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...

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...

Inspired by one of the hymns of the Great Compline service, this icon depicts the Mother of God making intercession before her Son on behalf of those who need help, in particular: the cold and naked, the elderly and crippled, those who are traveling,...

Saint Sergius (in Russian, Sergei or Sergey) was from the Moscow region. Born in 1314, his parents died young and he withdrew into the wilderness to live in prayer. Although he had no monastic training, he was spiritually strong and never fell into a...

According to Christian tradition, when the Virgin Mary was about nine months old, her mother Anna wanted to see if she was able to stand. To her amazement, the infant was able to take seven steps into her mother's arms. This beautiful 16th icon of this...

Saint James was a kinsman of the Lord Jesus, either His half-brother (a son of Joseph by his first wife) or His cousin (a son of Joseph's brother Cleopas). In any case, the Scriptures refer to him as the Lord's brother, as was the idiom of the Jews...

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.

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...

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...

Saint Demetrios (or Demetrius) was born in Thessaloniki in the third century. He was a soldier in the Roman army and exhibited every Christian virtue. During the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, Demetrios was imprisoned. While in prison he spoke...

This 17th century icon comes from the Hilander monastery on Mount Athos. It features four prominent warrior saints, from left to right, Demetrios the Myrrh-streaming (also spelled Demetrius/Dmitri), George the Trophy-bearer, Prokopios (or Procopius),...

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 Greek icon depicts the Apostle Luke the Evangelist. Renowned for his authorship of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, his accounts feature some of the most distinctive and renowned stories of Christ’s Incarnation and the...

The Great and Universal Feast of the Exaltation (Elevation) of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross is the only one of the Great Feasts that did not occur during the Biblical time period. It is celebrated on September 14 each year. Saint Helen, the...

The Martyr Sophia (Sofia) and her daughters Faith, Hope, and Love (or Charity) lived near Rome in the 2nd century. Under the reign of Hadrian, they were found to be Christians and were taken before him. Knowing they faced death, they prayed for...

The Church has received the tradition of the Nativity (birth) 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 holy, glorious Apostle Thomas is celebrated on October 6, and his "excellent unbelief, which led the hearts of the faithful to knowledge" is commemorated in the Orthodox Church on the Sunday after Pascha.

Saint Romanos (or Romanus) the Melodist was born in Syria in the late 5th century. After serving as a deacon in Beirut, he went on to Constantinople. While he served the Church passionately, he felt his voice was weak. He prayed to the Mother of God,...

  The original icon of the Theotokos the "Multiplier of Wheat" was painted in the 19th century at the blessing of St. Ambrose of Optina. He established October 15 as a day of celebration and prayer for a safe and fruitful harvest, saying the Mother...

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...

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 Kursk Root Icon is one of the most ancient icons of the Russian Church, dating to the 13th century. It is an icon of the Theotokos "of the Sign" and features around the border nine prophets who foresaw the birth of Christ. The name "Kursk Root" is...

This historic Greek icon depicts the beloved Apostle John the Theologian. Exiled to the Mediterranean island of Patmos in his old age, he is shown receiving the revelation of the apocalypse (unfolding) and dictating to his scribe, St. Prochorus. This...

This 19th century Byzantine icon of the Apostle John the Theologian uniquely depicts him contemplating the stories of Christ in silence. Whether writing or reading his own Gospel account, his face reflects the depth of love that he shared with the Lord...

This historic icon of the Apostle John the Theologian dates from the 14th century and depicts him holding his Gospel. St. John the Evangelist did not only author a Gospel, but was a much-beloved Apostle and minister of Jesus. He and his brother...

This historic icon of the Apostle John the Theologian dates from the 15th century. It depicts him holding his Gospel while being overseen by an angelic visitor. St. John the Evangelist did not only author a Gospel, but was a much-beloved Apostle and...

Moses was a prophet, transcriber of Holy Law, and mediator between God and man. Through Moses, God made Himself known to the people of Israel. In his obedience to God and his communication of the Law to the people, Moses laid the foundation for our...

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...

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...

Saint Innocent served as a missionary among the native peoples of Alaska. Along with his wife and family, he was devoted to educating the Aleuts and bringing them to Christ. When his wife died, he became a bishop and served as Metropolitan of Moscow...

This 14th century icon depicts Saint Demetrius (or Demetrios), an early Christian martyr and important military saint. His feast is celebrated on October 26. Saint Demetrius was born in Thessaloniki in the third century. He was a soldier in the Roman...

In addition to being a physician and author of one of the Gospels and the Book of Acts, the Apostle and Evangelist Saint Luke is traditionally held to be the first iconographer. In this icon, he is depicted as painting the original Theotokos...

Inspired by one of the hymns of the Great Compline service, this icon depicts the Mother of God making intercession before her Son on behalf of those who need help, in particular: the cold and naked, the elderly and crippled, those who are traveling,...

Inspired by one of the hymns of the Great Compline service, this historic Russian icon depicts the Mother of God making intercession before her Son on behalf of those who need help. In particular, it includes the cold and naked, the elderly and...

Inspired by one of the hymns of the Great Compline service, this icon depicts the Mother of God making intercession before her Son on behalf of those who need help, in particular: the cold and naked, the elderly and crippled, those who are traveling,...

Inspired by one of the hymns of the Great Compline service, this icon depicts the Mother of God making intercession before her Son on behalf of those who need help, in particular: the cold and naked, the elderly and crippled, those who are traveling,...

The feast of the Protection celebrates the appearance of the Mother of God at Blachernae in the 10th century, when she appeared and spread her veil over the church, saving the city from invasion. The name of the feast in Greek (Skepi) and Russian...

This 6th-century mosaic is from the apse of the Basilica of Saint Apollinare in Ravenna, Italy. The holy Cross is jeweled (crux gemmata) and appears in the center, surrounded with the Taboric light. Moses and Elias appear on either side, and...

This historic icon commemorates the Miracle of Chonae. It is a faithful copy of the original painted by the faithful monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, Egypt, where it resides today. According to Holy Tradition, this miracle occurred in...

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...