December 4 is the feast of St. John Damascene (otherwise known as St. John of Damascus). Falling right in the first week of December, this saint’s feast day is a wonderful call to savor a more holy and meaningful Advent.
Advent is the Catholic season which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve. The term "Advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus," meaning "coming" or "arrival."
Advent is a season which is so filled with beautiful sacred art. In fact, if you think about it, Advent is known for its art: from resonant Christmas hymns and carols to magnificently sculpted nativity scenes in churches and homes; to the classic art on the cover of each Christmas card showcasing famous works of art inspired by the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, from the Annunciation, to the Nativity, to the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
An unsung hero
And yet, there is an unsung hero we can thank for all this beauty who is rarely acknowledged: St. John Damascene, a patron saint of artists, iconographers, liturgical hymns, and the veneration of sacred images.
St. John Damascene was born in Damascus. The famous road to this location was the point recorded in Scripture where St. Paul was journeying when he had his life-changing encounter with Our Lord.
St. John Damascene was a priest, monk, and poetic writer of hymns and he has received the title Doctor of the Church. He is often called the “Doctor of the Assumption,” as he is also known for his great devotion to Our Lady and to her glorious Assumption.
This saint is famous for defending religious art, especially icons. In fact, he used icons as a beautiful metaphor when he said, “The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.”
In the 720s, the Emperor Leo forbade religious art, which had become controversial. St. John Damascene argued in favor of sacred art. He explained and defended the use of icons, statues, medals, crucifixes, and other forms of art.
St. John Damascene was clear in explaining the distinction between worshiping God alone and not creating graven images, yet also allowing the veneration of images and the holy persons they represent. In his own words, “Images are books for the illiterate and silent heralds of the honor of the saints, teaching those who see, with a soundless voice, and sanctifying the sight.”
The Sacraments themselves, after all, make use of God’s created elements (such as water, oil) to become vehicles of God’s grace. Therefore matter, the “stuff of life” can be used for holy purposes.
John’s ideas were so influential that after his death, at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, iconoclasm (the destruction of holy images out of fear of them being graven images) was condemned. In fact, St. John Damascene was known to say: “If a pagan asks you to show him your faith, take him into church and place him before the icons.”
Leading us to love
The Catholic Church, from the time of the Second Council of Nicaea to this very day, correctly understands sacred art as glorifying the Incarnation, when the Word became flesh. As St. John of Damascus so aptly put it,
“Because of the Incarnation, I salute all remaining matter with reverence …I do not worship matter, I worship the God of matter, who became matter for my sake and deigned to inhabit matter, who worked out my salvation through matter. I will not cease from honoring that matter which works for my salvation. I venerate it, though not as God.”
To be clear: Veneration means to show great respect or honor to someone or something. Veneration is associated with saints or holy objects. However worship and adoration are reserved for God alone.
How many conversions and reversions to the faith have been inspired through the wonder and awe inspired by sacred art! How often sacred art leads us to a greater love of God! To gaze at a stunning painting, work of stained glass, the carved edifice of a magnificent cathedral, or a magnificent sculpture is often to be inspired to sigh a prayer.
We owe our thanks to St. John Damascene for defending religious art and thus allowing the great treasure trove of art that the Catholic Church has inspired to flourish over the centuries. For it is the Catholic Church that historically has commissioned and inspired the greatest works of art of all time: from Michelangelo’s Pieta to Bernini’s colonnades.
Words to consider
Here are three quotes by St. John Damascene:
“The saints must be honored as friends of Christ and children and heirs of God … Let us carefully observe the manner of life of all the apostles, martyrs, ascetics and just men who announced the coming of the Lord. And let us emulate their faith, charity, hope, zeal, life, patience under suffering and perseverance unto death, so that we may also share their crowns of glory.”
“Having confidence in you, O Mother of God, I shall be saved. Being under you protection, I shall fear nothing. With your help, I shall give battle to my enemies and put them to flight, for devotion to you, is an arm of Salvation.”
“All who ask receive, those who seek find and to those who knock it shall be opened. Therefore, let us knock at the beautiful garden of Scripture. It is fragrant, sweet and blooming with various sounds of spiritual and divinely inspired birds. They sing all around our ears, capture our hearts, comfort the mourners, pacify the angry and fill us with everlasting joy.”
A miracle
After St. John of Damascene was falsely accused of plotting to attack Damascus, the caliph ordered that John’s hand be cut off and displayed for public view. John prayed before an icon of the Blessed Mother, begging for his hand to be restored. Miraculously, it was! In gratitude for this healing, St. John commissioned a silver replica of his hand which he attached to this icon which is now known as the “Three-handed Theotokos” or “Tricherousa.”
As Advent begins and we enjoy the beautiful religious art from our beautifully decorated churches to the myriad Christmas cards, let us say a prayer of thanks to St. John Damascene for guarding this beauty and allowing the legacy of Catholic art to be passed down through the generations, and allowing generations of Catholic artists to create with love for their Creator. For a free guided holy hour honoring St. John Damascene and great works of art associated with Advent, sign up here.
St. John Damascene, pray for us!
