Transcript Jesus the Teacher” Icon

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The Gospels relate that a large part of Jesus’ public ministry was
teaching. He is described as one who taught with authority.
The Sermon on the Mount summarize the essence of his teachings
Jesus’ style of brief, memorable teaching is characterized in the
beatitudes and parables.
“As the teacher of wisdom par excellence, Jesus crafted the
beatitudes so that his hearers could memorize them, ponder them,
and live by them.” (Gerald O’Collins, SJ- noted theologian)
In the Sermon on the Mount, his teachings proclaim the Kingdom
of Heaven, speak to human behavior, and how to pray.
His teaching was innovating.
These pictures are known as Byzantine icons because they refer to a
style and purpose originated in the Byzantine Empire (5th -14th
century) that has continued to contemporary times. An icon is more
than a work of art. Its purpose is to teach Christian truth (especially
to those who could not read) and to help foster union with the person
depicted in the icon. They have been called a “window into Heaven”
because of that purpose. The use of icons is important in the Orthodox
Church and is used as a prayer form in the Catholic Church.
The typical style of a Byzantine icon is bright, vivid
colors and often has gold backgrounds. The earliest
icons were created in a style called the encaustic
technique. Painting is done with molten wax mixed
with resin and pigments which are then fused by heat
to a support material such as wood or marble.
Everything in an icon is symbolic. Painters of
icons need to be a theologian as much as an artist.
They pray as they paint.
Holy monastery of St. Catherine,
Sinai- Egypt 6th century
There are many versions of the Jesus
the Teacher icon. Sometimes this icon
is called Christ the Pantocrator.
Pantocrator comes from the Greek
meaning “Almighty Ruler.” Although
there are differences, all of the icons
contain similar symbolic elements.
Chilander Monastery in
Greece- 13th cent.
Mosiac in St. Saviour in Chora, Istanbul 14th century
Toplou Monastery in
Crete-end of 15th century
Contemporary iconographer
Paul Boyce -1995
This icon comes from Dormition
Skete Monastery in Buena Vista,
Colorado which is dedicated to the
painting of traditional icons. It offers
panel icons and frescos, both of them
painted through the hand of
Archbishop Gregory with the aid of
the monks of Dormition Skete.
Archbishop Gregory has been
painting in the Greek Cretan style for
over forty-two years, inspired by the
great iconographers of ancient times,
including the noted (contemporary)
iconographer Photios Kontoglou.
In this icon, Jesus is presented in a
waist-up view, posed facing the
viewer. He holds a book of Scripture
in his left hand and his right hand is
raised in blessing.
He is dressed in the traditional cloak
and tunic. His cloak (called a
himantion in Greek) is dark blue.
Dark-blue and blue indicate the
infiniteness of the sky and is the
symbol of another everlasting world.
It signifies his Divine nature.
His tunic is red Red became the
symbol of the resurrection - the
victory of life over death. But at the
same time it is the color of blood and
torments, and the color of Christ's
sacrifice.
Christ’s halo, which is a common
symbol of sanctity, is inscribed with
a cross and the Greek letters
omicron, omega, nu, spelling “HO
ON.” In English, this becomes “Who
Am,” the name used for God in
Exodus 3:14.
In the background is written “IC XC”
the shortened form of Christ’s name,
Iesous Khristos in Greek.
In his left hand, Christ holds a book
of Scripture. It is a symbol of both his
teaching ministry and that he is the
embodied Word of God. There is a
prominent cross on the cover of the
book.
Icons that have the book closed are
generally considered Christ
Pantocrator while icons with the
book open are more associated with
Christ the Teacher.
The arrangement of fingers on Jesus’ right hand raised in blessing is significant. Two
different forms may be seen in iconography.
The form used in this icon spells out “IC
XC.” The index finger is more straight,
forming the “I,” the middle and little
fingers are curved into “C” shapes, and the
thumb and ring finger cross slightly to
form the "X."
In this older icon, thumb, ring finger and
little finger are bent together symbolizing
the trinity, while the forefinger and
slightly bent middle finger are held
upright symbolizing the divine and
human natures of Christ.
The face of Jesus follows ancient
traditions. The eyes are large and
open, gazing into the distance. The
forehead, identified as the seat of
wisdom, is high and convex. The
nose is long and slender, contributing
a look of nobility. The ears are large
symbolizing he hears everything. The
mouth is small and closed in the
silence of contemplation. The hair is
curled and flowing, recalling the
endless flow of time.
Praying with an icon is a form of meditative prayer where we focus on a divine truth
or mystery. We use our imagination and our reason to reflect on what we see in the
icon and we allow our heart and emotions to come into play. Like the written
Scripture, icons aim to transform the viewer.
Thomas Merton, considered one of the great
spiritual thinkers of the 20th century, explained,
“What one ‘sees’ in prayer before an icon is not an
external representation of a historical person, but
an interior presence in light, which is the glory of
the transfigured Christ, the experience of which is
transmitted in faith from generation to generation
by those who have ‘seen,’ from the apostles on
down.”
Henri Nouwen, a Catholic priest and noted spiritual
writer, says: "There are many times when I cannot pray,
when I am too tired to read the gospels, too restless to
have spiritual thoughts, too depressed to find words for
God, or too exhausted to do anything. but I can still look
at these images so intimately connected with the
experience of love."
When praying with an icon, we focus on the love of God that we see through
it, not on the icon itself. We stand or sit quietly ignoring the pressures of the
day, cultivating an awareness of God’s presence and developing an attitude of
listening.
Praying with this Icon
We invite you to enter into prayer with this
icon.
Perhaps you would like to ponder these questions from Gerald O’Collins about Jesus the
Teacher:
•What kind of mind, imagination, and heart could produce this thinking?
•What kind of person can we glimpse behind these fresh religious ideas and commanding
intuitions about God and the human situation?
Perhaps you would like to consider the divine truths that Jesus taught in the Sermon on
the Mount .
Or maybe you would just like to gaze upon the icon in quiet of mind and body
and listen for the voice of God.