Kievan Icon "Sophia the Wisdom of God"

Kievan Icon Sophia the Wisdom of GodWisdom, or Sophia, here means the Son of God about whom the Book of Wisdom says: "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars" (Prov. 9:1). Reference is made here to Christ, the Son of God, who is called "Wisdom of God" in the Epistles of the Apostles (Cor. 1:30), and the word „house" refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary of whom the Son of God was incarnated.

 

The icon testifies to the fulfilment of the prophecy. It shows God the Father and God the Holy Spirit and, next to them, seven Archangels with symbols of their service in hand. Under a cloud and the crescent on which the feet of the Mother of God rest, stands the ambo with seven steps symbolising the Church of God on earth. Standing on the steps are forefathers and prophets who are to be found in the Old Testament as witnesses of Wisdom. The steps of the ambo carry inscriptions: faith, hope, love, purity, humility, charity, glory.

 

 

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