Christ and the animals

This icon shows Christ with animals - especially birds and fishes (animals living in heaven and those living in water). It relates to Genesis 1:20: "God said, 'Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth within the vaults of heaven'. And so it was."

All the animals and plants are in harmony with each other, joyfully drawn and concentrated on Jesus like on a magnet. A bird is nearly touching his hand and a fish nearly touching his left foot, whereas Christ is touching the water - where the fishes live in - and the air, where the birds live in.

Christ is standing there - a totally free man - in the guesture of teaching and at the same time gives His blessings to the creatures. It is the garden of Eden.