Almost 100 years after the icons were removed from the churches in 787 the Seventh Ecumenical Council was convened in Nicaea.   It was determined at the council that the icons could be returned to the churches and the issue of idolatry would be dealt with.  The church would define the respect due to the icons and worship due to God.

https://www.goarch.org/documents/32058/1904247/photo-sunday-orthodoxy-planas-icon-large-wide.jpg/6a8ebd9d-abae-4a74-b232-9d085bdcadb2?t=1518733356648

The practice of using ashes as a sign of sin and pain goes back to the time of Tamar and King David’s reign.  When Tamar was raped by her half brother she sprinkled ashes on her head, tore her clothing, buried her face in her hands and cried.  There are additional references to the use of ashes to recognize wrongdoing and repentance in the Books of Daniel, Job, Jeremiah, and several others.  http://www.womeninthebible.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Copy_of_gallery5CB5CBouguereau_William_Adolphe5CBouguereau_Jeune_italienne_puisant_de_leau.jpg

The Zionists upon their return to Israel in the 20th Century used Tu Bishvat as an opportunity to connect to their agricultural roots.  This picture taken in the 1930s shows dignitaries planting trees in an orchard in Tel Mond, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bishvat-practices/   

Paul made a total of three missionary journeys into Asia Minor carrying the message of a resurrected Christ before his finale trip to Rome.  Shown here is the route of his first journey taken in approximately 46 CE.  The map is created by Chris and Jenifer Taylor of The Bible Journey.  This map and maps of the rest of Paul’s journeys are available at http://media.freebibleimages.org//stories /FB_BJ_Paul_Maps/thumbnail.jpg

We watched the flames ravaging the hillside from the Fair grounds parking lot.  We knew our apartment was in that general area.  We even saw the Twitter feeds about the apartment complex being on fire.  But it is not until you stand amid the ashes and look at the spot where your apartment had been that you really understand that you have nothing left.  My heart goes out to those who are not as fortunate as us.

The typical wreath has four candles set in the perimeter of an evergreen wreath for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.  A white candle is in the center for Chritmas Eve/Day.  Usually there are three purple candles and one rose candle.  A purple candle is lit the first Sunday of Advent during the worship service, and a subsequent candle is lit each Sunday until on the last Sunday before Christmas all four candles are burning during the service.  The first candle for the first week represents hope, the second week peace, the third week (the rose colored candle) stands for joy and the final candle stands for love.  This photo is taken from: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ba/9f/d1/ba9fd15493835624f6ec7134bb4f401e--catholic-advent-wreath-diy-advent-wreath.jpg

Additional information on the history of Advent is available at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_wreath

The Hilya shown here has a description of Muhammad in of a inscribed in the petals of a pink rose, from an eighteenth-century Ottoman Turkish album of hilyes. Sadberk Hanım Museum, Istanbul, no. 10602 Y8, fol. 9r.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Rose_Hilye.jpg/65px-Rose_Hilye.jpg

http://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/shrine  located in Acre, Israel is the resting place of the remains of Baha’u’llah the founder of the Baha’i Faith.  Baha’u’llah was 75 years old and had spent the last 13 years of his life within the precincts of the Mansion of Bahji, making it a fitting resting place for his remains. Baha’u’llah’s burial place is the most holy spot on earth to the Baha’i and is the location to which they turn in prayer each day.  Copyright © Bahá'í International Community”  http://media.bahai.org/