Ravenna, Italy Mosaic Christmas Card

This description is on the back of the card: -San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy (constructed 527–548 CE)- At the centre of the mosiac apse, a clean-shaven Christ the Redeemer sits with open arms majestically facing the congregation, flanked by San Vitale (accepting the martyr’s crown) and Bishop Ecclesius (who began construction of the church) holding a model of the church in his hands. The theophany has a great gold fascia with twining flowers, birds, and horns of plenty. Jesus Christ appears, seated on a blue globe in the summit of the vault, robed in purple, with his right hand offering the martyr's crown to Saint Vitale. On the left, Bishop Ecclesius offers a model of the church. Above the arch, on both sides, two angels hold a disc and beside them a representation of the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. They symbolise the human race with Jerusalem representing the Jews, and Bethlehem the Gentiles.