The Last Supper icon is perhaps one of the most famous to people all over the world. And if someone is not familiar with the icon, then it is difficult to find someone who has never...
Icon "Last Supper": meaning, what it helps with
From Masterweb
05.04.2018 22:01The Last Supper icon is perhaps one of the most famous to people all over the world. And if someone is not familiar with the icon, then it is difficult to find someone who has never heard of this biblical story. After all, it is fundamental for carrying out such an important church sacrament as the Eucharist, or Holy Communion.
Where can you see the icon?
Anyone who constantly takes part in services has probably seen the Last Supper icon in the church above the Royal Doors more than once. People who offer prayers to God before a meal at home hang it in the room where they eat.
Many people who are not involved in the Christian faith are most likely familiar with the fresco by the unsurpassed master Leonardo da Vinci. He worked during the Renaissance and wrote it for a monastery in Milan called Santa Maria delle Grazia. It decorates one of the walls of the refectory to this day; the painting is, in fact, an icon.
What is the meaning of the image, what does it symbolize, what does it serve? We will tell you below what the meaning of the Last Supper icon is and what it helps with.
Church sacrament
Throughout the year, the Sacrament of Communion, or Eucharist, is celebrated in the Catholic and Orthodox churches. It was established by Jesus Christ himself about 2 thousand years ago. In those ancient times, at the Last Supper, which took place on the eve of Easter, one of the most significant events in Christianity took place. (Then Passover was a holiday celebrated in honor of the rescue of the Jews from slavery in Egypt).
After the Savior washed the feet of his disciples, he shared the evening meal with them. The Son of God, having broken the bread, handed it over to the apostles, saying at the same time that this was his body. And then, handing over the cup of wine, he expressed the idea that this was his blood.
Since those times, the church, remembering that long-standing event, has been reproducing it, reflecting it in the rite of the Eucharist. During this sacrament, a person who has tasted specially prepared bread and wine, which miraculously became the body of Christ and his blood, is united with God and receives eternal life in heaven.
Thus, the meaning of the Last Supper icon is that it reminds us of such gospel events as the first communion of the apostles, the further betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas and his voluntary sacrifice by crucifixion for the forgiveness of the sins of all mankind.
Where should the icon be placed?
There are no strict rules about whether you need to have an icon of the Last Supper at home. But there is a tradition according to which in the house of a Christian who adheres to the Orthodox confession there should be icons depicting Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, and the Saints. But you can decide for yourself what kind of icons they will be.
Thus, having an icon depicting the Last Supper in your home is quite appropriate. After all, in Christianity it is customary to offer a prayer to God before eating food, so why not pray to this icon? Where is the best place to place it? To make it more convenient to pray, you can hang it above the table where family meals take place.
You can also find a place for it in your home iconostasis. It should be noted that the Last Supper icon, photos of which are given in the article, is valued so highly that it is allowed to hang it over the face of both the Savior and the Mother of God.
What do they pray for at the Last Supper?
Many are interested in the question of what kind of prayers should be offered to this image, how does the Last Supper icon help believers? Here are the answers to this question:
As already mentioned, Communion, closely associated with the Last Supper icon, occurs during the Liturgy almost every day. Therefore, the suffering of Christ, which he accepted on the cross, is constantly remembered by the church. However, there is also a special day on which tribute is paid to the memory of the secret meal that once took place in Jerusalem.
It is marked in the Calendar of Lent and falls on Maundy Thursday, which in 2018 fell on April 5th. On this day, believers again, with a sense of reverence, revive in their memory the great sacrament revealed by Jesus to his beloved disciples - the holy apostles. They empathize with his suffering, which he accepted for all people on the cross, mourn his death and rejoice at his resurrection. At the same time, they try to join him in soul and body, eating the Holy Gifts, praying, confessing and receiving communion.
Maundy Thursday in folk traditions
Maundy Thursday is also called Clean Thursday. As a rule, when it occurs, Christians strive to go to the bathhouse, and in the absence of such an opportunity, to swim at home. If a person is on the road, but does not want to deviate from traditions, it is enough for him to rinse his face and hands well.
In ancient times, peasants on Maundy Thursday preferred to draw water from a stream or source, since it was believed that such water, called “Thursday,” washes away the sins that have accumulated over the year and gives health. There was a sign according to which if a person threw an old thing into the river, then troubles and all sorts of troubles would flow away with it.
