Agape Project
Phase IV: Iconography

Dear Holy Cross Friends and Family, 

It is an exciting time for our beloved Holy Cross Church!  With the hard work over many years of the Parish Council, the Planning Committee, the approval of the General Assembly, and the signing of the contract, we are embarking on the fourth and final phase of Project Agape, Iconography. The preceding phases of Project Agape have done much to fashion our beloved Holy Cross Church in a traditional Orthodox Christian manner. However, this final phase is really the crowning of all of the previous work that has been accomplished. The walls of the church adorned with iconography are something unique to our Orthodox Christian tradition, yet are ancient and apostolic. When we are surrounded by the Holy Icons of our Lord Jesus Christ and the scenes from His earthly ministry, His Holy Mother, the Saints who strived for Him from generation to generation, we cannot help but feel like we ourselves are being grafted onto that timeless Body of Christ wherein we work out our salvation in Him. Iconography is an invitation to worship.  

Our lives as Orthodox Christians are shaped by the Liturgy and the reception of Christ’s beautiful gift to us, Holy Communion. As communal beings shaped by our Christian teachings, we do not keep all for ourselves, but offer gifts to Christ’s Holy Church. The placing of Holy Icons in our Church is not just a gift, but a legacy for the generations of Christians to follow us, worshiping our Lord in our Holy Cross Church. When we look at the Holy Icons throughout the world which date to 100, 500, 1000, 1500 years ago, we can reflect upon the fact that someone generously gave from their own gifts in that moment for us to be blessed with centuries and even millennia later! This is the opportunity, my brothers and sisters in Christ, that we have at this moment for our humble parish in Central Georgia, to construct this legacy for ourselves and for the generations to come after us.  

 The committee and I recognize that everyone may not be able to financially offer a full icon, yet any financial gift you are able to offer will be a worthy and blessed offering. In our Christian tradition, we honor the gifts of both the Emperor who builds an entire Church from his riches to the pious widow who offers her two mites. All are to the glory of God and to the beautification of the Holy Temple which bears the name of Christ’s Holy Cross. Consider beautiful ways that you may be able to work together towards gifting an icon, such as joining in together with family or Godfamily!  

Our Iconography Project is projected to be completed over the course of three years, God willing. The first part to be completed will be the wall behind the Holy Altar and the back wall of the Nave which leads to the Narthex. The second and third part of this project will beautify the side walls of the Nave. By the completion of this project, we will not help but to feel like we are dwelling within that “great cloud of witnesses” who encourage us to walk that same Way of Christ that leads to light, life, love, and salvation in Him!  

My hope is that you will prayerfully consider how you, your loved ones, and your friends may be able to contribute to this exciting and blessed project. May our Good and Loving God bless our efforts in His Holy Name!

In Christ’s Love and Service,
Rev. Fr. Theodore Ehmer