Icon of the Last Supper meaning for the home. Iconography and details of the Last Supper Icon

It is unlikely that you will meet at least one person who would not recognize the icon of the Last Supper. Due to its extraordinary nature, it immediately attracts the attention of believers. You can learn about the history and meaning of the icon, as well as which prayers are best read in front of it, from this article.

At all times, Christians were interested in the last days of the life of Jesus Christ. On the eve of Easter, all the events that happened to the Son of God until the moment of his death and resurrection are remembered at divine services. The Last Supper is one of the most revered icons in Orthodox world. Many are familiar with this image thanks to the famous fresco by the artist Leonardo da Vinci. Many people are interested in what is the meaning of this amazing icon..

The history of the icon "The Last Supper"

On the icon "The Last Supper" we can see the image of one of biblical stories which talks about last days earthly life of Jesus Christ. On this day, the Son of God called the apostles to the house, where he treated them to bread, a symbol of his body, and wine, which symbolizes the blood of the Savior. Subsequently, these attributes became the main ones for the sacrament of Communion.

The Last Supper is a symbol of the Christian faith. During a secret supper, the Son of God performed an ancient ceremony, thanks to which he was able to improve the old traditions. It is worth remembering that it was on this evening that the betrayal of Judas was revealed, when the believers not only accepted the sacrifice of their Savior, but also reunited with him.

Description of the image

Looking at the Last Supper icon, you can literally feel the atmosphere of mystery and tranquility that reigned that evening. At the head of the table is the Son of God, and the apostles are divided into groups. The eyes of those present are fixed on Jesus Christ. No one guesses that there is a traitor among the guests, because of whom the Savior will soon undergo terrible torment. The author depicted Judas sitting in a ridiculous pose and clutching a bag of silver in his hand. One of the elements that catches the eye is the elbow with which the traitor leans on the table, which not a single apostle did. The Apostle Peter clutches a knife in his hand, aimed at Jesus Christ.

The Last Supper icon has several variations. This affects only some elements of the image, but its meaning and meaning remain unchanged.

What helps the icon "The Last Supper"

Having replenished your home iconostasis with this icon, you will notice how the atmosphere in your home harmonizes. Conflicts between households will become a rare nuisance, and enemies will not be able to easily cross the threshold of your home.

It is recommended to hang the icon in the kitchen or in the refectory, so that before eating you always have the opportunity to turn to the Lord with thanksgiving prayers.

If the atrocities committed earlier haunt you, pray in front of the icon with a request for the remission of sins. At this moment, you must sincerely repent of your deed, only in this case the Lord God will hear your prayers.

Where is the divine image

The Last Supper icon adorns numerous churches in our country. Most often, it can be seen at the entrance to the church, where believers can immediately offer prayers in front of the holy image.

The famous fresco "The Last Supper", the author of which was famous artist Leonardo da Vinci also depicts all the events that took place during the secret dinner. On this moment you can see it in the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

Prayer before the icon "The Last Supper"

“Son of God, accept me, the servant (s) of God (s) (name), now at your Last Supper. May I not be a traitor and Your enemy, like Judas, so that You remember me in Your Kingdom. Let not the communion of Your Holy Mysteries be my judgment, but for the healing of my sinful soul. Amen".

Date celebration icons

Every year, the date of the celebration of the icon falls on April 7th. On this day, believers can visit the temple and pray before miraculously. It will also be a great addition to your home iconostasis and will create peace and harmony in your home.

Sometimes life gives us unpleasant surprises in the form of problems and additional difficulties, and at such moments we simply need the help and support of heavenly protectors. Thanks to simple ways you can call on your Guardian Angel in difficult times. May harmony reign in your life and don't forget to press the buttons and

04.04.2018 05:36

miraculous prayers often help in life. Little known but extremely effective prayer Saint Martha will help you...