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On the eve of suffering on the cross and death, the Lord Jesus Christ celebrated His last meal with the disciples - the Last Supper. In Jerusalem, in the Zion Upper Room, the Savior and the apostles celebrated the Old Testament Passover, established in memory of the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery. After eating the Old Testament Jewish Passover, the Savior took bread and, thanking God the Father for all His mercies to the human race, broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying: “This is My Body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Then He took a cup of grape wine, also blessed it and gave it to them, saying: “Drink from it, all of you; For this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Having given communion to the apostles, the Lord gave them the commandment to always perform this Sacrament: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Since then, the Christian Church has celebrated the Sacrament of the Eucharist at every Divine Liturgy - the greatest sacrament of the union of believers with Christ.
Word for the Gospel reading on Maundy Thursday ( 15.04.93 )
The Supper of Christ is secret. Firstly, because the disciples gather around the Teacher, hated by the world, hated by the Prince of this world, who is in the ring of malice and mortal danger, which reveals the generosity of Christ and demands loyalty from the disciples. This is a requirement violated by the terrible betrayal on the part of Judas and imperfectly fulfilled by the other disciples, who fall into slumber from despondency, from gloomy forebodings, when they should be awake with Christ while praying for the Cup. Peter, in a daze of fear, renounces his Teacher with oaths. All the students run away.
Eucharist. Sofia Kyiv
But the line between fidelity, however imperfect, and completeness remains. This is a terrible line: an irreconcilable clash between His generosity and holiness, between the Kingdom of God, which He proclaims and brings to people, and the kingdom of the Prince of this world. This is so irreconcilable that as we approach the mystery of Christ we are faced with a final choice. After all, we are approaching Christ as close as believers of other religions cannot even imagine. They cannot imagine that it is possible to draw closer to God as we do when we eat Christ's flesh and drink His blood. It’s hard to think about, but what’s it like to say! What was it like for the apostles to hear for the first time the words with which the Lord established the truth! And woe to us if we do not experience at least a small fraction of the awe that should have gripped the apostles then.
The Last Supper is a mystery both because it must be hidden from a hostile world, and because in its essence is the impenetrable mystery of the last condescension of the God-man to people: the King of kings and Lord of lords washes the feet of the disciples with His hands and thus reveals His humility to all of us . How can you beat this? Only one thing: to give yourself up to death. And the Lord does it.
We are weak people. And when our hearts become dead, we want well-being. But while we have a living heart, sinful, but alive, what does a living heart yearn for? That there should be an object of love, infinitely worthy of love, so that one could find such an object of love and serve it without sparing oneself.
All people's dreams are unreasonable, because they are dreams. But they are alive as long as the living heart strives not for well-being, but for sacrificial love, for us to be pleased with ineffable generosity towards us and for us to respond to this with some amount of generosity and faithfully serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who is so generous to His servants.
Our Lord, in the person of the apostles, called us his friends. This is more scary to think about than to think about the fact that we are God's servants. A slave can hide his eyes in a bow; a friend cannot avoid meeting the gaze of his friend - reproachful, forgiving, seeing the heart. The mystery of Christianity, in contrast to the imaginary mysteries with which false teachings seduce people, is like the depth of the most transparent water, impenetrable to view, which, however, is so great that we cannot see the bottom; Yes and there is no bottom.
What can you say this evening? Only one thing: that the Holy Gifts that will be brought out and given to us are the very body and blood of Christ that the apostles partook of in an unimaginable shock of their hearts. And this meeting of ours is that same lasting Last Supper. Let us pray that we do not betray God's secret - the secret that unites us with Christ, that we experience this warmth of mystery, that we do not betray it, that we respond to it with at least the most imperfect fidelity.
The Last Supper in icons and paintings
Simon Ushakov Icon “The Last Supper” 1685 The icon was placed above the Royal Doors in the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery
Dirk Bouts
Sacrament of Communion
1464-1467
Altar of Saint Peter's Church in Louvain
Washing the feet (John 13:1 - 20). Miniature from the Gospel and the Apostle, 11th century. Parchment.
Monastery of Dionysiatus, Athos (Greece).
