Posts by Fr. Steven Bigham
On The Origin of Ὁ ὬΝ in The Halo of Christ
We are so used to seeing the features of Christ in icons that we no longer pay attention to them, thinking they have always been there, as we see them, taking them for granted. We have perhaps forgotten that behind each feature there is a history and a theological meaning to discover and rediscover. So…
Continue reading »The Theology of the Icon as a Hermeneutic Tool in the Dialog between Science and Religion: Part Two
This is post 2 of 2 in the series “The Theology of the Icon as a Hermeneutic Tool in the Dialog between Science and Religion” fr. Steven Bigham Looks at scripture through the lens of iconography so to propose an “iconic” reading of the Bible. The Theology of the Icon as a Hermeneutic Tool in…
Continue reading »The Theology of the Icon as a Hermeneutic Tool in the Dialog between Science and Religion: Part One
This is post 1 of 2 in the series “The Theology of the Icon as a Hermeneutic Tool in the Dialog between Science and Religion” fr. Steven Bigham Looks at scripture through the lens of iconography so to propose an “iconic” reading of the Bible. The Theology of the Icon as a Hermeneutic Tool in…
Continue reading »Letter To an Iconographer on The Ancient of Days
Sometime ago, a friend sent me an image of the Ancient of Days that is being painted in a Greek Orthodox parish in Montréal, Québec, Canada. He wanted to know what I thought of it. The first image was not yet finished and the seond one is finished. I wrote him back the following comments. …
Continue reading »The Background Color of an Icon
This text is a resume of a conference-slideshow presented at a meeting of the Saint John of Damascus Association, June 15, 1996 and published in the Sacred Art Journal 17, 2, (summer) 1996. Thesis: The background of an icon should be either golden or of a light color. At the beginning of the slideshow, the…
Continue reading »Does the Blessing of Icons Agree with or Contradict the Tradition of the Orthodox Church?
The Question Orthodox Christians routinely have their icons blessed by a priest or bishop. Bishops often anoint them with Holy Chrism. There are even special services for blessing different kinds of icons: of Christ, of the Mother of God, of feasts, etc. Most people would never imagine putting an unblessed icon in their houses; it…
Continue reading »The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division (Pt. 6) – Conclusion
This is the last in a six-part series. Part 1, Part2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 The Role of the Icon in the Movement Toward Unity What role then can the icon play in the Ecumenical Movement? Will it be an instrument leading to the healing of schisms or a sign of division?…
Continue reading »The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? (Pt. 5)
This is post 5 of 5 in the series “The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division?” Fr. Steven Bigham Explores the icon as a universal language of Christianity through scripture, councils and tradition. The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? (pt. 2) The Icon: Sign of Unity or…
Continue reading »The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? (Pt.4)
This is post 4 of 5 in the series “The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division?” Fr. Steven Bigham Explores the icon as a universal language of Christianity through scripture, councils and tradition. The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? (pt. 2) The Icon: Sign of Unity or…
Continue reading »The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division?(Pt. 3)
This is post 3 of 5 in the series “The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division?” Fr. Steven Bigham Explores the icon as a universal language of Christianity through scripture, councils and tradition. The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? The Icon: Sign of Unity or Division? (pt. 2) The Icon: Sign of Unity or…
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