Pictures of Salvation
Part Two
Dear children of God! How are you? Are you learning well and studying hard on this new season of school? We hope you have become brave students and good children of God.
Little ones, if you remember, our last lesson was about holy icons which we said they are also known as “pictures of salvation.” On this lesson, we will see about the way of painting of holy icons. Be with us!
The holy paintings of the Lord, or else His holy mother Saint Mary as well as the Angels and all the Holy and Saints are painted in accordance to the actuality of their face, figure and surroundings. They are also painted as their form in place and situation of the miracle they performed.
For example, when we look at the painting of our patron father Abune Tekle Haimanot, he is painted standing on one leg where as his other leg beside him. His leg was broken after he prayed for 21 years, and God gave him grace and strength. We observe his diligence, spirituality and power of prayer in his painting.
Let us look another painting. It is an important to realize holy icons are painted accord the form and figure of spiritual mission in scripted in Synaxarium and other holy scriptures. For instance, we shall look at the story of Archangel Saint Gabriel saving the three children Azariah, Hananiah and Mishael, from burning fire because their refused to prostrate and obey the idol of the King Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 3:1-30) The picture is painted according to the event that took place on the holiday we celebrate every year in holy church in Tahisas 19.
The pictures of salvation of Angels are painted them holding cross and sword. The meaning of the angels holding cross is their summoning for mercy and salvation of people. They hold a sword to indicate their calling for punishment of the evil.
Dear Children of God! The art of painting of Holy Orthodox Incarnation/ Tewahedo/ Church is indifferent of other countries. Holy paintings of saint’s face and figure are painted big. A circle light crown is painted on their head as well. The reason their face is painted large is to show their great religion which the saints kept through their lives. The eyes of these saints are painted big also since it looked the previous and will look at the future in prophet eyeglass. The circle light crown painted on their head indicates their honor and purity.
Farewell children, we will end our lesson for now hoping you have understood the theme and core of the lesson. We will meet with you in our next lesson with part three of this section.
May God be with you, Amen!