In a wonderful article titled « Embracing Love
» the contemporary iconographer Nicholas Papas explains the prominence,
in an Orthodox Church, of the icon of the Virgin "Platytera" ("More Spacious
than the Heavens"). Different as it may be from the foregoing citation, the
article is beautiful not only because of the Veneration for the Holy Virgin
which is evident herein as well, but also because Nicholas Papas has succeeded
in making us understand and feel the warm personal relationship that the Holy
Virgin so much desires to have with each one of us.
«
Embracing Love »
By Nicholas P. Papas. Reprinted
with permission. Copyright / Courtesy Nicholas Papas. |
« The “More Spacious than the
Heavens” icon is very prominent in an Orthodox church, perhaps because
it expresses some of our Faith’s core beliefs, principally the willingness
of our Mother, the Church, to receive us with her outstretched and waiting
arms. (Click link or thumbnail to see a large image of the icon by Nick Papas.)
This icon is often known by its Greek name of Platytera Ton Ouranon, or
simply, Platytera. It is found in most Orthodox churches in an amazingly
prominent position — high in the apse* —
and is often of such a scale that it overwhelms and overshadows in emphasis all
other icons. This can present a rather odd first impression especially to a
non-Orthodox visitor. Even to Orthodox it may present a bit of a dilemma. How
is it that in a Christian church, a place where life centers around Christ, an
image of His mother Mary would appear to have dominance? In reality there is an
image of Christ, as Almighty, in a place of preeminence, in the honored
position of the ceiling [or the dome, if the church building has one].
Secondly, Christ is found in the Platytera at bull’s eye center on
Mary’s lap.
This shows a balance in the historical Church’s view
of the place and role of Mary. She is essential and significant by her
relationship to Christ. Christ could not have been born without her free
consent. She is made significant by the One she bore. She provides the throne.
She is in the background. These characteristics reveal her humility, and oddly
enough the icon in its way glorifies her because of it.
She is
significant to us as an example of the potential outcome of free-will
submission to God’s goodness. She is indispensable because without her
Christ’s birth could not have taken place. The architectural placement of
the Platytera powerfully teaches that she is the person through whom heaven and
earth are united, since this mural is where ceiling and floor meet. Her icon
“unites” Christ’s ceiling icon with those of us standing on the
ground.
With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost a remarkable
thing happened: God revealed to mankind that everyone could have God dwelling
in them. This was a radically different concept to the Jews of that day who saw
God’s throne as a physical structure, the Temple in Jerusalem. Now, all
believers could be like Mary — the first and most excellent example of the
idea that the physical body of any believer “is a temple of the Holy
Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Since Mary is this prime and perfect example
of being “a temple,” the wisdom of the Platytera’s placement is
reconfirmed. In the same way Pentecost made people rethink their beliefs about
where exactly it is that God dwells, in a literal way we are faced with
pondering how it is that God lives in us believers.
In this icon Mary’s hands are open and outstretched.
This is a position of prayer. We can plainly see that she is always praying for
us, like the good mother that she is. At the same time her open arms can be
seen as a willing and eager invitation for us to be hugged. Spiritually, no one
can provide a more perfect “hug” than her. With Mary being an image
of “The Church,” we can see how this “hug” is given.
Like any good mother, our Mother the Church cares for all our needs.
And with the Church, our deepest and truest needs are finally cared for. She
feeds us with the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35), dresses us with a
“garment of incorruption” and a “robe of righteousness”
(Isaiah 61:10), washes us of our sins (Acts 22:16) with “the laver of
regeneration,” gives us drink from “The Fountain of Life,”
shelters us “under the shadow” of Her wings (Psalm 17:8), and gives
us a place to find “rest for our souls.” Our good and unconditionally
loving Mother is always ready and waiting for us. Being ready to embrace us is
how She is depicted in the sublime image of the Platytera. It is an accurate,
true image that shows the marvelous mystery of God’s eager but patient
willingness to give unconditional love. In the depiction of Mary in the
Platytera we can find a simple message: Come and be embraced by perfect love.
»
— — —
* Click
this
line to see the prominent display of the Mother of God Platytera high in
the apse inside an Orthodox Church
Iconographer Nicholas P. Papas, his
wife Patty, and their three children are parishioners at St. Michael Antiochian
Orthodox Church in Greensburg, Pa. Here is a link to the original article
Click here to see more icons of Nick
Papas Top of Page Next Page |
Français
