Among the images of Jesus Christ created by icon painters, there is one unique in its own way. This is the icon “Savior Good Silence”, in which the Son of God appears before the viewer in the guise of an Angel of Light, that is, even before his incarnation from the Blessed Virgin Mary and appearance to people. According to the tradition established by the Orthodox Church, September 28 is considered the day of veneration of this image. Let's dwell on it in more detail.
Rare image of the Savior
The Good Silence icon first appeared in Russia in the 15th century. There are records that during the reign of Grand Duke Ivan III Vasilievich this image was painted by a Moscow painter, whose name is not mentioned, and placed in the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral. For a long time, he remained the only image of the Savior, made in such an unusual interpretation. Note, however, that there is an opinion that the image was brought to Moscow from St. Athos, where such a tradition of iconography had a long history.
The next mention of this icondates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when it was written specifically for the St. Petersburg Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, erected in 1907 at the site of the death of Emperor Alexander II, who fell at the hands of terrorists. Somewhat later, similar images appeared in some churches in the Yaroslavl and Rostov regions.
The image revered by the Old Believers
It is also known that the Good Silence icon was one of the images highly revered by the Old Believers, that is, those who, having rejected the reform carried out in the 17th century by Patriarch Nikon, broke with the official Church. In the interpretation adopted by these people, the silence of Christ symbolizes their own forced silence, which was the result of persecution by the authorities. It is generally accepted that among the Old Believers the image became widespread already at the beginning of the 18th century.
Angel with double halo
Let us briefly dwell on the artistic and compositional features of the Good Silence icon, the photo of which is placed in our article. As mentioned above, Jesus Christ is represented on it as a bright angel, and not in human flesh, which He assumed in order to atone for original sin by suffering. It was about Him that the prophet Isaiah spoke in his prophecy concerning the coming into the world of the Messiah. This is the main feature of the image.
In addition, its distinguishing feature is a double halo, consisting of a circle, in which a religious symbol is inscribed - the eight-pointed "Star of Eternity", consisting of two intersecting squares. Receivedconsider that one of them symbolizes the divinity of the Almighty, and the other - His incomprehensibility for people. At the ends of the star, Greek letters are often depicted, making up the word "Existing", that is, existing.
A few simple but expressive details
According to the established tradition, the figure of the Savior is depicted dressed in a snow-white tunic, the color of which serves as a symbol of purity and purity. At the same time, the cuffs (bandings of the sleeves) are perceived by believers as bonds that pulled Jesus together during the unrighteous judgment inflicted on Him by Pontius Pilate.
Rive the attention of the viewer and the eyes of the Savior. Unlike other images, where His gaze is full of severity and sadness, on the icon “Good Silence” the angel, as it were, looks inside Himself, preparing to accept everything that God the Father has destined for Him. The feeling of the highest humility and humility is conveyed to the viewer with arms crossed on the chest, as well as wings folded behind the back.
It is characteristic that Orthodox monks see in the icon "Good Silence" a visible personification of hesychism - the spiritual practice underlying their life, consisting of calmness, removal from the world, silence, peace and liberation from carnal passions. This helps the monks to approach the angelic life even in the flesh, and this image serves as a guiding star for them.
The meaning of the angelic image of the Savior
The meaning of the icon, on which the Savior is represented in the form of an Angel,extraordinarily great, because it reveals the whole of His theological conception with extraordinary fullness and at the same time brevity. First of all, the Savior Emmanuel appears before the viewer - the Eternal Logos, that is, that Will of God, without which the world could not be created. In addition, He is also the sacrificial Lamb, who washed away human sins with His blood. In addition, the snow-white surplice in which Jesus is dressed indicates to the audience that in front of them is a priest leading them to unity with the Creator.
Another important detail is long-suffering, which is filled with the angelic face of the Savior. It testifies that He is ready to wait for all earthly sinners to turn to Him, regardless of the severity of their deeds. An example of this is the Prudent Thief, crucified on the cross at the right hand of Jesus Christ and, by virtue of his repentance, became the first person to gain the Kingdom of Heaven.
How does the Good Silence icon help?
It is impossible to give a monosyllabic answer to this question, because in front of any icon, regardless of whose image is depicted on it - whether the saint of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Savior Himself - you can offer a variety of prayers with requests for sending down grace to solve all earthly problems. Only a deep faith in the omnipotence of the Creator and the sincerity of our feelings are important. But at the same time, a certain tradition has developed that determines the subject of petitions addressed to one or another Heavenly Forces. In a certain way, this also applies to the prayers offered in front of the Good Silence icon.
So, the extraordinary humility that filled the face of an angel allows us to hope that prayers for the bestowal of strength and patience in the face of life's adversities will most likely be heard. This is especially relevant for those lying on the bed of illness and leaving no hope for God's help.
Humility is equally necessary for people who find themselves in one or another extreme situation. They are also recommended to seek the intercession of the Heavenly Forces, offering prayers before the bright face of the Angel-Creator of all things, since it is He who, sending down earthly blessings, at the same time allows suffering to appear in the world, purifying and ennobling human souls.
