Patriarch
Jesse
Sunday of the Holy Forefathers - December
11-17
Troparion (Tone 2)
Thou didst justify the Forefathers by faith, when of old
through them Thou didst betroth Thyself to the Church of the
nations. The Saints rejoice in the glorious fruit of their seed,
even in her who bore Thee seedlessly. By their prayers, O Christ
our God, save our souls.
This icon of Jesse is from the center, bottom of a huge icon of the Tree of Jesse. There are vines to the left and right with Old Testament Kings, Priests and Prophets; directly above is the Theotokos with Christ enthroned in her lap. We don't know much about Jesse, other than that he was the father of King David, who was "a man after God's own heart." But the Scripture honors him calling Jesus Christ the "root of Jesse". Romans 15:12: "And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust." So Jesse is portrayed asleep, to tell us in a way that we know his righteous character not so much by the works done in his own lifetime, so much as by the righteous line that proceded from him. That line which started with David and culminated with the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ our Savior.
This icon is from St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, by the hand of Constantine Youssis.
Order #ymj-07
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