Ash Wednesday falls on the 26th of February this year. The new images I'm presenting from the Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection for this first month of the Season of Lent are three icons in a contemporary style by Cypriot Artist Charalambos Epaminonda depicting three key events of Holy Week leading up to the Crucifixion--the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem; Jesus washing the feet of his disciples on the evening of the Last Supper; and Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane (left). Greek Orthodox sacred art traditionally depicts holy figures as if they were fixed for all eternity in recognizable poses against simple, symbolic landscapes. Epaminonda challenges these conventions by creating scenes vibrating with energy, formed from cubistic fragments of color. While events unfold in human history, the surrounding world of nature bends and sways in anguish over the ordeal of Christ, reflecting the artist’s concept of “Deep Incarnation,” the belief that God brought redemption not only to humanity but all of creation. This trio of new Cypriot icons on Lenten themes can be found on various pages in The Passion of Christ gallery of The Life of Christ section. (John Kohan)