Smithsonian Channel - Decoding Christianity (2008) Part 1 Flesh and Blood

In each episode, the presenter, Christy Kenneally begins by posing a key question that is fundamental to our understanding of Christianity. He then sets out to find the answer to this question, investigating and decoding the signs, symbols, iconography, myths and miracles of Christianity. He seeks out the sources that hold the key to understanding our initial question and thus comes closer to decoding Christianity itself. Over six episodes, the presenter's quest takes him to far-flung corners of the earth: from the primitive frescos in the catacombs of Rome, to the massive, colourful pilgrimage at Kulubi in Ethiopia, to the extraordinary Hill of Crosses in Lithuania, we are taken on a journey into Christianity in all its fascinating and colourful manifestations.

Part 1: Flesh and Blood

Christianity, says Decoding Christianity host Christy Kenneally, is not for the faint-hearted.Why do vivid images depicting the torment of Jesus Christ and the Christian martyrs play such an important role in Christian art? In this episode, Kenneally attempts to decode the powerful symbolism of the crucifixion and the Christian fascination with physical suffering. His journey takes him from a church in Dublin, Ireland that claims to hold the remains of the martyred St. Valentine, to Pampagna in the Philippines, where devout believers seek salvation by enduring crucifixion.