The Icon
for the feast of Pentecost is also called the Descent of the Holy Spirit, as it
is a depiction of the event described in the Book of Acts (Acts 2:1-4) when the
Holy Spirit descended as tongues of fire upon the Apostles gathered together
and enabled them to preach in different languages. However, the Feast of
Pentecost is not only the commemoration of an historical event, but a
celebration of a present reality: the presence of the Holy Spirit in the
Church. Likewise, the Icon for Pentecost is much more than the depiction of a
past event.
The
presence of the Apostle Paul in the icon, even though at that time he had not
yet converted on the road to Damascus, hints that this icon is more than a
purely historical picture. Sometimes, the evangelists Luke and Mark are also
shown, despite also not having been present in the upper chamber at Pentecost.
The gathering, then, is a representation of the Church. The Apostles are seated
in a semi-circle, representing a unity and harmony similar to that found in
Icons of the Holy Trinity. As in icons of the Holy Trinity, a semi-circle,
rather than a full circle, is used so that we as observers are drawn into the
unity.
The
source of their unity is in another semi-circle at the top of the icon, showing
the descent of the Holy Spirit. From the blue semi-circle (c.a. mandorlas) a
single ray of light for each of those gathered shines down to illumine them.
Sometimes the “tongues of fire” described in Acts are shown at the tips of the
rays, ready to descend upon the Apostles. Other times, the tongues of fire are
shown already within the halos of each of the seated Saints. Some icons of
Pentecost show a dove, either within the mandorla at the top of the icon, or
even descending upon those gathered in the upper chamber. Given the appearance
of the Holy Spirit as a dove during Christ’s Baptism, it is understandable that
this physical image of the Spirit is also used in Pentecost icons. However, the
Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of flame at Pentecost, and a dove at Christ’s
Baptism, being – in reality – neither of these things. Therefore it is
inappropriate to depict the Holy Spirit as a dove at Pentecost, or indeed in
any icon except those for the Theophany feast.
At the
bottom of the Icon is another semi-circle, showing an old king against a dark
background. He is often named as Kosmos and represents the world. He is crowned
as a symbol of earthly authority – i.e. he represents all the peoples of the
world, rather than the whole of creation. He is sat “in darkness and the shadow
of death” (Luke 1:79), and is aged to show the corruptibility of the world. Yet
he also holds a blanket containing scrolls representing Apostolic teaching
(compare with the scrolls held by the Apostles in the Icon itself and “the
meaning of objects held by saints in icons“). Though in darkness, the descent
of the Holy Spirit has not only reached the Apostles, but also all corners of
the world into which the Apostles will preach the Gospel. The Empty Seat A
striking aspect of the Pentecost Icon is the empty space at the centre, between
the Apostles Peter and Paul. This central seat is a place of honour, the
“Teacher’s Seat” around which the Apostles are gathered. Why is it empty?
Because it is the seat Christ should be sitting in, Who has ascended physically
into Heaven. Yet Jesus promised many times that though He would leave them
physically, He would instead give to them the Holy Spirit as a comforter,
advocate, and guide. This promise was first realized at Pentecost, and is still
true today. Therefore, the Icon, which is also an Icon of the Church, shows the
Apostles gathered in unity, sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit,
surrounding Christ Who is invisibly present. The world, Cosmos, is at their
feet, ready and waiting to be harvested through the passing on of Christ’s
teaching.
Some
icons of Pentecost show Mary the Mother of God in the centre, occupying the
“Teacher’s Seat”. Surviving icons of this sort are usually western (the above
comes from the border between Finland and Russia). Mary was present at
Pentecost, though as already mentioned, the icon is not primarily a historical
snapshot of the event. The Theotokos’ presence in the centre is not problematic
though, as she is the ultimate exemplar of a Christian. With Jesus Christ
ascended into Heaven, the Holy Spirit acts within people, and through the
Saints Christ is manifested in the world. Mary is therefore shown in the
“teacher’s seat” as the best example we have, and the person on earth who most
resembled Jesus Christ (both physically, as His mother, and spiritually as His
disciple). Nevertheless, the “empty” seat is a more widespread and, I believe,
more impressive image of both Pentecost and the Church. The Apostles are seated
as equals, with no individual among them taking the central seat of authority.
They don’t need to. Their unity as the Body of Christ is sustained through the
real “Vicar of Christ”: the Holy Spirit.
***
Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made
fisherman all-wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through
them, drawing all the world into Your net. O Loving One, glory be to You. (Apolytikion
for Pentecost)
Source: https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/pentecost-icon-as-an-icon-of-the-church/
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