{"id":22686,"date":"2025-12-16T13:53:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T19:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carmelites.net\/?p=22686"},"modified":"2025-12-19T13:36:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T19:36:12","slug":"lourdes-crabtree-t-o-carm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carmelites.net\/it\/carmelite-review\/lourdes-crabtree-t-o-carm\/","title":{"rendered":"Scrivere un'icona | Lourdes Crabtree, T.O.Carm."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\u201cThe Genesis\u201d Made by the hands of Lourdes Crabtree, T.O.Carm.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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My first experience of writing an icon was about ten years ago.\u00a0 I had a very busy year and decided to take a week off and attend an icon workshop that was recommended by several Carmelite priests and the Regional Coordinator at the time.<\/p>

It was quite the adventure and I enjoyed every moment, as I stepped into a whole new world. \u00a0A world that deepened my awareness of all around me, such as, a fresh understanding of colors, the symmetry in nature and re-entering the room of self-knowledge, allowing me to ponder anew.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cI am in God, and God is in me. I feel that all creatures,<\/strong>
the trees, the flowers belong to God and also to me.<\/strong>
I no longer have a will, it belongs to God.<\/strong>
And all that is God\u00b4s is mine.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

St. Mariam of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. (1846-1878)<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Through the experience of writing the icon, I found myself reflecting on our Carmelite charism,<\/p>

Prayer – I discovered that writing an icon from concept to completion is an experience of prayer and the journey continues as one meditates on the finished icon.<\/p>

Community – I came to realise the connectedness of all humanity in space and in time \u2013 past, present and future. The ripple effect of each person\u2019s influence on another.<\/p>

Service – Through the act of creating and forming an image, the icon becomes a service that others, when venerating the icon, draw deeper into the presence of God.<\/p>

I have divided this article into three sections:<\/em><\/p>

  • A brief background on Icons.<\/em>
    For those who are unfamiliar with icons, this brief background will give an appreciation of iconography.<\/em><\/li>
  • The meaning of the icon, \u2018The Genesis of Christ\u2019.<\/em>
    Icons tell a story and this section will enhance the understanding of the icon.<\/em><\/li>
  • \u2018Extracts from my journal\u2019.<\/em>
    A simple reflection of each day\u2019s journey.<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    A Brief Background on Icons<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

    The word icon comes from the Greek \u2018eik\u00f3n\u2019, which means image or likeness. We read in Colossians 1.15, \u2018[Christ] is the image of the invisible God\u2019. \u00a0In Greek, \u2018[O Christ\u00f3s] e\u00ednai i eik\u00f3na tou a\u00f3ratou Theo\u00fa\u2019.<\/p>

    Traditionally icons were written using natural materials, on a gessoed wooden board.\u00a0 The boards were made of linden, fir or pine.\u00a0 To write<\/em> the icon, egg tempera was used, a mixture of natural pigments from minerals and plants with egg yolk.\u00a0 Today, egg tempera is still widely used, though acrylic paints are a popular alternative.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    The first icon is attributed to St. Luke, Salus Populi Romani – Salvation of the Roman People.\u00a0 It arrived in Rome in 590 C.E. and is located in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, Italy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Tradition says, in the 12th century, the icon, known as. \u2018La Bruna, or \u2018The Brown Lady\u2019, or \u2018The Virgin of Tenderness\u2019 was with the hermits on Mount Carmel.\u00a0 During the 13th century when the hermits were fleeing Mount Carmel from the persecutions by the Muslim invaders, they settled in Naples, Italy.\u00a0 The image remains in the Basilica Sanctuary of Carmine Maggiore, Naples.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Iconographers often use the expression, \u2018to write\u2019 an icon.\u00a0 One explanation is that an icon is considered to be the visual form of Scripture. It is a combination of several disciplines, including:<\/p>

    • A prayer is recited before writing the icon and includes prayers for all those who will come to venerate it. The act of writing an icon is a prayer itself.\u00a0 Once written, one can enter into the mystery of the image in meditation.<\/li>
    • Spiritual narratives. Reflecting on Scripture pertaining to the icon or the story of the image written, the iconographer\u2019s mind is filled with sacred thoughts. The beauty of the image is formed, in the light of the Holy Spirit working through the hands of the iconographer.<\/li>
    • Sacred geometry. Acknowledging God as the Creator of Heaven and Earth, we see around us the mathematical principles in nature, the hexagonal cells of a honeycomb, or the golden ratio of the Ammonite shell.\u00a0 Sacred geometry is used when creating icons, reflecting centredness, balance, and harmony.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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      \u2018The Genesis of Christ\u2019 Icon
      <\/strong>Made by the hands of Lourdes Crabtree, T.O.Carm<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      \u201cThe whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

      St. John Damascene<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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      \u201cIn those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

      Luke 2.1-7<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      History<\/strong><\/p>

      The icon of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is originally from the 15th century and attributed to Saint Andrei Rublev, a Russian monk.\u00a0 It depicts the Creator of Heaven and Earth entering into time as a newborn baby.\u00a0 There are several versions of this image with varying degrees of detail.<\/p>

