Barnes in Common

the magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
March/April 2009

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Icons

by Paul Holland

Resurrection of Christ and the Harrowing of Hell (Recklinghausen, Ikonen-Museum)

I have always had a great love of Icons. If you have visited the Royal Academy and seen the Byzantine exhibition, you may have noted how the information besides each Icon speaks about the Icon “with” St Paul or “with” the Archangel Michael. This is a reminder that Icons are more than a representation of the saint, and are in effect a doorway into their presence. Because of this, Icons were venerated during the act of worship. This is not the same as being worshipped, rather it was showing respect to the reality, the image through which the Icon would draw the viewer.

In the Eastern Church the Resurrection is always depicted as Christ harrowing Hell – probably the most famous of these Icons is found in the Ikonen-Museum in Recklinghausen. Here Christ stands at the centre of the composition, framed by a darker mandorla. The darkness around the risen Christ, who is clothed in brilliant white garments speaks of the blinding splendour of resurrection light that cannot be compared to any other light.

In this Icon we sense a tremendous energy. The whole composition seems to be shaken alive with a tremendous invasive force. The rock faces that frame the background are thrown downwards in a violent jagged fashion as if inanimate reality itself is being forced into bearing witness to the amazing drama of Christ’s arrival in the underworld. Beneath Christ’s feet the doors broken open are now in the form of a cross, bearing witness to the triumph of his love trampling down death. Christ’s arms are stretched out taking hold of Adam and Eve and pulling them out of the darkness. Other figures in the Icon represent the prophets. Here the presence of Christ is fulfilling the expectations of those who have been waiting for the coming of the Saviour. The partial truth they represented is now made complete in the person of Jesus who draws them all into his own reality. The Resurrection itself can never represent God’s act which is always hidden, but the effect of his acts can be depicted. Looking at the Icon we are drawn in and invited to see Christ as fulfilling our hopes and deepest longings.