I’ve got your back

This is one of the icons I bought while at the Benedictine Abbey, apparently depicting Christ protecting St Menas, from Egypt 7th century.

I like the way Jesus has his arm protectively around St Menas’s shoulders like, “Don’t worry, we’re in this together”.

With my Protestant background, l used to be very suspicious of icons, but I’ve come to see them as a helpful meditation and prayer aid. Also Christians I respect, such as Henri Nouwen and Rowan Williams, have written excellent books on their symbolism and use in Christian worship.