Icon of the Last Supper

The icon of the Last Supper tells about the very last meal of the Savior with his disciples. The icon depicts Jesus and His twelve disciples, including Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Savior. The events that took place during the Last Supper were Starting point Passion (Suffering) of Christ. Formally, the Supper in the chronology of the Passion, of course, is preceded by the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, now celebrated by the Orthodox as the twelfth feast and supper in Bethany, where Christ was anointed with chrism, designating Him as the Messiah - the anointed of God. But it is during the Last Supper that the following things happen:

Washing the feet of the disciples. Before the meal, according to the ancient Eastern custom, Jesus, girded with a towel, washed the feet of His disciples. To the astonished question of the Apostle Peter: "Lord! Can you wash my feet?" Jesus, having washed the feet of all the apostles, answered: “If I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, then you must also wash one another’s feet. Thus, the Savior showed an example of true Christian humility, knowing that he washes the feet of even Judas Iscariot, whose betrayal soon led to the end of Christ's earthly life.

Jesus' prediction of Judas Iscariot's betrayal. To the question of Judas: "Is it not me, Teacher?" The Savior answers: "You said." A little later, Judas Iscariot will be the first of the disciples to leave the Last Supper in order to have time to bring the soldiers and slaves serving the high priests to the Garden of Gethsemane for the captivity of Jesus Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, after praying for a cup, Judas meets the Savior again, surrounded by His apostle disciples. So that the soldiers of the high priests would not mistakenly seize the Apostle Thomas, outwardly very similar to Jesus, Judas points them to Jesus with his greeting kiss. For the betrayal of the Teacher, Judas received thirty pieces of silver from the high priests. Repenting of his own unbelief, Judas threw the money he received in the temple and, going out, strangled himself.

The Sacrament of Communion is the Eucharist. Jesus Christ, handing out to his disciples the bread that He had broken into pieces and wine, said to the apostles: “Take, eat, this is My Body ... Drink everything from the cup, for it is New Testament in My Blood, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins." The very word Eucharist is of Greek origin, it means "thanksgiving." Tasting the Body and Blood of Christ, we become part of one with God and at the same time thank the Savior for his sacrifice, which He brought for us, freeing mankind from the burden of original sin at the cost of His torment.And now the Sacrament of Holy Communion is the basis of the church liturgy - the main Christian service.

In the iconography of the Last Supper, there are several features that are characteristic for the display of the chosen apostles of Christ. So, the youngest of the apostles, John the Theologian, on the icon of the Last Supper is depicted reclining at the breast of the Savior. Judas Iscariot, for obvious reasons, is devoid of a halo. Often a wallet is drawn in his hands, moshna - Judas was the treasurer of the apostles, he collected donations and disposed of the collected money. Jesus Christ is depicted with a cross-shaped nimbus characteristic of His iconography.

The icon of the Last Supper will always serve as a reminder of the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ, because it was from the last joint meal of the Savior with His apostles that the Passion of Christ began, ending with His earthly death and subsequent Resurrection, which granted mankind atonement for the original sin of the forefathers Adam and Eve.

The events of the last earthly days of the Savior have always attracted particular attention of Christians. Each of them is commemorated in the Church before Easter with a special divine service. A special day is Good Friday, and on the eve, on Maundy Thursday, most Orthodox seek to confess and take communion. After all, the Sacrament of Communion was established on this very day. This is one of the events reflected on the icon " The Last Supper».

Why was the meal a secret? Because Jesus was already wanted to be falsely accused and subjected to a cruel execution. This was the last joint meal of Christ with the disciples, He knew this very well. Therefore, this evening he established the most important church sacrament.

What does the icon say

The events of that evening were of interest not only to icon painters, but also to masters of painting. Everyone knows the Da Vinci fresco, and there are still disputes about it. But church painting has other purposes, it is deeply symbolic, even colors have a certain meaning. What should the icon of the Last Supper say to the believer?

