ICON CHRIST TRUE VINE M CRETAN

Jesus Himself said, “I am the true vine and ye are the branches.” (John 15:5) The Lord’s arms are outstretched as He gives the blessing as a bishop in the Orthodox Church with the fingers of both hands forming the the Greek letters “IC XC” which is an abbreviation for Jesus Christ. In His lap is an open Gospel Book and in His halo are the Greek letters of the words “I AM” to remind us that He is God, the groundwork of Existence Itself, and the Root of All Life and the Source of All Faith.