Ikon of Light is one of the most substantial works that Tavener has written under the inspiration of Orthodox texts. This text is by St Simeon the New Theologian (942-1022), perhaps the greatest mystical writer in the history of the Orthodox Church and one of the most outstanding theologian-poets in the whole Christian tradition. All his writings are dominated by the theme of God as Light, and this concept is abundantly in evidence here. The opening word 'phos' means 'light', and the concluding word 'epiphania' literally means 'shining forth'. Tavener has said that in Ikon of Light he attempted to express what is essentially inexpressible, but that he has heightened the mystical element in the text by giving it a ritualistic treatment. In addition to the choral sounds there is a string trio which 'can be thought of as the soul yearning for God'.