Orthodox icon | The Blessed Silence Savior | 24974

Orthodox icon | Blessed Silence Savior.

About the icon:

Christ appears as a winged angel with his hands crossed in front of his chest. The nimbus surrounding him contains an octagonal star, symbolizing the future eighth age of glory. The title of this motif references sayings from the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 42:2 and 53:7).

The icon portrays Christ as the embodiment of gracious silence, representing Emmanuel, who is soon to come. He is fully divine and entirely God, depicted as fiery red to represent his divine fire. The emphasis on his radiance lies in the exclusive use of gold leaf to illuminate the wrinkles. As a messenger (Greek “Angelos”), he delivers the message (Greek “Angelion”) from the Father and embodies the Evangelion himself.

To symbolize his role as a messenger, he is depicted with angel wings. His hand position resembles the posture of Orthodox believers when they approach communion, signifying their union with God. In the same way, he approaches communion as God, seeking union with humanity by assuming human nature.

The saints on the sides:

Saint Xenia, originally named Eusebia, lived in the 5th century. She was the daughter of a respected Christian family in Rome. On the day of her planned wedding, she escaped in men’s clothing with her two slaves.

They first fled to Alexandria and then settled on the island of Kos, where she took the name Xena. Guided by the monk Paul from the Andreas Monastery in Mylasa (now Milas), she eventually arrived in Mylasa. Paul, who had become the city’s bishop, ordained her as a virgin and deaconess.

Saint Eudoxia, known as “the Samaritan,” was a beautiful young woman who attracted many suitors and accumulated great wealth. She was converted to Christianity by the monk Germanus and subsequently baptized by Bishop Theodotos. According to legend, she had a vision of angels, including an ugly black creature screaming about the injustice of saving such a sinner.

This experience moved her to distribute her wealth among the poor, earning her the nickname “the Samaritan,” and led her to enter a convent.

The robe and wings of the depicted figures are adorned with golden ornaments.

Source: Orthodox icon | Blessed Silence Savior | 24974 © Ikonen Mautner. Typing errors, other errors or changes reserved. For more information: “Das Synaxarion. Die Leben der Heiligen der Orthodoxen Kirche.” (http://www.prodromos-verlag.de/buecher.html) and Joachim Schäfer: Das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon – https://www.heiligenlexikon.de