At the Transfiguration, Christ manifested His
divine nature to his disciples Peter, John and
James on Mount Tabor. In the Gospel of Matthew
it says, "... and his face did shine as the sun, and
his raiment was white as light." (Matthew XVII, 2-
6. This mystical event is shown at the top of this
fine icon, where God the Father offers blessings
to His Son, while the Holy Spirit in the form of a
dove hovers above them, thus forming the Holy
Trinity. On the upper left panel the infant Jesus
is baptized by John the 'Forerunner'; followed by
His baptism as an adult in the river Jordan. Jesus'
entry into Jerusalem is below, with the
Transfiguration in the last panel. By using dark
and light blue with touches of white, the artist
has created a three dimensional effect that is
very effective, particularly in the alternating
bands radiating from the upper panel. On the
back is the cross with Jerusalem in the style of a
medieval city. The inscription within the
escutcheon at the top reads, "To Your cross we
pray, Your Resurrection we praise." Such
metaphysical themes underscore the essence of
the Orthodox faith, and have found vivid pictorial
expression for centuries, including such lovely
images as on this icon.
- (PF.5219)
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