Lions – Haiku 2025— Thursday Doors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetryTags:
Cathedral (Basilica) of San Ciriaco, Ancona Italy. Licensed Image credit: © Siegfried Schnepf | Dreamstime

one door opens two

truth carved in marble —clarity;

lions at the gate

*

*The featured doors are the entrance to Ciriaco Cathedral (and Basilica) in Ancona, Italy by the shores of the Adriatic Sea. An image is below.

Main portico, Cathedral of San Ciriaco, Ancona, Italy. Licensed image credit: © Siegfried Schnepf | Dreamstime

The tall wooden doors have a smaller door that leads to inner doors. The doors date back to the 18th-century restoration of the cathedral’s facade.

The large outer doors feature two emblems at the top: on the left, the emblem of Pope Francis; on the right, that of the current Bishop of Ancona-Osimo, Angelo Spina.

At first glance, the upper tympanum seems sparsely adorned.

But a closer look reveals a wealth of detail: tiny modest sculptures of plants, animals, sculpted busts of saints, and the symbols of the Four Evangelists—Matthew (a winged man), Mark (a winged lion), Luke (a winged ox), and John (a rising eagle)—all finely carved in minature relief into the marble archvolts above the doorway (a closeup of the tympanum is below).

The tympanum and archvolts. Main portico, Cathedral (Basilica) of San Ciriaco, Ancona, Italy. Licensed image credit: © Sergio Feola | Dreamstime

The facade and portal are constructed with costly imported white Conero stone and red Verona marble, giving a pink and white hue, particularly visible in the Venetian lions guarding the doors.

Kindly note, the lions are there for style and are a structural necessity. They serve as two of the four load-bearing pedestals balancing the doors’ heavy marble-laden portico cover.

Trivia #1 and #2:

The Story of Saint Cyriacus, Bishop of Ancona patron saint of the Cathedral (Basilica) of San Ciriaco.

According to legends (three to be exact)…

Long time ago…

In the 4th century A.D., legend has it…

That a man by the name Giuda (Judas) Cyriacus of Jerusalem was credited with assisting Constantine’s mother Helena (Saint Helena) in locating the exact location where the True Cross (Holy Cross) of Jesus, along with the crosses of the two thieves were buried on Golgotha.

Legend has it that Giuda Cyriacus converted to Christianity after the True Cross was found. He was later appointed Bishop of Jerusalem.

Many years later, Giuda Cyriacus, now Bishop of Jerusalem, traveled on a mission to Ancona, Italy, where his popularity increased. He remained there for a time as Bishop of Ancona.

Several years later, Bishop Cyriacus of Ancona and Jerusalem decided to return home to Jerusalem, where he suffered fatally for his faith and died on May 1, 363.

Centuries later, in 1000 AD, after much negotiation, Bishop Cyriacus of Ancona and Jerusalem’s by then canonized as St. Cyriacus’ remains were returned to Italy and buried in a church. The church was later closed and San Ciriaco took up occupancy of the building as the city’s cathedral (to this day).

Then events and many legends of St. Cyriacus took a strange turn with oral traditions adding the following narrative:

It was alleged that a coffin or some say a chest with Bishop Cyriacus of Ancona’s (St. Cyriacus) remains was tossed into the Adriatic Sea! No one knows how or by whom or why…!

And then according to the oral accounts that still persist….

Some time thereafter, around 1000s AD, in May, fishermen tending their boats out at sea, near Ancona’s shoreline discovered a large coffin/chest wedged in the reeds in the Adriatic Sea.

After great effort and a great while, by which time a large crowd had gathered, the coffin/chest was hauled to shore and opened, revealing the remains of Bishop Cyriacus of Ancona and Jerusalem (St. Cyriacus).

His remains were again interred in the Cathedral of San Ciriaco. St. Cyriacus is venerated on May 4 as the city of Ancona’s patron saint.

Additional info:

According to historiographers who have traced Jesus’ family lineage, St. Cyriacus (Bishop Giuda Cyriacus of Ancona and Jerusalem)—known for helping to locate the True Cross buried on Golgotha—may have had access to secret knowledge passed down through his bloodline.

That lineage is believed to trace back to the brothers of Jesus, from the marriage of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph. In other words, Bishop Giuda Cyriacus (St. Cyriacus) is alleged by some to have been Jesus’ great-grandnephew.

