Arts News

The Bible just got more textable.

If Pope Francis wanted a single image to illustrate the special Year of Mercy that is the current focus of his ministry and, indeed, at the heart of his pontificate, he could do no better than choosing an underappreciated masterpiece by the Italian artist Caravaggio.

TORONTO – The life of Jesus Christ has for centuries been a compelling story for artists and musicians.

CHICAGO - It all started about seven years ago when actor Morgan Freeman visited the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

Noticing the mosaics of Jesus inside the museum, Freeman asked his tour guide, who was Muslim, if the tiles had been covered over when the building, originally a Greek Orthodox church, was used as a mosque.

For anyone looking to figuratively and literally brush up on their faith, Kingston Ont.’s Providence Spirituality Centre is the place to be in May.

TORONTO - Truth in all forms of human expression reveals the sacred. Since the beginning, the Church has encouraged artists to express and complement the Gospel message through art.

Before she picked up her paint brush, Belové Da Silva turned to the Bible and was inspired to create what turned out to be a winning entry in The Catholic Register’s annual Easter drawing contest for elementary school children.

TORONTO - The Toronto Passion Play is an Easter tradition that has attracted thousands of Christians each year to the Church on the Queensway. This year, the full-scale musical production celebrates its 25th anniversary with a curtain call performance of its latest version.

It is not easy to be a respected member of the art-world intelligentsia and take religion seriously.

“Religion and modern art continue to be typecast as mortal enemies,” writes Aaron Rosen.

If you’re planning to watch “Of Kings and Prophets,” bring your bandages.