ICON OF THE
HOLY FAMILY
A VISUAL GOSPEL IN LINES AND COLORS

THE CHRIST CHILD

is depicted in colors of shimmering gold, symbolizing his royal Messianic glory. The posture of the Theotokos and the Christ child is based upon the ancient Byzantine icon of The Panagia Odiguitria , or “The Most Holy who shows the Way.” The expression of the Theotokos is meditative and even pensive. She does not gaze sweetly upon the face of her Christ child as more naturalistic portrayals of the Virgin and Child often do. Rather, the Theotokos contemplates the vocation of her Son’s suffering, death and Resurrection. Byzantine iconography always seeks to keep our eye from lingering in the natural world. Rather, iconography attempts to usher our gaze toward the ultimate theological and dogmatic meaning of the Christ child —the purpose and destiny for which the Second Person of the Trinity took on our fallen, sinful human nature.

In his left hand, the Christ child is holding a scroll, indicating that he is the living Word of God, while Jesus’ right hand in icons is unmistakably shown as being raised to give a blessing. The initials next to the Christ child are ancient Greek abbreviations for “Jesus Christ.” The red silk ribbon on his shoulder, a mark of high status in the Roman Empire, denotes the esteem in which we hold him.

MARY

is shown holding the Infant Christ, through Whom she was glorified as the Birth-Giver (Theotokos) and Mother of God. Mary, Theotokos (Greek for The Mother of God) is depicted in deep, earthy red tones signifying that it is from the Theotokos that Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, received His earthly, human nature. The earthy red tones also signify her purity and her royalty as Queen of Heaven. In Byzantine iconography the Theotokos is always depicted with three stars, one on each shoulder and one on her forehead. These stars signify that the Virgin Mary remained a virgin before, during and after the birth of Jesus Christ.

SAINT JOSEPH’S

posture is solicitous and vigilant. As he beholds the unique relationship between the Theotokos and Her Son, Joseph represents all of us, called to likewise stand in reverential awe of the Great Mystery of Our Lord’s Incarnation. It is inappropriate to show Joseph of Nazareth holding the Christ Child. It would mean his is the biological father of Jesus. Here, he’s shown holding two doves, the poor-man’s sacrifice he offered at Christ’s Presentation at the Temple (Luke 2:22–40).

Icons are not created to force an emotional response. When portraying historical scenes the faces don’t show emotions, but instead portray virtues such as purity, patience in suffering, forgiveness, compassion and love.