 Icon of Pentecost
Icon of Pentecost of Stavronikita
Iconographer: Theophanis Strelitzas (Θεοφάνης Στρελίτζας), also known as Theophanes the Cretan (Θεοφάνης ο Κρης) or "of Crete" or "Theophanes Bathas", was a leading icon painter of the Cretan school (see below) in the first half of the sixteenth century, and in particular the most important figure in Greek wall-painting of the period. Frescoes bearing his signature survive in the Greek monasteries of Mt. Athos, especially Stavronikita monastery and Lavra, and Meteora which has his earliest dated work, from 1527. He also did many panel icons, either for iconostasis or small portable works. Theophanes was active from about 1527-48, and trained his sons and several pupils, often themselves Cretan. By 1535 both he and his two sons had become monks in the Lavra monastery of Mount Athos, where many of his best works remain.
Location: Stavronikita Monastery, Mt. Athos (see below)
Style: Egg Tempera
The Twelve Apostles are seated in a semicircle making an expression of the unity of the Church with it diverse members. It is done in inverse perspective as the figures that are further away appear larger. Their posture shows a calm and their movements solemnity. They are seated and turn a little towards each other as though talking.
In the center is an unoccupied place which is the place for the Head of the Church, Christ.
The Evangelists hold golden books in their hands showing that they received the gift of teaching.
Above we we see a circular object with twelve rays emanating from it. This symbolizes heaven. At the end of the rays are tongues of fire. which is a sign of the baptism of the Apostles with the Holy Spirit and with fire and a sign of their sanctification. It shows that the gift of the holy spirit comes individually to each person and that the Holy Spirit resides in the saints.
The icon shows apostles not of the Twelve as it includes Paul, Luke and Mark which indicates that all the disciples were gathered in the upper room for this event.
At the very bottom we the figure of an old man as a king (Cosmos) sitting in a dark place. This symbolizes that the world was formerly without faith. Hi red garment signifies the devils's blood sacrifices. The royal crown signifies sin which ruled the world. The white cloth in his hands hold twelve scrolls symbolizing the twelve Apostles who brought light into the world with their teaching.
Stavronikita Monastery
 This icon belongs to the Stavronikita monastery (Greek: Μονή Σταυρονικήτα) which is an Eastern Orthodox monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It is built on top of a rock near the sea near the middle of the eastern shore of the Athonite peninsula, located between the monasteries of Iviron and Pantokratoros. The site where the monastery is built was first used by Athonite monks as early as the 10th century. Stavronikita was the last to be officially consecrated as an Athonite monastery in 1536 and ranks fifteenth in the hierarchy of the Athonite monasteries and currently has 30 to 40 monks.
Cretan School
Theophanes the Cretan belongs to the Cretan School. The term Cretan School describes an important school of icon painting, also known as Post-Byzantine art, which flourished while Crete was under Venetian rule during the late Middle Ages, reaching its climax after the Fall of Constantinople, becoming the central force in Greek painting during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. The Cretan artists developed a particular style of painting under the influence of both Eastern and Western artistic traditions and movements. |
