Maronite Icon - Consecration of the Church
"Then I, John, saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Rv 21:2)
The Consecration of the Church Icon is a literal historical and Biblical, as well as an Antiochene representation of the Church. According to the Syriac tradition, this Icon is read or viewed from the Right to the Left. We will describe the pictures of this icon starting from the bottom Right, row by row.
The bottom section of the Icon shows the following symbols of the Church: the Ark of the Noah, the Ladder of Jacob, the Tabernacle of Aaron, the Daughter of Kings and of David, the Church in the bosom of Christ and Priests a the Altar of Mysteries.
The Next row shows the Old Testament history of the People of God, Adam and Eve and the angel guarding the Tree of Life, The Three Patriarchs with Moses and the Law at Mount Sinai. in the center are the Old Testament holy places of worship, the Tabernacle, the ark of the covenant and the temple of Solomon. On the left are the judge Samuel, the prophet Elijah, major and Minor Prophets, the Kings David and Solomon and ending with John the Baptist.
In the Center of the Icon shows the Crucifixion in the Syriac style. The second Adam, who has shed his blood to bring salvation to the sons and daughters of man. Rising above the cross is the symbol of the Trinity, flanked by the tongues of fire representing the Pentecost and the birth of the church. To the Right shows the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, of all ages and all nations led by the apostles Peter and Paul, groups of apostles, martyrs and confessors and the entire community of saints.
To the left of the Apostolic Church of Antioch, specifically the Syro-Maronite Antiochene Church, shows the Syriac Church Fathers, the founder and people of the Maronite Church. Above the Church of Antioch is the emblem of the Maronite Patriarchate, the Monastery of St. Maron beside the Orontes River, the cedar tree and a snow capped mountain of Lebanon. Opposite is the Tree of Life with twelve fruits for the healing of the twelve tribes and seven fruits fro the sacraments of the church.
From the Throne of God above runs the River of Life, the Mountains, clouds, whirlwind, lighting and firer depict theophany - the visible manifestation of God to Man.
The colors are symbolic too- gold for eternity; red for martyrdom and kingship; blue for heaven; white for purity and green for creation. The sun with twelve stars represents the New Testament Church, Christ and the Apostles. The moon and twelve stars stand for the Old Testament Church, the patriarchs and our Lady.
The top of the icon shows the New Jerusalem, the eternal bride of Christ, to whom Christ comes in glory, to make His dwelling place forever.
The bottom section of the Icon shows the following symbols of the Church: the Ark of the Noah, the Ladder of Jacob, the Tabernacle of Aaron, the Daughter of Kings and of David, the Church in the bosom of Christ and Priests a the Altar of Mysteries.
The Next row shows the Old Testament history of the People of God, Adam and Eve and the angel guarding the Tree of Life, The Three Patriarchs with Moses and the Law at Mount Sinai. in the center are the Old Testament holy places of worship, the Tabernacle, the ark of the covenant and the temple of Solomon. On the left are the judge Samuel, the prophet Elijah, major and Minor Prophets, the Kings David and Solomon and ending with John the Baptist.
In the Center of the Icon shows the Crucifixion in the Syriac style. The second Adam, who has shed his blood to bring salvation to the sons and daughters of man. Rising above the cross is the symbol of the Trinity, flanked by the tongues of fire representing the Pentecost and the birth of the church. To the Right shows the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, of all ages and all nations led by the apostles Peter and Paul, groups of apostles, martyrs and confessors and the entire community of saints.
To the left of the Apostolic Church of Antioch, specifically the Syro-Maronite Antiochene Church, shows the Syriac Church Fathers, the founder and people of the Maronite Church. Above the Church of Antioch is the emblem of the Maronite Patriarchate, the Monastery of St. Maron beside the Orontes River, the cedar tree and a snow capped mountain of Lebanon. Opposite is the Tree of Life with twelve fruits for the healing of the twelve tribes and seven fruits fro the sacraments of the church.
From the Throne of God above runs the River of Life, the Mountains, clouds, whirlwind, lighting and firer depict theophany - the visible manifestation of God to Man.
The colors are symbolic too- gold for eternity; red for martyrdom and kingship; blue for heaven; white for purity and green for creation. The sun with twelve stars represents the New Testament Church, Christ and the Apostles. The moon and twelve stars stand for the Old Testament Church, the patriarchs and our Lady.
The top of the icon shows the New Jerusalem, the eternal bride of Christ, to whom Christ comes in glory, to make His dwelling place forever.
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