This is my first icon, the icon of Saint Michael the Archangel. Students with the Prosopon School paint this icon as their introduction into iconography. Tatiana Berestova was my instructor at this workshop. By beginning with the Archangel Michael, the new student receives the protection and strength of this Saint to do battle against the many evil forces which daily place stumbling blocks in our path. From the first time I saw this icon in class I fell in love with icons. I was struck by its simplicity of design, its brilliant colors and the saint's sense of poise. Saint Michael is wearing armor, ready to do battle, and holds a warrior's staff in one hand, and an orb containing the Eucharist in the other. This icon is a permanent part of my private collection, a constant reminder of where I began in this journey.
In the Book of Revelation (12:7-9), we read about Saint Michael's victorious war with the devil:
Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.
In the Book of Revelation (12:7-9), we read about Saint Michael's victorious war with the devil:
Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.
RSS Feed