Icons

Salaphiel (also translated as Salathiel) in the Hebrew language means Intercessor of God. One of the eight traditional archangels, he is named in the book of III Esdras, where he encourages the Prophet Esdras. His hands are crossed in a...

This beautiful 9th-century mosaic from the dome of the Basilica of Saint Praxedes in Rome features Christ Pantocrator ("Almighty") being upheld by four archangels. To us at Legacy Icons, this evokes an image from the Cherubic Hymn: "That we may...

This unique Deësis (supplication) icon is from an iconostasis from the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow. Known as the Suzdal Deësis, it was painted in the 13th century. It features a simple Deësis row with Christ in the center and the...

This unique 18th century Russian icon features a stylized church iconostasis. This is a great way to bring the church into the home as a centerpiece for prayer. Top Row: Crucifixion and Holy Friday scenes Second Row: Patriarchs Third Row: Prophets...

From the years 527 to 565, Saint Justinian the Great reigned as the Roman Emperor. During his reign, tens of thousands of pagans were baptized into Christ and the pagan schools of Athens were closed. Some ninety missionary churches were built to...

Saint Paisios the Great was an Egyptian monastic father in the 5th century. His feast is celebrated on June 19.

The Seven Sleepers were a group of young soldiers who confessed their faith in Christ before the Emperor Decius. They were allowed to go free, and they fled to the caves to hide. As they prayed in preparation for martyrdom, they were discovered by...

In icons of this type, Our Lady appears directly facing the viewer with her hands raised in the orans (prayer) position. This is the moment of her conception of Christ at the Annunciation, as He is symbolically depicted within her. He appears...

  Saint Ambrose was born in Gaul in the year 340 and became a member of the Roman Senate as Governor of Milan. When the Arian bishop of Milan died, the Orthodox and Arians fought over who would succeed him. Ambrose, desiring to maintain peace, tried...

This unique Byzantine icon depicts the Archangel Michael in his role as warrior and interceder for the Church. In the traditional style of the 17th century, he tramples down death (the old man) while preserving the soul of the faithful in his left hand,...

This historic Byzantine icon depicts Saint Michael as he fulfills the prophecies of the Apocalypse of St. John in Revelation 20. Portrayed on horseback, he carries a spear that he holds triumphantly over an opening to the abyss or lake of fire. He bears...

This infanticidal slaughter was ordered by Herod, who was afraid of losing power to the one called "King of the Jews" by the Magi. Soon after the birth of Christ, all the male children in the Bethlehem region under two years of age were murdered. Mary...

Saint Dionysius was born in 1547 on the island of Zakynthos. He entered the monastic life at age 21, and became a priest a few years later. Eventually he became Archbishop of the Aegean. Even during his lifetime he was regarded by many as a living...

The Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John was the older cousin of our Lord. He was born miraculously of his aged parents, specially chosen by God to prepare the way for Christ, the Messiah. It was John who identified Jesus as "the Lamb of God...

This unique Russian icon depicts Saint Nicholas with Sword and Scenes.  Serving as Bishop of Myra, Saint Nicholas obeyed the word of scripture, to "do justice for the orphan and defend the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). He holds a sword, a symbol of...

The Elder Simeon the Stylite was born in Cappadocia in the lat 4th century. The son of Christian parents, he was obedient and a dedicated worker. While still a boy, he was struck by the singing of the Beatitudes in church. With the help of a trusted...

The Mother of God has long been associated with Moses' burning bush, which held God but was not burned up. This icon is a symbolic representation of this idea. The Theotokos is surrounded by ranks of angels and archangels, as well as various biblical...

This historic Greek icon depicts the Theotokos and Christ Child within the traditional “Unfading Flower” genre. The Theotokos is crowned and wearing deep blue and red, commemorating her purity and glory. She bears a lily stalk, another...

This icon depicts the Virgin Mary worshiping her Son, Jesus Christ, as he hangs on the Cross. Her hands are crossed in a gesture of worship and prayer. It was painted in Russia in the 19th century, and features the style of the Novgorod School, which...

