1 -THE ICON SCREEN
		
		The Icon Screen, placed between the sanctuary and nave, 
		bears images of Christ, the Mother of God, and the Saints. 
		The Screen expresses the unity of God and man. Christ, Who
		is both God and man, faces us since the way to salvation 
		is now revealed and opened. The images of the Saints 
		remind us that we are to be created anew in the image of 
		Christ. Rather than dividing and separating God and man, 
		the Icon Screen is an invitation to come into His presence.
		 
		
		The placing of the Icon Screen is itself a sign that 
		Christ is the Way of Salvation, for He stands beside the 
		royal doors which open this way to the Kingdom of God. 
		Very often, Christ is depicted holding a book which reads,
		"I am the way" (In. 14: 6). The continuation of this quote
		is: "No one comes to the Father except through Me." Man 
		does pray in his heart to God, yet he must express himself
		in words in order to give form to his worship and to 
		unite himself to all who are called to Christ. The 
		arrangement of the whole Church, with the Icon Screen 
		uniting us, expresses the relationship between God and 
		man. 
		
		Together with the Icon of Christ, there are several other 
		Icons which form the major tier on the Icon Screen. At the
		center are the royal doors, often bearing Icons of the 
		four Evangelists, or the Annunciation. To the right of 
		the royal doors, as we face the Icon Screen, is the Icon 
		of Christ, and to the left is the Icon of the Mother of 
		God. Next to these Icons are the Deacon's Doors, often 
		bearing the Icons of ministering Angels or Deacons. 
		Beyond the Deacon's Doors may be found Icons of the 
		parish patron, or the patron of the people. 
		
		In addition to the major tier, some Icons Screens have an 
		upper tier consisting of Icons of the feasts of Christ 
		and the Mother of God. Others have tiers of the Icons of 
		Apostles and Prophets. The Screen may also include the 
		Icon of the Mystical Supper atop the Royal Doors, and 
		perhaps even an Icon of Christ Enthroned as King. 
		
		The diversity among Icon Screens leads us to see that it 
		is not the style that is important, but rather the purpose.
		In the Icon Screen the entire heavenly court greets us, 
		the Angels, the Saints, the Mother of God, and Christ, the
		Word of God. All lead us into the awesome atmosphere of 
		the divine presence. 
		
		VESPER HYMN -The grace of truth has shone forth and the 
		predictions of old have been clearly fulfilled; for 
		behold, the Church has put on the incarnate likeness of 
		Christ, the new world of Icons transcending adornment. 
		As the tabernacle of the Covenant held the presence of 
		God, so do the Icons show forth the presence of the One 
		we worship and revere. By venerating them, we never go 
		astray. It is a glory for us to kneel in true worship of 
		the Incarnate Christ. 0 Believers, let us then embrace the
		Icon and cry out: "0 God, save Your people and bless Your
		inheritance!" (Sunday of the Holy Images)
	

		The divine power within know exactly who I am!
		
		The stress began the day you learned you were expected to 
		please other people. Parents wanted you to stay clean and be 
		quiet. Neighbors wanted you to be respectful and helpful. 
		Teachers wanted you to be attentive and alert. Friends wanted 
		you to share and hang out. Whenever you failed to do exactly 
		what someone expected of you, you weren't good, or good enough.
		You were bad, weak or dumb. Unfortunately, you began to believe
		it. Giving in to the demands, day by day, you lost a little 
		more of yourself and your understanding of the truth. The 
		truth is you are fine, just the way you are! Perfect in your 
		imperfection! You are divine! Growing brighter and more 
		brilliant each day, you can accept the truth of who you are. 
		The next time you want to know who you are, what you are or 
		if something is the right thing to do, don't ask your 
		neighbor- ask the power within…and pay attention to the 
		response!
		
		There is a power greater than myself who loves me 
		exactly as I Am.
		

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