Page 173 - maxim art monograph

It is one of the mature works of Bishop Max- im, with which he is now listed as one of the important and original Orthodox iconogra- phers. Without imitating any specific School from the old ones, but also without escaping from the real traditional ethos of the icons of the Orthodox Church, he gives us an im- age that presents all the hagiological char- acteristics that constitute the Orthodox icon of the Holy Forerunner John. This image can enter the churches, and we can pray to this Preacher of repentance, in the desert of Jor- dan, to the courageous judge of authority, and at the same time to the Saint who expe- riences the adventure of man and cares and helps him to overcome temptations walking with difficulty the path of love towards Christ and people. In front of us is a signifi- cant portrait that looks at us with a strong eagle’s gaze that prophetically refers to the words that Christ would later address to his disciples: “Take courage; I have overcome the world.”
This painting, which we believe will inspire iconographers of the future, is addressed mainly to young people who struggle with spiritual courage against evil and indiffer- ence. No less, however, it refers, with the unbeatable strength it emanates, to the fu- ture Kingdom, where we will live the over- coming of evil and love one another “in the likeness” of the Christ Archetype through- out the ages. — Stamatis Skliris
Holy Forerunner, acrylic on canvas, Sarajevo-Kraljevo, 2005-2023
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