ARIAN BAPTISTERY, C. 500 CE. RAVENNA This splendid mosaic domed ceiling dates from the reign of the Gothic king Theoderic, an Arian Christian, who managed to wrest Ravenna from the emperor Zeno and make it his capital in 487. Arian mosaics on the walls were destroyed when the Catholics triumphed and converted this into a church under Justinian in about 565. The mosaic ceiling does not offend Catholic doctrine, though Christ is shown as a beardless youth, probably prepubescent, underlying the Arian belief of the Son's subordination to the Father. Christ's navel is in the very centre of the mosaic. He is standing waist deep in the river Jordan, with John the Baptist baptising him at right, and the dove of the Holy Spirit sprinkling him with holy water from above. My favourite figure is that of the river Jordan, at left, with water pouring from a vase behind him. Around this framed central clipeus are the Apostles, lining up behind Peter and Paul who are standing on either side of an empty throne.

For #MosaicMonday we're visiting the heretical #Arian #baptistery in #Ravenna, where a glittering gold background indicates the powerful patronage of the #Ostrogothic king #Theoderic.