Rublev’s Icon of the Trinity
Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF--2010
1
Icon of the Trinity
Icon reveals the inner life of the Trinity,
Marked by a communion that is both
centripetal and centrifugal,
The aim is “being with” the Trinity,
sharing in communion by being in
relationship made possible through
baptism.
Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF--2010
2
The Father
• Clothing a mixture of all colors, only
a small sign of divinity…the Father is
only fully revealed by the Son,
• Holds staff with two hands—all
power in heaven and on earth,
• House behind him, open windows
and doors—sign of God waiting for
us—his house is always open.
Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF--2010
3
The Holy Spirit
• Clothing transparent—divinity shines
through, not weighed down by
humanity,
• Bowed toward the Son while focused
on the Father,
• Hand on the table…makes holy the
sacrificial offering,
• Symbol of the mountain—sign of
theophanies.
Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF--2010
4
The Son
• Clothing—humanity and divinitystripe of kingship,
• Two fingers on the table—another
sign of two natures,
• Inclined toward the Father in
attentiveness, ready to do the will of
the Father,
• Seated across from opening at the
table,
• Symbol of the tree—the cross as the
tree of life.
Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF--2010
5
A Sending Community
The Father sends the Son
as his unique and full
revelation, the Son sends
the Spirit to create out of
all humanity a
communion, to continue
to extend this communion
to people throughout the
ages.
Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF--2010
6
Church is missionary by her very
nature…
Christ as the definitive
self-revelation of God is
the fundamental reason
why the Church is
missionary by her very
nature. She cannot do
other than proclaim the
Gospel…(RM 5).
Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF--2010
7