St. Mary's is honored to have a collection of icons by Sister Eliseea Papacioc, an Orthodox nun from Romania whose work has been exhibited internationally. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, icons are considered to be "windows to heaven" and not mere works of art to be admired. They are aids to help us focus on the divine in our worship.
According to An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians, (Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors, Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY):
"The traditional icon is a stylized religious picture that is usually painted on a wood panel in egg tempera. Icons depict Christ, the Trinity, St. Mary, other saints, and events in the gospels and lives of the saints. Icons have been used in both eastern and western churches. Icons were painted or placed on the walls of churches and on interior beams and screens. They were also displayed in private houses and at wayside shrines.
The oldest extant icons date from the fifth century. The Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787 determined that the use of icons is supported by the Incarnation, in which the Word of God united to created human nature and thus to matter in general. That Council also taught that the honor given to an icon passes to that which it represents. The eastern churches developed the icon tradition extensively. In the west the tradition was eclipsed by the Renaissance and other artistic movements. However, offshoots of the icon tradition in the west include the use of stained glass windows and the illustrations in manuscripts and liturgical books. Today there is a revival of the use of icons in the western churches, including the Episcopal Church."
Below are photos of icons at St. Mary's. They are located on the left wall in the front of the church.
According to An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians, (Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors, Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY):
"The traditional icon is a stylized religious picture that is usually painted on a wood panel in egg tempera. Icons depict Christ, the Trinity, St. Mary, other saints, and events in the gospels and lives of the saints. Icons have been used in both eastern and western churches. Icons were painted or placed on the walls of churches and on interior beams and screens. They were also displayed in private houses and at wayside shrines.
The oldest extant icons date from the fifth century. The Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787 determined that the use of icons is supported by the Incarnation, in which the Word of God united to created human nature and thus to matter in general. That Council also taught that the honor given to an icon passes to that which it represents. The eastern churches developed the icon tradition extensively. In the west the tradition was eclipsed by the Renaissance and other artistic movements. However, offshoots of the icon tradition in the west include the use of stained glass windows and the illustrations in manuscripts and liturgical books. Today there is a revival of the use of icons in the western churches, including the Episcopal Church."
Below are photos of icons at St. Mary's. They are located on the left wall in the front of the church.
TheotokosBlessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my savior for He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed for he that is mighty hath done to me great things and Holy is his name. Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the
(Sister ran out of space and could not finish the verse) 
Annunciation
And the angel came in unto her and said “Mary, Thou Art Highly Favored The Lord Is with Thee Blessed Art Thou Among Women The Holy Ghost shall come unto Thee and The Power of the Highest Shall Over Shadow Thee” and Mary said “Behold the handmaiden of the Lord Be it unto me according (Sister ran out of space and could not finish the verse) 
Raising Lazarus
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid and Jesus lifted up his eyes and said Father thank Thee that thou hast heard me, and I knew that thou hearest me always but because of the people which stand by I said it that they may believe that thou has sent me and when he had thus spoken he cried with a loud voice – Lazarus |
NativityAnd she brought forth her first born son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace goodwill among men for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior which
(Sister ran out of space and could not finish the verse) 
Boy Jesus in Temple O How love I thy icon It is my meditation All the day Thou through Thy Commandments has made me wiser than mine enemies for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers for Thy testimonies are my meditation I understand more than the Ancients because I keep Thy (laws) 
Trinity
In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters and in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. All things were made by Him and without Him was not made. |
Walking on WaterBut straight way Jesus spoke unto them saying Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid and Peter answered Him and said Lord if it be thou bid me come unto thee on the water, and He said Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship he walked on the water to go to Jesus but when he saw the wind
(Sister ran out of space and could not finish the verse) 
Wedding at Cana And when they wanted wine the Mother of Jesus saith unto Him – they have no wine. Jesus saith unto her ~ woman what have I to do with thee, mine hour is not yet come. And saith unto him every man at the beginning dost set forth good wine and when men have well drunk then that which is worse but thou hast saved the good wine until last. 
Mary Queen of Angels
And the Angel came in unto her and said “Hail, thou that art highly favored. The Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women”. My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior; from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed for he that is ~ (passage on footstool carried over from border) mighty hath done to me great things and holy is his name. My soul doth (Sister ran out of space and could not finish the verse) |
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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 |
