This webpage highlights my FINE ART, specifically my POEMS and DRAWINGS.
POEMS (also known as LETTERS) - 6 total
The Child’s Soul
No one chooses to be born.
A child enters the world
not knowing what is going on.
But, it is up to those who have come before the child
to make the world beautiful for him or her
and to save the child from the hell that exists.
Children are the innocent,
but they will grow and become the guilty
if we do not teach them about the good.
No one knows when his or her end will arrive,
but it will.
And we have to do as much good as possible
with our limited time.
Do it for yourself.
Do it for the children.
They are the most important people in the world.
They come first
because they are the most pure and vulnerable.
Then the women
because they are most attuned to the children's needs.
Men come last,
but the men who help the women
who help the children
are next in line.
Children are the product of their parents
and the children's salvation begins
and is largely dependent on their parents.
Baptism into the Christian faith is the best beginning.
Outside of this is dangerous.
The world is a dark place
and is lost without Jesus and his teachings.
The children are the inheritors
of what their parents pass on to them.
Even if you were born a
Jew or Gentile,
Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist or Muslim,
Atheist or Agnostic,
give the children a chance to be saved
and teach them about God
and His Son Jesus the Christ
before time passes and it's too late.
They deserve it.
You owe it to them for bringing them into the world.
Your children's souls' destinies
could be contingent on it.
How is a child to learn about Jesus
if we do not teach him or her?
Otherwise, we contribute to their ignorance
and possible demise.
Introduce Scripture to the children.
It is the Word of God.
Go to church on Sunday.
It is the house of God.
Both are important.
Going to church is as important
as going to school and work.
The Orthodox Church
is the most direct means to Salvation.
I know because the prayers of its saints saved me.
However, there is also truth
in the other Christian denominations.
They have value, too.
They know about Jesus, as well.
Teach your children about God and Jesus
before they become lost,
lingering with despair
in the shadow of death.
After the opportunity for baptism,
the next crucial phase is the age of choosing
when they take on full responsibility
for their own actions
and they are no longer the innocent.
If they fail to choose Jesus Christ
they will inherit the sins of their forebearers
and the sins of Adam and Eve remain.
For those lingering now
who question the goodness of Salvation:
I have lived an active life
and found that it is more fun to do good
than to do bad.
Striving for purity is a challenge
with inexpressible rewards.
Everyday try to be better than the day before.
The fruits of good deeds are sweeter
than any and every sin.
Sin is fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling.
I know it and deep inside, you know it, too.
Take on the challenge to do good
and you will attain immortality
in God’s Supreme Love.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
A child enters the world
not knowing what is going on.
But, it is up to those who have come before the child
to make the world beautiful for him or her
and to save the child from the hell that exists.
Children are the innocent,
but they will grow and become the guilty
if we do not teach them about the good.
No one knows when his or her end will arrive,
but it will.
And we have to do as much good as possible
with our limited time.
Do it for yourself.
Do it for the children.
They are the most important people in the world.
They come first
because they are the most pure and vulnerable.
Then the women
because they are most attuned to the children's needs.
Men come last,
but the men who help the women
who help the children
are next in line.
Children are the product of their parents
and the children's salvation begins
and is largely dependent on their parents.
Baptism into the Christian faith is the best beginning.
Outside of this is dangerous.
The world is a dark place
and is lost without Jesus and his teachings.
The children are the inheritors
of what their parents pass on to them.
Even if you were born a
Jew or Gentile,
Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist or Muslim,
Atheist or Agnostic,
give the children a chance to be saved
and teach them about God
and His Son Jesus the Christ
before time passes and it's too late.
They deserve it.
You owe it to them for bringing them into the world.
Your children's souls' destinies
could be contingent on it.
How is a child to learn about Jesus
if we do not teach him or her?
Otherwise, we contribute to their ignorance
and possible demise.
Introduce Scripture to the children.
It is the Word of God.
