Church of San Gregorio Armeno

In the centre of Naples, on the street of the Christmas creches (Via San Gregorio Armeno) is the entrance to the Church of St Gregory the Armenian: a Baroque jewel.

One enters into a room of elegant columns

to be welcomed by the sisters. We often found this nun deep in meditation when not at her information desk.

John liked this poster inviting visitors to an Adoration of the Eucharist (the body of Christ in the form of a blessed wafer of bread) every Thursday between 9 a.m. and 12:30.

The church envelopes you in rich Baroque decoration in a tall but contained space.

High windows allow light to pour into the interior,

illuminating the paintings,

the bas-reliefs,

the liturgical gold,

and this exotic gent. One of the Magi, perhaps?

Would sumptuous or opulent best describe the interior? It takes a while to focus on details,

like this sculpture of Mary with Angels adorning the dome,

above the altar.

The entrance to the Church is portièred and positioned below the choir and organ.

The entrance doors to the church are beautifully carved

with images of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

When the church closed at midday, the meditative nun allowed our passage once more onto the crowded street. Then we all, sisters and visitors, made our way to lunch.