Ecclesiasticus I: Introducing Eastern Orthodoxy
Ecclesiasticus II: Orthodox Icons, Saints, Feasts and Prayer
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The
icon of Christ as the true vine is a wonderful image of church unity.
In it, the Church gives yet another teaching image when combined with
the words of Jesus transcribed by the evangelist John (John 15). We read
of the relationship between the Father, Christ and man. In the icon, the
Apostles represent mankind, the husbandman Father is implicated in the
depiction of a healthy vine, and Christ is present as the powerful source
and center of the branches. The Apostles draw their strength and life
from Christ. As an image of unity, the most important aspect is that Jesus
Christ is the source and center. Without Christ there is nothing to unify,
nourish and give life. Indeed, without this nourishment it is not possible
to bear fruit and the barren branches will be taken away by the husbandman.
Yet when the branches abide in Christ, He abides in them. Abiding in Christ
brings about the fulfillment of His loving promise that we thereby find
that our joy may be full.
What
a marvelous image of Christian unity for everyday life, too. We see that
eclectic group, the Apostles; from Our Lord's beloved John; to Matthias,
chosen late by the drawing of straws; to the denying Peter; to Thomas
the doubter. It's a dissimilar, rag-tag group of men. But they are united
more powerfully than any group in history. This is a mystery. For without
losing individual character they remain one in their faith. God abides
in their hearts. This is what mystically unites them. The reality of this
has meaning to today's Christians. Just like that eclectic band, the Apostles,
the diverse group which are the individuals of today's church are united
when they abide in the nourishing vine, Christ. For if the fruit-bearing
Apostles, made one by common faith, are the icon of Christian unity, then
we see that unity is possible only with Christ as the source and center.
For as Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches."
This article first appeared in the Adbook for the
1996 Midwest Region Parish Life Conference hosted by St. Elias Orthodox
Church in Sylvania, OH.
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