Washing the feet; Byzantium; X century; location: Egypt. Sinai, monastery of St. Catherine; 25.9 x 25.6 cm; material: wood, gold (leaf), natural pigments; technique: gilding, egg tempera
Washing the feet. Byzantium, XI century Location: Greece, Phokis, Hosios Loukas monastery
Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld The Last Supper Engraving 1851-1860 From illustrations for the “Bible in Pictures”
Washing the feet. Statue in front of Dallas Baptist University.
> icon of the Last SupperIcon of the Last Supper
Icon of the Last Supper talks about the Savior's very last meal with his disciples. The icon depicts Jesus and His twelve disciples, including Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Savior. The events that occurred during the Last Supper became the starting point of the Passion (Suffering) of Christ. Formally, the Supper in the chronology of the Passion is, of course, preceded by the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, now celebrated by the Orthodox as the Twelfth Feast and Supper in Bethany, where Christ was anointed with myrrh, designating Him as the Messiah - the anointed of God. But it is during the Last Supper that the following occurs:
- Washing the disciples' feet. Before the meal, according to ancient Eastern custom, Jesus, girding himself with a towel, washed the feet of His disciples. To the astonished question of the Apostle Peter: "Lord! Shall you wash my feet?" Jesus, having washed the feet of all the apostles, answered: “If I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, then you should also wash one another’s feet. Truly I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than he who sent.” Thus, the Savior showed an example of true Christian humility, knowing that he washed the feet of even Judas Iscariot, whose betrayal soon led to the end of Christ’s earthly life.
- Jesus' prediction of the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. During the meal, Jesus Christ said to his disciples: “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me...he who dipped his hand into the dish with Me, this one will betray Me.” To Judas' question: "Isn't it me, Teacher?" The Savior answers: "You said". A little later, Judas Iscariot will be the first of his disciples to leave the Last Supper in order to have time to lead the soldiers and slaves serving the high priests to the Garden of Gethsemane to capture Jesus Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, after praying for the cup, Judas again meets the Savior, surrounded by His disciples and apostles. So that the soldiers of the high priests do not mistakenly capture the Apostle Thomas, who is very similar in appearance to Jesus, Judas points them to Jesus with his welcoming kiss. For betraying the Teacher, Judas received thirty pieces of silver from the high priests. Repenting of his own unbelief, Judas threw the money he received in the temple and, coming out, hanged himself.
- Sacrament of Communion - Eucharist. Jesus Christ, distributing bread that He broke into pieces and wine to His disciples, said to the apostles: “Take, eat, this is My Body...Drink everything from the cup, for this is the New Testament in My Blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” The word Eucharist itself is of Greek origin and means “thanksgiving.” By eating the Body and Blood of Christ, we become part of oneness with God and at the same time thank the Savior for His sacrifice, which He made for us, freeing humanity from the burden of original sin at the cost of His torment. And now the Sacrament of Holy Communion is the basis of the church liturgy - the main Christian worship.
In the iconography of the Last Supper, there are several features characteristic of depicting the chosen apostles of Christ. Thus, the youngest of the apostles, John the Theologian, is depicted on the icon of the Last Supper reclining at the chest of the Savior. Judas Iscariot, for obvious reasons, lacks a halo. Often a wallet or purse is depicted in his hands - Judas was the treasurer of the apostles, he collected donations and managed the money collected. Jesus Christ is depicted with a cross-shaped halo, characteristic of His iconography.
The Last Supper icon will always serve as a reminder of the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ, because it was from the last joint meal of the Savior with His apostles that the Passion of Christ began, ending with His earthly death and subsequent Resurrection, which granted humanity the atonement for the original sin of the ancestors Adam and Eve.
Icon "Last Supper" is perhaps one of the most famous to people all over the world. And if someone is not familiar with the icon, then it is difficult to find someone who has never heard of this biblical story. After all, it is fundamental for carrying out such an important church sacrament as the Eucharist, or Holy Communion.
Where can you see the icon?
Anyone who constantly takes part in services has probably seen the Last Supper icon in the church above the Royal Doors more than once. People who offer prayers to God before a meal at home hang it in the room where they eat.
Many people who are not involved in the Christian faith are most likely familiar with the fresco by the unsurpassed master Leonardo da Vinci. He worked during the Renaissance and wrote it for a monastery in Milan called Santa Maria delle Grazia. It decorates one of the walls of the refectory to this day; the painting is, in fact, an icon.
