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We recently received a message from a customer asking about our new icon of the Visitation of the Theotokos and Elizabeth, which includes Christ and John the Baptist in the wombs of their mothers, and the reasoning behind depicting something that in reality took place secretly. Others may have similar questions, so we wanted to provide a public response to say more about its meaning. When we speak of events that took place secretly, I call to mind the hymn from Vespers on Christmas …

In addition to bringing you the highest quality icons, Legacy Icons is committed to fostering a culture that has its saints in flesh and blood, not just wood and paint. To help make this a reality, our new blog will post articles covering spirituality, the liturgical calendar, art history, patristic wisdom, and other food for thought. In this article, Sam Granger (our "web-deacon") analyzes the icon of the Dormition and how its fast can help us appreciate the season as we beg …

The Byzantine Rite of the Orthodox Church has no liturgical season exactly corresponding to Advent in the West. That does not mean there is no preparation for Christ’s Nativity. In the Orthodox Church, the Nativity Fast begins on November 15, forty days before December 25. While there is no weekly “theme” on Pre-Nativity Sundays, the Advent season is marked by the penitential singing of “Alleluia” at Matins and other features. As we get closer to the Feast, more an …

When Saint John the Forerunner (also known as John the Baptist) was beheaded by Herod, his head was placed on a platter and given to his daughter at the request of her mother. The masterfully-composed liturgical hymns for this commemoration are unsettling in their descriptions of the scene: As shameless Herod’s birthday was being celebrated, the terms of the oath to the wanton dancing girl were fulfilled; for the head of the Forerunner was struck off and brought in on a di …

Ezekiel 44: 1-3 “Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east; and it was shut. And he said to me, "This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it; for the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered by it; therefore it shall remain shut. Only the prince may sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gate, and shall go out by the same way."Ezekiel 46:3 “ Likewise the people of …

The following document is part of an official record of actions taken against a house church in the town of Cirta* in Algeria during the Diocletian persecution. It provides a description of both the church hierarchy of the Ante Nicene period (consisting of a single bishop, as well as priests, deacons, subdeacons and readers as it is in the Orthodox Church to this day) as well as an inventory of material possessions (including gold, silver, and bronze liturgical items, as well as …

On August 16 we celebrate the Icon of Our Lord "Made Without Hands." This icon, also known as the Holy Face, the Holy Napkin, or the Mandylion, portrays the face of Christ on a piece of cloth, carried by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. According to Christian legend, King Abgar of Edessa wrote to Jesus, asking him to come cure him of an illness. Jesus declined the invitation, but sent a disciple with a miracle-working image of Jesusthe first icon. The "Made Without Hands" …

This past weekend, we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. In this post Sam Granger looks at how the Transfiguration "sheds some light" on the Orthodox, on iconography, and on our understanding of Christ.The Feast of the Transfiugration is a big deal for Orthodox Christians, because it's the feast dedicated to Christ's glory. The name "orthodox" comes from two Greek roots: orthos (ὀρθός) meaning "right" or "correct" and doxa (δόξα) meaning "glory." Orthodox Chr …

We welcome a new contributor to our blog, Fr. Methodius Jm Kariuki, director of the St. Barnabas Orphanage and School in South Kinangop, Kenya.Most people do not realize there is a financial expense associated with serving Divine Liturgy. There are candles on the altar. There is flour and yeast needed to make the bread for prosphora and communion. Wine is needed for the chalice. Many churches purchase their own supplies, but more churches accept donations from the people.God giv …

The Dormition or falling-asleep of the Virgin Mary and her translation to heaven are not recorded in the pages of the New Testament. This is a stumbling block to some while they overlook the fact that the New Testament likewise does not record the circumstances of the deaths of any of the apostles except James the brother of John. However, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is revealed by the Holy Spirit in the types and shadows of the Old Testament. Mary's role as Theotoko …