ICON OF CHRIST NOT MADE WITH HANDS
2- ICON OF CHRIST NOT MADE WITH HANDS
The icon that conveys the deepest truths of our faith is
the "Icon of Christ Not Made With Hands," or the "Icon On
The Cloth." Numerous legends of Prince Abgar of Edessa
account for the origin of this icon-type. The significance
of this icon lies in its value as theology in art.
The title of the icon comes from the Gospel verse: "I will
destroy this temple made by human hands, and in three days
I will construct another, not made by human hands."
(Mk. 14: 58) This new temple is the "Temple of Christ's
Body." (In. 2: 21) He is the true image of God, the
Only-begotten Son and Word of God. Because of this,
iconography creates images of the Savior according to
faith. The iconographer paints not according to his own
images, but according to the original image not made by
human hands. He paints according to Jesus Christ, Who "is
the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all
creatures." (Col.1: 15)
Man was originally created in the image and likeness of
God (Gen. 1 : 26). Through sin, this image was weakened
but never destroyed. The all-loving God restored man to
Himself, and makes it possible for men to become "sharers
of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1: 4). As death came
through one man, Adam, now life, the greater and eternal
life comes to those who live in Christ, the true image of
His Father.
Iconography is the Church's participation in God's
self-revelation. Every icon is sacred inasmuch as all
icons relate to Christ. "Through Him all things came into
being, and apart from Him nothing came to be." (Jn.1: 3)
The Icon of Christ Not Made With Hands shows only the
face of Christ. The face is framed in long locks of hair.
Total symmetry allows this impassive expression to lead
us to great spiritual awareness. The large eyes, attentive
but subdued, saddened but concerned, are empowered to
reach into our hearts, for "God did not send the Son into
the world to condemn the world, but that the world might
be saved through Him." (Jn. 3: 17)
Surrounding the head is a nimbus, bearing the cross-form
in which the Greek letters "O-WH" express "I am Who am,"
the name which God gives Himself (Ex. 3: 14). Outside
the nimbus are the Greek letters IC XC, an abbreviation
for the name of Jesus Christ. These inscriptions identify
all icons of Christ.
TROPARION -We bow before Your sacred image, O Gracious
lord, and beg forgiveness for our offenses, 0 Christ our
God. For You, of Your own will, deigned to ascend the
cross in Your human nature to deliver those whom You have
created from the bondage of the enemy. Therefore, we
gratefully cry out to You: "By Your coming to save the
world, 0 Savior , You have filled all with joy."
With a pure heart, I am balanced in life
When was the last time you sat down to have a heart to heart
with yourself? Have you really examined your heart lately? Are
you harboring childhood wounds? Are you still nursing a broken
heart? Are you frightened? Angry? Guilty or ashamed? Is there
someone you need to apologize to? Who have you forgiven lately?
If God were to speak through your heart today, what would you
hear? In the everyday quest to get through life, we sometimes
forget we really do have all we need. It's tucked away safely
in side of us. It contributes to our thoughts and motivates our
actions. If we clear it out it will actually speak to us and
tell us exactly what to do. When was the lasst time you had a
heart to heart with yourself?
Our hearts are the wrapping which preserve God's word, we need
no more.