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More Iconography
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In the Orthodox Church, the icon is actually theology in color. It acknowledges the Incarnation of God, that he became man in Jesus. It attempts to portray the two natures of Christ: the human and divine. The icon helps worshippers to concentrate on the high spritual values of the holy people depicted. It is for this reason that the icon does not depict the physical beauty of the saint, but rather the spititual qualities such as sacrifice, humility, devotion, faith and love. It inspires reverence in worship, and provides instruction for the faithful. In the Orthodox tradition, the faithful bestows honor, veneration, and reverence not to the painted wood, but to the person that is depicted because of the holiness and glorification he/she has recived by God. Indeed, the faithful experience a spiritual communion with the saints since both churches, the one that exists on earth (the Militant) and the Church of Heaven (the Triumphant) belong to the same body of Christ. |
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The Pantokrator
Above the Church on the ceiling of the dome is the largest mosaic in the world of the Pantokrator. Christ the Almighty. This icon portrays the triumphant Christ who reigns as Lord of heaven and earth. Directly below and surrounding this icon are the prophets Elijah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jerimah of the Old Testament, who spoke of His coming. Each are positioned between a Cherubim. At the barrel of the dome under the 16 circular windows is the inscription in both English and original Greek which reads: |
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I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD,
HE THAT FOLLOWS ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS
BUT SHALL HAVE THE THE LIGHT OF LIFE |
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Platytera
The Mother of God (Theotokos, Birth-Giver of God): The place behind the Altar is reserved only for the icon of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. This icon is called the Platytera (Broader than the heavens). The Theotokos became the connecting link between the Creator and the creation, between God and man, heaven and earth. She took first place next to her Son in heaven, and from there she continues to pray and intercede for us. As the Queen of Heaven, she is surrounded by divine grace, holiness and purity. On the byzantine icon of the Theotokos, one sees how the expression of the soul is concentrated on the face. The icon expresses the virtue of meekness, humility, purity, spiritual love, and wisdom. In orthodox iconography the Mother of God is always depicted with the infant Jesus. |
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The Four Evangelists
Beneath the dome at the four pendantives, are the four Evangelists, authors of the Gospel, who were inspired by God in the writing of the Bible. Moving clockwise, from the right of the Altar, is Saint John the Theologian dictating to his disciple Prokopios, Saint Matthew, Saint Luke and Saint Mark. |
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More Iconography |
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