Wisdom literature

Christ as Holy Silence

The wings in the icon represent heavenly origin.  The red robes Christ is wearing signify the Incarnation and the color of grace.  The diamond on his breast is surrounded by seven jewels, representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

In iconography, Christ as Holy Silence is sometimes depicted as masculine and at other times, as in this instance, in feminine form. The same can be said of the portrayal of Christ as Holy Wisdom.

Wisdom is personified in the Old Testament and identified very closely with God. In Hebrew and Greek Wisdom is feminine.

Early Christians understood Old Testament Wisdom literature as foreshadowing Christ. The Gospels tell of Jesus Christ in words that are often reminiscent of Holy Wisdom, and St. Paul more than once calls Christ the Wisdom of God. This icon accordingly portrays Christ as Wisdom incarnate.

 

 

Job

Chapter

40. 1-2

 

Lamentations

Chapter

3. 22, 22-26

 

Proverbs

Chapter

7.

 

Sirach

Chapter

6. 24-28

24. 31, 32-34

36. 12-13 (NAB), 18-19 (NRSV)

45. 4-5

 

Song of Solomon

Chapter

4. 12;16, 7.14

5. 6

7. 10

 

Wisdom

Chapter

2. 23, 24

11. 15-16