Comments on: Theophany from a child’s eyes.

By: seraphimholland

seraphimholland — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:23:27 +0000

I relate more to the “man of sorrows” part of Christ’s life. I smile a lot when I see my silly dog, or play with my grandchildren, but I never really forget how terrible things are for so many, and how I am blessed to have a small part in helping them.

By: helen

helen — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:07:28 +0000

Father Seraphim, my daughter Antonia, seven years old, and I think the picture is adorable and nice and so cute.

By: James

James — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:37:54 +0000

Icons contain the gaze of divine wisdom which is joy, and, though we sometimes see the wisdom that has come from sorrow. But a child's icon remains child-like in the wisdom of simplicity, thus, Jesus, Mary, the saints, smile. There really is no contradiction.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:29:47 +0000

Father, Bless,

I understand why icons are written without depicting smiling faces (although I have seen a few icons of the Theotokos and Christ child–[e.g.'Sweet Kissing'] where there seemed to be a slight smile on the lips of both Mother and Child.). I understand the reason for this tradition. But, in real life, I am not so sure there was not a smile, like the one in this child's sweet drawing, on the Savior's face, when the Holy Spirit descended and the Father said "This is my beloved son….."