MYSTERY OF THE

HOLY TRINITY

One of the most remarkable of icons in the Christian Church is that of the monk Andrew Rublev who lived from 1370 to 1430. At first sight, one would not think of this icon as the traditional and authentic representation of the Holy Trinity. What one initially sees is a group of three figures sitting at a table. But, remember, the Trinity itself is mystery, and any attempt to set this mystery into iconographic terms is fraught with difficulties.

What we have, then is a historical scene from the Old Testament whish tells of the visit of three men to Abraham and Sarah under the oak tree at Mambre. The story is told in the 18^th chapter of Genesis. The Church has interpreted and designated this as a representation of the Holy Trinity. Indeed, it is the icon of the Trinity whish the Church feels best conforms to its theology.

The visitors to Abrahan are depicted as Angels to show that they belong to the heavenly realm. Notice how the wings are inter-twined to indicate unity. There is a flowing, circular movement in the depiction of the three. There is also an austerity – the table is all but bare, containing only the dish with a sacrificial animal, considered a symbol of the Eucharist. Even Abraham and Sarah are absent. The home of Abrahan forms the background, and the oak is shown. There is a silence, a solemnity about the figures. One senses the peace, the inner communication. The faces and figures are all but identical, although the coloring is not.

This is surely an icon to be reflected on.