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St Vitus, Mönchengladbach: Epitaph

Posted by
MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 12 January 2012 in Art & Design.

I've just learned that the term epitaph means a "short inscription honoring a deceased person" (Wikipedia) in English. In German, "Epitaph" means something different: we are looking at one. An "Epitaph" means a more or less small monument honoring a deceased person; they are usually to be found in churches. This one is remembering of Servatius van den Berg, who was abbot of Gladbach abbey 1725-1750. Van den Berg was also president of the Bursfelde Congregation, a "union of Benedictine monasteries and nunneries working for the reform of Benedictine practice" and the revival of the old Benedictine monastic rule.

Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom

A similarity of meanings, though . . the difference being in the written or the illustrative, perhaps. Whatever, this is a sombre reminder of the 'Future' !

12 Jan 2012 6:32am

@Ronnie 2¢: These people didn't delude themselves.

L'Angevine from Angers, France

ça me donne des frissons

12 Jan 2012 8:34am

@L'Angevine: Don't be afraid, this was a noble man.

António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal

The quality of your photos and the explanations you give us are both invaluable.

12 Jan 2012 10:10am

@António Pires: Thank you, sir! It's much more interesting with a bit of information, isn't it? The church desperately needs men like him.