"Envoys from Alexandria"

                           Konstantinos Kaváfis, "Envoys from Alexandria"                                                  

They had not seen, for ages, such beautiful gifts in Delphi
as these that had been sent by the two brothers,
the rival Ptolemaic kings. After they had received them
however, the priests were uneasy about the oracle. They will need
all their experience to compose it with astuteness,
which of the two, which of such two will be displeased.
And they hold secret councils at night
and discuss the family affairs of the Lagidae.

But see, the envoys have returned. They are bidding farewell.
They are returning to Alexandria, they say. And they do not ask
for any oracle. And the priests hear this with joy
(of course they will keep the marvellous gifts),
but they also are utterly perplexed,
not understanding what this sudden indifference means.
For they are unaware that yesterday the envoys received grave news.
The oracle was given in Rome; the division took place there.

Source 

Imagens que tocam

Volto a escrevê-lo. Alexandria é já ali: tão perto e tão longe.

Esta fotografia foi tirada na sequência dos atentados que vitimaram egípcios coptas à saída da Missa.

A imagem tem diversos planos e em todos se encontra o toque humano e o sentido religioso. Na arte, na expressão de Fé, no sangue das vítimas. Devoção, martírio, fanatismo são palavras que, na História humana, se têm encontrado e confundido demasiadas vezes. Seria tão simples e tão profundamente religioso se devoção, martírio e fanatismo fossem vividos na intimidade da consciência de cada um. Fonte da imagem