the sublime vision
by john snogren
for more information,
access the heavenly visions gallery:
http://www.heavenlyvisions.com
snogren@erols.com
The early Church established a service on the first Sunday of Great Lent when all the Christians would celebrate the victory of the Church over its enemies. This is the "Feast of Orthodoxy."
During this service, hymns are sung declaring the victory over those who were trying to take the icons out of the Church. The use of icons in the Church was not a mere choice of aesthetics, but of deep theological conviction. For the icon reveals the history of our faith, it is dogmatic and sublime.
In the world of the icon, the goal is not to portray the superficial look of the world, its objects and inhabitants, but rather, their place and true meaning in the world according to the views held by the Church. Here you will see events in Sacred History, martyrs facing death with peace and hope in the world to come, the look of love and strength in the face of an apostle, and the unchanging image of Jesus Christ. Through these heavenly visions, we learn about, and are drawn ...to the divine.
"..that which was looked at and our hands have touched ...we proclaim concerning the Word of life." -- I John1:1
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever." -- Hebrews 13:8.
The Byzantine iconographer knew this well. Just like a scribe writing and recopying the Bible so that nothing will be changed or lost, so the artist takes up his brush and faithfully "writes" the icon.
The same motivation applies to both. What is most important is being faithful to the truths of the Christian faith. The icon is not meant merely to decorate a home or Church, but like the Bible, to bring to the heart and mind of the viewer the historical events and unchanging truths of the faith. The same life, the same truth, and the same spirit should be in an icon as in the Bible. The Christian message and vision of life and hope does not change with each new era and fad, nor does the vision of the icon. The goal is always the same, the message is always the same ... God`s love for man and man`s need to respond to that love. This is why no matter what century, no matter what other artistic styles are prevalent, you will find the iconographer quietly going about his work -- fleshing out that unchanging message and sublime vision.
-reprinted with permission
© john snogren
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|
the sublime vision
 Christ enthroned with Saint Susanna and Saint Christopher - triptych Egg tempera on panel with gold leaf. [28 by 40 inches] |
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