#crossandcourage

"Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)

For this piece, The Altar of Sacrifice, I started with the desire to visually explore the symbols found on the Great Schema worn by Orthodox monks. Using digital collage techniques, I wanted to represent them in a way that doesn't confine them to an isolated "sacred" space but brings them closer to our everyday lives, no matter who we are or where we find ourselves.

Every detail tells a story. The cross inscribed with IC XC NIKA (Jesus Christ Conquers) is not just a sign of divine victory but also of the personal struggles each of us carries. The crown of thorns, the spear, and the sponge remind us of suffering and humility, but also of acceptance. The ladder symbolizes the inner ascent, the constant struggle between falling and rising, while the pillar speaks of perseverance and the trials we face. The rooster, seemingly a simple symbol, reflects the fragility of our faithfulness and those moments when we forget who we truly are.