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Icons have been an aid for prayer since the
Third Century. They are depictions of the
Gospels usually, and are used in liturgical
settings as well as for personal prayer. Leonid
Ouspensky says that one gazes through the
window of the icon into the heavenly realm with
one’s heart, until “…one sees oneself being
seen with the eyes of love.” The icon is a
sacred symbol inviting the one gazing to
participate in the mystery and be with those
holy ones portrayed, directly, through the
window or doorway of its border.
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St. Michael the Archangel
Private Collection
11" X 13"
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St. Joan of Arc
Private Collection
St. Louis, MO
10" X 13"
St. Alphonsus of the Fiery Heart
20" X 24"
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All the light in an
icon comes from
the eyes and
represents the
holiness of God as
lived through the
life of the holy one.
That is why the
corners of the eyes
are left open and
do not meet.
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Natural elements, such as
gold leaf, chalk from the
earth, wood, egg yolks,
rabbit skin glue, tree rosin,
pigments made from earthen
clays and minerals are used
to create the icons. Even
beer is boiled and reduced
to make a fine glue for
applying gold.
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All text, images, graphics, designs and other materials on this website ("site") are subject to the copyrights and other intellectual property rights of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ,copyright 2004. This means no images may be printed or distributed.
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