• First you need to understand why the meal is the evening meal? Jews celebrated Easter - an Old Testament holiday, the exodus of their ancestors from Egypt. The decisive events took place at night. After slaughtering a lamb, it was necessary to mark the doors with the blood of lambs so that the wrath of the Lord directed at the Egyptians would bypass them. And the Jews themselves had to stay in their houses until the morning. That night, all the firstborn in Egypt died, and the pharaoh surrendered and released the slaves, led by Moses.

In the future, the establishment of a new rite by Christ becomes more understandable. Blood sacrifices are no longer needed, for the Lamb is now the Son of God. Therefore, the icon "The Last Supper" means the beginning new era for humanity, a new stage in God's relationship with his people. Therefore, the image of that meal is in every Orthodox church above the entrance to the altar. And today, as on that night, bread and wine are sacrificed, because the blood is no longer shed, it has been redeemed by Christ.

Events on Holy Thursday:

• Washing the feet of the disciples.
• Establishment of the Eucharist.
• Prayer for a cup (in the Garden of Gethsemane).
• Betrayal of Judas.
• Taking into custody.

Theological meaning of the holy image

But not only that happened that evening. One of the students is lost - he decides to betray his comrades-in-arms, there is already an agreement, treason is paid. The number of coins is even proverbial. And here, too, we are not talking about specific person- Anyone can betray God, but not everyone finds the strength to repent. And the Lord is waiting for him, until his last breath. The icon conveys the meaning for each participant in the "Last Supper" with paints, the location of characters, and gestures.

The figure of Judas stands out in some images - he reaches for the center of the table, posing as a traitor. His posture looks ridiculous and even defiant. This is how icon painters emphasize all the audacity and depth of the fall of Judas. Even his name has become a household name.

The evangelists do not describe in detail the place of the secret meal. But it is unlikely that there were chairs and a wide long table familiar to us. In those days, even the Romans did not have chairs, the Jews, if they had them, then in limited quantities. They were rarely used, in other cases. Then, while eating, they lay on benches or right on the floor, spreading a pillow.

The table on the icons symbolizes something completely different. The theological meaning of the Last Supper icon is a reminder of the Eucharist, which was then performed for the first time. Therefore, the table is not a dining table at all, it is a prototype of the Throne in the altar. A specific moment turns here into a moment church history, which today is repeated in every temple. Participation in the Eucharist is the main goal of the Christian life, since this is the union with God.

However, on the icons of Greek origin, as well as on the Russian ones, one can see very descriptive images of the meal: there is also a large bowl with meat, fish, pieces of bread, even herbs. The very form of the table, the furnishings of the room may be different. But always the figure of Christ stands out - either in size, or clothing, or pose.

Place in the apartment

Church rules leave quite a lot of freedom for the formation of a home iconostasis. The main ones should be the images of Christ and the Virgin, others are selected solely by the will of the believer. The Last Supper icon can be hung above others, as is done in a temple. But this is an exception - in other cases you should not do this.

A great place would be the kitchen or dining room - a prayer before eating is required, at least a short one (“Lord, bless!”). But it is better to read "Our Father". Appropriate and worthy. Nothing stops you from posting this image and in other rooms if there is no space in the dining room. The main thing is that it does not coexist with worldly paintings, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other inappropriate things.

• Icons must be kept clean, dusted, and preserved.
• Dilapidated, damaged images should not be thrown away - they must be taken to the temple and given to be burned. Or burn it yourself in the oven, if possible.
• You should also deal with the remnants of consecrated food, cinders church candles, the paper in which the icons were wrapped.

The meaning of this custom is that consecrated objects do not fall into ordinary household waste.

What to pray for the icon of the Holy Supper

Main actor in the composition of the image is, of course, Christ. He is the center of the entire gospel story. Therefore, any prayers to the Lord can be read before the icon of the Last Supper, it helps to concentrate during the morning and evening rule.

• If the image is in the kitchen, the hostess should pray before starting cooking. The food consecrated with a kind word will be useful.

• Every evening you should confess to Christ your sins committed during the day. Ask for forgiveness, thank for the mercy and patience of the Lord, who does not punish sinners as they deserve.

