8. "Epiphany"

Sacred Light Icons

sacredlight.net

ICONS

HOME

Table of Contents

1-8 Christmas

9-17 Mary

18-21 Holy Week

22-36 Jesus' Life

37-42 Saints & Angels

43 Pentecost/Breath

of God

ICONOGRAPHER

CONTACT

Click bars above

to view icons.

“The Epiphany”

Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on the Feast of the Epiphany: Christ among us for all nations.

Matthew 2 relates this event in verses 10-11: “ …and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Since the event portrayed in an icon is not limited to space or time, it is always placed in the foreground, in front of the buildings. The event takes precedence over every other aspect of the icon.

It is a reality taking place in our world today, in our time and in space. This is symbolized by the extension into the border of Mary’s pillow, the foot of one of the Magi, and the temple roof.

The event cannot be limited to the past nor contained in a building. The red veil links the old and new covenants. Jesus receives the gifts with one hand and blesses with the other.

Lord Jesus, receive my gift of self!