Rublev's Icon of the Trinity

Andrei Rublev:    Icon of the Holy Trinity

An icon is not just a painting; it is the fruit of many years of contemplation distilled into an image that is rich in Scripture and theology.  Rublev's icon of the Holy Trinity is the most famous image of Trinitarian life ever painted.  All three Persons of the Trinity are portrayed with wings to indicate that this is more than just an earthly gathering.  They are seated together at a table, with the 4th side open to the viewer.  And though seated, all three are holding staffs, or walking sticks, indicating pilgrimage on earth.  The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are walking with us on our journey through life. 

The Father, on the left, is robed in blue (for the heavens) and a shimmering, translucent garment.  The Son, in the center, wears the blue of heaven and the rich brown of earth--he has taken on the flesh of man, but still, over his shoulder he wears the gold band of authority and rule:  the government is upon his shoulder (Isaiah).

The Holy Spirit, on the right, wears blue for heaven and green for the freshness of creation.  Proverbs 8 and other Scriptures tell us that He is the agent of creation and renewal.  Behind the Son is the Tree of Life (Wisdom: Proverbs 4:23) -- Christ is the Wisdom of God.  But the tree also represents the wood of the cross, by which and through which we enter the Father's house, represented behind the Father with an open door and an upper-story window, through which he eagerly watches for the return of the Prodigal Son.

The Father gestures toward the Son, Whom He sends.  The Son looks to the Father, and gestures toward the Spirit, Whom He sends. The Spirit is looking both at the Father and out toward the viewer, inviting us to come to the table and to enter into the fellowship they share -- to eat at the divine table.  The food on the table is the Lamb of God, given to transform us into children of God. 

It has been said that the Father is the Table, the Son is the Food, and the Holy Spirit the Maitre D' who leads us to the table and the Waiter Who brings us the Sacred Meal. 

Beneath the table is a mysterious rectangle.  It is thought that at one time (15th C), there may have been a piece of polished metal attached to the icon to act as a mirror of the viewer, so that we could see ourselves at the Table of the Lord.

During His earthly life, Our Lord sat at table with sinners-- tax collectors, a woman cleansed of demons, and the apostles.  He is reflecting God's Presence in our lives, "sitting down" with us to share our fare in life in order to welcome us to His Table of Love, Peace, Acceptance, and Communion.  Revelation 3:20 says "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone will open to me, I will come in and dine with him and he with me."  Here we have another image -- one of host and guest.  At times, we dine with the Lord, sitting at His table of unimaginable grace and plenty.  At other times, He graciously sits at our table, sharing with us whatever we ourselves have to eat, no matter how sparse and weak our fare. 

Rublev's icon is the starting point for meditation and contemplation on the role the Most Holy Trinity wants to play in our lives.  If we have the courage to accept the outstretched hand of the Holy Spirit, we are invited to share the finest of wheat and drink all the days of our lives.