September 1
This image, taken from a drawing in the Rudder (a book listing the canons of the Church), depicts Christ at the rudder of a ship. On the ship are the Apostles and Hierarchs of the Church, as well as the Mother of God. At the front of the ship sits St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain who compiled the Rudder. This icon depicts the Church as an ark of salvation led by Christ but filled with His holy ones.
Remember O Lord, Thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
which Thou hast purchased with Thy precious blood.
Confirm and strengthen it, enlarge and multiply it,
keep it in peace, and preserve it unconquerable by the gates of hell forever.
Heal the schisms of the churches, quench the ragings of the heathen,
speedily undo and root out the growths of heresies,
and bring them to naught by the power of Thy Holy Spirit.
Order a prayer card of this icon
One Response to “Mystical Icon of the Holy Church”
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March 25th, 2013 at 9:30 pm
[...] Musings on Orthodox Ecclesiology & Ecumenical Dialogue Posted on March 26, 2013 by Phim Mystical Icon of the Holy Church, by Deacon Matthew Garrett. Found here. [...]