Righteous Joseph Pangalos (All-Comely)
The Story Behind This Icon
The Righteous Joseph the All-Comely (also referred to as the "Fair") was the son of the Old Testament Patriarch Jacob and his wife Rachel (Genesis 37:3). Righteous Joseph's life was a prefigurement of the life of Christ in numerous ways.
Joseph was one of twelve brothers. Joseph's brothers became jealous of him because their father Jacob loved Joseph more than the rest of the sons, since Joseph was the son of Jacob's old age. The brothers feared him because Joseph revealed his dreams, which foretold of future greatness.
One such dream was that he and his brothers were binding wheat in the field. Joseph's bundle of wheat rose up whereas those of his brothers bowed down to it. In another dream, the sub, moon and eleven stars bowed down to him. Even his father Jacob rebuked him for the implication that his father, mother and eleven brothers would bow before Joseph.
The brothers, in their anger, stripped Joseph of his magnificent coat (a gift from Jacob) and sold him to merchants traveling to Egypt in a caravan. The brothers killed a goat, smeared its blood on the coat, and brought it before Jacob, who naturally and sorrowfully concluded that Joseph must have been killed by a wild animal. The brother Reuben had intended to thwart the other brothers from their plans but was unsuccessful in doing so.
In Egypt, Joseph was sold to the captain of the guards, Potiphar. Potiphar recognized Joseph's abilities and favor by God and accordingly made him overseer of his estate. Joseph being fair of countenance, the wife of Potiphar made shameless advances upon him. Spurned by Joseph, a man of honor, Potiphar's wife slandered Joseph to her husband, claiming he attempted to force himself upon her. Potiphar had Joseph imprisoned, from which prison Joseph gained fame for his interpretation of dreams.
Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh, predicting seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, advising Pharaoh to appoint overseers to stare grain for future years. For his foresight, Joseph was set free and given charge of the household of Pharaoh. When the famine struck the lands - Egypt as well as Canaan - ten of Joseph's brothers were sent to Egypt by Jacob to buy grain. Joseph saw his brothers in Egypt and recognized them, but they did not recognize him. Joseph revealed himself to them, weeping, telling them to bring his father and the entire family to Egypt.
The brothers feared retribution from Joseph. Joseph, prefiguring Christ, forgave his brothers and replied "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20).
Righteous Joseph is commemorated on Great and Holy Monday.
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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. Subtle connecting lines and brush strokes may be visible on the gold leaves and are a testament to the artisan's hand, making each piece entirely unique.
