ST MARY THROUGH AN ICONOGRAPHERS EYE - WordPress.com
ST MARY THROUGH AN ICONOGRAPHERS EYE - WordPress.com
ST MARY THROUGH AN ICONOGRAPHERS EYE - WordPress.com
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<strong>ST</strong> <strong>MARY</strong> <strong>THROUGH</strong> THE <strong>EYE</strong> OF <strong>AN</strong> ICONOGRAPHER<br />
BISHOY MARCUS<br />
SYMBOLISM IN THE ICONS OF <strong>ST</strong> <strong>MARY</strong> – “MOTHER OF GOD”<br />
LARGE WIDE <strong>EYE</strong>S<br />
LARGE EARS<br />
GENTLE LIPS<br />
Not anatomically symmetrical – Symbolic of a spiritual eye that looks behind the material world.<br />
Mat 6:22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will<br />
be full of light.<br />
Symbolises attentive listening to the word of God.<br />
Mark 4:23 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."<br />
Symbolises glorification and praise to the lord.<br />
Psalm 63:5 “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise<br />
You with joyful lips”.<br />
SMALL MOUTH<br />
SMALL NOSE<br />
LARGE HEADS<br />
NO WOUNDS<br />
Symbolises how the saint controlled his mouth, which is often the source of empty and harmful<br />
words.<br />
James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow<br />
to wrath”<br />
Symbolic of sensuality, represents desire.<br />
Symbolic of the person having devoted his life to prayer and contemplation<br />
All will be raised spiritual and glorified bodies. This is visible in the icon of St Samuel the<br />
confessor, who on earth was blind in one eye, but in heaven he had both his eyes. The pope will<br />
not consecrate an icon which shows a body deformed.<br />
St Barbara & St Noufer Coptic Orthodox Church Sydney 10
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