Also known as Nathanael, St. Bartholomew is traditionally held to have been one of the younger Apostles, and followed Christ with a simple, cheerful faith. After the Ascension, he ministered through Syria and Asia Minor alongside St. Philip, and was...

The Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus, was the brother of the Apostle Matthew. After Pentecost, he and the Apostle Andrew preached throughout Palestine, healed the sick, and converted many to Christ. Saint James was finally crucified by pagans in Egypt...

This finely-detailed 16th century icon depicts Christ standing, holding an open Gospel, indicating Christ as the Teacher. A rarity for the Smolensk genre, Christ is standing alone, without any saints. This creates a powerful and intense focus on...

In the Eastern Christian tradition, each day of the week is dedicated to special remembrances. This unique 18th century Russian icon portrays each day's commemoration: Sunday: the Resurrection, with the Harrowing of Hades icon Monday: the Angels, with...

The Prophet Jonah (or Jonas) lived in the 8th century before Christ. He prophesied to the Israelites and the Ninevites, calling all to repentance. He also foretold of the coming Messiah. Jonah was eaten by a sea creature and spent three days in...

This icon depicts the scene at the tomb on the morning of Pascha, with the angel in white robes showing the Theotokos and Saint Mary Magdalene the Lord's grave clothes and empty tomb. Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week...

This historic Byzantine icon of the Myrrh-bearers at the Tomb recall the scene as reported by the Four Gospels.  After the Resurrection, the Myrrh-bearing Women came to the tomb. They found the soldiers fallen as dead, the stone rolled away, and an...

  This unique icon of Theophany is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction of the revealing of Christ's Divinity and identity within the Trinitarian Godhead. The anonymous iconographer captures the glory and humility of...

The hodigitria (guide) genre of icons features Christ sitting on the Virgin's lap. Her hands point to her Son in a gesture of humility, guiding the viewer to look to Him. This particular icon is a 13th-century mosaic from Saint Catherine's...

This detail from the famous Hagia Sophia mosaic features the Theotokos in a Deesis (Supplication) pose. The mosaic was completed in the 13th century.  The Hagia Sophia iconography is some of the most beautiful in the world. Uncovered in the...

This 19th century Russian lithographic icon depicts All Saints of Mount Athos. The most prominent and famous Athonite monastic saints are visible in the foreground, and the haloes of countless more saints, known and unknown, stretch into the distance...

This historic Russian icon depicts the Archangel Garbiel, the chief liaison between God and man. He is clothed in brilliant orange and purple deacon's vestments, speaking of his mediating role. He holds a reed in his left hand, symbolizing the authority...

This unique icon of the Ascension of Christ is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction from chapter 1 of the Acts of the Apostles. The anonymous iconographer represents the glory of this event of the gathered disciples and...

This event is commemorated on August 1 (988) with the feast of the Cross. This icon is brimming with details and scenes from Russia's holy history.

This 19th century Russian icon features Christ Pantocrator (Almighty) in the center, with the Theotokos Virgin Mary and John the Baptist on either side. These holiest of saints are always nearest to our Lord Jesus, praying for the peace and salvation...

The first Great Feast of the ecclesiastical year, the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8) is also the first Great Feast of our salvation. The Mother of God is born to Saint Anna, after a miraculous conception following a lifetime of barrenness.

This icon is a beautiful Byzantine portrayal of the Old Testament Prophet Jonah. Called to prophecy the imminent destruction of the wicked Assyrian empire, Jonah famously disobeyed God and fled across the Mediterranean Sea. After being caught in a...

Saint George, sometimes called “the Trophy-bearer,” was born in the province of Cappadocia, Asia Minor (Turkey), in the third century and raised as a Christian. About age 20, he joined the Roman army under the emperor Diocletian,...

Saint Mark was born in Constantinople in 1392. He entered the monastic life as a young man, and he became a devoted student of the hesychastic teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas. Hesychasm is an Eastern Orthodox tradition of contemplative prayer, with...

Saint Thekla (also spelled Thecla) was born into a pagan noble family just sixteen years after the Ascension. When she was eighteen, she became a disciple of St. Paul against the wishes of her mother and fiancé. Despite the objections of her...