Theotokos
Given anonymously
The large icon of Mary, at the center of the space, is painted on canvas, dry mounted and framed. Sister is one of the few iconographers who paint large icons on canvas when the size would make wood impracticable. She brought this word to this country rolled up on her lap on an airplane.
There are three poses for a Madonna Child: Orans, Hodigitria and Tenderness. The Hodigitria is also called "Showing the Way" because the child is sitting erect looking outward and Mary seems to be presenting him to the world.
In Tenderness, the Madonna and Child lean toward each other, often touching cheeks. Jesus will sometimes have His arm around her neck and/or be holding her hand.
The Orans is also called "our Lady of the Sign." She is shown with her hands raised in prayer often with Jesus on her breast, but not always. This is probably the oldest style since this pose is also found in Old Testament times and the Greco-Roman world. This icon is an Orans.
In the upper corners, David with his lyre is on the left and Solomon with a scroll is on the right. This represents Jesus' earthly heritage. He fulfilled prophesy by being from the line of David.
The rich background contains much symbolism also. Mary is shown as Queen of all-earth, water and sky. The town is shown as dark - most rejected him. The sky takes up 80 percent of the area showing the importance of Mary as Queen of Heaven.
In the gold design there are doves, symbol of the Holy Spirit, angels, six winged seraphim and crowned double eagles (an ancient symbol of royalty).
-Sandy Kezar
There are three poses for a Madonna Child: Orans, Hodigitria and Tenderness. The Hodigitria is also called "Showing the Way" because the child is sitting erect looking outward and Mary seems to be presenting him to the world.
In Tenderness, the Madonna and Child lean toward each other, often touching cheeks. Jesus will sometimes have His arm around her neck and/or be holding her hand.
The Orans is also called "our Lady of the Sign." She is shown with her hands raised in prayer often with Jesus on her breast, but not always. This is probably the oldest style since this pose is also found in Old Testament times and the Greco-Roman world. This icon is an Orans.
In the upper corners, David with his lyre is on the left and Solomon with a scroll is on the right. This represents Jesus' earthly heritage. He fulfilled prophesy by being from the line of David.
The rich background contains much symbolism also. Mary is shown as Queen of all-earth, water and sky. The town is shown as dark - most rejected him. The sky takes up 80 percent of the area showing the importance of Mary as Queen of Heaven.
In the gold design there are doves, symbol of the Holy Spirit, angels, six winged seraphim and crowned double eagles (an ancient symbol of royalty).
-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 |
