Η Άμπελος - The Vine

              70x50cm - 19.6x27.5inch.   Egg tempera and gold leaf 22k on halos                                              

"Ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀληθινή,καί ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ γεωργός ἐστι.Πᾶν κλῆμα ἐν ἐμοί μή φέρον καρπόν,αἴρει αὐτό, καί πᾶν τό καρπόν φέρον,καθαίρει αὐτό, ἵνα πλείονα καρπόν φέρῃ."

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"The Vine" or the "Tree of Life".

Christ said to His disciples, "I am the vine and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit he takes away, and every branch of mine that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2).

This Orthodox icon first appeared in the 15th century. Christ sits as though He is enthroned at the bifurcation point of the vine's branches. He has an open Gospel on His knees. His arms are raised high giving a benediction with both hands. Branching out from the trunk of the vine are twelve shoots where the Apostles sit on the branches. Peter and Paul are closest to Christ. They hold either a book or a scroll.