What is the meaning of the image, what does it symbolize, what does it serve? We will tell you below what the meaning of the Last Supper icon is and what it helps with.
Church sacrament
Throughout the year, the Sacrament of Communion, or Eucharist, is celebrated in the Catholic and Orthodox churches. It was established by Jesus Christ himself about 2 thousand years ago. In those ancient times, at the Last Supper, which took place on the eve of Easter, one of the most significant events in Christianity took place. (Then Passover was a holiday celebrated in honor of the rescue of the Jews from slavery in Egypt).
After the Savior washed the feet of his disciples, he shared the evening meal with them. The Son of God, having broken the bread, handed it over to the apostles, saying at the same time that this was his body. And then, handing over the cup of wine, he expressed the idea that this was his blood.
Since those times, the church, remembering that long-standing event, has been reproducing it, reflecting it in the rite of the Eucharist. During this sacrament, a person who has tasted specially prepared bread and wine, which miraculously became the body of Christ and his blood, is united with God and receives eternal life in heaven.
Thus, the meaning of the Last Supper icon is that it reminds us of such gospel events as the first communion of the apostles, the further betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas and his voluntary sacrifice by crucifixion for the forgiveness of the sins of all mankind.
Where should the icon be placed?
There are no strict rules about whether you need to have an icon of the Last Supper at home. But there is a tradition according to which in the house of a Christian who adheres to the Orthodox confession there should be icons depicting Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, and the Saints. But you can decide for yourself what kind of icons they will be.
Thus, having an icon depicting the Last Supper in your home is quite appropriate. After all, in Christianity it is customary to offer a prayer to God before eating food, so why not pray to this icon? Where is the best place to place it? To make it more convenient to pray, you can hang it above the table where family meals take place.
You can also find a place for it in your home iconostasis. It should be noted that the Last Supper icon, photos of which are given in the article, is valued so highly that it is allowed to hang it over the face of both the Savior and the Mother of God.
What do they pray for at the Last Supper?
Many are interested in the question of what kind of prayers should be offered to this image, how does the Last Supper icon help believers? Here are the answers to this question:
As already mentioned, Communion, closely associated with the Last Supper icon, occurs during the Liturgy almost every day. Therefore, the suffering of Christ, which he accepted on the cross, is constantly remembered by the church. However, there is also a special day on which tribute is paid to the memory of the secret meal that once took place in Jerusalem.
It is marked in the Calendar of Lent and falls on Maundy Thursday, which in 2018 fell on April 5th. On this day, believers again, with a sense of reverence, revive in their memory the great sacrament revealed by Jesus to his beloved disciples - the holy apostles. They empathize with his suffering, which he accepted for all people on the cross, mourn his death and rejoice at his resurrection. At the same time, they try to join him in soul and body, eating the Holy Gifts, praying, confessing and receiving communion.
Maundy Thursday in folk traditions
Maundy Thursday is also called Clean Thursday. As a rule, when it occurs, Christians strive to go to the bathhouse, and in the absence of such an opportunity, to swim at home. If a person is on the road, but does not want to deviate from traditions, it is enough for him to rinse his face and hands well.
In ancient times, peasants on Maundy Thursday preferred to draw water from a stream or source, since it was believed that such water, called “Thursday,” washes away the sins that have accumulated over the year and gives health. There was a sign according to which if a person threw an old thing into the river, then troubles and all sorts of troubles would flow away with it.
Surely every person who believes in the Lord has heard this icon. As a rule, the Last Supper icon is located above the main entrance of the church and people who often visit the church can see it. Moreover, even those who have never been to the temple and have not visited a single holy place may be familiar with this icon thanks to the famous fresco painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
This icon depicts the last days of Jesus Christ. That day, he called all his followers and treated them to bread, which symbolized his body suffering for human sinful acts. Also, as a treat, the Son of God invited them to drink wine, symbolizing his blood, which would atone for all the sins of people who sincerely believed.
These two main symbols were later used to celebrate Communion.
In fact, they are still used today, and the gospel scene indicates where the tradition came from.
