www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Pentecost without the Theotokos - an Orthodox icon?

I have a question for our many icon experts on this forum...

I have often been bothered by icons of Pentecost that do not include the Theotokos.

Such as...

16th Century - Pentecost [skete.com]

Here is one with her:

Pentecost with the Theotokos [monasteryicons.com]

(I know...it is Monastery Icons...)

My rationale is simple:

1. It is quite clear from the book of Acts that the Theotokos was present with the apostles in the Upper Room at Penetcost.

2. The symmetry between Luke's account of Mary's "overshadowing" by the Holy Spirit and the conception of Christ and his account of a subsequent overshadowing of Mary and the Apostles at Pentecost resulting in the "birth" of the Church is completely lost without her in the icon.

Quite honestly, it feels tantamount to not including John the Forerunner in an icon of Theophany (Christ's Holy Baptism in the Jordan)!

What do others think? Is there an explanation I am missing here for her absence?

I look forward to your response!

God bless (and happy mother's day!),

Gordo

Dear Gordo,

I agree that the most complete icon of Pentecost is WITH the Most Holy Theotokos!

However, there are those that do not represent her and they are perfectly valid icons of Pentecost.

The fact that those icons do not depict the Mother of God despite the fact that Scripture states plainly that she was with the Apostles in steadfast prayer until Pentecost need not detract from the icon's worth or validity.

For example, icons of Pentecost, as the one you show, depict, at the top, St Paul the Apostle sitting with St Peter.

Now we know for a fact that St Paul had not yet come on the scene!

But he is depicted as one of the two "Chief Apostles" who later shared as well in the fullness of Pentecostal Grace and the mission of the Apostles of Christ.

An icon ultimately is not necessarily obliged to depict all the facts associated with an event - indeed, it will bring it elements and symbols that transcend the event, even though they are related closely to it.

The figure below, at the base, is sometimes referred to as a symbol of the "cosmos."

In fact, it is the Prophet Micah in whose book we find the words about the outpouring of the Spirit so that "young men would see visions" etc.

Alex

Christ is Risen!

I don't know if it is an explanation, or a mistake, or just a personal devotion, but whenever I see an icon of Pentecost, at which the Mother of God is not depicted, I consider that I am present at the scene, beholding the descent of the Holy Spirit through the eyes of the Mother.

Her experience there was so unique, being already an intimate of the Holy Spirit, a true bride of God since the holy Annunciation. At Pentecost, she received again the coming of the Holy Spirit in power. It will be an intimate re-union, and perhaps discretion suggests it not be painted.

While the Eleven were beginning their mission to the nations, Mary was entering into her silence, living with the Theologian. The icon is respecting her unique and silent mission, as the God's bride.

Beholding the scene through the eyes of the Mother, is a endless source of reflection, and a prompting to prayer.

the unworthy,
Elias

Bless, Father Elias,

Christ is Risen!

For me, the icon of Pentecost with the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary signifies the theme of her role as "Mother of the Church" who nurtures the Body of Christ etc.

It is a further illustration of the truth that St Theophane the Recluse indicated that "just as mothers nurture their children, so does the Mother of God nurture us in Holy Communion, for our Lord took His Body and Blood from hers."

Such an icon also underlines another moment in her life when she was filled with the Holy Spirit in her dynamic growth in Theosis, beginning with her Conception in the womb of her mother, St Anne, the Annunciation and others.

Alex