Pantocrator, "almighty," is one of the many names of God used in the Bible. It refers to Christ as Sabaoth, "Lord of Hosts," the ruler of all, and the sustainer of the universe. This image of Christ is the most widely-used subject in all of...

According to the fourth chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel, the disciples, terrified by the furious storm that came upon their fishing boat, called out to Jesus for help. Indeed, His powerful Word stilled the wind and the waves. Then the disciples asked...

First among the Christian saints, the Theotokos holds the place of honor as the mother of God. In this icon, she embraces her Son Jesus, who blesses the beholder with His right hand while holding a scroll in His left, symbolizing the power of the Gospel...

Among the saints of Ireland, Brigid of Kildare is one of three patrons to the country- the other two being Columba and Patrick. In this beautifully done icon by Vladmir Grygorenko, St. Brigid holds two signs characteristic to her life: an intricately...

This icon, known as the Holy Face, Holy Napkin or Mandylion, portrays the face of Christ on a piece of cloth. According to Christian legend, King Abgar of Edessa wrote to Jesus, asking him to come cure him of an illness. Jesus declined the invitation,...

One of the most popular and beloved Christian Orthodox Icons from the most ancient times is the Orthodox icon of the Good Shepherd. As you look at Christ beautifully holding a sheep on his shoulder you are instantly taken to the Gospel of St. John,...

This comforting icon is a perfect representation of Christ Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7) as well as his role as our own good shepherd (John 10), demonstrating the Lord’s great love and compassion for our salvation. 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, and...

A Deësis icon is an ideal centerpiece in a home prayer corner, serving as an example of how to approach our Lord properly and prayerfully, even as the saints intercede for us. In the Deësis icon, Jesus Christ is enthroned at the...

In this icon, painted by Bulgarian iconographer Georgi Chimev, the Forerunner holds his own beheaded head on a platter while he holds a cross, signs and symbols of his martyric death. While this icon can be used on the many feasts of Saint John...

When Jesus was a youth 12 years of age, he went with his Mother and Saint Joseph to the Temple. They left him behind by mistake, and three days later, they found him in the midst of the elders. This event is recorded at the end of Luke chapter 2, and it...

This glorious icon of the Resurrection and Harrowing of Hades features our Lord emerging triumphant from the depths of Hades, trampling down the gates, locks and chains that forever kept humans trapped after death. He raises from their tombs Adam and...

This stunning icon of the Crucifixion features our Lord hanging on the Cross outside the city of Jerusalem. Standing nearby are His Mother, the Theotokos, and the other women, as well as Saint John. The Cross is planted in "the place of the Skull." This...

This icon features the Most Holy Theotokos sitting on a glorious throne. As the Birthgiver of God, she holds the young Christ Child in her lap as He gives a gesture of blessing. On either side of the throne, holy angels give honor to her who is "more...

This icon is painted in the traditional Byzantine style, featuring Saint Paul holding the Gospel that he preached as the Apostle to the nations. The rich blue background makes it a stunning rendition of this holy Apostle. Originally named Saul, Paul was...

Saint Lucia (also known as Lucy) of Syracuse in Sicily, was a martyr under the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. She suffered early in the 4th century, at about the age of 20, after she refused to marry a pagan. Her feast is celebrated on December 13,...

This unique icon of Saint George is a portrait-style icon, featuring a close-up view of his face. Saint George "the Trophy-bearer" was born in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern Turkey), in the third century and raised as a Christian. About age 20, he...

This exquisite contemporary icon portrays Christ as the Good Shepherd. This traditional image of Christ carrying his rescued sheep is one of the oldest depictions in art. The earliest example of this beautiful image dates from the early 200s and is...

This exquisite contemporary icon portrays Christ as the Bridegroom. Each year during Holy Week, the Bridegroom Service is a key part of the days leading up to Pascha (Easter). This icon depicts the troparia and readings remembering his humility and love...

This exquisite contemporary icon portrays the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) and the infant Christ. The icon’s stunning gold background sets off their vivid colors and loving detail. This traditional icon portrays the Theotokos as Hodegetria (“The...

