This icon, which is in the public domain, is Romanian in origin. The detail below shows the benign, loving gaze of Christ. His hands are raised in a gesture which belongs to the Holy Eucharist.

As the Psalmist declared: ‘You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.’ (Psalm 110:4) St Paul, in the Letter to the Hebrews, picked this theme up: ‘This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.”’ (Hebrews 7:15-17)

May Christ, the Eternal High Priest, gaze upon you lovingly this day, drawing you into His friendship and offering himself for you afresh; and may He bless you abundantly.