Christ the Good Shepherd Orthodox Christian Coffee Mug

Christ the Good Shepherd is one of the most ancient and beloved images of our Lord Jesus Christ in the entire history of Christian art, appearing in the catacombs of Rome where the first Christians buried their dead and expressed their faith in secret during the great persecutions of the early centuries. The image of the Good Shepherd, depicting Christ as a young man carrying a sheep on his shoulders, was the most common image of Christ in the earliest Christian art, predating the later more formal icon types such as the Pantocrator, and it expresses with particular tenderness and intimacy the pastoral love of Christ for every individual soul. Our Lord Himself proclaimed in the Gospel of John that He is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name, who lays down His life for the sheep, who leaves the ninety-nine to seek the one that is lost and who carries it home on His shoulders rejoicing. This image has never lost its power in the Orthodox tradition, continuing to be venerated and depicted as a profound expression of the personal and intimate love of Christ for every human soul, His willingness to go to any lengths to find the one who is lost and to carry the weak and the wounded back to the safety of the fold.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

O Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd who knowest each of thy sheep by name and who didst lay down thy life for us all, seek and find all who have strayed from thee, carry on thy shoulders all who are weak and wounded and bring us all safely home to thy eternal fold. Amen.

This mug makes a deeply meaningful and tender gift for baptisms, name days, feast days, Easter, Christmas or any occasion where the pastoral love of Christ for every soul is celebrated and the beauty of the Orthodox faith proclaimed.

Product Details:

• Premium 11oz ceramic mug
• Wraparound dye-sublimation print, vivid and long-lasting
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
• C-handle for comfortable grip
• Lead and BPA-free
• Printed on demand with care

Shipping:

• UK orders fulfilled locally in the United Kingdom
• US orders fulfilled locally in the United States
• EU orders fulfilled locally in Europe

A daily reminder of faith, for yourself or someone you love.