Holy Icon

"Roman Martyr", acrylic on canvas panel, 11x14 inch, Bishop Maxim, 2022

The figure of one between two worlds toward life to come. On the figure’s left is the Colosseum built from the gold taken by the conquering Romans from the Jewish Temple. It is a place where gladiators and lions devour Christians for the entertainment of the people. Above the Colosseum is a pillar of cloud, half hidden as a mandorla, reminding of the Holy Spirit’s invisible presence comforting and strengthening the martyr. On the right, idyllic scenes of peace and abundance fill the space, sails lifted by the Spirit who is in all places and filling all things. A table with a chalice of paradisical fruit overflows as the foundation of the restored Eden. The figure is clothed in a white baptismal garment indicative of the purified martyr and the wedding garment of Grace for the betrothed of Christ. The head of the central figure stretches from left to right accentuated by an elongated neck, away from the colosseum of death, tilting toward the life to come, while the face remains facing fully toward the onlooker thus bringing the action of the scene and its intent toward the viewer face to face. The wreath of the victorious struggler adorns the head and the central action of the painting coalesces to the plaintive face with doe-like eyes who turns toward the onlooker with a beckoning question to the heart. — Stephen Muse