Holy Trinity
Andrew Rublev wrote this Icon in 1425 in memory of the great Russian - Saint Sergius
The Most Holy Trinity is portrayed as three angelic pilgrims. This depiction finds its origin in the Book of Genesis, when the Lord appeared to Abraham in the guise of three mysterious strangers.
The three divine pilgrims are seated around a table, forming a circle, which is the symbol of unity, each holding an angelic staff in his left hand, emphasizing their equal authority. Christ who is seated at the middle of the group, wears a dark crimson coloured inner robe, a sign of His Divinity, and a blue coloured cloak, which signifies His humanity. The angel who is seated at the left hand of Jesus represents God the Holy Spirit. He wears a robe of light blue, this colour is traditionally reserved for the Holy Spirit. His green coloured cloak is a sign that the Holy Spirit is the animator of all creation, a Link between Heaven and earth, between God and humanity.
The holy angel who is at the right hand of Christ represents God the Father. The colour of His garments are the same as of the Son's and of the Holy Spirit's only in different shades. This is an indication of the mystery of our belief in the undivided Trinity and a revelation of God's unique nature.
In the very center of the circle, formed by the three angels, there is a bowl on the altar, containing the lamb which was prepared by Abraham and Sarah for their divine guests, who in turn established a covenant with the old couple through the joyous announcement of the long promised heir. The lamb which was offered by Abraham to his mysterious visitors is an allusion to the sacrificial lamb, chosen by God before the creation of the world, His only begotten Son. Christ's mission, which He willingly accepted, is to offer Himself, His Body and Blood on the tree of Calvary for our sins, thus establishing a "New and Everlasting Covenant". Christ points with two fingers towards the bowl, indicating its significance. He, the unblemished Lamb of God, fully human and fully divine, is the only acceptable sacrifice to the Almighty Father. God the Father gives approval and encouragement by a blessing gesture of His right hand. The Holy Spirit emphasizes, by pointing to the rectangular opening at the front of the altar, that this divine sacrifice is indeed a sacrifice for the whole world (the rectangle being a symbol of the earth).
By God's gift of new life through the Holy Spirit, the tree behind Christ, becomes the tree of Life for us. The church building behind the Father is a visible sign that God has chosen to dwell among us and He will remain with us always. The mountain with the mouth of a cave behind the Holy Spirit is an indication that God came to illuminate the darkness which engulfed us from every side. In the silence and solitude of the desert, in the deepest recesses of our heart, standing before God, we become capable of hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. The gentle voice of God calling each of us to enter into a true and ever deeper communion with the Holy Trinity through prayer and contemplation.
