ICXC NIKA Celtic Style Equal Armed Cross | Bright Solar Texture | Orthodox Christian Canvas ArtWhen thou didst behold Him Who is the never setting Sun setting upon the Cross, even He Who shone forth from thy womb and sustaineth the brilliance of the sun, thou didst cry aloud, thy soul weighed down by ten thousand griefs: O Thou Who hast willingly set, Thou shalt shine forth again, for the enlightenment of me and the world! Tone 3 Thursday Vespers: Stichera of the Theotokos

Rublev was inspired to make explicit the Trinitarian content of that fateful encounter with the Venerable Patriarch and his wife

Even though our outward man is perishing

and He will speedily avenge it in accordance with the promise which He Himself made when speaking of the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8)

but go to My brethren and tell them: ‘I ascend to My Father

whose name was Constantine

whom he disregards

Then we become heirs to God’s promise to Abraham

and according to the ever-memorable author who said: I have not wearied of following Thee

When the Judge shall take His seat and the angels stand before Him

and say to them

To one another

was reclining at table at Jesus' side