The first man, Adam had a beginning and we know his story from Genesis 1:26-27. God created man, Adam, from the clay of the earth! Jesus' earthly beginning was as a baby born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1: 26-38,  Luke 2:1-20)!  We know this through Scripture and through Holy tradition passed down by word of mouth along with the written word. We are also taught through visual symbols in inspired art as we see above in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. 
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In the same manner, we will explore the mystery of the skull shown under the crucified Jesus in art. And where was the Center of the World - does it matter? Were Jesus and Adam neighbors that lived 1000s of years apart? And, ask the question, who is the New Adam? 

CENTER OF THE WORLD?
Was Adam, as many ancients believed, created in the center of the world? Some say when Adam stood up after his creation, his feet touched down upon the center of the earth. (in the very spot where Christ would be crucified) And would Jerusalem, as ancients believed, be that center of the world?  Was the earth or clay from which Adam was formed in Jerusalem ruddy, or terracotta? ADAM (means 'terracotta' or ' ruddy') 
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Remember in Genesis 2:8 we are told that after Adam was formed, God planted a garden "in Eden in the East", then placed Adam there. Eden was created after Adam according to Scripture he was placed there later.
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JERUSALEM
Think of the events that happened in the area we now call Jeru-salem.  Abraham was instructed by God to go sacrifice his son Isaac at a special place, on Mt Moriah where eventually the First and Second Temple were built, in Jerusalem. 
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Jerusalem was the birthplace of the Christian Church: (Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in the city until they received the Holy Spirit, which was sent to them on the Day of Pentecost, some 50 days after they had witnessed the betrayal and death of their leader, Jesus. (Church of the Holy Sepulcher). The 2000 year old Western Wall is the holiest site for the Jewish people, is in Jerusalem. And The Dome of the Rock is built on the rock where the JewishTemple once stood. The Dome of the Rock is considered the holiest spot after Mecca (Islam).   All in Jerusalem.
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Today, many still believe that Jerusalem is the geographical center around which all world events happen. That the time clock for the beginning and end of the world - is here, and it was not just the center of the 'known world' to ancients. 
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Remember, it was the old rabbinical sages who taught Jerusalem was the 'Navel of the Earth' - and that  - all life sprang from there. Also called  ‘The Center of the Earth’ because it is the place where ancients believed the earth was founded. 
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So the question for today is, where was Adam buried? Or was Adam's skull reburied - or - taken to Jerusalem at a later date? Is that why the ancients call this hill, the site of the crucifixion of Jesus,  'The Place of the Skull?' 

... JOHN 19:16-17 ...
16 Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and carrying the cross himself  he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.

There is no way to know for certain but there is no question that this icon imagery below tells the rich and beautiful story of the redemption of man! It can be confusing  yet the words come forth from Romans 2:33-36 to give us great comfort:

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! 34  "For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?"  "Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?" 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. 

It is a great reminder that God can and will do what he wants to do and it makes little difference how we choose to analize it. He is who he says he is and that is all we really need to know. Enjoy what we have found in art and know there is much more in the depths of his riches and wisdom and knowledge. His treasure house is full and overflowing!

PLACE OF THE SKULL   -   WHO IS THE NEW ADAM?   - 
SKULL IN ART   -  FRANCIS TAU SIGNATURE   - 
VARIATIONS   -   FRA ANGELICO   -  ANASTASIS
OLD CRUCIFIXES   -  TWO SKULLS   -   OLD BELIEVERS ICON   -   MEMENTO MORI   -  SKULLS & ROSARIES   -  LINKS

 Traditionally, Christ was crucified outside the city walls of Ancient Jerusalem on a hill or a place called the SKULL. GOLGOTHA (Aramaic / Hebrew for Skull) CALVARY: (Latin: Calvaria for "a skull") and KEFALAION (Greek) Excavtions in the 4th century changed the terraine so the Church of the Holy Sepulchre could be built over the holy sites of the crucifixion and the tomb. This place was well known by the Jews to be the traditioual burial place of Adam, thus the name, Golgatha. This is why we see the name in Scripture.

... GENESIS 3:5 ...
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel."

THE NEW ADAM
+Since early times, Jesus is seen as the 'New Adam' ( And Mary as the New Eve ) overcoming the sins of Adam through his passion, death and resurrection. So the skull symbol represents Adam. Rare but seen, two skulls at the bottom of the crucifix, that of Adam and Eve. See   EXAMPLE  (also see St Paul's words about the New Adam below:
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1 CORINTHIANS 15:45
45 So, too, it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being," the last Adam a life-giving spirit.

ST FRANCIS IN PRAYER
CARAVAGGIO (1571 - 1610)
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome
 BELOW: A magnificent work of art imaging St. Francis in Prayer by Caravaggio The lights and darks are powerful along with the symbolism of the cross and skull. Poverty and humility were popular subjects during this period as was the skull and it links back to the Tau signature of Francis below. 

