medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
The image you show is exactly the one in the icon, but the hand is turned at such an angle that the conjunction of thumb and ring finger is not apparent. I'm working from a photograph so I'm at a slight disadvantage here.
Thank you. I'll pass this along.
MG
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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marjorie Greene" <[log in to unmask]>
> Good question. The ring finger is visible and folded back; the thumb alone
is invisible and I'm assuming the ring finger is forming a "ring" (or an O)
with the thumb. Otherwise the thumb would be visible. However, the thumb may
be just folded back.
> MG
It is true that on some icons one may see the ring finger and the thumb
joining to form an O, but this is, so I believe, a mistake by iconographers
not so well acquainted with the IC XC sign. The thumb should be placed
across the ring finger to form an X.
As to the antiquity of this use of the IC XC blessing by bishops and
priests? Has anyone examined icons from the 6th century onwards to see how
the saintly clerics depicted are holding the fingers of their right hands?
When does this digital configuration first appear in iconography? There is
a clear depiction of it here
http://www.st-george-church.org/How2GreetPriest.htm
Fr Ambrose
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