Go to church on Sunday.
It is the house of God.
Both are important.
Going to church is as important
as going to school and work.
The Orthodox Church
is the most direct means to Salvation.
I know because the prayers of its saints saved me.
However, there is also truth
in the other Christian denominations.
They have value, too.
They know about Jesus, as well.
Teach your children about God and Jesus
before they become lost,
lingering with despair
in the shadow of death.
After the opportunity for baptism,
the next crucial phase is the age of choosing
when they take on full responsibility
for their own actions
and they are no longer the innocent.
If they fail to choose Jesus Christ
they will inherit the sins of their forebearers
and the sins of Adam and Eve remain.
For those lingering now
who question the goodness of Salvation:
I have lived an active life
and found that it is more fun to do good
than to do bad.
Striving for purity is a challenge
with inexpressible rewards.
Everyday try to be better than the day before.
The fruits of good deeds are sweeter
than any and every sin.
Sin is fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling.
I know it and deep inside, you know it, too.
Take on the challenge to do good
and you will attain immortality
in God’s Supreme Love.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
The Act of Creating
Creating is one of humankind's most divine acts.
God created and we instinctively follow His example.
It sets us apart from animals
and makes us like Him.
Some people create families, businesses, buildings,
armies, art.
I created literature
and very little has brought me greater joy
and fulfillment.
For me it is a natural high like nothing else.
The power of artistic muse
is as euphoric as eros
and, like when in love,
the artist does not know where it is going to lead.
The process of creation
began with inspiration
aroused in me exaltation
with the goal of education
and edification.
It is unbridled imagination
stimulated by reflection
and is an exploration
for original work.
Writing is sculpting, molding, painting, illustrating
and composing.
It is searching for and finding words,
structuring sentence and
fashioning paragraphs.
It is a discipline and craft.
Some people’s dreams are bigger than those of others.
Constantine created an empire that lasted
for over 1000 years.
I put words, ideas and theology on paper
to lead people to God.
Some may say it was done in vain,
as the Preacher said,
“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
But, it was my natural inclination from many years
of reading and learning,
to share what saved me.
We human beings are compelled and driven to create,
like God.
It is the divine part of us manifest.
And, that which we create in life
defines us in the end.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
God created and we instinctively follow His example.
It sets us apart from animals
and makes us like Him.
Some people create families, businesses, buildings,
armies, art.
I created literature
and very little has brought me greater joy
and fulfillment.
For me it is a natural high like nothing else.
The power of artistic muse
is as euphoric as eros
and, like when in love,
the artist does not know where it is going to lead.
The process of creation
began with inspiration
aroused in me exaltation
with the goal of education
and edification.
It is unbridled imagination
stimulated by reflection
and is an exploration
for original work.
Writing is sculpting, molding, painting, illustrating
and composing.
It is searching for and finding words,
structuring sentence and
fashioning paragraphs.
It is a discipline and craft.
Some people’s dreams are bigger than those of others.
Constantine created an empire that lasted
for over 1000 years.
I put words, ideas and theology on paper
to lead people to God.
Some may say it was done in vain,
as the Preacher said,
“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
But, it was my natural inclination from many years
of reading and learning,
to share what saved me.
We human beings are compelled and driven to create,
like God.
It is the divine part of us manifest.
And, that which we create in life
defines us in the end.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
God’s Mother - The Theotokos
Who is the Theotokos
and what is her power?
God had a mother
and we call her the Theotokos.
She gave birth to Him,
raised, nurtured and loved Him.
She lives in all women
in this living world
because all women are compelled
to nurture and raise our children
to be living Christs.
Regardless of race, nationality or creed,
all women want to raise men -
strong and real men.
And, there was only one true and perfect man -
Jesus, who is
“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
born of Mary, who is
Theotokos.
No other man comes close,
but the women try.
They never stop,
constantly working,
trying to help their men
and raise the children.
And, they do it together, selflessly,
looking out for each other
for a better world.
