St. Edward Confessor Icon - St. Nicholas Episcopal Church Encino - gift of the artist Gerald Fecht - photo in the archive of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click to enlarge)Almost two billion Christians, especially Anglicans (Episcopalians) and Roman Catholics across the world venerate the life and spiritual importance of Edward the great Anglo-Saxon king of England. Commonly known as Saint Edward the Confessor, this ancient king was the last ruler of England from the House of Wessex. He lived from c, 1000 AD until the 5th of January 1066.
Edward is the patron saint of England and its royal family. When a monarch is crowned, he or she sits on Saint Edward's chair in Westminster Abbey. Canonized a saint by the Catholic Church in 1161, Edward was known for his deep concern for the welfare of ordinary people and his kind and understanding personality. For some curious reason he is the saint of women and men who are separated, or who are having troubles with their marriages. Perhaps this is because King Edward was known for his wise counseling and ability to get things done by compromise.
An icon of Saint Edward Confessor will be blessed this coming Sunday morning at the 10 am service at Saint Nicholas Episcopal Church in Encino.
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
17114 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91316
The image, done by Gerald Fecht, is based on an icon of Saint Edward seen during a journey taken to Canterbury, England. Icons are believed by many to be "windows" by which blessed spirits can communicate with living persons in meditation or prayer.
1 comment:
good for you Mr. Fecht.
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