Prakfalvi Endre: Roman Catholic Churches in Unified Budapest - Our Budapest (Budapest, 2003)
The St. Stephen Church (Basilica) of Lipótváros (Leopold Town), 1905
the gateway entablature. The inscription in the corners of the porch ceiling reminds us of the "axis’' of a Christian life: Crux regat—Intrantes—et egredientes (The cross may direct the steps of those entering and leaving here.) The mosaics of the dome were set, on the basis of Károly Lotz’s designs, in the Salviati and Jesurum workshops. On the vertex of the dome there is the image of God the Creator surrounded by 16 seraphim (i.e. six-winged angels), making an allusion to the words of the Psalm: Bless the Lord, ye his angels (Psalms 102.20). Below the circular field in the coffers there are figures of the Saviour and the seven Old Testament prophets who predicted his coming. Beneath their feet in the roll-mouldings there are inscriptions and symbols with reference to the appropriate loci in the Holy Script. Towards the altar, in the main axis, there are the figures of Jesus (Sanctus), to his right Isaiah (a virgin shall conceive and bear the Saviour; lilies; Isa. 7.14), Micah (in the town of Bethlehem Mic. 5.1-2), Malachi (he shall be a pure offering for the sin of the world;—oblatio munda, Mal. i.n), Zachariah (the glorious march into Jerusalem and the start of the Passion; palm leaves; Zach. 9.9), David (the psalmist on suffering; the crown of thorns), Joel (on ■ The chancel 27
