Greek Christian Holy Figure: "Jesus"

This Greek Christian religious art is a relief icon depicting an image of Jesus.

Eastern Orthodox churches often show faces of Jesus, Mary and the saints surrounded by metal relief work. In Eastern Christianity and other icon-painting Christian traditions, the icon is generally a flat panel painting depicting a holy being. Creating free-standing, three-dimensional sculptures of holy figures was resisted by Christians for many centuries, out of the belief that demons inhabited pagan sculptures, and also to make a clear distinction between Christian and pagan art. To this day, in obedience to the commandment not to make "graven images", Orthodox icons may never be more than three-quarter bas relief.

The Christian faith is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus or Christ. Jesus, (7–2 BC/BCE – 30–36 AD/CE), is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christian denominations venerate him as God the Son.

The principal sources of information regarding Jesus are the four canonical gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The gospels declare that Jesus was a Jew born in Bethlehem, in the Roman province of Judea. At the age of 30, he began to preach throughout Palestine, which was then under Roman rule. The gospels describe miracles that Jesus performed such as raising the dead.

Most critical historians agree that Jesus was a Jew who was regarded as a teacher and healer. He was crucified in Jerusalem, on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire. Christians believe that Jesus then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, from which he will return.

Greece, as part of the Roman Empire, adopted Christianity in 380. The name Greek Orthodox Church is a term referring to the body of several Churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, whose liturgy is traditionally conducted in Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament. Greek Orthodox Churches maintain many traditions practiced in ancient times, including the use of incense, liturgical worship, priesthood, and making the sign of the cross. Greek Orthodox Churches believe that Christ is the head of the Church. They are notable in their veneration of the Virgin Mary and the Saints.
Source:
Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition) "Jesus Christ." Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2010. 297. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 July 2013. Document URL http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lapl.org/ps/i.do?id=GALE|CX1796500200&v=2.1&u=lapl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Church http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Europe