Among the images of Jesus Christ created by the icon painters, there is one unique in its own way. This is the icon “Saved Good Silence”, on which the Son of God appears before the viewer in the guise of an Angel of Light, that is, even before his incarnation from the Blessed Virgin Mary and appearing to people. According to the tradition established by the Orthodox Church, September 28 is considered the day of veneration of this image. Let us dwell on it in more detail.
A rare image of the Savior
The icon "Good Silence" first appeared in Russia in the 15th century. There are records that during the reign of Grand Duke Ivan III Vasilyevich, this image was painted by a Moscow painter, whose name is not mentioned, and placed in the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral. For a long time he remained the only image of the Savior, executed in such an unusual interpretation. We note, however, that there is an opinion that the image was brought to Moscow from St. Athos, where a similar iconography tradition had a long history.
The next mention of this icon dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when it was written specifically for the St. Petersburg Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, erected in 1907 at the site of the death of Emperor Alexander II, who fell at the hands of terrorists. A little later, similar images appeared in some churches of the Yaroslavl and Rostov regions.
The image worshiped by the Old Believers
It is also known that the icon "Good Silence" was one of the images highly revered by the Old Believers, that is, those who, having rejected the reform carried out in the 17th century by Patriarch Nikon, broke with the official Church. In the interpretation adopted by these people, the silence of Christ symbolizes their own forced silence, which was the result of persecution by the authorities. It is believed that among the Old Believers the image became widespread already at the beginning of the XVIII century.
Double halo angel
Let us briefly dwell on the artistic and compositional features of the icon "Good Silence", a photo of which is placed in our article. As mentioned above, Jesus Christ is represented on her as a bright angel, and not in the human flesh, which He took in order to atone for original sin through suffering. It was about him that the prophet Isaiah spoke in his prophecy regarding the coming of the Messiah into the world. This is the main feature of the image.
In addition, its distinctive feature is a double halo, consisting of a circle in which a religious symbol is inscribed - the eight-pointed “Star of Eternity”, consisting of two intersecting squares. It is generally accepted that one of them symbolizes the divinity of the Almighty, and the other - His incomprehensibility to people. At the ends of the stars, Greek letters are often represented, making up the word "Existing", that is, existing.
A few simple but expressive details
According to established tradition, the Savior's figure is depicted wearing a snow-white tunic, the color of which serves as a symbol of purity and purity. At the same time, the errands (the fringes of the sleeves) are perceived by the believers as the bonds that pulled Jesus together during the unrighteous trial that Pontius Pilate imposed on Him.
The spectator’s attention is attracted to the eyes of the Savior. Unlike other images, where His glance is full of severity and sadness, on the icon “Good Silence” the angel looks into Himself, as it were, preparing to accept everything that was intended for Him by God the Father. The feeling of the highest humility and humility is transmitted to the viewer with arms crossed on his chest, as well as wings folded behind his back.
It is characteristic that Orthodox monks see in the icon "Good Silence" the visible embodiment of Hesychism - the spiritual practice underlying their lives, consisting of calm, distance from the world, silence, peace and liberation from carnal passions. This helps the monks, even in the flesh, approach the angelic life, and this image serves them as a guiding light.
The meaning inherent in the angelic image of the Savior
The icon on which the Savior is represented in the form of an angel is of great importance, since it reveals with complete completeness and at the same time laconicism the whole of his theological concept. First of all, the spectator appears Savior Emmanuel - the Eternal Logos, that is, that Will of God, without which the world could not be created. In addition, He is also the sacrificial Lamb who washed His sins with His blood. In addition, the snow-white clerk, in which Jesus is clothed, indicates to the audience that in front of them is a clergyman leading them to unity with the Creator.
Another important detail is the patience with which the angelic face of the Savior is filled. It testifies that He is ready to wait for the conversion of all earthly sinners to Him, regardless of the severity of their actions. An example of this is the Prudent Robber crucified on the cross at the right hand of Jesus Christ and, by virtue of repentance, became the first person to gain the kingdom of heaven.
How does the Good Silence icon help?
It is impossible to give a monosyllabic answer to this question, because before any icon, regardless of whose image is depicted on it - whether it is the holy saint of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Savior Himself, one can offer a wide variety of prayers with requests for the sending of grace to solve all earthly problems. What matters is only a deep faith in the omnipotence of the Creator and the sincerity of our feelings. But at the same time, a certain tradition has developed that defines the subject of petitions addressed to one or another Heavenly Force. In a certain way, this also applies to prayers that are offered before the icon "Good Silence."
Thus, the extraordinary humility that fulfilled the face of an angel allows us to hope that prayers for the bestowing of strength and patience in the face of adversity will most likely be heard. This is especially true for those who are lying on the bed of a disease and do not leave hope for God's help.
Humility is equally necessary for people who find themselves in a particular extreme situation. They are also encouraged to seek the intercession of the Heavenly Forces by offering prayers to the bright face of the Creator Angel of all things, since it is He, who bestows earthly blessings, who at the same time allows to enter the world of suffering, purifying and ennobling human souls.