About the Icon of the Last Supper

The words in the background mean "Mystical Supper" and refer to the glorious mystery of the Sacrament of His body and blood that Christ our Lord gave to His Church.

Christ is depicted at the center of the icon, elevated, and slightly larger than the twelve.  His right hand is raised as the declaration is made of the bread, "This is my body."  The beloved Apostle John leans on our Lord's breast, even as Judas leans forward to dip his bread.  This calls to mind the words of Jesus on Maundy Thursday, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me."

The two candles on the table evoke the imagery of a holy altar from which the people of God are yet given to receive the holy body and blood of Jesus in the divine service for the forgiveness of sins.  Our Lord continues to perform this sacramental miracle until the end of this age.  It is written, "As often as you eat this bread and brink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes."

Icons on this site are courtesy of:
St. Isaac of Syria Skete