The Third Highlight "symbolizes the Theocosm, the spiritual or angelic light."
There is an uniquely interesting dimension to the icon of the Troitsia. As I've mentioned before, the story depicted in this icon has evolved in the historical church, as well as found a variety of interpretations on the classification of the "three visitors". So, who gets these heavenly highlights?
Gabriel Bunge poses this question:
There is a dimension in which this story represents both angelic and divine persons (hence the name, The Holy Trinity). This angelic or spiritual light is displayed in the third highlight. The highlights are actually very small, accentuating the second highlight, movements, gestures and assigning special significance to the persons noted.
This is the highlight that really starts to shape up the icon as a picture, as well. In this case, all three of these figures, whether angelic or divine, will have the third highlight-- both are deserving! (Pop quiz: Are non-saints depicted in icons? Yes! HOWEVER, they will be noted by the fact that they do not receive this final highlight and you will not see their full face, but instead a profile.)
Bunge also quotes a liturgical text of St Romanos the Melodist, in which the Christological connections and meanings are inferred.
"Once when the faithful Sarah, in her barrenness longed to give birth,
Before Isaac her son was born,
She received God himself in human form,
with two archangels,
And the word came to her at that hour,
'to Sarah a son shall be.' "
'to Sarah a son shall be.' "
As I added the third highlight, this quote was helpful to me in recognizing each story amidst the larger story. This story on its own does not mean much. But all these stories add up to help us see the larger one, the one of God's consistent commitment to humankind, the love of which God not only speaks but IS, and demonstrated in coming to earth. In retrospect, we can see how each story has its perfect place in the larger one.
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