I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:11-15, KJV)
The sacred images of Kateryna Shadrina from our circle of Ukrainian Greek Catholic icon-makers in Lviv can be easily recognized by their unusual color palettes of brilliant rainbow hues. She has created an image of Christ the Good Shepherd here as an action figure with hammered bronze features and incandescent orange halo, who holds the back legs of this wandering sheep with a roguish eye in a tight grip. It is not hard to image this flock-tender going after robbers and wolves, so dedicated to protecting his woolly charges he will lay down his life for them! Pray for the Peace of Ukraine. (John Kohan)