The Whore of Babylon

Beneath St. George on the lower tier of the west wall of the nave is a painting of the Whore of Babylon. The Whore of Babylon is one of several Christian allegorical figures of supreme evil mentioned in the Book of Revelations in the Bible, associated with the Antichrist and the Beast of Revelations. There is much speculation within all religious perspectives on what the Whore and Beast are symbolic of as well as the possible implications for contemporary interpretations. There are a number of symbolic clues in the Book of Revelations that some see as suggesting a link between Rome and Babylon. The Roman Empire in its military occupation of Palestine, its repression of the Jewish nation and religion, its destruction of Jerusalem following Jewish revolts in 70 CE and 135 CE, and its persecution of Christians, would lend meaning to the imagery of the 'whore, drunk with the blood of martyrs,' as a wantonly violent and bloodthirsty entity.

In the painting the cup held in her right hand is the cup of Abomination whilst red flames are beginning to rise from the earth. Above are God and his angels pointing accusingly at the wicked woman. It is unclear what is held in her left hand either a box of treasure, perhaps symbolising decadence and greed, but the box seems to building shaped so perhaps this alludes to the lost souls of Babylon.

The Latin text that accompanies the scene is to fragmentary to fully translate but words still legible includes Vitidam meaning vicious, full of vice or corrupt.