Mysterium Fascinans et Tremendum
August 5, 2010, 7:46 pm
Posted by Robert P. Imbelli
Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He did not know what he was saying. And, as he said this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed them. They were terrified as they entered into the cloud.
You were transfigured on the Mount, o Christ God, revealing your glory to your disciples as far as they could bear it.
Let your everlasting light shine on us sinners. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Giver of light, glory to you!
Wonderful way to begin the day! This is “prodigiosa gratia” – repelled by the Light and falling immediately to their knees (” … for I am am a sinful man.”) and turning their heads away – and one who turns back, emerges from the darkness and is attracted to the Light. A Greek bishop/Melkite (forget his name) refers to the transfiguration as “a reality of the present, a way of life available to those who seek and accept God’s nearness.” And a wonderful Southern hymn from my time in Mississippi:
Love Divine, Joy Unspeakable
Overflowing in my soul
This heart of mine is refreshed and at rest
Only in your presence
Rain on me
Fr. Imbelli –
The picture isn’t too clear on this laptop I use. Too small. Who did it? And what about the strange configuration of the light — it looks like a big X to me melting into white garments. It also looks sort of pseudo-primitive, like pre-Giotto or something. Was that intentional? I can’t make some of it out at all. Where is it?
Sorry about all the questions but it’s intriguing.
Ann -
The icon is attributed to Theophanes the Greek (late 14th century) and is in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Here is a description:
“Although every part of the picture plane is occupied, the main focus of the icon is on the Transfigured Jesus and on the disciples who are awed by the splendor of His glory. Rays of glory that radiate out from Jesus, who is elevated, seem to relate the apostles to Jesus by means of a triangular composition (Jesus above at the highest point and the apostles below). On Jesus’ right is Elijah, and on His left is Moses, holding a tablet. Jesus Himself is holding a scroll, symbolic perhaps of His authority and the fact that He is the Living Word of God. His raiment is a bright whitish color that radiates in several directions almost like a star. Behind Him is a silvery-blue circle permeated with golden shafts of light which probably represents both the cloud and His glory. Because of the compositional focus and the color, Jesus is the central focal point of the painting. While Moses and Elijah are level with Him, they are not presented in a manner that would divert the viewer’s attention from Jesus. The color scheme of the icon helps to express the nature of the Transfiguration in that, although the overall background color are shades of orange, yellow, and black, the light emitted from Jesus is casting a blue-green hue over the apostles who are witnesses of it.”
Sorry the reproduction isn’t clearer.
Thanks, Father. For some reason I thought it must be a contemporary composition. Lots of artists seem to be doing icons these days, but in the more ancient, restrained styles.
I, too, thank you for giving us this beautiful, striking and powerful ikon. I was surprised at the date of the work, which appears so modern to our eyes! Thinking of the prayerful process of ikon writing, I wish we knew the maker’s process for this work. But that is the wonder of it all -we must do the inner process in reverse, as it were, when we are captured by the piece! Thanks again!