Crux

Passiontide Hymn

On November 19th, in the year 569, a new hymn was first sung—Vexilla Regis or The Royal Banner Forward Goes. It was written for a procession in which a relic—a fragment of the ‘True Cross’, a gift of the Byzantine Emperor—was carried from one place to another in France.

Although the story behind the hymn is full of dubious elements, and sounds like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, the hymn has stuck around. It has never been out of the liturgical tradition. In some communities it is being sung today, as part of the daily service during the two weeks leading up to Good Friday. There is something about it that has endured.

The symbol of the cross is at the heart of Christian devotion. It has also been misused to oppress people—in direct violation of all it represents. The cross symbolizes the desolation of the crucifixion, the pain, the torture, the death, the sacrifice made by the Creator to free humanity. But it also stands majestic—for release, for eternity, for life, for a victory unlike any human victory. The symbol of the worst depths of human crime somehow glows with the brightest divine light. Within that black cross on Good Friday is an explosive supernova. However dark that day, this world, and the human heart can seem, there is no darkness that this light cannot overcome.

This monochrome meditation was produced with a ruling pen and sumi ink. Part of the experience was the 1200+ slow circular strokes it took to prepare the amount of ink required to the right depth and consistency using ink stick and stone. It continues a series of works based on ancient Latin hymns and liturgical sequences.