Icons 

Icons are important for prayer at Catholic and Orthodox churches. These religions consider an icon as an opened window of prayer. Placing oneself before an icon is a gesture of prayer. Since Taizé desires to pray together with Catholics and Orthodox, they place icons for praying.

Liturgically the most important one is this icon of Jesus on the cross: see the picture on your left: Images। After an evening service, this cross will be laid in the middle. A couple of candles will be laid on top of the icon. Then, in turn, about five to ten people will gather around for prayer. These five or ten people would gaze, pray, and converse with Jesus. This icon helps young people to pray longer. This icon can help to keep from other distracting thoughts. The icon helps to meditate on this incident in the Bible. Taizé uses this monastic icon as a meditative tool for deeper prayer. This is the only icon that I thought about using at our evening Taizé prayer, thinking our Presbyterians might like this icon as a reminder of Jesus who was crucified.

Arts

Taizé has simple symbols that are sold in the shop. Taizé spiritual symbols are simple in nature. Click here to see the cross in the form of bird, reminding us of the Holy Spirit. This bird reminds us of the dove that comes down from heaven on Jesus’ shoulder after his baptism. This symbol of the Holy Spirit reminds us of the event of Pentecost as the Holy Spirit comes down on us.

What is next? 
Items from the workshops of Taizé and “Les Presses de Taizé.”