Wedding at Cana
Given by Joan Coleman
This icon depicts Jesus’ first miracle – turning water into wine. This happened at a wedding in Cana. You know Jesus is the figure on the left because he has the OWN in his halo. This is the divine name “I AM”. This is the name God revealed to Moses in the burning bush. Jesus is blessing the water that the servant is pouring into the stone jar. The girl is shown as very small. This indicates that she is a servant, and thus less important. The meal is on the table. Sister has painted oranges because she wanted to show that we live in Florida, and the icon was commissioned by us.
Mary is to Jesus’ left always with the three (3) stars. To her left are the bride and groom, gesturing to each other and holding hands. Holding the goblet is the steward and he is gesturing back to the servant. The composition of the hands and arms is beautiful. They form an active circle setting the miracle apart from the rest of the icon.
In the background there is a veil draped over the roof tops. In Russian the word “veil” means both veil and protection. In orthodox icons you will sometimes find this veil if Mary is present. It symbolizes the invisible protection of the Mother of God, interceding with her Son for the whole universe.
Above the veil on a floating cloud, is the Eucharistic cup. In this first miracle water is turned into wine. In the Eucharist, wine is changed into his blood (life). On either side of the chalice there is an ornate square showing that the Eucharist has two elements, bread and wine
If Sister is working on a commission, she prays for the donor while “writing” the icon. Icons are written, not painted because their function is not to be a painting on a wall, but a path to the sacred. In this way, they are like written scripture that leads to the Holy. Sister asked Joan Coleman (donor) what was her favorite color and Joan said green. Green is a somewhat unusual color in an icon, but is used beautifully here.
-Sandy Kezar
Mary is to Jesus’ left always with the three (3) stars. To her left are the bride and groom, gesturing to each other and holding hands. Holding the goblet is the steward and he is gesturing back to the servant. The composition of the hands and arms is beautiful. They form an active circle setting the miracle apart from the rest of the icon.
In the background there is a veil draped over the roof tops. In Russian the word “veil” means both veil and protection. In orthodox icons you will sometimes find this veil if Mary is present. It symbolizes the invisible protection of the Mother of God, interceding with her Son for the whole universe.
Above the veil on a floating cloud, is the Eucharistic cup. In this first miracle water is turned into wine. In the Eucharist, wine is changed into his blood (life). On either side of the chalice there is an ornate square showing that the Eucharist has two elements, bread and wine
If Sister is working on a commission, she prays for the donor while “writing” the icon. Icons are written, not painted because their function is not to be a painting on a wall, but a path to the sacred. In this way, they are like written scripture that leads to the Holy. Sister asked Joan Coleman (donor) what was her favorite color and Joan said green. Green is a somewhat unusual color in an icon, but is used beautifully here.
-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 |
