The icon is written in the Ethiopian-Coptic style which developed in the late eighth century. The subject of the icon, the Synaxis of the Holy Angels (also known as the Congregation of the Bodiless Powers) is a traditional iconic subject. Like the Greek style the Ethiopian-Coptic style portrays the subject from its particular cultural perspective. A reminder of the many and varied expressions of our one faith. The icon is positioned in the shrine not as a piece of “museum” art but as a devotion object to be touched and venerated.

The use of icons in prayer is an ancient spiritual tradition. The icon acts as a window to the divine. It is not venerated as an object but as a holy pathway that leads the one who gazes upon it in prayer to a closer union with Christ. The Christ child is giving the one who gazes upon the image in prayer the Sign of Peace. He is supported by fifteen angels, while below him the six winged seraph await His bidding. The angels tongues appearing in a predominate fashion are a reflection of an ancient gesture of welcome also seen in many Polynesian cultures.