Hi everybody,
Does anybody know what the shield clanging means though? I take it as a positive sign, although I suppose it might also be a "rejection" of the blessing.
Any clues?
Shield 'clanging' is a very old custom which dates back as far as the time of the Roman Empire and Vikings (not sure how far back this last one but I recall reading something about a Viking raid where the sound of shields clanging was part of the 'account') - and I do not know if it pre-dates this as written accounts describing this in their details are extremely rare to begin and non-existant before then (I do no know of any)... - it was used in many instances and for several reasons... in response to speeches from Roman generals and Emperors when leading their armies into battle or addressing the 'populace' - in response to their battle cries before heading into battle in support and approval by the troops... It was also used in Roman arenas before events with chariots, etc. and later used in Medieval times before jousting matches and when the side they supported 'scored' a 'coup' ...sort of like a 'pep rally' response. It was also used to 'put fire' and animation to the event also as an 'announcement' of the forthcoming to alert the people 'the event was about to begin' often with the sound of trumpet-like instruments or 'cor' which has even carried a sort of 'influence' to this day in sports events. Some think it was used a long time ago to imitate the sound of thunder to scare off their enemies or invoke the 'God of Thunder.' Their fierce sound was enough to make some 'run for the bushes' or take cover at the sound of them coming... - it also could make the troops seem 'larger' or more 'imposing' to the enemy simply as a tactic which simply served to try to scare them off as battle fronts pushed along or marches as they claimed territory. Perhaps it gave them a sense of 'invincibility' too I would think to some degree but nothing is said about that factor in what I have read. This was also used in battles of old Britain as their troops lined up 'in formation' much like the Romans used to do and oft was used again to scare off the enemy in a 'show of force' and 'numbers' by the sound of clanging their swords and spears against their shields. It could also be used as a 'signal' for 'volleys' of troops to come in ...in 'waves' one after the other ...a sound which could be heard no doubt quite easily during a battle as reinforcements came from behind or from the sides. It can also be used as an army tactic to signal for the troops to 'tighten their ranks' (for the lines to come closer together to form a strong and powerful 'front') before battle as they prepare for an assault (and this is a worrisome one if this was the case here as I do not know what followed after these images and if the Ukrainian troops attacked after this video was taken after this moment with the priests here.)
So here, when you watch the video, it is difficult to assess if they are 'approving' the priests perhaps for their gesture and bravado in hearing their words (although I do not know what the priests are saying ...perhaps prayers. Someone who speaks Ukrainian could tell us what they are saying... maybe it is prayers or invoking Our Lord to stop the conflict here. . . It would be nice if someone told us what the priests say in this short clip. . .) - OR - if they are preparing to attack -- we do not know this unless we saw what followed. . . - and, I do think they did launch an attack at one point against the people in the streets here but I do not know if it was this particular instance or not... - it would have been good to see more to know the answer in terms of what ensued to explain the use of the 'clanging' here... - it could have been a 'signal' to prepare to tighten ranks to move forward and even attack and this would have had to come on the orders of a commanding officer no doubt against their own people. . .
Best,
Christine