In the museum of Santa Croce church, Florence (Firenze), Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Resurrection of Christ, Entreves, Aosta Valley, Italy, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting Mary's birth, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting Christ in the Garden of Olives, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Orthodox icon of Mary and Jesus, Paris, France, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Painting of monk and tiger, Seoul, South Korea, Asia

Greek Orthodox ceiling fresco, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Icon showing the life of St. Dimitrios in St. Dimitrios Orthodox church, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Icon of the Prophet Elias in Haifa Melkite Cathedral, Haifa, Israel, Middle East

Icon of Christ displaying during Orthodox Easter week, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting the ladder of virtues, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Virgin and Child, Vientiane, Laos, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Icon of St. John at Aghiou Pavlou monastery, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Athos, Greece, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting Saint Vissarion and Saint Epiphanos, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting St. Sophonias, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Virgin and Holy Ghost in Saint-Nicolas de Veroce church, Haute Savoie, France, Europe

Old Christian paintings in the Necropolis of Sopianae, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pecs, Hungary, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting Zacharias, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting St. Joseph of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting Saint Spiridon, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

St. Athanasos, Greek Orthodox icon, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Painting of St. Paul in Lome cathedral, Lome, Togo, West Africa, Africa

A 16th century painting depicting a meal at Lazarus's house, St. Antony's chapel in Bessans, Savoie, France, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting Christ's birth, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Orthodox church, Lyon, Rhone-Alpes, France, Europe

Latin Bible, Paris, France, Europe

Greek Orthodox icon depicting St. Athanasos the Great, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Detail of Greek Orthodox icon depicting St. Joseph of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, Europe

Sang sang rimpoche uses the dorje, a sacred ritual object to make the first decisive cut into the sand mandala on the last day of the mani rimdu festival. chiwang monastery, solu khumbu, nepal. solu khumbu, nepal

Amitaba thangka. Buddha amitaba radiating rainbow light to sentient beings

Fire ritual at chiwang monastery during the mani rimdu festival. these monks circumambulate the pyre after its ignition. one holds a long book wrapped in a felicitous scarf. the purifying fire takes the offering and raises them towards the sky in smoke. the circumambulatory ritual also recalls the way disciples showed respect for the buddhas body. solu khumbu, nepal

Monk beating traditional drum called gong, int he courtyard of chiwang monastery during mani rimdu festival. chiwang monastery, solu khumbu, nepal

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Myanmar madonna child, burmese style, by sister star, at mandalay catholic cathedral

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) lamentation of christ. 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) christ in majesty. Frescoes in the orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Religion, ethiopia. 17th –19th century murals in new gondar style, inside saint teclaima church axum

A traditional Thanka painting at the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

A traditional Thanka painting at the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

A traditional Thanka painting at the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Murals depicting battle scenes of elephants from the Ramakien epic, Wat Mahathat, Phetchaburi, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Religion, bulgaria. The byzantine catholic church at plovdiv. Icons inside the church

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Religion, ethiopia. 17th –19th century murals in new gondar style, at the old saint mary of zion church. Axum

Ethiopia nun with painting she made of mary mihur eyesus orthodox monastery, gurage

Ethiopia interior of church at abuna garima monastery, tigray

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Religion, ethiopia. Tullo gudo island and its monastery of debre zion, lake ziway. Murals of orthodox church on the island

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Religion, ethiopia. 17th –19th century murals in new gondar style, at the old saint mary of zion church. Axum

Religion, ethiopia. Na’akuto la’ab church, 7 kms from lalibela, built in a cave. The priest showing some of the church’s treasures: an old painting, gondar style

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Ethiopia painting of mary holding infant jesus. Interior of church at abuna garima monastery, tigray

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) interior of saint clement church, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saint george. 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Religion, ethiopia. 17th –19th century murals in new gondar style, at the old saint mary of zion church. Axum

Religion, ethiopia. 17th –19th century murals in new gondar style, at the old saint mary of zion church. Axum

Religion, ethiopia. 17th –19th century murals in new gondar style, inside saint teclaima church axum

Ethiopia priest walking passed mural depicting abuna aregawi and the serpent, kidana merhet church, tigray

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) christ the creator, main dome. 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saint clement of ohrid. 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

India. The syro-malabar church, founded by saint thomas, at palayur, kerala. Above altar. In the footsteps of saint thomas: visiting the eight churches founded by the apostle in kerala after he arrived in 52 ad

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saint constantin of kavasila. 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) frescoes in the orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Religion, bulgaria. The byzantine catholic church at plovdiv. Icons inside the church

Dakini painting. Without a consort, a partner of skillful means, there is no that experience mysteries of tantra. -padmasambhava to yeshe tsogya

A solitary mask dancer appears wearing a frightening mask and silk brocade. they circle the courtyard with sprightly leaps. called protectors of faith, or dharmapdla, the origins of figures like these can be traced back to the pre-aryan peoples of india. originally known as yaksas (literally, a wondrous thing), they were tree spirits, who were accepted by the buddhists as defenders of the faith. in nepal and tibet, as in india, local deities were converted into protectors. a devotee of an alien sect devised a means to humiliate the buddha and his disciples. the buddha discovered it and succeeded in converting him to his teaching. due to lack of wisdom, the buddha remarked, some could not realize the goodness of his disciples and he compared the ignorant to the blind and the wise to those who have eyes.nobody is condemned in buddhism, for greatness is latent even in the seemingly lowliest just as lotuses spring from muddy ponds. -the dhammapada. solu khumbu, nepal

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) frescoes in the orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

India. In the footsteps of saint thomas: visiting the eight churches founded by the apostle in kerala after he arrived in 52 ad. An icon of saint thomas

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) frescoes in the orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

A traditional Thanka painting at the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) frescoes in the orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) main entrance of the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Religion, ethiopia. Rock-hewn church of arbatu ensessa, 35 kms from lalibela. Mural within church

India. Kokkamamngalam syro-malabar catholic church, one of the 8 said to have been founded by saint thomas. The miraculous portrait of saint thomas. In the footsteps of saint thomas: visiting the eight churches founded by the apostle in kerala after he arrived in 52 ad

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) tomb of saint naum. Orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) interior showing frescos of saint sofia orthodox church, ohrid

A Buddhist Thanka painting at the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Murals depicting scenes from the Ramakien, Wat Phra Kaeo, Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

India. Saint thomas baptising a brahmin in the periyar river. Pilgrimage to malayattoor, a hill which saint thomas the apostle is believed to have climbed around 55 ad, leaving his footprints at the top. It is a major pilgrim centre for christians as well as hindus and moslems, who believe the trip can cure them of physical and mental disease. Kerala

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) tomb of saint naum. Orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

A Buddist artist painting a traditional Thanka painting at the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) icon. Orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

India. Mural depicting the life of thomas, at the saint thomas museum ernakulum. Thomas performing a miracle (making diamonds out of water) in palayur. In the footsteps of saint thomas: visiting the eight churches founded by the apostle in kerala after he arrived in 52 ad

Ethiopia the maryam feast, feast of mary, at axum. Pilgrims venerating mary, insdie the church of saint mary of zion

India. Saint marys port church, one of the eight founded by thomas after 52 ad, kollom, kerala. Altar with mural of saint thomas and christ. In the footsteps of saint thomas: visiting the eight churches founded by the apostle in kerala after he arrived in 52 ad

TURKEY The Chora Church, Istanbul. Fresco Close-up of the Virgin Mother with child

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) dome of orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) icon. Orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) frescoes in the orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid