RESTORATION

In 1972, a mad and distressed Hungarian geologist attacked and severely damaged one of the world’s most famous sculptures, Michelangelo’s Pieta, located in St. Peter’s Cathedral at the Vatican.

After arresting the culprit and assessing the amount of damage he caused, the officials immediately started the restoration of the statue. They invited the world’s most famous art critics, sculptors, and art restorers, provided them with the best laboratories, and spent large sums of money, using every possible human and technical means to restore the statue perfectly.

Although this masterpiece of art was broken, it was not thrown aside but was carefully repaired and is still to this day, one of the crown jewels of the St. Peter’s Cathedral, restored with its new beauty.

In this way, if man cherishes the artwork of his own inanimate creation and spares no means or expense to restore it, how much more does God cherish and love His living and breathing creation, humankind, whom He created in His own image and likeness, regardless of how much that image and likeness may be in need of restoration to resemble Him.

Indeed, God is that perfect restorer and masterful artist. When we come to Him broken and imploring Him for His restorative work by confessing our sins, He revitalizes us and prepares us for eternity.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan