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When the Holy Spirit inspires artists to create art with, through and in Him, their creations touch our inner selves. They are not only beautiful but also imbued with a mystical essence which gives them spiritual power.

When light shines through stained glass windows, they can lift our souls up from our own narrow miserable awareness into His presence as we contemplate them. Light is more powerful than darkness and beautiful colourful glass works of art can touch us with a mystical, heavenly light that moves our hearts and souls towards God. No wonder stained glass windows were developed in the Middle Ages as a way of teaching illiterate parishioners the basic Christian message and inspiring them to live holy, prayerful lives.

Icon painters fast and pray as they paint, layering colours one on top of the other. This technique gives the icon a unique richness and depth. The effect of this technique is most obvious in the eyes which do not seem flat but rather realistic with depth and soul. The icons themselves have absorbed the Holy Spirit and really are holy.They radiate the power of God and wordlessly, draw us into His heart, just like a sacramental.

giotto di bondone

Orthodox Prayer Card Holy Pentecost

pieter coecke van aelst

The Descent of the Holy Ghost by Titian

Icon of Christ “In Another Form”