martin j. nystrom wrote as the deer panteth for the water.
who wrote as the deer panteth for the water?
martin j. nystrom
na
na
the abundant variety of natural life depicted in the butrint mosaics celebrates the richness of god's creation; some elements also have specific connotations. the kantharos vase and vine refer to the eucharist, the symbol of the sacrifice of christ leading to salvation. peacocks are symbols of paradise and resurrection; shown eating or drinking from the vase they indicate the route to eternal life. deer or stags were commonly used as images of the faithful aspiring to christ: "as the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, o god." water-birds and fish and other sea-creatures can indicate baptism as well as the members of the church who are christened.
mosaic