They are one.
The Theotokos lives in them.
They are our mothers
and God’s handmaids.
No man would dare lust after
God’s Mother.
And, so, no man should lust after
her heirs and inheritors.
Keep the Theotokos in mind and near to you
and with her light
you can wipe out
lust’s corrosive and corruptive power
and be what you are meant to be
which is a child of God.
Push out, overcome, destroy and replace lust
with agape for God and His Mother.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
and what is her power?
God had a mother
and we call her the Theotokos.
She gave birth to Him,
raised, nurtured and loved Him.
She lives in all women
in this living world
because all women are compelled
to nurture and raise our children
to be living Christs.
Regardless of race, nationality or creed,
all women want to raise men -
strong and real men.
And, there was only one true and perfect man -
Jesus, who is
“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
born of Mary, who is
Theotokos.
No other man comes close,
but the women try.
They never stop,
constantly working,
trying to help their men
and raise the children.
And, they do it together, selflessly,
looking out for each other
for a better world.
They are one.
The Theotokos lives in them.
They are our mothers
and God’s handmaids.
No man would dare lust after
God’s Mother.
And, so, no man should lust after
her heirs and inheritors.
Keep the Theotokos in mind and near to you
and with her light
you can wipe out
lust’s corrosive and corruptive power
and be what you are meant to be
which is a child of God.
Push out, overcome, destroy and replace lust
with agape for God and His Mother.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
God’s Supreme Love
What is the supreme love?
There are many ways to love,
but there is only one supreme love.
It is this...
that God - the Infinite, Almighty and Everlasting -
becomes man to die for us.
He humbles and condescends Himself
as one of us, a finite human being,
in the person of Jesus of Nazareth born of Mary.
This alone is sublime
that Great God would choose to make Himself little -
an event we celebrate on Christmas.
But, then, in still deeper sublimity,
the Creator, who created us and all things,
decides, in His Most High Wisdom,
to sacrifice Himself for His creation.
He briefly enters the world
with the sole purpose of dying for us
to die in incomprehensible suffering
to be tortured on
and nailed to
a wood cross,
so we could have life
to atone for our sins
to retain justice for righteousness in His universe
for us to choose and receive Him or not
to save us from our ends
so we can join Him in Eternity.
God’s selfless self-sacrificial death
is agape love.
No one loves us more than God.
It is an event we Christians worship on Great Friday.
This single, pivotal, supreme love
transformed our cosmos, our universe.
His parables are truth.
His prophecies have come to fruition.
Many have reaped the fruits of His love
without giving Him His due credit
when they should and must
for their own Salvation.
Our Easter.
How do we repay God
for this Divine act of Grace
that we do not merit
and are unworthy of?
How can we thank Him?
It is impossible.
But we must try.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
There are many ways to love,
but there is only one supreme love.
It is this...
that God - the Infinite, Almighty and Everlasting -
becomes man to die for us.
He humbles and condescends Himself
as one of us, a finite human being,
in the person of Jesus of Nazareth born of Mary.
This alone is sublime
that Great God would choose to make Himself little -
an event we celebrate on Christmas.
But, then, in still deeper sublimity,
the Creator, who created us and all things,
decides, in His Most High Wisdom,
to sacrifice Himself for His creation.
He briefly enters the world
with the sole purpose of dying for us
to die in incomprehensible suffering
to be tortured on
and nailed to
a wood cross,
so we could have life
to atone for our sins
to retain justice for righteousness in His universe
for us to choose and receive Him or not
to save us from our ends
so we can join Him in Eternity.
God’s selfless self-sacrificial death
is agape love.
No one loves us more than God.
It is an event we Christians worship on Great Friday.
This single, pivotal, supreme love
transformed our cosmos, our universe.
His parables are truth.
His prophecies have come to fruition.
Many have reaped the fruits of His love
without giving Him His due credit
when they should and must
for their own Salvation.
