Life of Pachomious, chapter 73
[ this Egyptian monastic work documents
the very practical aspects of his construction
of community. . .around marginal farming &
manufacture. . .community prayer of the
Eucharist and the Daily Office. ]
Pachomious's foundations were established
close to the farmlands of the Niles, composed
346 C.E. - 5th Century
Here is the revelation that our father
Pachomious saw while he was praying:
He was looking at the east wall of the
sanctuary and the wall became all golden,
and on this wall there was a great icon
(eikon ) in the manner of a great panel
painting of someone with a great crown
on his head. This crown was of
immeasurable glory and around his crown
were images of different colors like
Precious Stones,
which are indeed the fruits
of the Holy Spirit, namely
faith,
uprightness,
fear,
compassion,
purity,
humility,
justice,
long-suffering,
kindness,
sweetness,
temperance,
joy,
hope, and
perfect charity!
page 137 of The Dawn of
Christian Art in Panel Paintings
and Icons (2016: J. Paul Getty
Museum publisher)
Chapter 4 "Icon Stories & Visions"
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