The Icon of Christ by Elias Damianakis in Orientale
 Lumen at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary,
 Queen of the Universe. (Image (c) Elias Damianakis)

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Iconography 'writes' the Word visually. An exhibition of Traditional Iconography by Elias Damianakis is currently being offered until November 29th at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

Iconography educates Christians on the faith and the theology of the undivided church. There icons or images not only teach, but also help us to worship because the Light of Jesus shines through those depicted in icons. Icons are about Light. 

Icons are windows into Heaven to let the Light shine through to us to enlighten us in our journey to our God.

Jesus is the image [icon] of the invisible God, just as Christians are the images [icons] of Jesus on Earth.  When God first created Man, He created in us in His 'image and likeness'.  Likewise, believers have always copied essential religious truths into images.

The gesture of Jesus' hand conveys two main mysteries and dogmas of Christians.  The two extended fingers represent the two natures of Jesus -the divine and the human, while the three fingers touching represent the Triune God in three Persons of the Trinity - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit- as One God.

The red color is the color of Divinity; Blue, the color of Humanity. Whereas Jesus was divine and took on humanity -inner robe red, outer robe blue. Jesus literally wrapped himself with humanity for our salvation, he become Man so we could become one in Him. [Elias Damianakis]

Icon of Christ

When Jesus is portrayed in Orthodox Iconography, He either has a book or scroll that is open or closed.  If the book is closed or scroll is rolled up, it means the image depicts Jesus prior to the Crucifixion and the  Resurrection because the fullness of Revelation was not yet known.  However, if Jesus holds an opened scroll or book, then the Word is fully revealed, meaning the image of Jesus is of after the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

For other similar stories:

Orientale Lumen: Icon of Sts. Peter and Andrew -the first called

Orientale Lumen: Icon of the Mother and Child

Orientale Lumen in Orlando: October 16th to November 29th

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For more information:

On Elias Damianakis:
http://www.orthodoxiconography.com/

On the Icon of the Christ:
http://orthodoxiconography.com/gallery_5.htm

On Orientale Lumen:
http://www.iconexhibit.com/exhibit_venues.html