Our Easter.
How do we repay God
for this Divine act of Grace
that we do not merit
and are unworthy of?
How can we thank Him?
It is impossible.
But we must try.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
For Little Leiby
Little Leiby,
my little friend.
It was summer
and you finished a full day at day camp.
On your way home,
the unthinkable happened.
You were stolen from us,
killed by another,
by a monster in flesh and will.
You were tortured, desecrated, abominated,
dismembered.
A sacrilegious death,
in the temple of your soul,
like the Lord.
We mourn you, dear Leiby.
We mourn for your parents.
Your father’s words -
humble, true and strong -
bring me to tears.
He spoke so well…
"Had my dear son Leiby lived he would have contributed so much good to the world. He was such a sensitive and kind soul. Now that his beautiful life was cut so short we should not allow the world to miss out. Our family wishes to establish the LEIBY KLETZKY MEMORIAL FUND to perpetuate the memory of our dear Leiby and to keep him alive in our hearts and minds. This fund would help anguished families in crisis and need, something that Leiby would have wanted to do had he been given more years of life."
In one day the memorial fund’s website raised $61,581 (2 years income for the average man) from 1,365 supporters.
May your memory be eternal,
little Leiby,
my little friend.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
my little friend.
It was summer
and you finished a full day at day camp.
On your way home,
the unthinkable happened.
You were stolen from us,
killed by another,
by a monster in flesh and will.
You were tortured, desecrated, abominated,
dismembered.
A sacrilegious death,
in the temple of your soul,
like the Lord.
We mourn you, dear Leiby.
We mourn for your parents.
Your father’s words -
humble, true and strong -
bring me to tears.
He spoke so well…
"Had my dear son Leiby lived he would have contributed so much good to the world. He was such a sensitive and kind soul. Now that his beautiful life was cut so short we should not allow the world to miss out. Our family wishes to establish the LEIBY KLETZKY MEMORIAL FUND to perpetuate the memory of our dear Leiby and to keep him alive in our hearts and minds. This fund would help anguished families in crisis and need, something that Leiby would have wanted to do had he been given more years of life."
In one day the memorial fund’s website raised $61,581 (2 years income for the average man) from 1,365 supporters.
May your memory be eternal,
little Leiby,
my little friend.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2017)
O, Saint Augustine
O, Saint Augustine, my dearest friend.
You opened my eyes and taught me about
the heavenly City of God,
which is in this present world
commingled and entangled with
the earthly City of Man.
In the Holy City, God’s angels serve with love
for the Almighty,
even with contempt for self.
For the sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit,
a broken and contrite heart.
The Founder of the City of God
has inspired me with a love
which has made me covet its citizenship.
Though I am unworthy,
I serve the Almighty.
With the City begins the Kingdom,
where God’s will is done - on earth as is in heaven -
where the Great King reigns supreme unmatched
with love, grace and truth.
I look forward to the Perpetual Sabbath
when we praise God and His Christ
at all times forever.
Amen.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2016)
- The City of God… Book 11, Chapter 1/ Book 14, Chapter 28/ Book 22, Chapter 30.
- Psalm 51:17
You opened my eyes and taught me about
the heavenly City of God,
which is in this present world
commingled and entangled with
the earthly City of Man.
In the Holy City, God’s angels serve with love
for the Almighty,
even with contempt for self.
For the sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit,
a broken and contrite heart.
The Founder of the City of God
has inspired me with a love
which has made me covet its citizenship.
Though I am unworthy,
I serve the Almighty.
With the City begins the Kingdom,
where God’s will is done - on earth as is in heaven -
where the Great King reigns supreme unmatched
with love, grace and truth.
I look forward to the Perpetual Sabbath
when we praise God and His Christ
at all times forever.
Amen.
- James Thomas Angelidis (2016)
- The City of God… Book 11, Chapter 1/ Book 14, Chapter 28/ Book 22, Chapter 30.
