![]() The image was used by Jesus in His teachings, after all: God in the flesh here to tell us ‘fleshy’ stories in order to lead us to Heaven. However, the popularity of the image is precisely because of its “earthiness”. (Click to enlarge)Ĭlearly the images of young souls reclining in the bosom of Abraham are symbolic, as are related images of feasting in paradise with the Three Patriarchs. The Mother of God, seated, is shown with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, seated on her right. “O Virgin, contemplating the bright splendour of your conception, Abraham, the friend of God, together with Isaac, and Jacob, rejoices with the choir of chosen holy ones…” (Ikos from Canon of the Fathers at Matins)įresco on west wall of Ferapontovo Cathedral. The hymns of the Church even present us with the image of all three Patriarchs in paradise, with the saved righteous (and the Mother of God): “O Sion, city of our God, lift up your voice and celebrate the memory of the Fathers, honoring Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…” (Stichera for the Fathers at Lauds) “… for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were the foundation of the prophets…” (Ode 9, ibid.) “Let us venerate the greatest of the Fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for in taking flesh of the Virgin from their line, Christ has been manifested as the Mighty God!” (Ode 4, Canon of the Fathers at Matins) The three are often considered together in the hymns of the Church: reclining on the breast of the patriarchs) at a great feast.Īs Jesus Christ’s earthly line is traced back through Jacob, Isaac and Abraham. “Sitting down” once again suggests paradise as being in a place of honour (i.e. To include Isaac and Jacob in this image of paradise is no mystery: Jesus also includes the three patriarchs in His images of paradise: “ And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven…” (Matt 8:11 emphasis mine). Jacob might have 12 small men in his breast, indicating the 12 sons – and tribes – of Israel. They are usually shown on either side of Abraham, all seated as befitting a person of honour sometimes they are also shown “nursing” small souls in their breasts. More often than not, Abraham is shown with two other patriarchs: his son, Isaac and his grandson, Jacob (renamed Israel in the Old Testament narrative). Here too, though, the image being shown is that of paradise, indicated by the luscious trees in the background (in this late 18th century Russian example, the trees are native “Christmas trees” which would be recognizable to the locals).įeasting with the three Patriarchs in Paradise (Nevyanskaya, c.1830s) Abraham’s bosom can also be found in the bottom corner of the All Saints icon. As it is an image of paradise, Abraham is shown as part of a larger picture – most commonly as a small part of a composition of the Last Judgement. He may also be holding out a sheet which supports the souls. ![]() Matt 18:3) nestling in Abraham’s chest, covered partially by his robe. ![]() They show this place of the afterlife quite literally, with numberless child-like souls (c.a. Most iconographic representations of Abraham’s bosom in the East, then, are shown in the context of paradise. The most well-known reference to the bosom of Abraham comes when Jesus tells the story of the “Rich man and Lazarus”, where the beggar ends up in Abraham’s bosom whilst the rich man is in hell ( Luke 16:19-31). Therefore, to be in the bosom of Abraham – the father of all the faithful – is to be in a particularly favourable place in the “feast” of the afterlife. It was considered a mark of honour to recline in the bosom of the master of a feast (c.f. As couches were often shared one person would naturally recline “in the bosom” of the person to his left. Among the Jews around the time of Jesus, it was normal to eat reclining on the left elbow on couches, with the right arm at liberty to eat. In most religions, even if only symbolically, Paradise is referred to in terms of joyous feasting with all the other righteous. The bosom of Abraham is an image used to refer to a place of comfort for the reposed, found in Judaic, and subsequently Christian, literature. Cherubim guarding the gates (Decani Monastery)
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