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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Most of the medieval churches I have visited use a side door for daily access if they still are in use for worship. Placing of the picture of St. Christopher opposite the door in daily use can be seen in parishes like that in Pickering (Yorks.) when wall paintings can be recovered. I believe the reason for this was that there was a superstition that if you looked on the face of St Christopher you would not die unshriven that day. Thus this door was often left open during the week so casual passers-by could see St Chris & be reassured. In the days of hazardous travel when you went on foot from village to village, this probably mattered! And is this not why St Chris is such a popular icon for travellers - even those by car - who no longer know why ? I can't give a source for this - it is another bit from my rag-bag memory ! Brenda M.C. ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html