Aemiessence Fine Arts: January 2012

Stephana are crowns worn by the bride and groom during part of the service in Greek wedding ceremonies: you can read some basic information about Greek wedding ceremonies including the 'crowning' here.

The four corners of the drawing contain the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible (יהוה), and the vows and words from the ring ceremony are written on the tops and bottoms of the stephana. The Hebrew in the middle of the drawing (unvocalized in the drawing) is Job 10:12, which reads:

חַיִּים וָחֶסֶד עָשִֹיתָ עִמָּדִי וּפְקֻדָּתְךָ שָׁמְרָה רוּחִי:

Translation: "You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit" (ESV).

The Greek passage on the right is I Peter 4:10 and reads:

ἓκαστος καθὼς ἒλαβεν χάρισμα εἰς ἑαυτοὺς αὐτὸ διακονοῦντες ὡς καλοὶ οἰκονόμοι ποικίλης χάριτος θεοῦ.

Translation: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:" (ESV)

The text surrounding the stephana is the German text to Robert Reinick's Liebesgarten - Op. 34 No. 1

Process photos of the drawing can be found here.