Some of our former Women of the Week have been sharing icons of this season that are particularly special to them, starting with Holy Thursday's Last Supper. As we look at them, telling the story from the Last Supper on through the Resurrection, we notice the different styles particular to different traditions. The differences are in the use of color and line, and in what is emphasized in each event. We start with the Last Supper.

.                                                                          Another depiction of the Last Supper.

Christ carrying His Cross, in the Coptic tradition, by a modern iconographer based in Australia.

A crucifixion in the Coptic tradition, by the same iconographer. 

On Holy Thursday evening, a blind, elderly Russian woman, who had read the Twelve Gospels with her niece over the phone, reported to a caller. "The Theotokos was standing at the cross with her sister! I never noticed that before! Did you know she had a sister?" And there she is, in John 19:25. It turns out that Salome is often identified with the Virgin Mary's sister -- Jesus's aunt. It is moving to think that she had family with her at such a horrific time.

Crucifixion by the Russian iconographer Andrei Rublev.

A triptych showing Christ being taken down from the Cross, wrapped in fine linen, and being laid in a new tomb (in the Ethiopian tradition). 

The empty cross.

.                                                                                 "Do not lament me, o Mother..."

The harrowing of Hades.

.                                                  The harrowing of Hades (in the Armenian tradition)

Christ is Risen! (in the Coptic tradition)

A triptych that sums up the story of Christ's passion and resurrection (19th-century Coptic).