Image: Saint Sophia The Wisdom of God - Google Art Project

Description: In the center there is a figure of Our Lady of the Sign, standing on a crescent-shaped moon. She is portrayed in rotunda, supported by seven pillars. Wisdom (Greek: Sophia) symbolizes the Son of God, about whom it is said in the Parables of Solomon: “Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars”. These words are written on the cornice of the rotunda. These words refer to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is called "God's Wisdom" in the Epistles. The word “House” refers to the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to the Son of God. God the Father is portrayed above the rotunda, from whom the Holy Spirit descends upon the Virgin Mary in the form of a dove. Seven Archangels are depicted surrounding God the Father, holding the signs of their ministry: to God's right – Michael with a sword, Uriel with a bolt of lightning, Raphael with an alabastron of chrism; to God's left – Gabriel with a lily, Salathiel with beads, Jegudiel with a royal crown and Barachiel with flowers on a white shawl. On seven steps of a circular ambon which symbolize the Church of God on Earth, in front of the Virgin Mary there stand forefathers and prophets, who announced the advent of Wisdom to the world: to Mary's right: Moses with the tablets, Aaron with a rod, and David with the Ark of the Covenant; to Mary's left - Isaiah with the Charter of his prophecy, Jeremiah with a scroll, Ezekiel with gates shut and Daniel with a cornerstone. Seven Virtues are indicated on the steps: Faith, Hope, Love, Purity, Humility, Grace, and Glory.
Title: Saint Sophia The Wisdom of God
Credit: RQG3jtzF4ZL4Nw at Google Cultural Institute, zoom level maximum
Author: Unknown
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No