Kapel met het graf van Sint Sabas in het klooster Mar Saba c. 1867 - 1877

Félix Bonfils captured this photographic image of the Chapel with the tomb of Saint Sabas at the Mar Saba Monastery sometime between 1867 and 1878. Dominating the scene is the dome-shaped structure, a form echoing ancient burial sites, symbolizing both protection and spiritual ascension. The dome motif, resonating through centuries, appears in varied sacred architectures—from early Christian baptisteries to Islamic shrines—each time imbued with the local culture’s aspirations for the divine. It’s a visual echo of the heavens, psychologically comforting, offering sanctuary and direction. Consider how the dome has evolved: initially, it was a pagan symbol of power and authority. Christianity later transformed it into an emblem of spiritual transcendence, a shelter for believers, thus illustrating the dynamic interplay between cultural memory and subconscious desires. This enduring motif retains an emotional power, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level, linking us through time to primal yearnings for security and the sacred.