[JessiPollo]

The specific content aside, this raises an interesting matter. I would be grateful for the comments of iconographers and others on it:

Despite the fact that the priest's comments reveal some rather abhorrent notions on the role of Stalin, etc., and excluding entirely from the conversation smaller image of Stalin alone, the image at the top -- of Stalin beside St Matrona -- is interesting. Compare it with the fresco of the ecumenical council of Ephesus, found here (you can click on the image for a much larger version of it). There we see the fathers of Ephesus; but at the bottom is also found the image of Nestorius and the image of Apollinarius, both noted as 'Heretics' in the fresco. I bring into the discussion this fresco, because it raises the question of depicting those at war with the Church, yet still foundational in its writings / deliberations / etc. in the period addressed in the icon. According to common tradition, Stalin did indeed meet many times with Mother Matrona, and this is in fact an important part of her life and witness.

So I open the door to comments by others on the inclusion of those at war with the Church, in images of the saints.

I do just haste to point out that I find the images in the article abhorrent, so I am not trying to justify them; rather, to look at the interesting question they raise.

INXC, Dcn Matthew