Why Is the End of the World Inevitable?

Russkaya Ikona (The Russian Icon) ^ | Viktor Krivorotov

[annalex]

Viktor A. Krivorotov wrote his first icon about 30 years ago. With his apprentices nun Vasilisa and Elisaveta Krivirotova he wrote icons and frescoes in many temples of Russia and abroad. Viktor Krivorotov calls icons "Jesus's Prayer in paint". Krivorotov restored: The Temple of Kazan Mother of God in Gornensky Convent in Jerusalem (1994); The Temple of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Vladykino, Moscow (1955). In the Trinity monastery in Alatyr, Chuvashia he wrote several iconostases and painted the refectory. In Knyagininsky convent of Vladimir he wrote two iconostases. For the altar of the Temple of Christ the Savior in Moscow Viktor wrote the icon "Behold I Come Quickly". He wrote for other temples in Moscow as well: the Great Ascension temple, the temple of the Nine Martyrs of Kizik, the temple of the Holy Martyr Tatiana, the temple of Saints Boris and Gleb, and others. Many icons are in the temples of Georgia, in particular over twenty in the Mzkheta Cathedral. He wrote icons for the USA (where he had exhibitions), Greece, Mount of Athon, Italy, Bulgaria and others. In 1999-2001 Viktor Krivorotov was the Chairman of the iconography section of the Union of Artists of Russia. Viktor Krivorotov and his helpers participated in many exhibitions and conferences in Moscow. They organized the School of Iconography in the Temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Peski. In Schukinsky prefecture Viktor Krivorotov leads the exhibition of religous art of Russia "The Christmas Album".

[annalex]

A random ping. Viktor is also a friend of mine.

[Kolokotronis]

" No doubt, the most uncompromising struggle with terrorism is necessary; the levees around cities should be most dependable, and the system of disaster forecasting has to be developed. But all these global measures are meaningless if men do not reassess the day just lived and do penance for the committed faults.

The Lord’s objective is not to punish men, but to awaken them, and if that task is accomplished, there will be no need for the disasters.

If man succeeds in understanding that his every action is driven by the force of his passions, and so he must carry the price for everything he does – the price expressed in problems, sorrows and illnesses, -- then he remembers his Creator and repents."

Very good; very Orthodox and very Russian. It never ceases to amaze me how Orthodoxy has shaped the Russian phronema, though I supose that's a sort of American chauvinism since I know full well what Orthodoxy did to the Greek worldview. Any links to his icons, Alex?

[annalex]

Krivorotov V.A.

A painfully slow server.

[kosta50]

It's a funny thing that on another thread I was explaining to ForesT Keeper that the goal of fasting is controlling (all) passions and excesses (luxury). The plain fact is that if you can't (or don't wnat to) control one passion, you are unlikely to control others.

I guess there are no coincidences. :)

[annalex]

I don't think there is a "problem of evil" in Orthodoxy. In Catholicism it is an external influence as well, not organic to the teaching of the Church. This article illustrates why. "In especially critical situations God sacrifices the blood of the innocent, whose death is the mercy of God [...] so far the Lord hopes for our awakening".

It is not complicated.

[Kolokotronis]

The icons are beautiful, Alex. The essay by your friend reminds me of the religious writings of the man who was probably the preeminent Greek icon writer of the 20th century, Photis Kontoglou. When your friend says that "Icons are the Jesus Prayer in paint", he points out a fundamental fact about icons which is often overlooked; not only do we prayer before the icons and either worship or venerate the subject of the icon, but also the icons themselves are prayers as is the process of writing them. Every good icon, even some very primitive ones, demonstrate the depth of the faith of the writer. And because they are indeed prayers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, they should never be used, as I have seen them, as mere decorative works of art.

(Continuing Orthodox Ed. FK!)

