An
unknown Umbrian artist painted the Crucifix Icon in the 12th Century. There is
strong Syrian influence, and history tells us that there had been some Syrian
monks in the area.
It
is painted on wood (walnut) to which cloth had been glued. It is about 190 cm
high, 120 cms wide and 12 cms thick. It is more than likely it was painted for
San Damiano to hang over the Altar as the Blessed Sacrament was not reserved in
non Parish Churches of those times and especially those that had been abandoned
and neglected as we know San Damiano had been.
In
1257 the Poor Clares left San Damiano for San Giorgio and took the Crucifix with
them. They carefully kept the Cross for 700 years.
In
Holy Week of 1957, it was placed on public view for the first time over the new
Altar in San Giorgio's Chapel in the Basilica of St Clare of Assisi.
For
Eastern Christians the ICON is a representation of the living God, and by coming
into its presence it becomes a personal encounter with the sacred, through the
grace of the Holy Spirit. The San Damiano Icon is then a personal encounter with
the transfigured Christ - God made man. The Crucifix contains the story of the
death, resurrection and ascension into glory. It expresses the total and
universal Paschal Mystery of Christ. It invites us all to take part in it with a
lively and lived faith, just as St Francis did.
Christ's
saving death is shown in John's Gospel in its serene majesty, and this Crucifix
portrays this in picture form. It is not surprising that Saint Francis was
attracted to this Icon and that the inspiration for his life came from this
Christ who spoke to him "Go repair my Church ... ".
The
central figure of the icon is Christ not only because of the relative size but
Christ is a figure of light dominating the scene and giving light to the other
figures "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk
in darkness, but will have the light of life. " (John 8:12). Christ
stands upright, not nailed. The eyes of Jesus are open: He looks out to the
world, which He has saved. He is alive, the one who is eternal. Jesus' vestment
is a simple loin cloth - a symbol of both High Priest and Victim. The chest,
throat and neck are very strong, Jesus gives power of re-creation to His
Disciples (John 22:23). He breathed on His Disciples (John 20:22), the Greek
word used recalls the moment of Creation (Gen 2:7). The shadow over the face of
Jesus is increased by the fact the halo and face are tilted forward on the
original Icon. The humanity of Christ veils the true glory of the Word who lives
in the super illuminous darkness of the Godhead.
Behind
the outstretched arms of Christ is His empty tomb, shown as a black rectangle.
The Ascension is portrayed within this circle of red: Christ is
breaking out of the circle, holding a golden cross which is now His Royal
Sceptre. His garments are gold - a symbol of royalty and victory. His red scarf
is a sign of His Dominion and Kingship; exercised in love. Angels welcome Him
into Heaven. IHS are the first three letters of the name of Jesus. The little
bracket above indicates it is shorthand. NAZARE is the Nazarene; REX is' king'
and IUDEORUM is 'of the Jews', which is reported in St John's Gospel "
Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews"
From within the semi-circle at the very top of the Icon, He whom no eye
has seen reveals Himself in a benediction. This blessing is given by the right
hand of God with the finger extended - the Holy Spirit. The Father gives the
gift of the Holy Spirit to all because of the merits of the Christ's Passion.
Around the Cross are various calligraphic scrolls which may signify the
mystical vine "I am the vine, you are the branches... " (John
15), which also contain the words "Greater love has no one than this,
that one lays down one 's life for one friends ".
At
the base of the cross there seems to be a section that looks like a rock - the
symbol of the Church.
The
seashells are symbols of eternity - a mystery hidden in the vast and timeless
sea of eternity is revealed.
As in John's Gospel, Mary and John are placed side by side. Mary's
mantle is white meaning victory (Rev 3:5), purification (Rev 7:14); and good
deeds (Rev 19:8). The gems on the mantle refer to the graces of the Holy Spirit.
The
dark red worn under the mantic indicate intense love, while the inner dress is
purple - the Ark of the Covenant (Ex 26: 1-4).
Mary's
left hand is raised to her cheek - her acceptance and love of John, and her
right hand points to John while her eyes proclaim acceptance of Christ's words "Woman,
behold your son... " (John 19:26). The blood drips on to John at this
moment.
John's
mantle is rose colour indicating eternal wisdom, while his tunic is white -
purity. His position is between Jesus and Mary as is fitting for the disciple
loved by both of them. He looks at Mary "Son, behold your Mother",
but points to Christ.
There
are 33 figures in the Icon - Two Christ figures, 1 Hand of the Father, 5 major
figures, 2 smaller figures, 14 angels, 2 unknown at His hands, 1 small boy, 6
unknown at the bottom of the Cross and one rooster. There are 33 nail heads
along the frame just inside the shells and seven around the halo.
Mary
Magdalene is next to Christ making her very special; her hand is on her chin
indicating a confided secret "He is risen ". She wears scarlet,
which is a symbol of love; her mantle of blue deepens this.
Some authorities make her the mother of James. She wears garments of an earthen colour a symbol of humility, and her light green mantle - hope. Her admiration of Jesus is indicated by the gesture of her hand.
He
holds a piece of wood in his left hand, indicating his building of the Synagogue
(Luke 7: 1 - 10). The little boy beyond his shoulder is his son healed by Jesus.
The three heads behind the boy show "he and his whole household
believed" (John 4: 45 - 54). He has extended his thumb and two fingers,
a symbol of the Trinity, while his two closed fingers symbolise the hidden
mystery of the two natures of Jesus the Christ. "Truly He is the Son of
God" (Mark 15:39).
The
Roman soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a lance.
Tradition
gives this name to the soldier who offered Jesus a sponge soaked in vinegar wine
after Jesus cried out "I thirst" (John 19: 28 -30).
At
the bottom of the Icon are six unknown saints whom Scholars postulate are Sts
Damian, Rufinus, Michael John the Baptist, Peter and Paul, all patrons of
Churches in the Assisi area. St Damian was the Patron of the Church that housed
the Cross and St Rufinus was the Patron Saint of Assisi. There is too much
damage of that area to make a proper identification.
THE ASTONISHED ANGELS There
ate two groups of angels - animatedly discussing the scene unfolded before them.
"For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believes in Him shall not die but have life everlasting" (John
3:16).
As
mentioned before behind Christ is the open tomb; Christ is alive and standing
over the tomb. The red of love overcomes the black of death.
The
gestures of the unknown saints at His hands indicate faith. Could these be Peter
and John at the empty tomb? (John 20: 3 - 9).
Firstly,
the inclusion of the rooster recalls the denial of Peter who wept bitterly.
Secondly, the rooster proclaims the new dawn of the Risen Christ 1 the true light (1 John 2:8). "But for you who revere my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings" (Malachi 4:2 or 3:20 depending on your translation).
THE
SHAPE OF THE CROSS The
shape of the Cross has changed to enable the artist to include all who
participated in the drama of the Passion. Note that the arms of the cross lift
to Christ's right indicating that the Good Thief (traditionally called Dismas)
went to Heaven; while the left hand dips - the other thief did not.
Text
prepared by Brother Jim Cronly ofm Cap 1995