St. Tikhon Chapel
This Sunday is the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost and the first day of the Afterfeast of the Dormition. The Church continues to celebrate the falling asleep of the Mother of God and her translation to life in her Son, while also commemorating the Translation of the Image “Not-Made-By-Hands” of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople.
In the Sunday Gospel, Christ tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. A servant who could never repay his enormous debt is shown mercy by his master, yet he refuses to show mercy to a fellow servant who owes him far less. The Lord brings the parable directly to the life of His disciples: the mercy we have received from God must shape the mercy and forgiveness we extend to one another.
The feast of the Image Not-Made-By-Hands gives the day another clear focus on Christ Himself. The OCA recounts the ancient tradition of King Abgar of Edessa, his faith in Christ, and the miraculous image of the Savior that was later transferred from Edessa to Constantinople in the year 944.
On August 16, the Church commemorates the transfer of the Image of our Lord Jesus Christ “Not-Made-By-Hands” from Edessa to Constantinople. The OCA preserves the ancient account of King Abgar of Edessa, who believed in Christ after hearing of His miracles and sent the artist Ananias to Him. When Ananias was unable to paint the Savior’s likeness, Christ washed His face and dried it with a cloth, upon which His countenance was miraculously imprinted.
The image was brought to Abgar and was later solemnly transferred to Constantinople in 944. Its commemoration points directly to the Incarnation: the eternal Son of God truly became man and entered our visible, material world for our salvation.
Why Do Orthodox Christians Venerate Icons?
Orthodox Christians do not worship icons. Worship belongs to God alone. We venerate an icon because the honor shown to the image passes to the person depicted. When we kiss an icon of Christ, we are not honoring wood and paint as though they were divine; we are expressing love and reverence for Christ Himself.
Icons are also closely tied to the Incarnation. The Son of God truly became man and could be seen in the flesh. For this reason, Christ may be depicted in His human form. This week’s feast of the Image “Not-Made-By-Hands” gives us a particularly fitting reminder that Orthodox iconography is not merely religious decoration—it bears witness to the reality that the Word became flesh.
In Sunday’s Gospel, the servant receives a mercy beyond anything he could repay, yet refuses mercy to another. Christ ends the parable by speaking of forgiving “from his heart.”
This week, consider whether there is an offense you continue to keep an account of in your heart. Forgiveness does not mean pretending the injury did not happen; it means refusing to nourish resentment and bringing the person before God in prayer. We have received mercy from God, and that mercy is meant to shape how we treat one another.
- His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon.
- His Eminence Archbishop Daniel.
- Our clergy, monastics, seminarians, missionaries, and every parish and mission of the Orthodox Church in America.
- Those preparing for Holy Baptism and Holy Chrismation.
- Those who are ill, homebound, or traveling.
- Those who have recently reposed in the Lord.
- The faithful, benefactors, and everyone laboring for the growth of St. Tikhon Orthodox Chapel.
- The continued growth of Orthodox Christianity throughout North America.
May the Lord remember all those who have asked for our prayers and all those known to Him who are in need of mercy, healing, strength, and consolation.
Sunday, August 16: Diomedes, Cherimon, Joachim, Gerasimus, Constantine, and those commemorated with the Image Not-Made-By-Hands — saints of the day
Monday, August 17: Myron, Paul, Alypius, Philip, and those commemorated on this day — saints of the day
Tuesday, August 18: Florus, Laurus, John, and those commemorated on this day — saints of the day
Wednesday, August 19: Andrew and those commemorated with him — saints of the day
Thursday, August 20: Samuel and those commemorated on this day — saints of the day
Friday, August 21: Thaddeus, Bassa, Theogonius, Agapius, Pistus, and those commemorated on this day — saints of the day
Saturday, August 22: Agathonicus and his companions, and those commemorated on this day — saints of the day