Picture in Focus: The Ascension by Kateryna Shadrina

May 14, 2022

Picture in Focus: The Ascension by Kateryna Shadrina

The Feast of the Ascension falls this year on May 18th. The Gospel narratives about how Jesus was taken up into heaven do not specifically mention the Virgin Mary being with the disciples who looked on when Christ disappeared from their sight, but we know from the account in the Book of Acts she was among the followers of Christ who gathered in the upper room after the event. Byzantine icons of the Ascension traditionally accorded Mary the special place of honor at the center of the crowd eyewitnesses on the Mount of Olives directly beneath Christ enthroned in glory.  This week's Marian-themed image from the Sacred Art Pilgrim Ukrainian collection by Ukrainian Greek Catholic Artist Kateryna Shadrina follows this convention. The icon-maker from Lviv is known for her vibrant use of color, reminding us that pure white light is composed of all the hues of the spectrum. Her new image of the Ascension joins other contemporary icons on the New Iconography of Lviv page in the Schools of Sacred Art section. Pray for Peace in Ukraine! (John Kohan)