Renovation

All of the virtues and powers of God are attained primarily by prayer. Without prayer, there is no spiritual life. Prayer is natural and we were fashioned by God to live a life of prayer. It should be brief and regular so that it can be kept in all conditions and circumstances. To remind yourself that it is "face to face," place an icon of the Theotokos before you as you pray.

The Icon of Mid-Pentecost

We celebrate all that God has done for us in His Son, Jesus Christ – the Cross, Tomb, Resurrection, Ascension, and Descent of the Holy Spirit. The whole event is summarized in the term: Paschal Mystery, and is celebrated for fifty days. The twenty-fifth day of this celebration is called the Feast of Mid-Pentecost. It celebrates Christ as Teacher.

The Icon shows Christ seated in the center of the assembly on a circular bench against an architectural background which represents the temple. Two groups of elders, to whom Christ speaks, flank Him and are represented with expressions of astonishment at His knowledge. In the background we see the Mother of God and Joseph. Regarding the figure of Christ Himself, there is an obvious anachronism. Although the Gospel for the feast describes Christ during His ministry, the Icon refers to His childhood experience when He was found in the temple by His parents. (Lk. 2:41-49) The emphasis here is that the teaching of Jesus comes from His Father, “from Him Who sent Me.” Jesus’ holding the Gospel Book, another anachronism, is to show that His teaching is embodied in the life, spirit, and truth which is recorded in all of the Gospels.