Michael | Stories of the Desert Fathers
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Dura-Europos baptistry paintings show icons shaped worship experience
The speaker investigates whether icons were apostolic by examining early Christian images. Archaeologists uncovered a third-century house church at Dura-Europos in Syria with a baptistry painted with Christ the Good Shepherd and a procession of women carrying torches toward the font. Scholars interpret the procession as the wise virgins meeting Christ the bridegroom.
For a person about to be baptized, walking toward the font alongside these painted figures toward Christ above created an experience of participation rather than mere instruction. This indicates icons were not only educational but changed how believers interacted with the worship space.
Key moments
- The question of whether icons were apostolic can be approached by studying early Christian images and their use.
- A third-century house church at Dura-Europos in Syria contains a baptistry with paintings of Christ the Good Shepherd and a procession of women with torches moving toward the baptismal font.
- Scholars interpret the procession as the wise virgins going to meet Christ the bridegroom.
- For a baptismal candidate, walking toward the font alongside these painted figures toward Christ above creates an experience of participation, not just didactic teaching.
- This indicates icons were not merely educational but changed how believers interacted with the worship space.
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