 FRANCIS' PARCHMENT BLESSINGS
 On the back of the blessing, Brother Leo wrote:

"The blessed Francis wrote this blessing for me with his own hand"  and [also] said, "In a similar way he made with his own hand this sign TAU together with a skull" 

 VICTORY OVER DEATH
This crucifix with a large skull at its base is an exceptional example of the visual tradition of victory over death. Believed to be originally seen on the internet through the collection of Joseph Perez and his mom Berta of Church Woman Antiques (Ebay) - with many thanks!

Fra Angelico (1395 - 1455) The detail below is from the fresco by Fra Angelico (1435) titled "Schädel Adams am Berge Golgatha, Detail einer Kreuzigung mit Hl. Nikolaus und Hl. Franziskus" (Head of Adam to mountains Golgatha, detail of a Kreuzigung with Hl. Nikolaus and Hl. Franziskus). The image shows the skull of Adam under the cross of Christ with Christ's redeeming blood flowing down and over his head. For more information please click icon. 

 Anastasis (Greek for Resurrection), the descent of Christ into Hell, is the theme of the icon that inspired this egg painted in 1988.  It symbolizes the promise of resurrection in the Eastern Russian (Orthodox Byzantine) Church. Christ is shown pulling Adam up and Eve awaits - from their graves to their resurrection. 

EPHESIANS 5:14
14  ---- "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. 

THE LORD DESCENDS INTO HELL
He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve.  The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory.  At the sight of him, Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.”  Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.”  He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying:  “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday)

HOW THE EGG CAME TO ME!
  The Russian name for the icon painted on the egg is Anastasis a depiction of the resurrection. The style of icon art  is from the first half of the sixteenth century school of Novgorod once the cultural center of Russia. 

This egg was painted in Russia 21 years ago.  How did I get it?  There was a Russian fair in our mall; and they were selling goods from Russia to get money to take back to their families.  I greeted one young man in Russian and commented on his beautiful icons and told him I had been trained to write icons like these.  I had on my clergy dress. 
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Alexander asked if he could talk to me in private.  This surprised me [as] the iron curtain and *Berlin wall was still up. I knew he could be punished if his Russian friends reported him for talking to clergy.  In private he asked if I had a Holy Bible in Russian because his mother badly wanted to read that book before she died.  I told him I could meet him at his table the next day with the Bible.  We went back to his table and I asked about the price of that icon egg.  Alexander said, "no you never pay." He whispered,  "Just bring me the Bible please."
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When I returned the next day Alexander lit up with excitement.  He gave me a note that read "Do you have the Holy book?"  I nodded yes. He motioned for me to say nothing. He pulled me to the food court and back into the men's room.  I gave him the Russian Bible.  He took the Bible and hid it in a pocket sewn inside his pants.  He tried to get me to name a price for the Bible which I refused to state.  We left and returned to his table. 
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Not to be out done by my great gift he offered me any thing on his table.  I took nothing and then gave me this egg as a gift.  He kissed me and wept and said now I shall not be ashamed to meet the Lord Jesus I have His Word.    I gave him my address and he wrote several months later and said his Mother was very pleased.  In his village his family had people coming to his mother's home to copy this Bible by hand.  + Blessings, Fr. Joe

*This entry is being uploaded on the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down. November 9, 2009. (We love the way God's work, comes around!)

 Be sure to see this collection of crucifixes that carry the traditional skull and crossbones at the bottom.  Popular through mid 1800s and came in a variety of sizes that were used on rosaries, as pectorals and on the wall over the bed. Germany seems to be the center for manufacture but many were hand made. Some were called Coffin Crucifixes as rested in the coffin, then given to the family of the deceased.
    EUROPEAN CRUCIFIXES

RARE DOUBLE SKULLS ... 
 OBVERSE: One side shows the crucifixion with the skulls of Adam and Eve at the bottom meaning the cross brings us salvation and resurrection from the dead.  REVERSE:  Shows Christ at his baptism, including those who witnessed his baptism.  It also shows events in the life of Christ.  Remember in the Orthodox Church the baby is baptized, confirmed and given communion in one rite! The placement of the cross layout and figures match Greek and Russian Icons from the 17 century. For more information:
ADAM AND EVE

 Russian 'Old Believers' Icon Cross with Guardian Saints. Circa 1800s. Bronze.  Heavy casting. Rare miniature size: 2.5 by 3.5". 
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BELOW CHRIST’S FEET
Below the feet of Christ we see the letters IT and MAPB. They stand for The Mount of Golgopha "and" The place of the skull has become Paradise. 

 MEMENTO MORI: (Remember thy Death)  The skull is also seen on old rosaries and chaplets as 'Memento Mori' (Remember thy Death). Here we see a skull bead threaded onto a rosary or chaplet just above the crucifix. Especially popular with Priests and Nuns in the 19c.