Adam naming the Animals in the story of Creation
Adam took part in the creative process with God when he named the animals God made as a gift. It is hard to imagine sitting there being presented with such incredible creatures; all uniquely made and formed and beautiful.
Content taken from "Saints and the Animals," copyright Department of Christian Education - Orthodox Church in America.
God's Animals
Animals in the Bible
God Himself is described in Scripture as like a lion, a leopard, a bear (Hosea 13:7,8); and an eagle (Deuteronomy 32:11)
Jesus is described as "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
But now ask the four-footed animals if they may speak to you, And the birds of the air if they may report it to you. Tell the earth if it may interpret it to you. And the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know the hand of the Lord created them. That in His hand is the life of every living thing. And the breath of every man? Job 12:7-10
And the Lord God commanded a gourd, and it came up over the head of Jonah to be a shade over his head, to shield him from his discomforts. Jonah rejoiced with great joy because of the gourd. But early the next morning, God commanded a worm, and it smote the gourd, and the gourd withered up. (Jonah 4:6-7)
Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them..."
Matthew 21:1-3 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."
John 1:32-34 And John bore witness, saying "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
Revelation 6:1-2 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
Important Animals in many Christian icons
The Prophet Elijah and the Raven
The Prophet Elijah and the Raven
The Prophet Elijah and the Raven
A drought was coming and God promised Elijah he would be provided food and water by ravens.
Saint Gerasimus and the Lion
The Prophet Elijah and the Raven
The Prophet Elijah and the Raven
Saint Gerasimus befriended a lion in the wilderness who remained a loyal and devoted friend for life.
Saint Seraphim and the Bear
The Prophet Elijah and the Raven
Saint Seraphim and the Bear
In the wilderness his holiness reached such perfection that animals of the forest came to him as welcome visitors; a bear ate from his hand.
Saints Florus and Laurus
Saint Seraphim and the Bear
The brothers are patron saints of horses and built a temple secretly turned into a place of worship where hundreds were converted to Christianity.
Father Zossima and the Lion
Father Zossima and the Lion
Fr. Zossima sadly tried to bury his friend St Mary of Egypt, but he was not strong enough to dig her grave. Then a lion arrived and dug the grave for him.