Resurrected and Restored: A Triptych
This triptych was created once again in collaboration with Fr.Joby Joseph and the scenes chosen for the main panel and two wings were prayed with and developed over the course of many months. The main panel featuring the Resurrection of Lazarus was written in 2025 before the two wings were added this year. The following will include a look into our design process as well as points of reflection for you to use as a form of visio divina with these icons.
Designing the Panels
Fr. Joby first approached me with the idea of adding wings to the Resurrection of Lazarus icon as a way of exploring life "outside of the cave" - a life transformed by the Lord's Resurrection. The two scenes he selected, The Road to Emmaus (left) and The Charcoal Fire/The Restoration of Peter (right), create a compelling composition. The central cave extends into the cliffs on either side, whose cascading forms naturally draw our eyes toward Christ. In both scenes, He is clothed in white and highlighted with gold, revealing the glory of His Resurrection. His halo in the Charcoal Fire also replaces the sun - a reminder that He is the true sun and “Sun of Justice” who brings light to the darkness.
Christ's heart burns with divine love as He calls both Peter and the two disciples to transformation and spiritual renewal. This call is not merely symbolic but an active commission and a living reality. I aimed to express this through movement woven throughout the triptych. The branches of the trees lean inward, while the cliffs, clouds, and distant waves follow the same sweeping rhythm, creating a visual harmony that draws everything toward Christ.
These outward movements are echoed by the inner movements of the figures themselves. [1] The folds of their garments, their posture, and the positioning of Christ, Peter, and the disciples all reinforce the intimacy of each encounter. Both scenes emphasize Christ's closeness and His active pursuit of those He calls. The disciples as well as St.Peter reach for Him with arms outstretched. And in His presence they are transformed - clothed in red with blue highlights symbolizing their humanity being transformed by divine grace. Whether walking beside them on the road or extending His hand in mercy by the charcoal fire, Christ's restoring presence is tangible. His invitation to renewal is not only proclaimed - it is encountered.
Fr.Joby’s Reflection
Jesus reveals that He is “the Resurrection and the Life” in one of the most dramatic events in the Gospel, the raising of His beloved friend Lazarus from the dead. In contemplation of this scene, it is one that surely displays the divinity and humanity of Christ without confusion and without division. The bold faith of Martha, who knows the Lord she lovingly serves and befriended, seemingly draws out this identity of His Lordship and His dialogue with her undoubtedly clarifies her own limitations of understanding the mystery of who He is. Meanwhile, Mary, when first seeing Him, simply cries… and so does He. Though He is God, Jesus is overcome by the depth of human grief over this one He loves. It would seem surprising that after Lazarus arose from the tomb that the Jesus Who loves him and weeped over him would not run to embrace him; that Martha would not hurriedly unbind him; that Mary, in her contemplative gratitude, would not, first, bless the feet of the One Who brings resurrection and life because He is Resurrection and Life.
The “Raising of Lazarus” as a Gospel event has implications throughout salvation history, particularly the demonstrative power of Christ to bring resurrection and life into all spaces as He is Resurrection and Life. However, as Joseph Ratzinger put it, the cosmic event of the Lord’s resurrection has opened a “new schema of reality.” The Post-Resurrection reality is utterly distinct and changed by Christ’s own death and resurrection. We live in a time that is more graced than the time Lazarus was raised from the dead. This is why the wings that flank the “Raising of Lazarus,” while scriptural, display events in this side of reality… our side of reality. This is also why the wings remain open and not enclosed in a gold frame; the central truth is unfolding and lived into our life’s canvas. While the clothing colors are all consistent - the iconic red and blue of humanity and divinity in the clothing are more “united” in this new reality. While the landscape is more varied and picturesque, echoes of the tomb are still there - and we should not fear it because He draws us out from it. In both post-resurrection scenes, Jesus wears white like Lazarus, but He changes the white from burial shrouds into robes of glory.
In Christ and through Christ, death has been defeated and life has been transfigured. These wings remind us that death does not mean just physical death. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were walking down a spiritual death caused by despair and doubt… and He rekindled the fire of their faith. Jesus lovingly met Peter, who betrayed Him, and helped him confront the psychological/emotional trauma and guilt he bore… and forgave and reconciled him by a charcoal fire. His Heart is so madly in love with His beloved— you— that He cannot help but desire to give you Himself— Resurrection and Life.
Visio Divina Guide
God is capable of working through all of our senses and so just as we pray with Scripture, we can encounter Him through our sight and imagination while gazing at art. He will use this time (even 10-15mins is enough) to unveil something beautiful and true in a way that is unique and made just for you.
Below is a guide, taken from Aleteia and modified for reflection on this triptych:
1. Observe
If possible, light a candle or burn some incense nearby. This can further enhance the atmosphere of prayer, engaging all the senses. Then, simply gaze at the icon and see what stirs in your heart.
2. Notice your Response
Remain silent and still and recognize where your eye is drawn to first. Notice the details (symbols, gestures, colors) of that scene and that individual. What feelings arise? Place yourself in the scene - which posture would you assume before Jesus?
John 21:15-19
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,* “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”* He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
3. Reflect on God’s Invitation
Did you notice anything new in Scripture? Gaze at the face of Jesus and the saints. What are they trying to tell you? Listen.
4. Respond
Respond by speaking to God and the saints-offer your thoughts and questions. Reflect on what you have learned. And after sufficient time has passed, thank God for the opportunity to be with Him
As Fr.Joby so beautifully said, this triptych depicts a post-resurrection story that is in fact our reality today. [2] Nothing stands between us and Christ except our willingness to respond to His invitation like St.Peter and His disciples did. He continues to reach out to each of us, offering restoration and renewal. My prayer is that as you meditated on this icon, you too could encounter the risen Lord and respond to His invitation.
Praise be to Jesus Christ, now, always and forever.
[1] Many thanks to Dr.George Kordis and his course on Designing Icons in the Byzantine Design System and Aidan Hart’s writings for teaching me about the importance of developing movement and rhythm!
[2] Many thanks to Fr.Joby for collaborating with me on this triptych! For providing so much inspiration by way of scriptural references, imagery that arose in prayer, symbols, and more. Always such a blessing to work together and see how the Lord unveils Himself throughout the icon design process.