      The Light and Rays<\/strong><\/p>

      At the very top of the icon is a blue oval, known as a mandorla<\/em>, from the Latin, \u2018almond\u2019.\u00a0 The inner part of the mandorla has seven rays, a number symbolising completeness (Genesis 2.2<\/em>), perfection (the seven words of Christ spoken on the Cross), and Divine Order (Revelation \u2013 seven churches, seals, trumpets and bowls revealing God\u2019s plan).<\/p>

      The three rays from the Heavens, represents the Holy Trinity, the middle beam points to the second person in the Trinity, Christ, our Lord, who enters in time, in human form.<\/p>

      The Christ Child<\/strong><\/p>

      At the center of the icon is the baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes that are similar to a burial shroud. Jesus\u2019 manger is depicted as a coffin, drawing us to His Redeeming Love.<\/p>

      \u201cCave, manger, swaddling clothes \u2013 are indications of the kenosis [or \u201cself-emptying\u201d] of the Godhead, His abasement, the utter humility of Him who, invisible in His nature, becomes visible in the flesh for man\u2019s sake, is born in a cave, is wrapped in swaddling clothes, thus foreshadowing His death and burial, the sepulcher and the burial clothes.\u201d (Ouspensky & Lossky, \u2018The Meaning of Icons\u2019)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

      The Virgin Mary<\/strong><\/p>

      The Virgin Mary, Theotokos, the God-bearer or the Mother of God is beside her son gently and tenderly kissing Him.\u00a0 Mary is sitting on a long cushion, that some interpret as a chrysalis.\u00a0<\/p>

      The Mother of God is wearing a blue inner garment, representing heavenly majesty. The garment covers Mary\u2019s feet and is a symbol of her overall dignity and humility as the Theotokos, an important part of the divine plan of salvation.\u00a0 Her red outer garment represents her humanity; the created one.\u00a0 Though fully human, Mary was chosen by the Holy Spirit to give birth to the Son of God.\u00a0<\/p>

      The stars on Our Lady\u2019s outer garment represent the three persons in the Trinity.\u00a0 The top represents God, the Father.\u00a0 The star on her left shoulder represents the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 On Mary\u2019s right shoulder is the baby Jesus, where the star would be positioned.\u00a0 In the Eastern Orthodox Rite, the sign of the cross is from above to below, and from right to left.<\/p>

      Another explanation of the stars is that they symbolise Mary\u2019s virginity of \u2018Antepartum, Intrapartum, and Postpartum\u2019.\u00a0 Mary remains a virgin before, during and after giving birth.<\/p>

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      The Cave<\/strong><\/p>

      The cave in which Christ is born is a metaphor of strength, refuge, and salvation (Psalm 18.2<\/em>).\u00a0 The color black inside the cave expresses the abyss of eternity.<\/p>

      The cave also reflects the mystery of the hidden chambers within our hearts.\u00a0 On the night of Christ\u2019s birth, our Lord seeks a dwelling place deep within our hearts.<\/p>

      The Ox and Donkey<\/strong><\/p>

      The ox, peering into the manger, is a symbol of strength, service and sacrifice, \u2018abundant crops come by the strength of the ox\u2019 (Proverbs 14.4b<\/em>)<\/p>

      The donkey symbolises humility, peace and service, \u2018\u2026 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam \u2026\u2019 (Numbers 22.27<\/em>). For the full version, please read Numbers 22.21-33.<\/em><\/p>

      Also, in scripture we read, \u2018The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its Master\u2019s crib; but Israel does not know; my people do not understand.\u2019 (Isaiah 1.3<\/em>)<\/p>

      Saint Joseph<\/strong><\/p>

      Saint Joseph sits pondering the meaning of this experience.\u00a0 In some icons, the devil stands beside him dressed as an old man, casting doubts in his mind.<\/p>

      Joseph\u2019s blue inner garment represents a deep spiritual sensitivity and his purple outer garment symbolizes his connection with royalty, as a descendant of the House of David.\u00a0<\/p>

      Highlights<\/strong><\/p>

      The highlights in an icon, artistically, brings light out of the darkness of the base colors. A first highlight reveals the basic shape of the image.\u00a0 The second highlight follows a direction or flow of energy, for example the folds of a garment.\u00a0 The third highlight emphasises the gesture and movement of the figure.<\/p>

      In iconography, the first highlight represents a Natural light, bringing order to the chaos.\u00a0 The second highlight, Anthropos, represents the light of human intellect and culture.\u00a0 The third highlight represent Theocosm, the spiritual or angelic light.<\/p>

      The Title <\/strong><\/p>

      The words on the icon in Greek. \u201c\u0389 \u0393\u0400NNHCI\u03da\u201d means, The Genesis or The Birth.<\/p>

      The Kontakion hymn from the Byzantine Liturgical Tradition, is chanted at \u2018The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus\u2019,<\/p>

      \u201cToday the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,
      <\/strong>and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One!
      <\/strong>Angels, with shepherds, glorify Him!
      <\/strong>The Wise-men journey with the Star!
      <\/strong>Since for our sake the Eternal God is born as a little child.”<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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