• Before communion in the temple, looking at this image, one should pray with heartfelt attention so that they can worthily begin the sacrament.

• You can read the penitential canon, akathists to Christ in front of the icon.

Prayers do not have to be long, regularity is more important. Their number should be added gradually. At the same time, observe that pride does not appear in the heart (“this is what a prayer feat he accomplished!”). Fellowship with God is the sacred duty of every Christian.

Story about the artist

An interesting parable is connected with the creation of the Last Supper fresco. When the artist had already composed the composition, all that remained was to find models, but this part turned out to be very difficult. How can you find someone like Christ among people? But one day Leonardo Da Vinci saw a beautiful young man who sang psalms in the church choir. His face shone with kindness. Half the job was done.

Only the search for the embodiment of evil in the face of Judas proved futile. The customer was already losing patience, it was necessary to complete the work at any cost. And in the ditch the master saw a tramp. Strong bitterness, sinful passions, malice - all this distorted the face of the poor fellow so much that he aged ahead of time. The tramp was dragged straight to the workshop. Having sobered up a little, he said that he had already seen this picture.

It turned out that just a few years ago it was from him that Leonardo wrote Christ. That's how quickly sin can destroy a person. Instructive story, which, however, has nothing to do with Orthodox icons Jesus. Their style is very far from European spiritual painting, although several images of the Virgin appeared under its influence.

Variety of forms

In the ancient church, there were special traditions on Maundy Thursday.

• On this day, the world was consecrated, preparing for baptism, which was then held on Saturdays and Sundays.

• The rite of washing the feet was held - this lesson of humility was taught by Christ Himself.

• In Byzantine churches, they also washed the throne, remembering how the apostles prepared the meal.

• There were special rites of repentance that helped believers prepare for Pascha.

• Some churches allowed relaxation of the fast on this day.

Russia has its own folk rituals, which are still observed.

• Thursday before Easter is called "clean" - on this day it was necessary not only to wash, but also to prepare for the bright holiday. Housewives bake Easter cakes, other festive food, and clean the house. In the villages on this day they tried to wash themselves with water from the source - it was believed that it washes away sins.

Great Sacrifice

The Last Supper icon depicts a truly turning point in the Gospel narrative. Soon the Teacher will reveal to the apostles the Divine nature. And then many of them will accept the same painful death. And although the Church will be founded on the day of Pentecost, here, in this upper room, the main sacrifice was made - the Lord first washes the feet of the disciples, then he gives his body and blood, albeit in a symbolic form, but soon He will ascend Golgotha. Let the memory of this event help to endure the difficulties of temporary life.

Prayer to the icon of the Last Supper

“Today, Thy Secret Supper, Son of God, accept me as a partaker: we will not sing a secret to Thy enemy, nor kiss Thee like Judas, but like a thief I confess Thee: Lord remember me in Thy Kingdom”

Trample on Maundy Thursday

When the glorious disciple at the ablution of the Supper is enlightened, then Judas, the wicked with the love of money, having become darkened, and betrays the righteous Judge to the lawless judges. See the estates of the zealot, for the sake of these strangulations! Flee the unsatiated soul, the Teacher is so daring: Who is good about all, Lord, glory to Thee.

Psalm 50, repentant

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Wash me most of all from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my iniquity, and my sin before me is taken out. I have sinned against you alone and done evil before you; as if you were justified in your words, and conquered when you judge Ty. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sins give birth to me, my mother. Behold, thou hast loved the truth; the unknown and secret wisdom of Thy revealed to me. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Give joy and joy to my hearing; the bones of the humble will rejoice. turn away your face cleanse me from my sins and cleanse all my iniquity. Create a pure heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of Your salvation and confirm me with the Sovereign Spirit. I will teach the wicked in Your way, and the wicked will turn to You. Deliver me from the blood, O God, the God of my salvation, my tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will proclaim your praise. As if you would have desired sacrifices, you would have given them: you do not favor burnt offerings. Sacrifice to God the spirit is broken; a contrite and humble heart God will not despise. Please, O Lord, with Thy favor Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, an offering and a burnt offering; then they will offer bullocks on your altar.