[annalex]

This is the cornerstone passage underlying St. Paul's anthropology. Viktor refers to it in part:

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it shall rise in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonour, it shall rise in glory. It is sown in weakness, it shall rise in power. 44 It is sown a natural [psychikon] body, it shall rise a spiritual [pneumaton] body. If there be a natural body, there is also a spiritual body, as it is written: 45 The first man Adam was made into a living soul [psychin zosan]; the last Adam into a quickening spirit [pneuma zoopoioun].

46 Yet that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; afterwards that which is spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, earthly [choikos]: the second man, from heaven, heavenly [kyrios ex ouranou]. 48 Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly: and such as is the heavenly [epouranios], such also are they that are heavenly. 49 Therefore as we have borne the image of the earthly, let us bear also the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption.

(1 Cor 15)

English does not have a good translation for "psychikos". "Psychic" is coopted by Gypsy women. "Soulful" -- by Aretha Franklin. "Natural" is unclear as it does not disambiguate between the flesh and the soul. In modern usage it tends to point to the flesh exclusive of the soul. The connection between the soul and the passions, so important in understanding the article, is often lost to the impoverished modern mind.

[annalex]

Photis Kontoglou

My own education in iconography owes much to you and the Cavarnos' book that you recommended. Of course, Cavarnos (Guide to Byzantine Iconography, Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Boston) is primarily a guide to Kontoglou.

[annalex]

Georgian connection bump

[annalex]

Hi.

[G Larry]

This is quite thought provoking!

Especially as we each become more aware of our own mortality.

[Salvation]

Saturday, October 7, 2006
Our Lady of the Rosary (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Acts 1:12-14 Luke 1:46-55 Luke 1:26-38 When women begin to dress immodestly, and men to make fun of religion, it is the beginning of the end. -- Seneca

[Nihil Obstat]

great post. This call for penance reminds me of the writings of Sister Lucia of Fatima in her "Calls" book. I wonder his opinion of Lourdes, Fatima, and Divine Mercy.

[Forest Keeper]

The plain fact is that if you can't (or don't want to) control one passion, you are unlikely to control others. I guess there are no coincidences. :)

Yes, I think this thread fits very well with what you have been saying, and I even agree. :)

[Forest Keeper]

(Continuing Orthodox Ed. FK!)

Thanks for the ping. I had never thought of an icon as being a prayer in and of itself. I think I can see what the author is saying.

[Romulus]

Good to hear from you. As you must know, the Storm inspired a great many conversations about the problem of evil and God's purpose in permitting great disorders of nature in this fallen world. The knee-kerk evangelical response is that Katrina was God's judgment on a sinful world -- as opposed to them, of course. Last week a rabbi well known for his pop self-help books opined here that Katrina was purely a natural event: "God was not in the hurricane", he says, yet somehow God is on our stout-hearted response. Oh, goody -- soothing liberal uplift, crafted with an eye to the marketplace in a profoundly Pelagian culture.

I have already offered my idea of what it all means, at another forum (the thread no longer exists):

We have been humbled and stripped. Maybe if we are stripped and humbled again and again and again, we will finally discover gratitude for what we we’ll have left at the end – thanksgiving, literally eucharist in this year of the eucharist – and maybe then we will finally discover holiness. And maybe that is why this Catholic city has been called to this terrible, transforming vocation.

Those who're too proud to be grateful are likewise too proud to realise all of creation needs a savior to defeat this beast Death. It's God's way to be so intent on our salvation that he strips away every impediment.

I hope you're well and happy. Though I'm all but invisible on the web these days, I think of my friends often, with affection and gratitude. I was married last month; we returned from Italy in mid-September and have been settling in. Thanks for the ping to this fine thread.

[annalex]

The call to penance is as old as John the Baptist. What this article underscores is that penance is a work of transformation rather than an intellectual exercise, because it is connected to the liberation of the "natural", -- passion driven, body. "It is sown a natural body, it shall rise a spiritual body".

[annalex]

Now I am going to have to translate several more of Viktor's articles, one of them quite long.

I'll keep you posted.

[annalex]

My previous post was more in response to 16 and its reference to the Jesus's Prayer.