Through the architecture of our churches and in the sanctity and beauty of our worship, our hearts and minds through our physical eyes are guided by icons to see the spiritual reality of the kingdom of God and the presence of Christ in our midst. 2 Corinthians 3:18īeloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As Orthodox Christians and religious educators, we know the important role of iconography in worship and the teaching ministries of the parish. Gregory of Sinai But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Emissaries to Prince Vladimir of Kiev, on Hagia Sophia Become what you already are, Find Him who is already yours, Listen to Him who never ceases speaking to you, Possess Him who already possesses you! St. We cannot describe it to you: only this we know, that God dwells there among men…for we cannot forget that beauty. Athanasios We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth, for surely there is no such splendor or beauty anywhere upon earth. Theodore the Studite God became human so that humans could become God. Lewis We should believe that divine grace is present in the icon of Christ, and that it communicates sanctification to those who draw near with faith. Wisdom, Ancient And modern Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26 The icon…fills a constant task, which has been that of Christian art from the beginning: to reveal the true relationships between God and man….To the disoriented world the icon brings a testimony of authenticity, of the reality of another way of life….The icon about God, man, and creation, a new attitude toward the world.

We see the figure of Adam depicted in similar colors to the earth around him. In this story, we read also read that “the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Yet in the second creation story, we read about Eve being formed from the side of Adam (Genesis 2:18–22).

The first creation story relates that God created humanity-Adam and Eve-at the same time: “male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).

In the Creed, we recite that Christ is “true God of true God” and “begotten before the ages,” reminding us that He existed before the creation. The icon reminds us of the presence of the Holy Trinity in creation by depicting Christ as the creator. In Genesis 1:2, we read about “the spirit” moving across the waters.

God speaks in the plural voice, as we see in the icon: “Let us…according to our likeness.” This reminds us that God exists as three persons, the Holy Trinity, and all three persons are present in the creation of the world. There are several noteworthy details in this story. It depicts elements of both the first and second creation stories, in Genesis 1 and 2, respectively.Īt the end of the first creation story, God creates humanity, the culmination of His creative endeavor. The quote at the top of the icon is Genesis 1:26.

Cheryl ann pituch iconographer blog