A masterpieces currently on exhibition at the Basilica's Art Museum near Walt Disney World, the Icon of the Holy Brother Apostles by master iconographer Elias Damianakis, represent a brotherly embrace between the Eastern and Western fraternal churches.

Detail of the Icon of the Holy Brother Apostles Peter and  Andrew -the First Called (c)
by Elias Damianakis.      

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea, they were fishermen.  He said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him.  [Matthew 4:18-20]

Reminiscing of the two brothers first called by Jesus into ministry, Sts. Peter and Andrew, Pope Benedict XVI -current successor of Peter- and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I -current successor of Andrew- together elevated the summary of Christian belief contained in the Nicene Creed.  Both represent Christians world-wide -East and West- coming together to pray to the Lord of all.

The Church, both in the  East and West, has prayed the Nicene Creed with devotion for centuries.  In fact, when the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI visited His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, they prayed in unison the Nicene Creed in Greek.

The Nicene Creed in Original Greek

The Icon of the Holy Brother Apostles Peter and Andrew the First Called in process.

On another occasion, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I visited Rome to address a Synod of the Catholic bishops for the first time in history.  The gestures of friendship and brotherhood between these two Christian leaders of the East and West for Cgive witness to the movement of the Holy Spirit among Christians to this day.

A Patriarch and A Pope

The Orientale Lumen conferences were established to encourage dialogue between Eastern Orthodox Christians and Roman and Eastern Rite Catholics.  [Elias Damianakis]

The exhibition until November 29 is free of charge & open to the public at: 

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
8300 Vineland Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32821
(407) 239-6600

For other similar stories:

Orientale Lumen: Icon of the Christ

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 the Nicene Creed:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11049a.htm

On Elias Damianakis:
http://www.orthodoxspeakers.com/elias-damianakis/

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