![]() ![]() Next, I was introduced to an Orthodox theologian and art historian, Dionisy Denisov, and the iconographer, Alexey Kozlov, both from the Orthodox Church in Russia. We discussed iconographic themes rooted in the naming of the church, Christ the Savior. This particular project began in consultation with Archbishop Nathael, of the Romanian Episcopate of the Orthodox Church in America, who is also an iconographer but not actively painting. The approach I’ve taken is a more focused thematic iconographic planning. The woodpecker usually symbolizes the Devil, or heresy, which undermines the Faith and leads man to destruction.Presently, I’m occupied with creating new murals for Christ the Savior Church in Humble, Texas. It is also associated with the Incarnation for, as the stork announces the coming of spring, the Annunciation told of the coming of Our Lord. The stork is a symbol of prudence, vigilance, piety, and chastity. The sparrow, considered the lowliest of birds, represents the least among people. Because of this, the raven also represents solitude. Paul the Hermit) while they were in the desert. Vincent Ferrer and ravens are known to have fed at least three different saints (St. The raven, because of his dark plumage, coarse cry, and supposed tastes, sometimes represents the devil but God seems to have a fondness for them. One is for the Church and truth but it more commonly represents deceit, theft, and the devil. The owl, in one sense represents Satan, the Prince of Darkness and in another sense, it is an attribute of Our Lord, Who came to “give light to them that sit in darkness…” (Luke 1: 79). The lark is a symbol of the humility of the priesthood, because this bird flies high and sings only when in flight towards Heaven. Martin of Tours, because one of them showed the people of Tours where he was hiding when they wanted to make him bishop. The goose represents providence and vigilance. Saint Peter is easily spotted when portrayed with a cock but, especially in Maronite art, the rooster is the symbol of the soul’s awakening and response to God’s grace. When depicted with Our Lord as a child, the goldfinch associates the Incarnation with the Passion. Because of this small bird’s fondness for thistles and thorns, it has come to represent the Passion of Our Lord. The goldfinch frequently appears in pictures of the Christ Child. In this last sense, it is often shown in pictures of the Three Magi. The wild falcon symbolizes evil thoughts or actions, while the domestic falcon represents the gentile converted to Catholicism. The falcon has two different uses in art. Phoenix Rising from the Ashes: Detail from the Aberdeen Bestiary John the Evangelist begins his Gospel by soaring to the Divinity of Our Lord, the eagle, which flies higher than other birds, also represents him. The eagle, like the phoenix (which also stands for faith and constancy), is a symbol of the Resurrection based on an ancient belief that the eagle would renew its youth and plumage by flying near the sun and then plunging into water. The dove is well known as the symbol of the Holy Ghost, as well as representing peace and purity. Benedict, however, was not fooled, and sent him on his way with the Sign of the Cross. Once, while Saint Benedict was praying, the devil tried to distract him, appearing as a blackbird. The blackbird represents the darkness of sin (black feathers) and the temptations of the flesh (its beautiful song). The thought of spiritual immortality would have been a great consolation to Catholics during the early persecution. The Roman Catacomb of San Callisto contains a vault, in which Mass could be celebrated, with representations of the peacock decorating it. The peacock is used to symbolize immortality – this from an ancient legendary belief that the flesh of the peacock did not decay. There is a legend that the robin received his red breast as a reward for protecting the Christ Child from the sparks of a fire, which he caught on his breast, while the Holy Family rested on their flight into Egypt. Some birds are used as examples of specific virtues or attributes of the Christian soul (or their opposite: the vices), while others represent Our Lord (i.e., the pelican), Our Lady, and the saints. In general, birds have long symbolized the soul’s ascent to God above material things. In a previous “Did You Know?” we mentioned the use of the pelican in Christian art. ![]()
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