Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Watermelon
Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Watermelon
An icon is not intended to be a work of art. Instead, an icon is "written" by an inconographer as a form of prayer. Icons are the result of prayer and are intended to be a window between the divine and human. When one looks at an icon, one can have the sense that God is looking back. One's whole nature becomes involved. What pleasure prayers and music bring to our ears, the icon brings to the eyes. -- The icon below is the Black Madonna of Chestochowa, the patron saint and queen of Poland. Legend has it that the picture was painted on a cypress table belonging to the Holy Family and painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. During the destruction of Jerusalem in 72 A.D., the picture was hidden for 300 years to save it from ruin. It was then transferred to Constantinople where it remained for another 500 years. In 723 A.D. iconoclasts ordered the destruction of all holy images so the picture was hidden once again. In 800 A.D. the icon was rescued by Charlemagne and given to Price Leo of Ruthenia where it remained for another 500 years. During the Tatar invasion of the 14th century, the picture was slashed twice by a soldier. The picture was taken by Prince Ladislaus of Opale, who repaired and safeguarded it in his castle in Silesia. Legend has it that a fire destroyed the monastery where it was kept and the icon was damaged by smoke. It has also been said the icon was darkened by the smoke of hundreds of thousands of candles over the centuries. It became to be known as the Black Madonna. The painting would survive attacks by Husites, Swedes, Turks, and Communists. The fact that it is still with us after perhaps almost 2000 years is truly a miracle.This image was created in either the sixth or seventh century and is an example of the Christos Pantokrator. Christos Pantokrator means Christ, the ruler of all. This icon's beauty was revealed in 1962 after a thorough cleaning when a painted-over image was removed. Christ is portrayed as a teacher as he is holding a book in his left hand. His right hand is raised either in blessing or the orator's gesture, depending upon which expert opinion one subscribes to. The asymmetry of the icon is very interesting. If one covers the right half of Jesus' face, he looks benign and at peace. However, if one covers the left half, one can view a more angry expression on his face. So the icon portrays Christ at once both compassionate but judging one's sins. This beautiful icon was probably produced in Constantinople and survived destruction as it was kept at St. Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai desert. It has also, fortunately, survived the arrival of the armies of Islam in 640 A.D.