MESSAGE 28.6.26 – Denise Bond

In today’s bible readings – firstly from Genesis we heard that Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac BUT luckily at the last moment Isaac was saved by a messenger angel and a goat sacrificed instead.  This is such a powerful story relating total obedience to God by this important father-figure in Israel’s history.  We can picture the tension in the scene as it unravelled.  Some artists have painted it over the years.

Secondly, Psalm 13 – David’s short prayer for deliverance from enemies: moving on from Israel’s history to Christianity’s history of Christians fighting over something, often a different interpretation of faith, Psalm 13 would have been relevant then, as it is today when we find ourselves in a difficult situation.

Psalm 13 reminds us we need TO PRAY.

Thirdly – in Matthew the final commissioning of Jesus to the 12 disciples: that whoever welcomes the disciples welcomes Jesus & God and will be rewarded.

I am only giving a brief summary of these three bible readings to indicate the strong impression scripture can have on us.  We might envision a scene or be inspired by a prayer or want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

What I’m focussing on today is a form of religious art known as ICONOGRAPHY.

Retelling of biblical stories doesn’t just have to be in words – icons portray biblical stories and events and saintly people on painted wooden boards to remind the faithful of their history.

Years ago I was Chaplain for the Prahran Mission for a decade, Intern Chaplain for the Liver Transplant Unit at the Austin for a while, then I worked in Aged Care and retired just before Covid when my husband had cancer.  Over the years I’ve also been an artist painting landscapes and portraits in oils, but I also paint ICONS!!  I am an Iconographer!  Painting icons are a means by which I can serve and honour God and share my faith with the outside world.

BRIEF HISTORY OF ICONS   (screen)

• Christianity spread through Europe after the 1^st century, painting in images started with the spread
• Byzantine: style of art from Eastern division of Roman Empire 6-15^th c
• Byzantine & Russian icons continued in the Eastern (Orthodox) church
• In 14^thcentury realism was adopted in Western art (Renaissance)
• Icon ART is different – perspective is strange, proportions are different, lot of symbolism
• Icons have great spiritual appeal for believers & also non believers

JESUS CHRIST after Andrei Rublev (Russian 1400)      (screen)

• Icons are a MEANS TO PRAYER
• Icons are often referred to as a WINDOW TO GOD – intended to bring the viewer into contemplation and prayer
• Depict biblical events, lives of saints & angels, many of Jesus & Mary
• Traditional icons have been prepared for centuries by monks living in monasteries (strict lifestyle starting sunset; sworn to chastity, obedience & poverty)
• Icons meant to be in a church (or monastery) OR your home – can be enhanced by candlelight – icons shine with gold leaf & bright colours
• Travelling icons – used for personal prayer, you can hold in your hand
• Orthodox church services are enchanting with the lighting & snuffing of candles, swinging of the smoking censer, reading & singing antiphonally, raising voices in fervent prayer, icons gleam from the altar and along the walls; gold leaf shining in the candlelight, all of which increases the sense of mystery and timelessness.

POWER OF BELIEF

When I worked for the Liver Transplant Unit at the Austin I was on duty when Michael (Greek Orthodox) was called in at short notice for a transplant.  There wasn’t enough notice to have a Greek Orthodox priest visit him prior to surgery (they were all in church) and graciously Michael and his wife allowed me to pray with them before going into theatre.  Michael’s wife put their small family icon on top of Michael’s chest and we all held hands and prayed.  I told them that I painted icons and they were delighted.  I felt blessed to be able to minister to them – apart from not being Greek Orthodox, all of their clergy are males which I am obviously am not.  Michael survived his surgery!  Praise God!