Ø Ø   WORLD  YOUTH  DAY SYDNEY 2008  × ×

Christ The King Parish will be involved and would like parishioners to start thinking about how they may be able to contribute, participate and get something out of the July 2008 event. There will be special events happening in the lead up and there will be more information provided, such as hosting visitors to Sydney within our Parish. Its going to be bigger than the 2000 Olympics - Our Parish of Christ The King has a lot to offer and we are all looking forward to this wonderful occasion.  See the Catholic Links page for the WYD08 website.

“SALUS POPULI ROMANI”

 “SALVATION OF THE ROMAN PEOPLE”

Explanations of some of the Features of the World Youth Day Icon

1.     Mary’s Gaze:  Mary’s gaze looks out to the people and invites them to centre their attention upon her divine son.

2.     Calligraphic Text:  the Greek calligraphy symbolically depicts the central figures of Mary and Jesus  “Mother of God”.

3.     Facial Features:  The faces of saints in Icons have large, almond-shape eyes, enlarged ears, long thin noses, and small mouths.  Icon painters wanted to show that each of these human senses are not just biological, but instruments of holiness.

4.     Jesus Gesture:  Jesus’ right hand extends in a gesture of blessing.

5.     Jesus Gaze:  Jesus looks upwards, in Christ all things are elevated, and to his mother, protector and guide.

6.     Symbolic Items:  The halos are symbols of holiness, the book the child Jesus holds in his left hand is the Book of the Gospels.  Together Mary and the Child Jesus themselves make up a symbolic image of the Church.  Mary’s hands and arms gently embrace Jesus with affection and as protector.

7.     The Icon’s Ancient History:  This icon is a modern copy of an ancient Greek icon, allegedly brought to Rome in the 4^th Century by St Helen.  This type of Marian Icon is known as a “Hodegetria” image, a word meaning “Guide of the Way.