Aerial view, with the Adriatic Sea in the background, Cathedral of San Ciriaco, Ancona, Italy. Licensed image credit:  © Dudlajzov | Dreamstime

And for more #ThursdayDoors visit Dan Antion at No Facilities

Ritva Photography

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

70 thoughts on “Lions – Haiku 2025— Thursday Doors”

  1. A super post. Those doors followed by an inner set of doors are wonderful. I love the fact that the lions are load-bearing, being both beautiful and functional. They certainly knew how to do things in style. I wasn’t aware that Jesus had brothers, and you have sent me off on a voyage of discovery.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Wow! Suzette, there is a lot to process in this post. If the stories are accurate, St. Cyriacus (or at least his remains) had quite the journey. Again, if the oral record is true, I’d have to say there was some divine navigation at work.

    The doors are beautiful, and I love the idea of doors within doors and multiple sets of doors. The entrance is huge, and I love how it is anchored by the lions.

    Thank you for the lovely poem that set me on a quest, and for the research that led to so much information and folklore that you shared. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. This share was a bit on the long side, I admit, Dan. I am glad you found the information of interest. I agree that the whole possibility of one chest, tangled up in the reeds in the vastness of the Adriatic Sea, being discovered, is nothing short of a miracle!

      I tried to find photos of this Cathedral with the doors closed and realized that there were many more photos with the doors open, which was a revelation for me.

      Thank you for your support of Thursday Doors, Dan. I hope you have a lovely day.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I don’t mind the length, Suzette. The story is fascinating. These are stories I’d never know about if it wasn’t through following people like you who put the time into sharing them. Thanks!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. What an interesting set of truth? legends? does it really matter- probably not- but I am so wondering who dumped Bishop Cyriacus of Ancona in the soup- and wouldn’t they be surprised they were found out in the end. (just me picking up with my imagination where the story ended off)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Violet for your lovely comment and your thoughts on the mystery of Bishop Cyriacus of Ancona. Your imaginative musings are wonderful. That train of thought would be an absolutely great line of inspiration for further study/story. Thank you so much. Blessings to you this day.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for your visit. Much appreciated, truly.

      Regarding “Jesus had a great grandnephew?” I don’t know what threads the genalogy historians on Jesus’ family history have documented; but Matthew 13:55-56, Mark 6:3, and John 7:5 reference he had brothers.

      Sharing below a quote:

      “I allow softness to shape me without fear of breaking Strength and gentleness can coexist in me.
      My humanity is made of both.” – Haley Osner

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jesus entrusting Mary to the care of the Apostle John at the cross (John 19:26-27). The Church argues that if Mary had other biological sons who could care for her, Jesus would not have made this arrangement?

        I love the quote, thank you for sharing such a powerful thought.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I’m in such a slow state, but I need to study this cathedral and it’s doors.
        It’s a wonderful share especially the thought of Jesus and his great grand nephew.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. This is a wonderful structure in a beautiful setting, Suzette. For me, it suggests the following (see below), Thank you as usual for the inspiring Doors series.
    ~
    cosmic portico
    humbling Babushka-like doors
    part of grand design
    ~
    Blessings to you.
    DD

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much DD for your beautiful comment and excellent haiku response.

      I love your haiku’s juxtaposition of the cosmos with the endearing evocative response that your phrase “Bushka-like” brings to mind and heart.

      Thank you for your blessings. I return the same to you a hundred fold with gladness.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. This is a wonderful post, Suzette. The lions are magnificent, and how interesting they are load-bearing. The architecture of today, at least in the US, doesn’t even compare.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. A marvellous building and its imposing door! Great to know that lions are there for style and are a structural necessity. The lineage stated by you is impressive. And your haiku as usual covers all important features. Well done, Suzette!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. That main portico is stunning! I’m glad you mentioned the load-bearing necessity of the lions because that helped me appreciate their size. As for all the legends — faith persists!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Maureen for your excellent comments as always. Regarding the main portico and the lions, I appreciate more and more the thought that goes into these structures of centuries past. Amazing.

      And I agree with your profound insight…”faith persists.” Happy Sunday bliss.

      Liked by 1 person

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