In Christianity, there are many miraculous and very revered icons. But there is one that can be found in every home. This is an icon of the Last Supper, which depicts a scene that took place two thousand years ago on the eve of the crucifixion of Christ.

The image is based on the biblical story of the last days of Jesus on earth. On the eve of Judas' betrayal, arrest and crucifixion, Christ gathered all his disciples in the house for a meal. During it, he broke a piece of bread and gave it to the apostles, saying: "Eat, this is my body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins." Then he drank from the cup and also gave it to his followers, saying that it contains his blood to atone for sins. These words later entered the church rite known as the Eucharist. The Last Supper icon also reminds the believer that on that distant day Jesus predicted that one of his disciples would betray him very soon. The apostles became agitated, asking about whom in question but the Lord gave bread to Judas. On Maundy Thursday, the Christian Church remembers this event with a special service.

The meaning of the icon

"The Last Supper" is an icon, the meaning of which is very clear and at the same time not fully understood. The main, central elements are wine and bread, which are on the table. They talk about the body and blood of Jesus who sacrificed himself. At the same time, it can be argued that Christ himself acts as a lamb, which the Jews traditionally cooked for Easter.

It is difficult to answer today, when the Last Supper took place. The icon only conveys the essence of this event, but it is also important for this. After all, communion with the body and blood of the Lord allows each believer to become part of the meal where the foundations of christian church, its main sacrament. She talks about the most important thing in the life of a Christian - to accept the sacrifice of Jesus, to pass it through your body and soul, to unite with him into one whole.

Hidden symbolism

The Last Supper icon is a symbol of true faith and unity human race. Scholars who have studied biblical texts have compared them with other sources, older and more independent. They came to the conclusion that Jesus at his meal conducted a ritual that had been established before him for a thousand years. Breaking bread, drinking wine from a cup - these are the things that were done by the Jews before him. Thus, Christ did not reject the old customs, but only supplemented them, improved, introduced into them new meaning. He showed that in order to serve God, one does not need to leave people, break off all relations with them, but on the contrary, one should go to people and serve them.

The most famous icon and its analysis

The Last Supper is an icon that can often be seen in the refectory and in the kitchen. Today there is big variety images of this subject. And each icon painter brought into it his own vision, his own understanding of faith. But the most popular icon of the Last Supper is by Leonardo da Vinci.

Written at the end of the fifteenth century, the famous fresco is located in the Milanese monastery. The legendary painter used a special painting technique, but the fresco very quickly began to collapse. The image depicts Jesus Christ, sitting in the center, and the apostles, divided into groups. The identification of disciples could only be made after the discovery in the nineteenth century notebooks Leonardo.

It is believed that the icon "The Last Supper", a photo of which can be found in our article, depicts the moment where the students learn about the betrayal. The painter wanted to show the reaction of each of them, including Judas, because the faces of all people are turned towards the viewer. The traitor sits, clutching a bag of silver in his hand and resting his elbow on the table (which not a single apostle did). Peter froze, holding a knife in his hand. Christ points with his hands to the treat, that is, to bread and wine.

Leonardo uses the symbolism of the number three: there are three windows behind Christ, the disciples are seated in groups of three, and even the contours of Jesus resemble a triangle. Many people are trying to find a hidden message in the image, some kind of mystery and a clue to it. So, Dan Brown believes that the artist showed the meal in its non-traditional sense, arguing that Mary Magdalene is sitting next to Jesus. In his interpretation, this is the wife of Christ, the mother of his children, whom the church rejects. But be that as it may, Leonardo da Vinci created an amazing icon that is familiar not only to Christians, but also to believers of other religions. It attracts people like a magnet, forcing them to think about the frailty of life.