- Psalm 51:17
DRAWINGS (with explanations) - 5 total
James Thomas Angelidis, The Good Shepherd King, Drawing 2016.
“THE GOOD SHEPHERD KING” EXPLAINED
By James Thomas Angelidis (9-29-2017)
Introduction:
“The Good Shepherd King” is an original drawing that accurately captures the way I see the world with Jesus Christ as the central most important figure. This image has been clear in my mind’s eye for many years, but I did not draw it until 2016. The illustration is Scripturally sound and it teaches many truths about the world and the Christian faith. The drawing illustrates the following Scriptural teachings…
In Matthew 25:31-46 (RSV), we are taught about The Judgment of the Nations:
“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. 34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39 And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
In Psalm 23 (RSV), we are taught about The Divine Shepherd:
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2 he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;[a]
3 he restores my soul.[b]
He leads me in paths of righteousness[c]
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[d]
I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
6 Surely[e] goodness and mercy[f] shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.[g]
In John 10:1-18 (RSV), we are taught about Jesus the Good Shepherd:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. 9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, 15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.”
In Matthew 7:13-14 (RSV), we are taught about The Narrow Gate:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy,[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
In John 14:6 (RSV), we are taught about Jesus the Way to the Father:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
Christian Faith Symbols that Adorn the King’s Crown and Identify His Kingdom:
Angels:
Conclusion:
At the time of death, we will each have to confront the Cross. And how we react will be a testimony to our eternal fates. The Cross represents Jesus's crucifixion and agape love for us. He is Salvation and if we can weep - like the saints - for the Good Shepherd King - with an agape love lived life - we, too, will be saved and enter His Kingdom and Paradise.
By James Thomas Angelidis (9-29-2017)
Introduction:
“The Good Shepherd King” is an original drawing that accurately captures the way I see the world with Jesus Christ as the central most important figure. This image has been clear in my mind’s eye for many years, but I did not draw it until 2016. The illustration is Scripturally sound and it teaches many truths about the world and the Christian faith. The drawing illustrates the following Scriptural teachings…
In Matthew 25:31-46 (RSV), we are taught about The Judgment of the Nations:
“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. 34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39 And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
In Psalm 23 (RSV), we are taught about The Divine Shepherd:
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2 he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;[a]
3 he restores my soul.[b]
He leads me in paths of righteousness[c]
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[d]
I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
6 Surely[e] goodness and mercy[f] shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.[g]
In John 10:1-18 (RSV), we are taught about Jesus the Good Shepherd:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. 9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, 15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.”
In Matthew 7:13-14 (RSV), we are taught about The Narrow Gate:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy,[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
In John 14:6 (RSV), we are taught about Jesus the Way to the Father:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
Christian Faith Symbols that Adorn the King’s Crown and Identify His Kingdom:
- Ichthys (aka the “Jesus Fish”)
- Chi-Rho (as used by Saint Constantine the Great)
- Alpha and Omega (from Revelation 21, The New Heaven and the New Earth).
Angels:
- “For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord” (The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom).
- “Encompass us with thy holy Angels, that guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of thine unapproachable glory, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen” (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Evening Prayers, Prayer of the Hours).
Conclusion:
At the time of death, we will each have to confront the Cross. And how we react will be a testimony to our eternal fates. The Cross represents Jesus's crucifixion and agape love for us. He is Salvation and if we can weep - like the saints - for the Good Shepherd King - with an agape love lived life - we, too, will be saved and enter His Kingdom and Paradise.
James Thomas Angelidis, Anno Domini, Drawing 2016.
“ANNO DOMINI” EXPLAINED
By James Thomas Angelidis (11-9-2017)
(The following is from my book - In the Name of Salvation: Three Theological Treatises, p.88)
Jesus applied Old Testament imagery to his teachings and also used it to illustrate his role as the Messiah. In the Old Testament, Israel is described as God’s Vine:
Psalm 80:8 (RSV)
Prayer for Israel’s Restoration
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm.