If you think more deeply about what the Last Supper icon means, it becomes clear - it is filled with hidden meaning and is the banner of true faith and the unification of all humanity. Recently, scientists were able to find out that Jesus performed a Jewish ritual during the supper. Many may think that in this way he violated ancient traditions. However, it’s the other way around; by his actions he proved that serving God is possible without separation from society and even the existing way of life. Thus, Christ, in fact, followed the traditions that existed a long time before him and breathed into these traditions a new meaning - a saving meaning for all humanity.
Where is the icon located?
No one can know exactly what time this event took place. It is also impossible to know exactly how it became known that a traitor was at the dinner. One thing is certain: if a person is imbued with faith and wants to decorate his home with the face of saints, then he can undoubtedly hang an icon depicting the Last Supper.
If we consider where to hang the Last Supper icon, the meaning does not change depending on the room. Many people prefer to hang it in the kitchen or dining room. This image can help everyone who wants to communicate with the Lord and tell him about their troubles. In addition, this image can send a blessing that helps in preparing food. Before and after a meal, praying in front of this icon can express gratitude to God for the food sent.
In general, the meaning of the Last Supper icon is fundamental for believers, as it speaks of one of the most significant gospel events and the feat of Christ.
Many people consider it unacceptable to place such an image in the bedroom, but just like in the kitchen, there are no prohibitions here. If we are talking about an Orthodox home, then icons can be located almost everywhere (perhaps, unless the bathtub is an unacceptable option). Otherwise, the blessing of the icon will help both in the kitchen and in the bedroom.
How does the Last Supper icon help?
As was said earlier about the Last Supper icon, its meaning in the house is multifaceted.
The image can be used in various rooms and help in various matters
If we talk about the most practical and vital meaning, then the image is most often used to illuminate food.
In addition, the image can be used to pray after the fall and violation of any vows. After all, as you know from the description, the icon of the Last Supper is connected with this. After all, Christ himself spoke about the apostles who would leave him in fear, about Judas who would betray and Peter who would deny.
The Lord Himself spoke about such manifestations, which, perhaps, should be called lack of faith. The apostles themselves, who later showed miracles and almost all suffered martyrdom, behaved cowardly when Christ was taken into custody. Therefore, believers can repent before this image.
Who is depicted in the icon of the Last Supper
Closest to the Savior is John the Theologian, who asks about the traitor. Judas himself reveals himself, he stretches out his hand to the cup and stands out from among the other apostles.
Other icons also depict Christ and the apostles, but the emphasis may be on, for example, Christ breaking bread, creating the tradition of the Eucharist.
Prayer and akathist to the Last Supper icon
The veneration of the icon falls on Maundy Thursday during Easter week; this day is moveable, that is, each year it is calculated separately depending on the day of Easter.
Prayer
Thy secret supper this day, O Son of God, receive me as a partaker: I will not tell the secret to Thy enemies, nor give Thee a kiss like Judas, but like a thief I will confess Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
May the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be not for judgment or condemnation for me, Lord, but for the healing of soul and body. Amen.
Master Lord Jesus Christ my God, who, for the sake of Your ineffable love for mankind, at the end of the ages was clothed in flesh by the Ever-Virgin Mary, I glorify Your saving providence for me, Your servant, Master; I will sing praises to You, because for the sake of the Father I have known You; I will bless You, for whose sake the Holy Spirit has come into the world; I bow to Your Most Pure Mother in the flesh, who served such a terrible secret; I praise Your angelic faces, as the singers and servants of Your Majesty; I honor John the Baptist, who baptized You, O Lord; I honor the prophets who proclaimed You, I glorify Your holy apostles; I triumph and the martyrs, and I glorify Your priests; I worship Your saints, and I cherish all Your righteous ones. I bring such and such a many and ineffable face of the Divine into prayer to Thee, Thy all-generous God, Thy servant, and for this sake I ask forgiveness for my sin, grant me all of Thy for the sake of the saints, more abundantly than Thy holy bounties, for Thou art blessed forever. Amen
Troparion for Maundy Thursday
voice 8
When the glory of the disciple / at the thought of the supper is enlightened, / then the evil Judas, / sick with the love of money, becomes darkened, / and betrays the Righteous Judge to the lawless judges. / See, the steward of the estate, / used strangulation for these sake! / Flee the unsatiated soul, / To such a teacher who has dared: / Who is good to all, O Lord, glory to Thee.
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