Mother Maria (Skobtsova) was a native of Latvia, born in 1891. As a teenager, she was drawn to the teachings of the Socialists. Eventually her concern for the poor led her back to her faith in Christ, and she returned to her native Russian Orthodox...

This rare icon illustrates the Lord's words, "I am the Vine." He is enthroned on a church altar, with grapevines springing forth from the throne. He squeezes the grapes into the chalice of his Blood, which stands on the altar. Two priests are seen...

This 17th century icon features the Prophet Elias (Elijah, Iliya) and the Patriarch Enoch (Enokh). What these Old Testament men have in common is that they never died. According to Genesis, Enoch walked with God for 365 years "and he was no more;"...

Set of Icons The Stations of the Cross is a powerful Western Christian devotion used during Lent and Holy Week. Also called "The Way of the Cross" (or in Latin, Via Crucis), it follows the journey of Christ from His condemnation by Pilate to His...

This 19th century Russian “Academic” icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel. In this icon, Gabriel wears white, the color of purity, and blue, the color of humanity and especially the Virgin Mary. He holds a bouquet of lilies, which are...

Saints Boris (in baptism, Romanus) and Gleb (in baptism, David) were sons of Saint Vladimir the Great Prince of Kiev. When their father was near death in the year 1015, their elder brother Svyatopolk planned to kill his brothers in order to seize power...

This unique icon of the Washing of the Feet is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction from St. John's Gospel (13:1-17) of Christ washing the feet of his disciples on the night of the Last Supper and his imminent betrayal...

This unique icon of Christ's Entry into Jerusalem is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a beautiful depiction of the Gospel accounts of Christ's celebrated and prophesied entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week. The anonymous...

From the 10th century Bamberg Psalter.

"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ And taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee he began to grow sorrowful and distressed. Then Jesus said to...

This unique icon of the Crucifixion of Christ is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction of the Gospels' accounts of Christ's voluntary death and sacrifice. The Theotokos (Blessed Virgin Mary) and St. John the Beloved Disciple...

This unique icon of the Arrest of Christ is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction from the Gospels' accounts of Christ being greeted by Judas Iscariot with a kiss and then being arrested by guards. The anonymous iconographer...

Saint Andrew was born about the year 650 in Damascus, Syria. At the age of 14 he joined the Monastery of St. Sabbas the Sanctified in Jerusalem. Known for his virtue, he became the secretary of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and attended the Sixth...

Saint Pancratius lived during the time of the Apostles, and he came to Christ through Saint Peter. They traveled together to Sicily, where Saint Paul was preaching at that time. Together they made Pancratius bishop of Taormina, and through his...

Saint Anatolius was a priest of Alexandria. After the Robber Council of 449, the heretical Patriarch Dioscorus of Alexandria consecrated Anatolius as Patriarch of Constantinople, thinking that Anatolius would support his views. But Anatolius upheld...

Saint Panteleimon lived in the late 3rd century. A native of Nicomedia, his mother wished for him to be raised a Christian. When she died young, his pagan father sent him to be educated as a physician. He was befriended by Saint Hermolaus, a priest,...

Saint (Elder) Paisios was an Athonite monk, spiritual father, founder of monasteries, and prolific writer of many works that have been translated and read throughout the world. He reposed in 1994. The saint was glorified by the Ecumenical Patriarchate...

Saint Andrew was born about the year 650 in Damascus, Syria. At the age of 14 he joined the Monastery of St. Sabbas the Sanctified in Jerusalem. Known for his virtue, he became the secretary of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and attended the Sixth...

Saint Athanasius was the founder of the first monastic communities on Mount Athos in Greece about the turn of the first millennium. To this day, Athos is the home of some 20 ancient monastic communities, including Saint Athanasius' original community,...

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 of Christ is used during the first three days of Holy Week, especially at the Bridegroom Matins...

Saint Marina the Great Martyr was from Antioch in Pisidia. She suffered under Diocletian in the 3rd century. She is commemorated on July 17. Margaret, Maggie, Megan, and Meghan are all forms of the same name.

Saint John was the Russian Orthodox bishop of various cities in the 20th century, including Shanghai, China, and San Francisco, California. In these and other places he cared for his flock, which included many Russians who had fled the persecution of...

Saint (Elder) Paisios was an Athonite monk, spiritual father, founder of monasteries, and prolific writer of many works that have been translated and read throughout the world. He reposed in 1994. The saint was glorified by the Ecumenical Patriarchate...

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...

Originally called Prokhor, St. Seraphim was born to middle-class parents in Russia in 1754. He became very ill as a young child, but was healed by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon through his own faith and the faith of his mother. After this...

Saint Panteleimon lived in the late 3rd century. A native of Nicomedia, his mother wished for him to be raised a Christian. When she died young, his pagan father sent him to be educated as a physician. He was befriended by Saint Hermolaus, a priest,...

This contemporary Byzantine icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel in glorious form and color. He holds a reed in his left hand, symbolizing the authority delegated to him by the Lord of Hosts. In his right hand, he bears an orb with the Greek letter chi...

This contemporary Byzantine icon depicts the glory of the Archangel Gabriel. Serving as chief liaison between God and man, he serves as messenger, including announcing the Incarnation to the Theotokos/Virgin Mary. Here, he is depicted in glorious...

This historic icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel in his service and posture as chief messenger of the Lord of Hosts. From a larger icon depicting his Annunciation to the Theotokos, it depicts him holding a rod in his left hand, symbolizing his...

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

This historic Russian icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel in festal robes in a posture of intercession for the faithful. It is a detail from a ddeësis (supplication) row of a 17th-century Russian iconostasis. He bears a scepter and orb, symbolizing...

Originally called Prokhor, St. Seraphim was born to middle-class parents in Russia in 1754. He became very ill as a young child, but was healed by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon through his own faith and the faith of his mother. After this...

This contemporary Byzantine icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel in shining white and red. He bears a scepter, denoting the authority delegated to him by the Lord of Hosts. As a member of one of the nine celestial hierarchies accounted by Scripture and...

When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy godly power..." — Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 2 On Great and Holy Friday, our Lord is seen hanging upon the Cross,...

The Cross of Golgotha is an elaboration on the symbol of the Cross, and is especially common in Orthodox monasticism. The meaning of the text is as follows (from top to bottom): The King of GloryJesus Christ Conquers Honored Trophy, the Dread of...

Our Palm Sunday Gift Set commemorates the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem. The two included incenses, Holy Cross and Hand-Gathered Myrrh, are reminders of His coming crucifixion and burial. The oil lamp recalls the parable of the Ten Virgins, the wise ones...

This historic Byzantine icon of the Crucifixion is from St. Catherine's Monastery at Mt. Sinai, Egypt. This icon records Christ’s triumph in vivid color and loving detail. Among other mourners and soldiers, the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) and St. John...

Painted in 1312 this image of Christ among his disciples depicts the last supper or the mystical supper. From the Monastery of Vatopedi at Mount Athos this world renowned image has deep blues, reds and yellows. Peter is at the right hand of Christ...

The Holy Trinity is our fount and source of being, life, and salvation. In the Orthodox Church, worship begins and ends with the words, "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." From Holy Scripture’s account of...

This icon depicts Christ as the True Vine, the name He gives Himself in his final discourse in the Upper Room before his Betrayal. In John 15:5, Christ said to the gathered Apostles, "I am the Vine, you are the branches." This icon depicts this saying...