The Frgrance Of Love Series

If you enter St Barnabas Church in Jehricho North Oxford you may be struck by the beautiful cut-glass mural on the left (north) side of the nave. It depicts many important saints, martyrs and angels of the Christian tradition, with the words of the Te Deum Laudamus underneath. It is absolutely stunning. What also stands out is the absolute lack of any equivalent mural on the right hand side. We shall explore that later.

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But first -let imagine ourselves in a dining room in Bethany just outside Jerusalem.

You kneel on the cool, earthen floor. The murmuring voices in the room fade into the background, swallowed by the steady thump of your heartbeat. Your hands tremble slightly as they clutch the smooth, rounded alabaster jar—cool and weighty against your palms. It is sealed, whole, untouched, containing oil more precious than gold, an essence of spikenard so rare and costly that it could feed a household for a year.

But this—this is not for selling. This is not for hoarding. This is for Him.

You shift forward, closer to Jesus. His feet, calloused from the long roads He has walked, rest in front of you. The scent of dust and sandal leather lingers in the air, mixing with the spiced warmth of roasted lamb and fresh bread. You glance up. He is watching you—not with surprise, not with hesitation, but with a quiet knowing.

The alabaster shatters in your grip. A sharp crack. A few gasps from around the room. A jagged shard bites into your palm, but you do not flinch.

And then—the fragrance.

It rushes out, flooding the room in waves. A sweet, heady, intoxicating perfume, rich with the scent of the mountains where the oil was pressed. The aroma clings to your skin, your hair, the very air itself, curling through the dim candlelight like an invisible veil.

Slowly, reverently, you pour. The golden oil cascades over His feet in thick rivulets, tracing the contours of His heels, slipping between His toes. It pools in the crevices of the stone floor, soaking into the very earth beneath you. Your hands follow, pressing the perfume into His skin, smoothing it over flesh that will soon be pierced.

And then, abandoning all pretense, you lower your head.

Your hair, unbound and wild, spills forward, brushing against His feet. You use it like a cloth, strands darkened with oil as you wipe, caress, worship. The scent clings to you now, marking you, mingling with your very being. You are no longer just Mary of Bethany. You are an offering. Your love is untamed, your devotion unashamed.

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Did you know that the most expensive pwrfume in the world is Shumukh:

This exceptional perfume is crafted with rare and precious ingredients, including Indian agarwood, sandalwood, musk, Turkish rose, and other closely guarded secrets known only to its creators. As a true masterpiece, Shumukh is housed in a breathtaking crystal bottle adorned with 3,571 diamonds, topaz, pearls, and 18-karat gold, making it a statement of opulence and exclusivity. Ranked among the top 10 perfume brands in world, this most expensive fragrance is more than just a scent—it is a symbol of prestige, elegance, and artistry, sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of luxury. Standing at the pinnacle of luxury, Shumukh holds the title of the most expensive fragrance in the world in 2025. This will set you back a mere $1.29 million a bottle.

If that sounds a bit much for you then the previous winner of the world’s most expensive perfume is DKNY Golden Delicious Million Dollar Fragrance Bottle. This fragrance is more than just a perfume, it’s a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. As one of the most expensive colognes in the world, it features a beautiful blend of fresh apples and lush florals. Priced at an incredible one million dollars, this masterpiece goes beyond fragrance, it’s a true work of art But it is not just the scent itself - the exclusive perfume bottle too is a true masterpiece. It is adorned with 2,909 precious stones, including 2,700 white diamonds, 183 yellow sapphires, and a breathtaking 2.43-carat yellow canary diamond on the cap. Designed by renowned jeweler Martin Katz, the bottle showcases an intricate New York City skyline, beautifully carved from gold. This stunning creation blends high-end jewelry with fine perfumery, making it a rare collector’s item for those who appreciate pure opulence.

The price – yes you have guessed it – One million dollars per bottle.

Well, I don’t know what wages are like in Hatfield. But can’t afford the diamond encrusted bottle – there is always Scent Salim Kings Blend 50ml Spray

A beautiful collection right from the heart of the vibrant and prosper nature, made especially to satisfy your splendid taste. A nice Smoky Scent. Yours for a mere £5000.