www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Pilgrim Vocation Icon Program

Hmmmm.

I'm not qualified to judge art as "good" or "bad."

It isn't particularly to my taste, but the good Lord didn't consult me when He created the Grand Canyon or the cockroach either.

Not to be pejorative here, but I'm sorta reminded of "socialist art" in a way. There were some very fine artists who created those huge murals glorifying labor, or the history of the Plains states, or the industrial revolution. It was art done for an externally imposed purpose.

This icon is nicely done, but it's sorta "arranged" to drive home a point, if you will. A holy and needful point, but it's a pointer to the art show, not the art show itself. I'm not describing this particularly well, dagnab it...

Great art evokes heartfelt emotion. Socialist art doesn't. The icons I surround myself with, and that I see in church draw me into relationship. Maybe this one will do so in time, but I kinda sorta don't think so. I can respect it, but it's not something I'd choose on my own to pray with.

Doesn't make it good or bad.........


Sharon

Thanks, Sharon. That the kind of information I was looking for. It's difficult to imagine something you haven't seen.

Thanks again
Charles

I am very curious to see what you all are talking about; can no one find an image to post?

I've been looking - I don't see it on either the Pittsbugh or Parma site. This is the PREVIOUS icon, NOT the current one:

http://www.parma.org/vocation.htm


Sharon

I contacted the iconographer for a pic of the icon in question. He only had a less-than-perfect quality photo of the slightly unfinished icon, but it will have to suffice until a better, more official reproduction is available online.

[Linked Image]

After seeing what you all have been talking about I had to go back and read the original criticism. I think the icon is perfectly fine and the criticism bizarre. I suspect I wouldn't like the icons the critic does; it often happens that someone on the Forum will post a "beautiful" icon and I'll look at it and shake my head, seeing only westernized schmaltz....

I'll admit, it's not the prettiest icon I have ever seen, but it does have a purpose. I tend to think things like this are less icons, and more religious advertising art designed to sell something, which it is. And in all fairness, the original may have a different impact than an image on a computer screen. But I have seen much, much worse. As for it being faithful to tradition, that might depend on your favored tradition. I love Russian icons myself, and while I appreciate other styles, the Russian are my favorites. Would I buy a copy for my home? Probably not. But that really is not what it's designed for.

A copy of the icon appeared in the back of the Church today at Divine Liturgy. It looks better than the picture posted here. I suspect it will be used for awhile, serve it's purpose, and then disappear. I still think it's advertising art, but it actually does have more of an impact and a much more pleasing appearance when you see it in person. People in the parish are supposed to sign up to take it home for a period of time, pray the prayers for vocations, then bring it back for the next person on the list. We could certainly use more vocations, since some of our priests are getting older and I don't see replacements on the horizon.

I think so too. If it is an icon, then its purpose is beneath its dignity. If it is advertising art, then it is not an icon.

Can you (with better eyesight, or larger computer screens) see wedding rings on that couple's hands? Is this icon a signal that married men may apply?

It is clear to me, that it is an icon of Christ calling a married man to the priesthood.

Nicholas, your eyesight is better than mine. I didn't think to check for that at Church today. If I remember, I will look next week since the icon will still be there.

Yes, married men can once again become ordained as priests in our Byzantine Church here in the U.S.

I believe we currently have a married man in the seminary, but not for the Pittsburgh Metropolia.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Perhaps it is the unfamiliar that sometimes seems strange to us. Then, as we become more familiar with the subject, we may be able to see new aspects previously hidden from our view. This is certainly the case for many Gospel passages. I do believe that praying for vocations over this icon will bear fruit.

From the Iconographer:

�The Icon �I Have Chosen You� portrays many aspects of discerning a spiritual vocation. The title comes from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John: �You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide� (15:16). In the icon, Christ is shown in dialogue with a man and a woman, representatives of all who are invited to serve through ordination or religious live. Both individuals are moving out of the world, symbolized by the woman partially in the border, towards Christ. The scroll in Our Lord�s hand represents His teachings. An angel, holding a scroll that reads �discernment,� guides and protects those contemplating the request of the Lord.

The entire scent takes place on desolate ground. A single tree, symbolic of vitality, breaks the barren landscape. This setting reveals several more characteristics of discerning a vocation. First, it takes place outdoors, in a place without walls, symbolic of the Church not being an earthly institution of buildings and structures but a new life in Christ. Second, as Jesus saw Nathaniel under the fig tree and called Him to discipleship (John 1:48), Jesus intimately knows those whom He calls. Third, the tree�s lower branch connects the man and woman to the trunk, representing the vocations as the branches of Christ�s vine (John 15:5).

An individual does not choose to serve Christ, but rather is chosen by Him specifically for His service. One is called to blossom and bear fruit through the grace received in ordination or religious life, and not to be fruitless and cut off by the Divine Gardner (John 15:2)�.

Deacon El

The Patronage parish website has a better picutre of the icon:
http://www.patronagechurch.com/

It is a little jarring to see people like us in an icon with Christ, isn't it.

At least Christ isn't wearing a tie. He would at least rank an Armani, I would think.