Mary's Picture Album

By Eucharista Ward

A man and his son travel to Ephesus on the island of Patmos specifically to meet Saint John, last of the Twelve Apostles. Having met him they also learn of an album of paintings created by Saint Luke. Each painting in relates in some way to Mary, the Mother of God. For several days they study the collection while Saint John describes the circumstances being depicted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eucharista Ward
• Release date: Jul 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301770564

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Mary’s Picture Album

Eucharista Ward

Copyright (c) 2013 Eucharista Ward

All Rights Reserved

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Cover Image

Luke Paints the Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria - by Unknown Artist, early 1400s, Russia – image from http://commons.wikimedia.org

Chapter One: Travelers

It was a fine early evening, and the women of Ephesus lingered at the well after filling their pitchers. Miriam proudly set her copper pitcher on the level stone at the side of the well and began a list of oft-told complaints about her husband. According to Miriam the very man who had fashioned her smart pitcher was inept and remarkably lazy.

Rebecca smiled as she stooped to secure her crude stoneware pitcher on a precarious rock near her feet. She uttered soft praises of her own husband’s strength and kindness.

Anna, whose husband was one of the few remaining workers at the port of Ephesus, excitedly listed foodstuffs and other items which her husband had promised would soon arrive. Though all the women knew that a large trireme was due at the port on the next day, they feared that Anna’s list of probable contents reflected her own wishes more than it conveyed any reliable information. Besides, the many silt deposits at the harbor made it just as likely that any heavily laden ship would bypass the port of Ephesus and go on to Antioch. However, the confident Anna told them her husband fully expected produce from Judea.

Priscilla, who had as yet no husband either to praise or to vilify, clutched her water pitcher gingerly. She responded only with silent pity for Miriam and nods of encouragement for Rebecca and Anna.

Though Miriam discounted Anna’s optimism, the other ladies rejoiced in anticipation as Anna spoke of persimmons, dates, figs and all manner of nuts. With exuberant pleasure she added, There might even be a large quantity of real Tyrian purple cloth!

Miriam rolled her eyes at the promised windfall and opened her mouth to sneer, but catching sight of a man leading a donkey laden with bags and a boy, she pointed to signal the others. I do not recognize his walk. She frowned. I believe he is a stranger, though he does not come from the direction of the port. When he drew nearer, they all agreed that he was not from Ephesus, and they whispered various conjectures concerning him and the boy.

But the man, still at some distance, halted the donkey and removed his cap to rub the dust from his face and shake it from his graying hair. Then he lifted from the donkey’s back the young dark-haired boy, leaned over and spoke to him, and sent the boy to approach the ladies. The man remained holding the reins of the unusually docile donkey.

The handsome child of about nine years surveyed the group and chose to address Priscilla, whom he reckoned the youngest woman. Good day to you, Miss. My father wishes to know if the last holy man still lives here in Ephesus. We would like to speak with him.

The other women turned knowing smiles on young Priscilla. Miriam announced, Priscilla, surely he means to visit your old master.

Priscilla, who usually did more listening than talking, now nodded, smiled, and addressed the boy. "My master is a holy man indeed. He knew and walked with the Christ. But surely he is not the last. Are there not many holy men?" This mention of holy men drew a snicker from Miriam and a smile from Anna, while Rebecca nodded sagely. Priscilla merely cast her eyes down in some embarrassment, fearing she had said something foolish.

The boy smiled eagerly as he beckoned his companion, and then turned to Priscilla. Is he very old? Can you take us to him? Will he speak to us?

Priscilla hoisted her full water pitcher to her shoulder. "He is probably older than your father, but not so very old. Indeed I can lead you to him. I am about to bring water to his house."

The man approached tentatively, leading the donkey. He bowed to Priscilla and smiled to the others. I am Abel bar Simon, a carpenter from Bethsaida. Our boat docked at Smyrna after the captain refused to approach the port of Ephesus. He said his vessel was too heavy for the port. We were greatly disappointed, but fortunately at Smyrna my boy made a quick friend of a boy named Polycarp, whose father offered us the use of a donkey to aid us on our long walk. When I saw you ladies I did not wish to startle or frighten you, and I sent my son because I knew you would see no harm in him. Juda is a good boy.

Priscilla nodded understandingly at his mention of the port. Truly the condition of our port has brought many troubles, even to me.

Before leaving the grotto which held the well, Abel took the heavy pitcher from Priscilla. There must be two firkins in this. He frowned as if admonishing her. You should not carry so much. He affixed a stone stopper to it and put it carefully into a leather bag that hung from the donkey’s back. He tugged at the bag to make sure it was well anchored. The donkey carried two bound hay bags as well, which led the women to conclude that the strangers meant to stay a while in Ephesus. He smiled and bowed in farewell to the other women, and then led the animal behind Priscilla and the boy. As they walked he explained, We did not mean to arrive so late in the day, but our walk from Smyrna was long. I left larger supplies and some tools with young Polycarp’s kind father as assurance that he would see his donkey again. Juda rode on the donkey to secure our bed-bags.

Juda stretched himself tall and protested quietly to Priscilla. I could have walked. I am strong. And it is no fun sitting on a donkey. He rubbed his hip, and Priscilla smiled.

She leaned down to him and giggled. I know. I tried it once, she whispered.

Abel, with some