8 Thou didst bring a vine out of Egypt [when the Jews were slaves];
thou didst drive out the nations and plant it.
9 Thou didst clear the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches;
11 it sent out its branches to the sea,
and its shoots to the River.
12 Why then hast thou broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.
14 Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15 the stock which thy right hand planted.[b]
16 They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance!
17 But let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand,
the son of man whom thou hast made strong for thyself!
18 Then we will never turn back from thee;
give us life, and we will call on thy name!
19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
let thy face shine, that we may be saved!
Jesus identifies himself as the above son of man who sits at the right hand of God. He calls himself the True Vine with his faithful as the branches that bear fruit and that God is the Vinedresser:
John 15:1 (RSV)
Jesus the True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant[b] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 This I command you, to love one another.
* * *
Specific Branches in My Drawing that Bear Fruit:
First Group:
“Anno Domini” Meaning:
Anno Domini - abbreviated as AD - is Latin for "in the year of the Lord." This is sometimes dubbed the Common Era. The time before this is referred to as BC, which is the abbreviation for “before Christ.” This document was written in the year AD 2017.
Angels:
By James Thomas Angelidis (11-9-2017)
(The following is from my book - In the Name of Salvation: Three Theological Treatises, p.88)
Jesus applied Old Testament imagery to his teachings and also used it to illustrate his role as the Messiah. In the Old Testament, Israel is described as God’s Vine:
Psalm 80:8 (RSV)
Prayer for Israel’s Restoration
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm.
8 Thou didst bring a vine out of Egypt [when the Jews were slaves];
thou didst drive out the nations and plant it.
9 Thou didst clear the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches;
11 it sent out its branches to the sea,
and its shoots to the River.
12 Why then hast thou broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.
14 Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15 the stock which thy right hand planted.[b]
16 They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance!
17 But let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand,
the son of man whom thou hast made strong for thyself!
18 Then we will never turn back from thee;
give us life, and we will call on thy name!
19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
let thy face shine, that we may be saved!
Jesus identifies himself as the above son of man who sits at the right hand of God. He calls himself the True Vine with his faithful as the branches that bear fruit and that God is the Vinedresser:
John 15:1 (RSV)
Jesus the True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant[b] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 This I command you, to love one another.
* * *
Specific Branches in My Drawing that Bear Fruit:
First Group:
- Peter (of the 12 Apostles)
- James (of the 12 Apostles)
- John (of the 12 Apostles)
- Andrew (of the 12 Apostles)
- Philip (of the 12 Apostles)
- Bartholomew (of the 12 Apostles)
- Thomas (of the 12 Apostles)
- Matthew (of the 12 Apostles)
- James (of the 12 Apostles)
- Thaddaeus (of the 12 Apostles)
- Simon (of the 12 Apostles)
- Matthias (of the 12 Apostles)
- Paul (Apostle to the Gentiles)
- Augustine of Hippo (Church Father)
- John Chrysostom (Church Father)
- Basil of Caesarea (Church Father)
- Gregory of Nazianzus (Church Father)
- Nektarios of Pentapolis (19th century Orthodox Saint)
- Therese of Lisieux (19th century Catholic Saint)
“Anno Domini” Meaning:
Anno Domini - abbreviated as AD - is Latin for "in the year of the Lord." This is sometimes dubbed the Common Era. The time before this is referred to as BC, which is the abbreviation for “before Christ.” This document was written in the year AD 2017.
Angels:
- “For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord” (The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom).
- “Encompass us with thy holy Angels, that guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of thine unapproachable glory, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen” (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Evening Prayers, Prayer of the Hours).
James Thomas Angelidis, In the Eye of the Storm, Drawing 2003.
James Thomas Angelidis, A Maddening Birth, Drawing 2002.
James Thomas Angelidis, Budding, Drawing 2002.