Icons

The educated St. Philip plays a relatively minor role in the Gospels, but his actions as a disciple while Jesus was alive show his practical nature and logical mind. He is commemorated on November 14. He was close friends with the Apostle Bartholomew,...

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...

Barachiel in the Hebrew language means Blessing of God. One of the eight traditional archangels, he is depicted holding roses. He is considered to be a leader of the Guardian Angels, and a patron of married couples and families. This icon is...

This stunning historic Russian icon depicts the Archangel Michael. He wears festal robes of scarlet (his traditional color) and carries a scepter in his right hand, symbolizing his authority as chief of the bodiless powers of heaven. This icon is a...

This beautiful example of Western iconography is a manuscript illumination from the Lindisfarne Gospels, produced in England in the early 8th century. Saint Matthew is depicted writing his Gospel. The text at the top reads Imago Hominis, "Image of a...

This icon is a faithful reproduction of a renowned Byzantine original of the 12th century depicting Michael the Archangel. It was a treasure of Byzantine goldsmithery, featuring enameled inlays and numerous gemstones. Several military saints adorn the...

Saint John Chrysostom (which means "Golden-Mouthed," after his eloquent speaking abilities) is one of the greatest preachers and theologians in Church history. His sermons and commentary on the scriptures are invaluable, and his bold preaching is held...

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...

Elijah (or in Greek, Elias) lived under the rule of Ahab, “who did evil before the Lord, more than all who were before him” (3 Kgd. 16:38). Through Elijah, God gave the world a voice of justice in an unjust time. But the miracles and signs...

This detail from a large 16th century fresco depicts an Angel carrying a pair of ceremonial fans. On his back is the Epitaphion or Plashchanitsa, which represents the burial shroud of Christ and is used in the solemn services of Holy Friday and Holy...

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...

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...

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...

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...

This detail from a large 16th century fresco features two angelic Thrones. The Thrones are the third-highest of the nine ranks of angels, and are mentioned by Saint Paul in Colossians 1. They are usually associated with the wheels seen by the Prophet...

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...

Saint Tatiana was the second daughter of Tsar St. Nicholas II and Tsarina St. Alexandra. She was born in 1897. She was widely known for her beauty and elegance, but within the Royal Family, she was a second maternal figure for her younger siblings...

This incredible icon of Saint Elias the Prophet is from the iconostasis at Saint Nicholas Anthiochian Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It features Saint Elias being taken up to heaven in the chariot of fire, while his disciple, the Prophet...

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...

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,...

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...

The original Kursk Root Icon is one of the most famous 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...

This historic Russian icon depicts the Archangel Garbiel, the chief liaison between God and man. He is clothed in green deacon's vestments, speaking of his mediating role. In this icon, his hands are raised in supplication or intercession for the saints...

An angel is a messenger of God, and a being which has stood before God and praised Him from a time before human comprehension. We cannot fully grasp what an angel's exact nature is, but we can understand an angel's function on earth. In icons,...

Saint Clement was converted to Christ through the Apostle Peter. He served as the third Bishop of Rome after the death of the Apostles, from about AD 91 to 99. His feast is celebrated on November 23 in the West, November 24 by the Greeks, and November...

This 19th century Russian Old Believer icon features the Guardian Angel and several other saints: St. Aquilina the Virgin Martyr, St. Basil the Great, and Sts. Gurias, Samonas and Abibus (Habib). They are portrayed standing at the ready to quickly...

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,...

This historic Russian icon depicts a closeup view of the Archangel Gabriel. Arrayed in festal deacon’s vestments, Holy Gabriel acts as the liaison between humans and God throughout Scripture. He offers messages and encouragement to God’s...

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...

Saint Katherine (also spelled Catherine) is celebrated as a Great Martyr of the Orthodox Church. She suffered greatly for her faith in Christ in the year 305 at the hands of Maximinus of Alexandria. She was killed for refusing his marriage intentions,...

Jehudiel (also translated as Jegudiel) in the Hebrew language means Glorifier of God. One of the eight traditional archangels, he is depicted holding a golden crown and whip. He is considered to be a patron of leaders and those in positions...

This contemporary Byzantine icon of Saint Menas the Wonderworker features the holy Saint opening his hands in the orans gesture of prayer. Christ is mystically depicted within the Saint, as the Lord filled him with His divine life. Saint Menas is one of...

These martyrs were from Iconium in Asia Minor. When her husband died, Julitta was left to raise her three-year-old son Cyricus (or Quriaqos) alone. During the persecutions of Diocletian, they fled to Tarsus, but were arrested in the year 305...

The Theotokos of Kazan has been popular in Russia since the 16th century. The wonderworking original of this icon traveled from Constantinople to Russia in the 13th century. It disappeared when the Tatars overtook Kazan in 1438, and reappeared over a...

Saint John became archbishop of Alexandria in 608. He fought against heresy throughout his episcopacy, but he is especially remembered for his generosity to the poor. He is also referred to as John the Almsgiver. He reposed in 619, at the age of 64...

Saint Theodore was born in Constantinople in the year 759. He entered the monastic life at a young age, and by age 35 he had been ordained a priest and became the abbot of the monastery. He later left this monastery and joined the Monastery of...

This unique icon depicts the Saints Peter, Paul, Olga, and Xenia gathered under the glory and grace of their mutual Lord. The anonymous medieval Russian iconographer captured the glory and humility of these renowned female saints with the 1st century...

Saint Alypius was from Adrianople. One of the famous "pillar saints" (stylites), he lived on a pillar for over 50 years. He reposed in the 7th century. His feast is celebrated on November 26.

Saint Raphael was born in Beirut in 1860. He spent the first decades of his life traveling throughout the Middle East and Russia, gaining knowledge and experience as a clergyman. Father Raphael was called to America and established a parish in...

Saint Stephen suffered during the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo the Isaurian (716-41). He defended the veneration of icons, and for this he was put on trial and imprisoned. In prison, he and over 300 other defenders of the icons organized a...