This Syriac Orthodox Icon Exhibition was held at St. Ignatious Mission Chapel, Dallas, TX on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
Around one hundred reproduced and original Syriac Orthodox icons written on Christological events will be displayed. Most of these icons are from the 5th to 15th century and were preserved in the British Library, Rabbula Gospels, Church of Forty Martyrs in Mardin, Church of Mor Sobo in Hah, Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate, Vatican Syriac Collection, and churches in Malankara. In addition, a unique icon of the saints in India, where Christ and Apostle St. Thomas are portrayed with the saints in Malankara, will be on display.
As you know, Orthodox icons are not simply paintings or creations of the imagination. Instead, icons are ‘theology in color’ that express our faith, teachings, and worship. The Syriac Orthodox Church has a very robust and vibrant tradition of visual depiction. In its aesthetics and popularity, though toned-down compared to the Byzantines, the Syriac Orthodox icon tradition is sublime. The purpose of this icon exhibition is multifold and not limited to disseminating the unique Syriac Orthodox iconographic tradition. This event also hopes to be instrumental in reminding our divine call to proceed from the restored ‘image of God’ to the ‘likeness of God.’ We pray that, by God’s grace, this visual feast may strengthen the prayerful spectator to be more like the living icon of Christ in the world today.
A lecture on ‘Image and Theology in the Syriac Tradition’ is organized from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the same day. The Dean of Agora University, a scholar of Ancient Near Eastern and Hebrew Bible studies, Prof. Michael Wingert, Ph.D., will deliver the lecture, followed by a brief interactive session.
A series of associated events are planned online, in partnership with the Department of Syriac Studies of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate, Agora University, and Urho, The Way.
All glory to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen!
Fr. Mathew Jacob
Fr. Renjan Mathew, Ph.D.
St. Ignatious Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Cathedral 2707 Dove Creek Ln. Carrollton, Texas 75006
Archbishop Mor Bishop Titus Yeldho consecrates a newly written icon of the Syriac Orthodox saints of Malankara (India), which includes martyrs St. Thomas the Apostle and Patriarch Mor Ignatius Hidayat Aloho (Ahathulla), and saints Mor Gregorios Abdul Jaleel, Mor Baselios Yeldho, Mor Baselios Shakralla, Mor Gregorios Geevarghese, Mor Ignatius Elias III, Mor Coorilos Paulose, Mor Knai Thoma, Mor Athanasius Paulose, Mor Osthatheos Sleebo and Mor Coorilos Yuyakkim – all standing alongside our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Syriac Icons of the Liturgical Year – Archbishop H.E. Dr. Mor Severus Roger, Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies and Director of the Department of Syriac Studies at the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate focuses on the Liturgical year and its divisions, a survey of the various manuscripts and archives of Syriac icons, and an overview of a few images from the Nativity cycle.
- Orthodoxy 101 – Syriac Orthodox Church and Icons – Dr. George Aramath – from St. Ignatious Cathedral and Mission Chapel, Dallas, TX
- Orthodoxy 101 – Syriac Orthodox Icons: King Abgar and Liturgical References – Fr. Renjan Mathew – from St. Ignatious Mission Chapel, Dallas, TX
- Image and Theology in the Syriac Tradition – Dr. Michael Wingert – from St. Ignatious Mission Chapel, Dallas, TX
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