Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

As previously discussed, we are hoping to expand the presentation of Icons in the Hall of the Saints. Perhaps a brief understanding of the meaning of an icon as such is in order. To the contemporary reader an “icon” is a shortcut on your computer or smartphone that enables you to access a program or an app. This is, sadly, an unfortunate usurpation of a word that has been used in the church from the very beginning, appearing even in the New Testament. The word “icon” is derived from the Greek word for an image. Saint Paul tells us that “Jesus is the icon of the Father.”

As the Christian tradition evolved representing Jesus, the Virgin Mary, apostles, martyrs, and the saints became more and more common and acceptable. At first, as the earliest Christians often suffered prejudice and persecution, these images were often sketched onto catacomb walls and hidden within buildings. Chalks and basic paints were used. Remnants of such images can be seen all over the Mediterranean world. However, they are not to be understood as paintings. Indeed, many are made of inlaid wood, gold, and silver for example. The one who renders an icon prays the icon, he does not paint or manufacture it.

As the Eastern – rendered more often today as Orthodox and Byzantine – and Western – Roman Catholic – Churches evolved differing styles of representation of the saints developed. The Eastern Churches developed elaborate and intricate renderings in a prayerful art form called iconography. The West took more to the Roman style of sculpting statuary. Hence, the decoration of churches evolved distinctly in each region. If you were to go down Hillcrest Road and enter Kimisis Tis Theotokou you would see an elaborate display of very majestic icons. The same would be true at St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church on Route 34.

The church struggled with the role of these representations during the eighth century in the Iconoclasm Crisis. This developed because of the advancement of Islam into Christian territories of the Levant, North Africa, and Asia Minor. As Muslims and Jews reject and forbid any manifestations or representation of God, angels, or saints, some Christians in the East began to do the same. In 754 the Byzantine Emperor Constantine V banned the use of icons, and many were destroyed. Several Eastern bishops, and even some Synods, expanded and codified the ban. This, of course, was a grave controversy that stood as a potential source of schism. In 787 the Second Council of Nicaea decreed: “We declare that we defend free from any innovations all the written and unwritten ecclesiastical traditions that have been entrusted to us. One of these is the production of representational art; this is quite in harmony with the history of the spread of the gospel, as it provides confirmation that the becoming man of the Word of God was real and not just imaginary, and as it brings us a similar benefit. For, things that mutually illustrate one another undoubtedly possess one another's message.”

Similarly the Council issued several anathemas: “1. If anyone does not confess that Christ our God can be represented in his humanity, let him be anathema. 2. If anyone does not accept representation in art of evangelical scenes, let him be anathema. 3. If anyone does not salute such representations as standing for the Lord and his saints, let him be anathema. 4. If anyone rejects any written or unwritten tradition of the church, let him be anathema.” The use of Icons is not restricted to the West, and they have been reincorporated into Catholic churches in the US where they were less common, over the past few decades. One parishioner has already dedicated the Icons of the Apostles that are venerated in the Hall of the Saints. We wish to add additional Saints, especially those who stand as patrons for various groups and causes in the parish community.

We are designing the chapel with two sizes of icons. The larger size (smaller than the apostles) available for dedication are: St. John the Baptist, SS. Joachim & Ann, St. Luke, and St. Mary Magdalene. These are available for $250.

At $75, the saints available are: St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Monica, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Peregrine, St. Dymphna, St. Lucy, St. Dominic, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Vincent de Paul, St. John Neuman, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Cecilia, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Martha, St. Pio, St. Patrick, St. Thomas More, St. Christopher, St. Rita of Cascia, St. Maria Goretti, St. Faustina, and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

Please contact the parish office for more information.

May we always stand with the Saints and Angels in praising our God, and may they stand with us as signs of hope and inspiration.

Blessings,
Fr. Garry