This finely-painted icon of the holy priest-monk Saint Paisios of Mount Athos is by the hand of American iconographer Mark Fiorenzo. It depicts the holy saint in his monastic habit, wearing the Great Schema and his distinctive knit cap. He holds a...

This icon of the holy priest-monk Saint Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia is by the hand of American iconographer Mark Fiorenzo. It shows the holy saint in his monastic garments, priestly stole and cuffs, and his distinctive knit cap. He holds the book of the...

This icon of the great poet and hymnographer Saint Ephraim the Syrian is by the hand of American iconographer Mark Fiorenzo. It shows the holy saint in his monastic clothing and distinctive head covering. He holds a scroll with the beginning of his...

The Apostle and Evangelist John was especially loved by Christ for his love and purity, and with Peter and James, was one of the closest Apostles to Him. He witnessed the Transfiguration and was the only Apostle to follow Christ to the very Cross, where...

The Apostle and Evangelist Luke was not one of the Lord’s twelve original disciples. A Gentile physician from Antioch, he is counted among the Seventy Apostles. He was a follower of Saint Paul, and traveled with him and Saint Peter throughout the...

The Apostle and Evangelist Mark (also called John Mark) is the author of the Gospel of Mark. According to Church tradition, he was the young man who was seized by soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane and fled away naked (Mark 14:51-52). He was a...

The Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (also named Levi) was the brother of James Alphaeus. He was a tax collector until he was called by Christ. He was the first to write a Gospel, and he wrote in Hebrew. The theology of his Gospel is aimed at the Jews,...

On the third day after His death, the Sunday of Pascha (Easter), our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ raised Himself from the dead. This icon celebrates the universe-transforming event known as the Harrowing of Hades, the doctrine laid down in the...

The Apostle Andrew "the First-Called," was the brother of Saint Peter. He had been a disciple of Saint John the Baptist, but went to follow Christ when Saint John called Him "the Lamb of God," becoming the first disciple. After the Lord's ascension into...

This stunning fresco depicts the arrival of the Gospel to the natives of Alaska.  Saints Herman, Juvenaly, and Innocent were the first saints of the Orthodox Church to shine forth in the wilderness of Alaska. With a missionary spirit desiring to...

This contemporary Byzantine icon depicts the Righteous Rebecca, bride of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. As the grandmother of Jacob’s twelve sons, she figures prominently in Christ’s lineage. In addition, her story of trust and fidelity...

From the earliest period of Christianity, the faithful have portrayed Christ and His mother the Theotokos in veneration. This set includes fresco icons of Christ and the Theotokos from Mount Athos, rich in traditional forms and hues. The icon of Christ,...

This unique icon of the Flowery Cross depicts a Russian three-barred cross with many ornate flourishes and decorations. A version of a monastic schema cross, it also includes a spear and staff with sponge–instruments associated with the...

The Hodigitria (Guide or Directress) 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 icon always appears on the iconostasis in Orthodox...

Saint Olga was born on February 3, 1916, in the Yup'ik village of Kwethluk, Alaska. Her family herded reindeer, and Olga (Arrsamquq, her Yup'ik name) loved spending time in the mountains as a child, playing with her six brothers. She married her...

This contemporary Byzantine icon depicts Saint Gabriel (Urgebadze) the Fool for Christ. A renowned Georgian saint, he endured brutal persecution during Soviet rule and lived a long faithful life as an ascetic. His relics and intercessions have long been...

This contemporary Byzantine icon depicts Christ in his role as Creator and Divine Architect of the world and universe. He holds a measuring compass in his hand, reminding the viewer/worshipper of the words addressed by God in Job 38:4-7: “Where...

Saint Abigail (also known as Gobnait or Gobnata) was born in Ireland around the beginning of the sixth century. After seeing a vision of white deer, she was granted land to build a women's monastery at Ballyvourney. As abbess, she was known for gifts...

Ruth lived about the 13th century before Christ. She was the great-grandmother of David, the King of Israel. During a time of famine in Israel, Elimelech and Naomi of Bethlehem took their sons and traveled to the nearby country of Moab. Elimelech died,...