Stellae – a field (site) of the star).
Since then Apostle James has been the holy protector and patron of Spain, as well as of all pilgrims and travellers. And the city of Compostela (now Santiago de Compostela) has become a special sacred place in Spain and the entire Catholic world.
JAMES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
James along with his brother and apostle Peter was Jesus’ closest disciple. Together with Peter and John he was among the witnesses of resurrection of Jair’s daughter (Mark 5:37; Luke 9:51), and only these three were let by Jesus to witness his Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2 and Luke 9:28) and Gethsemane struggle (Mark 14:33).
Matthew 17:1-9
1 After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2 There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 When he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, “Get up,” He said. “Don’t be afraid.”
8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Mark 14:32-36
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
33 He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
34 And He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him.
36 “Abba, Father!” He said. “Everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
THE WAY OF SAINT JAMES
The Way of Saint James (Spanish – El Camino de Santiago) is a famous pilgrimage route leading to the supposed sepulchre of Apostle James in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, a major part of which runs through Northern Spain. Since this route is very popular and ramified, it exerted a significant influence on the spread of cultural achievements in the Middle Ages. It is among UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while the city of Santiago de Compostela where the route leads to is the third most important sacred place in Catholicism after Jerusalem and Rome. The reason of such worship and the city’s nickname of the Christian Mecca is Spain’s major treasure – the relics of Apostle James, the country’s heavenly patron.
Compostela has always attracted pilgrims from all parts of Europe. The Way of St. James has been covered by believers from France, Portugal, England, Ireland, Poland, and other countries. Popularity of the Way of St. James in the Middle Ages was promoted by the fact that the route combined many local pilgrimages, i.e. was laid so that a pilgrim could visit the most revered sites (relics of St. Vera, Mary Magdalene, Hilarius, Fronto, St. Leonard, St. Gille, St. Eutropius, and others).
At night, pilgrims who walked to Compostela oriented themselves by the Milky Way which the Spaniards also call the Way of St. James. According to a popular belief, St. James drew this way in the sky to show Charles the Great a road to Saracens.
St. James’s emblem is a shell. Shells represented a distinctive symbol of pilgrims who stepped on the Way of St. James, which symbol was, for instance, sewn on their clothes. Shell images decorate buildings and the road along the entire route.
I shall consider some points on the route.
The city of Pontevedra is located in the Portuguese section of the route.
Pontevedra (Galician Pontevedra [pɔnteˈβɛ.ðɾa], Spanish Pontevedra [ponteˈβeðɾa]) is a city and municipality in Spain, administrative centre of the province of the same name. The municipality is a part of the county (comarca) Pontevedra. It occupies an area of 117 km². One of the city symbols is the shell-shaped Church of St. Peregrine. Construction of the church began in the 18th century. It is one of the main symbols of Pontevedra and dedicated to Virgin Mary who, according to legend, accompanied pilgrims from Bayonne to Santiago de Compostela. In the church, there is an image of La Divina Peregrina (The Divine Pilgrim, also called Our Lady of Refuge), the patron of Pontevedra province and the Portuguese route. The building resembles a shape of a seashell which is a symbol of pilgrimage. The architectural style is late baroque with neoclassicism elements.
There is also an interesting point about the name. In most sources the church is called the Church of St. Peregrine (Iglesia de la Peregrina), though its full name is Iglesia de la Virgen Peregrina: the word Virgen is missed for some reason. This word has various meanings, including: untouched, immaculate, virgin, primordial, pure, chaste, untreated, Virgin Mary (la Virgen).
The church full name is referred to here: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglesia_de_la_Virgen_Peregrina
In this city, there is also the Church of St. Mary (Basilica de Santa Maria la Mayor). It was built in the 16th century to the order of the guild of merchants and seamen.
Constructed in the 16th century in the Gothic style with elements of Portuguese Manuelino style inspired by marine themes and the age of great geographical discoveries, the church was erected by the guild of seamen of Pontevedra. The church western façade is decorated with the busts of Christopher Columbus and Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. At the side entrance to the church there is a cross in front of which sailors were blessed before long voyages.
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