The Devil, Herman's Hermits, and Herman the Recluse

What do Herman's Hermits have in common with Herman the Recluse?  Jezebel and the devil.

Herman's Hermits singing Jezebel (1966)

"If ever a devil was born

Without a pair of horns

It was you, Jezebel, it was you!

If ever a pair of eyes

Promised paradise

It was you, Jezebel, it was you!

If ever a devil's plan

Was made to torment man

Decieving me

Grieving me

Leaving me blue

Jezebel, it was you!"

Gigas Codex, 13th Century

Herman the Recluse, an apocryphal Benedictine monk at the 13th century monastery of Podlažice, is the putative author of the Gigas Codex.  The giant tome, hand crafted from 160 baby cows (or maybe donkeys), contains the Vulgate, the Chronicle of Prague, and a large drawing of the devil.  Thus, the manuscript is lovingly known as "The Devil's Bible," leading many a wayward soul to study this book in search of necromancy, only to find another dusty transcription of the Bible in latin.

  

Jezebel of course makes her appearance in the Third Book of Kings, 16:31.  

Frankie Laine, the composer of Jezebel, often wrote of the devilish femme fatal: Swamp Girl, Satan Wears a Satin Gown.  Although Frankie Laine's Satan wore a satin dress, Herman the Recluse's Satan wore polka-dot undies, more akin to Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss' "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." 

Popemobile + Stag Party = Indulgences

Family Guy "Holy Crap" episode

Once described as "very discreet, very noble," the popemobile used by John Paul II is available for rent the next time you visit Dublin.  The National Wax Museum in Dublin Ireland has purchased and re-purposed the iconic popemobile for "special events."  The features of this popemobile include: Pope chair, 15 additional seats, sizable windows, and a "bessing" balcony.  The original 1979 Ford popemobile included silk carpet. I suspect that the new owners have replaced the flooring with something easier to clean.  Prior to the sacrament of marriage, this is the ideal platform to host a memorable bachelor bash. With an optional confessional, you can rent the popemobile for $480/night.  For a history of the popemobile, check out this site.

Popemobile for Rent

1979 Popemobile with Pope

Ice Church: ideal home for the "Frozen Chosen"

God's Igloo

A chilling monument to religion has been constructed in Mitterfirmiansreut.  The tradition of the Ice Church goes back to 1911 when local villagers constructed a church of snow as a worship site because they did not have a permanent church in the area.  The most recent manifestation of winter worship was intended to be completed in time for Christmas, but global warming dampened construction efforts.  "God's Igloo," as it is known locally, is a Catholic place of worship, but a sanctuary of ice seems equally appropriate for Presbyterians, aka "the Frozen Chosen."