Description

About This Icon

The biblical account of the parting of the Red Sea for the Israelites is presented as a profound parallel to the creation narrative in Genesis. Just as God used wind and water to divide the primordial chaos and bring forth dry land, He uses a strong wind to part the sea, creating a path for the salvation of Israel. This act is not only a new creation, but also an act of divine judgment, recalling the Great Flood. The same waters that provide a "way of salvation" for God's people also become a tool to conquer and judge His enemies, Pharaoh and the Egyptian armies.

The early Church Fathers, including St. Augustine and St. Gregory of Nyssa, interpreted the Exodus event as a powerful prefiguration of the Christian sacrament of baptism. According to their commentary, the Red Sea crossing serves as a "pattern" for our initiation into the mysteries of Christ. Through baptism, believers are symbolically freed from a "great and broad Egypt" (sin) as their "Egyptian" enemies are washed away. This mystical water is a "re-creative" force, allowing a person to "drown the whole Egyptian person" (all forms of evil) and begin a completely new life in Christ.

Ultimately, the text argues that Christ's death and resurrection represent the true and final Exodus, baptism, and Paschal meal. By being mystically united with Christ in the baptismal font, a person participates in His death and resurrection, transferring from the "power of darkness" into His "marvelous light." The Red Sea crossing marks the beginning of a lifelong pilgrimage to the Heavenly Kingdom. This journey is made possible because Christ Himself is the "new and living way," a path confirmed by the tearing of the Temple veil, which echoes the division of the Red Sea.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel while allowing them to be cleaned with a damp cloth. Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.

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