029-XC The Blessing of Children

The Blessing of Children is an icon that illustrates a story from the Gospel. Many parents would bring their children to the Savior so as to have them blessed by laying on of hands. The Lord's disciples thought that it wasn't appropriate to exhaust their Teacher with such insignificant demands, so they did not allow it. Jesus was angry and told his disciples not to keep the children from coming to him, "for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." And he added, "no one will enter the God's Kingdom unless they accept is like children." Children are always open and pure; they remember no evil and know no pride. Jesus calls us to be like children in the purity of our intentions, at the same time maintaining wisdom and discretion of adults. This icon was made in the lacquered icons workshop of St Elisabeth Convent. Materials: paper, wood, lacquer.