Triptych of Our Patron, St. Philip

Located on the rear wall near the east door is a triptych honoring our Patron, the Apostle St. Philip. The style of this art is rooted in the Byzantine period. This icon, which incorporates a relic of St. Philip in the center-bottom panel, is painted on wood and ceramic. This classic style of iconography suggests a spiritual presence behind the painting rather than a portrait-like resemblance of the subject. Hence, the central panel depicts our patron who is offering us the gospel of Christ while blessing us. (Notice the finger positioning which is an older form of blessing.)

Icon of Sts. Anna and Mary

One of the two Byzantine icons in the church depicts Mary with her mother, St. Anna. It is mounted on the west vestibule wall, opposite Sts. Candidus and Eugenius. Above Mary's head is a Greek legend declaring her "Maria Theotokos," that is, "Mary, Mother of God." Mary is offering her mother a flower, symbolizing yet another of her titles, "Mystical Rose." The two icons were acquired from the Monks of the Holy Protection Monastery, Geneva, NE. The members of this Greek Orthodox cloistered communtiy have dedicated their ministry to creating icons which they refer to as "Windows into Heaven." The icons (St. Anna in 1986 and St. Elizabeth in 1994) bear the artist's inscription, "By the hand of Simeon."

St. Elizabeth Icon

Mounted on the rear of the baptismal font wall is the second of two Byzantine icons. It is a painting of St. Elizabeth, cousin of Mary and mother of St. John the Baptist. St. Elizabeth is shown holding a scroll that refers to the passage from the Gospel of St. Luke (1:7) “Elizabeth was barren…”

Icon of Kateri Tekakwitha with Reliquary

Also located in the Holy Family Chapel is a framed print of blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. This art is from a series, "Bridge-building Images," by Robert Lentz of Burlington, Vermont. In this portrayal, Kateri Tekakwitha wears typical Iroquois clothing as well as a blue blanket. In her left hand she holds a cross and in her right she holds a tree of peace, one of the most important symbols of her culture. This tree is perched on the back of a turtle which her people believed carried the earth.