The origins of this icon are unknown, but it is certainly ancient. Throughout the centuries, in the pain of childbirth women have found immense comfort in the intercessions of the Theotokos, who gave birth to Our Lord Jesus Christ. The icon is...

"So the cohort and the tribune and the servants of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him, and led him away to Annas first. For he was Caiaphas’ father in law, who was chief priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that...

"Then Pilate released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he had scourged and handed him over to be crucified." (From the 5th Passion Gospel reading of Holy Friday in the Orthodox tradition.)

"At that time Joseph of Arimathea, a noble councillor, who was also waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate wondered if he were already dead, and after summoning the centurion he asked him if...

Saint Eugene was one of the five companions who were martyred for Christ under Diocletian. For his part, Eugene's tongue was cut out, his hands and feet were cut off, and he was finally beheaded. He suffered about the year 300. His feast is celebrated...

In this 18th century Russian icon, Christ extends His hand to His beloved friend Lazarus, who comes out of his tomb after being dead for four days. This miraculous event happened just before Palm Sunday. By this action, Christ displayed His power over...

The Apostle Stephen was the first deacon of the Church. For this, he is called "Protodeacon" or "Archdeacon," and as he was the first Christian martyr, he is called "Protomartyr." While performing his missionary work, he defeated some Jews in a debate...

In this radiant icon, we see Moses and Aaron standing within the Tabernacle of Witness. Moses holds a chalice and a text of the Law, while Aaron the high priest holds a censer and the budded rod. The orb with the seven-branch candle stand contains an...

This historic icon of Christ "Emmanuel" is from the ancient Orthodox monastic community of Mount Athos, Greece. It depicts Christ as a young man and illustrates the powerful meaning of one of his Hebrew names, Emmanuel, God with us, given to him in...

Palm Sunday is the celebration of Christ's triumphal entry into the royal city of Jerusalem. Riding on a young donkey, he was met by a massive crowd who publicly hailed Him as king. They waved palm branches and laid their cloaks on the road before Him...

This unique Russian icon depicts the Theotokos weeping at the Cross of her Son, Jesus Christ, outside the city of Jerusalem.  The 18th century iconographer faithfully and beautifully uses color and form to portray the pathos and glory of the Holy...

"At that time, Jesus went out with his disciples across the brook Kedron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Judas, his betrayer, also knew the place, because Jesus had often gathered there with his disciples. So Judas,...

The Church has received the tradition of the conception of the Mother of God from the ancient Fathers of the Church. The Virgin Mary was born to her parents about 16 or 17 years before the birth of Christ. Her father Joachim was descended from the...

This unique 18th century Russian icon depicts the Lord alone on the Cross, outside the city of Jerusalem (here, with characteristic Slavic architecture). The sun and moon are shown as darkened or red, according to the Gospels’ narrative.  As...

The title of this icon, which is written in Slavonic across the top, comes from the Canon of Holy Saturday: Do not weep for me, Mother, as you see Me entombed: the Son conceived seedlessly in your womb. For I shall arise and be glorified, and I shall...

This unique Russian icon depicts a triumphal Cross of Christ surrounded by saints and angels. Painted in the 19th century Russian Academic style, this icon depicts in realistic form and vivid color the gathering of the faithful around the instrument of...

This beautiful icon depicts Christ’s Crucifixion on Holy Friday. Painted by the Italian master Giotto c. 1315, this classic Western icon movingly depicts the emotions and power of this pivotal event in human history and the culmination of...

Palm Sunday is the celebration of Christ's triumphal entry into the royal city of Jerusalem. Riding on a young donkey, he was met by a massive crowd who publicly hailed Him as king. They waved palm branches and laid their cloaks on the road before Him...

Joachim and Anna were the parents of the holy Virgin Mary. They were childless, and for this they were derided by their fellow Jews, who believed they must have been cursed. They both devoted themselves to prayer, and they each vowed to dedicate their...

Saint Nicholas was born in the third century in the city of Patara. His wealthy Christian parents died when he was young, and he gave his inheritance to the poor. Devoting himself to the Church, Nicholas was eventually ordained Bishop of Myra...

