In icon painting, there are a large number of strongly affecting emotions and perceptions of religious images. One of them is the icon “Crucifixion of Jesus Christ”, the photo of which is not difficult to see in any Orthodox gallery, and the image itself is found in almost every church.
Plots of icon-painting images arose at the dawn of the emergence of Christianity not by chance. The icons carried out the mission of enlightenment, literally were illustrations that explain religious subjects. They told the newly converted about important events and the main milestones of the formation of Christianity. This dictated the appearance of most of the plots in icon painting, of course, with the exception of a simple depiction of the saints, although it was often accompanied by miniatures explaining their deeds.
What does the image look like?
The way the icon of Christ the Savior “Crucifixion” looks, is not unique, the image is written in different ways. The authors use various artistic techniques, which, of course, have their own meaning.
The first thing that differentiates the images is the background. Some authors use dark, gloomy tones, while others prescribe a crucifix on gold. The dark background at the same time emphasizes the tragedy of what happened and conveys real events, because during the crucifixion of Jesus the sun was darkened.
The gold background is used by icon painters more often. This shade is a symbol of triumph, the very act of saving mankind through the sacrifice of Jesus. It symbolizes the greatness of the Savior’s feat in the name of people, his victory over death. The victory of Jesus is symbolically expressed in yet another detail - the skull in the earth, written at the base of the crucifix.
In addition to Christ, other characters are added to the icon, complementing her storyline. Their number also does not remain constant. Only the Virgin Mary is canonically present on each image, the remaining figures and their number change. The sizes shown are also different. The difference in size conveys their status, importance and importance.
Who else is depicted on the icon?
The icon "Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ" invariably contains in its plot the figure of the Virgin. As a rule, the Mother of God is represented by icon painters on the right hand of Jesus.
In addition to Our Lady, the plot of the image is often supplemented by figures:
- John the Theologian;
- thieves taken by Jesus to heaven;
- Roman soldiers.
Often in the upper part of the image are depicted heavenly forces in the form of angels. In complex icon-painting works filled with details, rocks are registered behind the crucifix, symbolizing the earthquake that happened during the execution. On the wall frescoes, the plot is often supplemented by the symbolic sun and earth painted at the top along the edges.
The complexity of execution and the fullness of details are characteristic of old images that carried an educational mission. At the end of the Middle Ages, the icon of Jesus Christ “Crucifixion” is no longer overloaded with details, the emphasis is on the central figure, that is, on the most important event, which is narrated by the plot of the image.
How did the image of the Lord change over time?
The plot of the crucifixion is one of the key in Christianity. Accordingly, icon-painting images on this topic arose among the first. Of course, the icon of Jesus Christ “Crucifixion” over the centuries has changed outwardly, not only in how many details and characters were depicted on it. The image of the Savior also changed. Icon painters of the early schools and the Middle Ages prescribed the Lord in different ways.
Until the end of the 9th century and the beginning of the 10th century, the icon of Jesus Christ “Crucifixion”, although it was predominantly executed in dark colors, the Lord himself looked alive and triumphant on the image. The palms were opened, and the arms were wide open as if Jesus was trying to hug everyone approaching the icon. After the 10th century, the icon of Jesus Christ “Crucifixion” changes, the Lord is increasingly depicted as dead, with folded or drooping palms. Such an interpretation symbolizes the greatness of the deed of the Lord, the act of his redemptive death, its importance.
What is the meaning of the icon?
Believers pray to the Lord for everything, with every sorrow and misfortune they go to the images of Jesus. But not every image has the same meaning as an icon depicting an act of crucifixion.
This image not only invariably impresses believers, affects their emotions. The icon is a kind of brief gospel, because it tells of distant events that formed the basis of the Christian faith. This is a kind of “educational program” for those who gravitate towards the Lord, but who do not have knowledge of Christianity. That is, the image of the crucifixion is extremely important nowadays, because decades of lack of spirituality in Russia, years spent without exaggeration in idolatry, called partisanship, have practically deprived people of basic, fundamental knowledge of the foundations of Christianity. Parishioners do not always understand even who exactly is depicted on any icon, and frescoes are often taken at all only as a peculiar version of the design of church walls.
Accordingly, the significance of the image in modern temples is similar to what it was centuries ago. The icon fulfills an educational mission and, of course, strengthens the faith of the parishioners, influencing their emotional perception and impressing. For this reason, the image is one of the first that believers see when entering re-opened or reconstructed churches.
How does the image help?
There are many images of the Lord, and each of them has its own plot. With its content, an understanding of who and in what prayer will help in front of a particular icon is connected. The icon "Crucifixion of Jesus Christ" helps in what? In gaining and maintaining faith, in repentance and entering the righteous path.
From time immemorial, people who feel guilty for themselves, tormented by remorse and remorse, have come to this image. Depressive emotional state can be caused by any reason. It is not at all necessary for a feeling of remorse to commit a bad deed. Repentance often haunts people and has not done anything wrong to anyone at all. A depressed emotional state comes in the absence of an understanding of the meaning in one's own life, awareness of spiritual emptiness.
Faith in the Lord saves from such emotions. And a prayer in front of an icon depicting an act of crucifixion from time to time helps in repentance and fills the soul with the light of faith and kindness.
How to pray before the image?
Of course, in front of the icon depicting the crucifixion, canonical services are held, a troparion is read, and other church actions are performed. It is quite possible for an ordinary parishioner to pray in their own words, because the main condition for addressing the Almighty is sincerity, straightforwardness of heart and purity of thoughts.
You can use this example of prayer:
“Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty and All-Merciful! I humbly pray you, Savior of human souls. And I give you my life. In order to abide in your bosom and behold eternal life. Avoid hell and temptations leading to it. Overcome evil thoughts. Adversaries avoid thoughts and deeds. Accept me, Lord, teach, teach, guide the righteous and have mercy! Amen".