The Blessed Silence, Christine Thum Schlesser

Medium:  Egg tempera, natural earth ochres/minerals, 23.75 kt gold leaf on European linden wood gessoed board

Size:  10” H x 8” W

Location:  Private Collection

Theme Depicted:  One of the oldest depictions of the Holy Trinity, this icon found in the Russian Old Believer tradition is used in Hesychasm (interior silent meditation) as it represents the verse “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

God the Father is depicted by the ancient of days 8 point halo; the Holy Spirit is represented by the wings; Christ is shown with the implements of the Crucifixion.