The icon has six small scenes from the life of Bride. The first sees Bride with her obliging cows , who were reputed to give milk a number of times during the day. The milk is being given to a poor person who cannot stand. The legends about Bride’s life, which might seem a bit fruity for our 21^st century tastes, contain that precious memory of her care for the poor, her welcome for her strangers, her mercy and compassion for the needy – that living embodiment of the Saviour’s Sermon on the Mount.   

The second scene shows Bride with the Irish King or tribe leader. She lived at a time in which the Christian faith has not taken root. The royal person is surrounded by his druids who look worried by the presence of Bride, they try to chase her away before she troubles this man with all her talk. The king looks the picture of indolence and lethargy as he lies on his colourful divan but, with a rather tired movement, he languidly stretches out his hand to take the cross that Bride is offering him.  Back  Next