Slovak Mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows Unveiled in Vatican Gardens

Vatican, 6 December (TASR-correspondent) - A mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows, the patron saint of Slovakia, was solemnly unveiled in the Vatican Gardens on Friday (5 December), with the ceremony attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, representatives of the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia (KBS), the Holy See and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. The artwork is intended to firm up the spiritual ties between Slovakia and the Vatican and honour the Virgin Mary. It was created by Greek Catholic priest Kamil Drab of Centro Arte in Stara Lubovna (Presov region). "We installed the mosaic a few days ago. Its theme is Our Lady of Sorrows, the patron saint of Slovakia. It's essentially Slovakia's contribution to the Vatican Gardens. The mosaic is meant to symbolise something deeply spiritual and at the same time something very close to Slovakia," Drab explained, noting that the mosaic adorns one of the ancient walls in the garden. Kosice Metropolitan Archbishop and KBS chairman Bernard Bober described the project as a symbol of the spiritual bond between Slovakia and the Vatican. "It reminds us that Our Lady of Sorrows holds a special place in our nation and in the lives of all believers. She is the Mother of comfort and compassion, which we all need so much," he said, adding that the Vatican Garden may later host another artwork featuring Saints Cyril and Methodius, "if it is God's will and with the Vatican's approval". Bober also pointed out that the gardens contain a linden tree planted by the late former Slovak president Michal Kovac. Pellegrini considers the placement of the mosaic in the Vatican Gardens a great honour. "Our Lady of Sorrows is not the patron saint of the perfect, but of the wounded. That's why it's very symbolic that right now, as we face tensions at home and unrest in the world, the Slovak nation will have this image of hope in the heart of the Vatican," he commented. The president thanked the Vatican for granting permission for the installation and voiced his gratitude to the creators, pointing out that the mosaic was made using a traditional technique from thousands of coloured tiles and stones. "Each piece is a symbol of each of us: people who form a community in which friendships, values and shared goals grow," he added. mf/am