Annunciation
Given by Marilyn and David Healy
On the Angel Scroll
Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you, Amen
This icon is rich with symbolism. Mary is holding the Torah, the law of the Old Testament in her right hand. Jesus, the fulfillment of the law is on her breast blessing us. Mary often appears with the 3 stars – one on her head and one on each shoulder. These represent her being open to the Divine Presence (or, to some her Perpetual Virginity).
You can see the night sky through the windows and above the roof. At the top is a disc representing God the Father sending the dove of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is contained within the 8 pointed star and bursts through the roof, leaving an 8 pointed hole. This star represents the 8th day of Creation, Jesus who is the new Adam and the New Creation.
The Angel is kneeling, blessing Mary with His right hand and holding a lily as a sign of Her Purity. Notice the dots of color in the Angels robe. This is a technique used by Sister to make the clothes luminous and alive.
In icons we have something called Reverse Perspective.
In Western art the perspective goes to a vanishing point on the horizon. (think railroad tracks) It is purposefully opposite in icons where the viewer is the vanishing point. The lines extend forward out of the icon and come together at the viewer. An icon is a window to the holy. We are not to look at it as a work of art, but as a means of drawing near to God. Therefore it is more important to draw us in and through, than to replicate reality. The reality on an icon is holy space – not literal space.
The light source is also different in an icon: it is not realistic. In an icon light flows from the faces of the subjects. It is also shown in places where clothing touches the body. This can be seen on the angel’s shoulder, top of the right arm, and right leg-from hip to knee. On Mary this light is seen along Her left arm and where Her left knee touches Her skirt.
-Sandy Kezar
Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you, Amen
This icon is rich with symbolism. Mary is holding the Torah, the law of the Old Testament in her right hand. Jesus, the fulfillment of the law is on her breast blessing us. Mary often appears with the 3 stars – one on her head and one on each shoulder. These represent her being open to the Divine Presence (or, to some her Perpetual Virginity).
You can see the night sky through the windows and above the roof. At the top is a disc representing God the Father sending the dove of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is contained within the 8 pointed star and bursts through the roof, leaving an 8 pointed hole. This star represents the 8th day of Creation, Jesus who is the new Adam and the New Creation.
The Angel is kneeling, blessing Mary with His right hand and holding a lily as a sign of Her Purity. Notice the dots of color in the Angels robe. This is a technique used by Sister to make the clothes luminous and alive.
In icons we have something called Reverse Perspective.
In Western art the perspective goes to a vanishing point on the horizon. (think railroad tracks) It is purposefully opposite in icons where the viewer is the vanishing point. The lines extend forward out of the icon and come together at the viewer. An icon is a window to the holy. We are not to look at it as a work of art, but as a means of drawing near to God. Therefore it is more important to draw us in and through, than to replicate reality. The reality on an icon is holy space – not literal space.
The light source is also different in an icon: it is not realistic. In an icon light flows from the faces of the subjects. It is also shown in places where clothing touches the body. This can be seen on the angel’s shoulder, top of the right arm, and right leg-from hip to knee. On Mary this light is seen along Her left arm and where Her left knee touches Her skirt.
-Sandy Kezar
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St. Mary's Episcopal Church - Tampa, FL
4311 West San Miguel Street Tampa, FL 33629 (813) 251-1660 [email protected] Summer Worship Schedule 10 a.m. Blended Sunday Worship Schedule 8 a.m. Contemplative 10 a.m. Blended |
