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ICONOGRAPHY AT ST. SOPHIA

The visitor to an Orthodox Church is usually impressed by the unique features and the external differences between this place of worship and those of the various traditions of Western Christianity. The rich color, distinctive iconography and beauty of the interior of an Orthodox Church generally are in sharp contrast to the simplicity which one finds in many Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. When one enters the interior of the Orthodox church it is like stepping into a whole new world of color and light. The art and design of the church not only create a distinctive atmosphere of worship, but also they reflect and embody many of the fundamental insights of Orthodoxy.  (Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America -House of God) (More Iconography)    
     


                  The Pantokrator (Ceiling)

 

                               The Pantokrator
Above the Church on the ceiling of the dome is the Pantokrator.  Christ the Almighty.  This icon portrays the triumphant Christ who reigns as Lord of heaven and earth.

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD,
HE THAT FOLLOWS ME
 SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS
BUT SHALL HAVE
 THE LIGHT OF LIFE

 

   
                                   The Altar                

                            The Altar
 
The Altar or Holy Table is the heart and focal point of the Orthodox Church. It is here that eucharistic gifts of bread and wine are offered to the Father as Christ commanded us to do. The altar, which is usually square in shape, stands away from the wall and is often covered with cloths. A tabernacle, with reserved Holy Communion for the sick or dying, is set upon the Altar, together with candles. When the Divine Liturgy is not being celebrated, the Book of Gospels rests on the Altar. Behind the Altar is a large cross with the painted figure of Christ. (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

  

                             

 


                         The Platytera

                                     The Platytera

The large mural icon in the apse behind the altar is called The Platytera. It portrays the Theotokos (Birth-Giver of God), the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus in her bosom. This prominently displayed icon emphasizes the incarnation, God becoming a man through a woman and the Holy Spirit.  (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

                       

 


                       The Iconostasis

                                        The Iconostasis
 

In the front of the Church you notice a large icon screen called The Iconostasis. It stands between the nave and altar of the sanctuary and contains the principle persons of our faith. The doors in the center, called The Royal Doors, include two pillars of the Church, Sts. Peter, and Paul. The Icon of Christ the Lord always appears in the first panel to the right as you face the iconostasis. The Icon of Mother of God (Virgin Mary), also called The Theotokos (Birth-Giver of God), always appears first to the left. She is honored first among saints by Orthodox as the mother of the Savior. To the right of Christ is the Icon of Saint John the Baptist. To the right of Saint John the Baptist is Saint Nektarios.  The second icon to the left of the Virgin Mary Icon, represents the name of our Church. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek. In each parish the Icon of the Patron Saint or Feast of the Church is placed here. The third icon to the left is Saint George.  On the two doors on the north and south sides of the iconostasis, our parish has included the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Processions of altar servers and clergy will exit and enter the altar from these doors during services. (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

              

 

 

 

 

The Four Corner Icons
 (Altin Stoja - Iconographer-see Times Union write up)
 On the inside corners of St. Sophia are the four Icons depicting the Nativity, Baptisim, Transfiguration and Ascension of our Lord. 
 


                                Nativity of Christ  (SE corner)

                 The Nativity of the Birth of Christ
 

The Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is one of the most joyful days of the Orthodox Church. It ranks next to the greatest holiday, the Resurrection of Jesus. The Feast of the Birth of Jesus is also known as the "Incarnation of Christ." This means that Jesus became a man and came into the world to save us. We also refer to this joyous feast as Christmas.  (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

                              

 


                              Baptisim of Christ (NE corner)

          The Baptisim of Christ

The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God.  (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

                           


                              Transfiguration of Christ (NW corner)

                     The Ascension of  Christ
 

The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on the fortieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter). Since the date of Pascha changes each year, the date of the Feast of the Ascension changes. The Feast is always celebrated on a Thursday. The Feast itself commemorates when, on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives, and after blessing them and asking them to wait for the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, He ascended into heaven. (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

 

         The Transfiguration of Christ

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on August 6. The feast commemorates the transfiguration or metamorphosis of Christ on Mount Tabor, when our Lord appeared in His divine glory before the Apostles Peter, James, and John. (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)
 

 

                            

 


                          Ascension of Christ  (SW corner)

Other Icons of the Church

                        

                     THE DORMITION OF OUR MOST HOLY LADY, THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY
 

The Icon of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos shows her on her deathbed surrounded by the Apostles. Christ is standing in the center (1.) looking at His mother. He is holding a small child clothed in white representing the soul of the Virgin Mary. With His golden garments, the angels above His head, and the mandorla surrounding Him, Christ is depicted in His divine glory. (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

 

 

 The Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos
and Ever-Virgin Mary

 

 

                    

      Presentation of Christ in the Temple

This feast, celebrated on February 2, is known in the Orthodox Church as The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Another name for the feast is The Meeting of our Lord. Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians call the feast, The Purification of the Holy Virgin. About 450 AD in Jerusalem, people began the custom of holding lighted candles during the Divine Liturgy of this feast day. Therefore, some churches in the West refer to this holy day as Candlemas. The Feast of the Presentation concludes the observances related to the Nativity of Christ, a period that opened on November 15 with the beginning of the Nativity fast.
 (Source:Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

 


Presentation of Christ in the Temple

 

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