When we restored the Relic Chapel, with the help of the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust, and our domestic donors, we found the original paintings undernedath the 1950s overpainting. The lunettes and circles of Catacomb paintings were still visible under the khaki wash, and the connecting bands emerged with care. But the Catacomb images are rather odd. Some of them are obvious, others have been deciphered, but the real remaining puzle is the monogram.
The letters seem to be T Y R N, which coud be taken in any order. Yes, the R is backwards, so it could be a Russian "ya" (can't find the actual character in this font). No one so far has come up with a plausible explanation or reason for these letters. Maybe our constant readers can think of something (mail to campaign@oxfordoratory.org.uk) and we might think of a prize for the most original and interesting solution.
In the meantime half the statues and over half the heads have been sponsored - so if you want to sponsor one, act quickly!