Aaron was the brother of Moses. While God assigned the task of Israelite leadership directly to Moses, Aaron became an important leader in his own right.  At his first encounter with God, Moses expressed concern that he was not well-spoken enough...

The Great Prophet and King David, who lived about the 11th century before Christ, is one of the great prefigurements of our Lord. One of his greatest contributions to the Christian faith is the book of Psalms; many of these hymns prophecy the coming of...

Saint Nicholas was born in the third century in the city of Patara. His wealthy Christian parents died when he was young, and he gave his inheritance to the poor. Devoting himself to the Church, Nicholas was eventually ordained Bishop of Myra...

Barbara, born in the third century in Syria, was so beautiful that her pagan father placed her in an isolated tower to keep her innocent of any influence except his own until she could be married. Like St. Christina, Barbara also came to realize...

Saint Nicholas was born in the third century in the city of Patara. His wealthy Christian parents died when he was young, and he gave his inheritance to the poor. Devoting himself to the Church, Nicholas was eventually ordained Bishop of Myra...

Saint Ignatius is known to have been a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist, and a contributor to the early ministry of the Church. He is also believed to have been that “little child” who Jesus used as an example of the...

In the Blessed Silence icon, Christ appears in the form of an angel. The depiction is closely associated with the Nativity (Christmas), after the prophecy of Isaiah: "For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his...

Our Lord is depicted at His trial, stripped of His clothes and beaten, hands tied, wearing the crown of thorns and holding the reed in His hand. This icon is also known as "Extreme Humility." This icon of Christ is used during the first three days of...

This 15th century Greek icon depicts the Nativity of Christ, with several related scenes. The Virgin Mary is depicted resting beside her newborn Son. The cave imagery recalls icons of the Resurrection, reminding the viewer that our salvation was...

Jesus Christ is removed from the cross. Mary Magdalene and the other Myrhh bearing women hold his hand in this moment of sadness and reflection. Angels weep and look on at the death of our Lord. A twilight sky sets a reflective tone in this image.

This 15th century icon shows Christ with his Apostles, who are talking amongst themselves in shock at the revelation that one of them would betray Christ. Judas, the betrayer, is seen reaching his hand into a bowl as the Gospel says. At this Passover...

This 14th century fresco shows Jesus Christ being cradled by the Theotokos and Joseph of Arimathea as he is removed from the cross. Mary Magdalene and the other Myrhh bearing women hold his hand in this moment of sadness and reflection. Angels...

This beautiful icon of the Crucifixion depicts Christ’s Passion within the context of several other important Scriptural events. At the left, an icon depicts the Hospitality of Abraham (Holy Trinity). At the right, the beheading of John the...

This beautiful mosaic icon of the Crucifixion of Christ captures the humility and glory of the culmination of Holy Friday.  In this mosaic, the Lord is crucified in the presence of the Theotokos (Blessed Virgin Mary) and St. John the beloved...

This beautiful mosaic icon of the Crucifixion of Christ captures the humility and glory of the culmination of Holy Friday. The original is from the Basilica San Clemente in Rome and was constructed in the 12th Century. It is a unique representation of...

This stunning icon of the Mystical Supper captures the beauty and emotion of Christ’s Last Supper with His disciples before His betrayal.  Painted by an anonymous 13th century iconographer, it depicts the emotions and glory of Christ's Last...

In this unique Russian icon of the Crucifixion, we also have a window into Hades below the earth. Here, the righteous of the Old Testament are looking up with anticipation, as Christ is about to descend into Hades and set them free from their eternal...

This unique historical Russian icon of the Crucifixion presents all of the drama and glory of Christ’s sacrifice and victory. The anonymous iconographer includes the Theotokos and St. John the Beloved Disciple watching the dying of the Master...

In this historic Russian icon, Christ's victorious death is represented in the center, surrounded by related scenes from Holy Week and His life. Multiple events occurring in earth, heaven, and hell on Holy Friday and Saturday are captured in vivid color...

This Russian icon depicts the scene at the Lord’s crucifixion on Holy Friday. The two thieves are shown crucified with him. Christ’s most faithful disciples are with him, as the Gospel tells: his Mother, John, Martha, and Mary. Saint Longinus the...