Icon of the Lord "The Last Supper"

Maundy Thursday - the most sacred day for all Christians

The Last Supper is the last meal of Jesus Christ with the apostles. Christ summed up what He taught and gave final instructions to His disciples. "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

He initiated them into the sacrament of Communion: having blessed the bread, He broke it and distributed it with the words: "Take, eat: cue is My Body" and then, taking a cup of wine, said: drink from it all, for "cue is My Blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the remission of sins."

The Last Supper. End of the 14th century Andrey Rublev

He said that one of the disciples would betray Him, and that Peter would deny Him three times today. "The hand of the one who betrays Me is with Me at the table, however, the Son of Man goes according to his destiny ...". "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, may he be with you forever, the Spirit of truth." "But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything..." The Savior prepared the apostles for service. "As You sent Me into the world, so I sent them into the world," Christ said in his prayer to the Father. The Last Supper, which took place in the upper chamber of one of the houses of Jerusalem, acquired universal significance and enduring meaning.

Ancient embroidered cover, Eucharist - Sacrament of Communion of the Apostles

After supper, Christ went with the apostles to Gethsemane. "...sit here while I go and pray there. And, taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grieve and yearn. Then Jesus said to them: My soul is grieving to death; stay here and watch with Me. fell on his face, prayed, and said, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, but not as I will, but as you do, and he comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping. The meaning of this episode is huge: Jesus Christ - true god, but they true man, and mortal anguish was not alien to Him and visited Him. But He overcame her in the name of saving people. The apostles, however, could not overcome only drowsiness and fell asleep three times, despite the request of the Teacher to stay awake...

Meal. Christ just said that one of the apostles would betray Him. The students look at each other in confusion and fear. Who will betray Christ? The traitor is indicated - Judas, bending down, holds out his hand for bread. His posture repeats the posture of John, the beloved disciple of Christ, who bowed to the Teacher with humility and warmth. Loyalty and betrayal - how to distinguish them behind outwardly identical movements and postures? This is given only by spiritual sight...

Icon in the icon-case "The Last Supper"

Christ washes the disciples' feet. By his act, he teaches the unconditional denial of pride. The apostles must go into the world humble as a Teacher. The Son prays to the Father for a cup: ...however, not as I want, but as You. And behold, Judas came with a multitude of people. Judas kisses Christ. The apostles turn away in fear. From this moment the Passion of the Lord begins...

Icon of the Last Supper.

Mosaic above the Royal Doors

main iconostasis in St. Isaac's Cathedral. 1887

Based on the original by S. A. Zhivago (1805-1863)

The face of Judas on the icon is not marked by any unpleasant features. The icon painter does not consider himself entitled to judge. Yes, and betrayal itself is therefore the lowest deception that is hidden under the mask of devotion. The face of Judas is "like everyone else's"...

The Last Supper. Foot washing. Late 15th - early 16th century

The Last Supper. Around 1497

Last Supper, Washing of the Feet, Prayer for the Chalice, Tradition of Judas.

Hallmarks of the icon "Resurrection" by Dionisy Grinkov. 1568

After washing the feet, Christ reclined with the disciples at the table to eat the Paschal lamb. During the supper, he announced to the disciples that one of them would betray him. Everyone in turn asked: "Is it not me, Lord?" In response to Judas Iscariot, Christ quietly replied: "What you do, do it soon." At this evening, Christ established the sacrament of Communion, in which Christians, under the guise of bread and wine, receive the true Body and true Blood of Christ. Christ takes the first place at the table from the left. Judas stretches out his hand to the cup - the symbol of the redemptive mission.

IN Western Europe with the assimilation of the concept of free will, an indisputable condemnation of Judas was established: he could not betray Christ, but in the freedom of his choice he went down the path of betrayal. This immediately found its expression in painting. Judas began to be portrayed in such a way that it immediately became clear from his repulsive face that he was a traitor. Giotto portrayed Judas as one of the first...