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Artists are lucky. All they have to do is paint a representative “old chap” with a
philosopher’s beard and a sword, the rest is painted in accordance with the fashion of the time. And so, the modern Church has yet another portrait of the Paul the Apostle.
But what
if the sword is missing from the picture? Then, all that remains is an old chap with a philosopher’s beard. Without his sword, the holy apostle becomes invalid!
The icon neither has,
nor knows, nor needs any special attributes; all accoutrements for the purpose of being recognized are superfluous. From the start, its personal similarity is retained through the love for the Saint
represented.
It makes no different where the icon comes from or how old it is; an icon of the holy Apostle Pual will always be just that, and will bear his name.
The inscription which marks the
icon’s completion is, too, proof, evidence that the icon is the property of the saint portrayed. The inscribed icon must be consecrated. By the power of the consecration mystery, the icon is
taken into the service of the Church! Christians are convinced that the inscribed and consecrated icon actively participates in the church service through the presence of the represented saint.
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