Icons

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 Valentine (or Valentinus) was a 3rd century bishop of Terni in Italy. He was martyred in Rome in 269. He is commemorated on February 14 by Western Christians and on July 30 by the Eastern Orthodox. There is another Saint Valentine, a presbyter of...

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...

Saint Sophrony was born to Orthodox parents in Russia in 1896 and was named Sergei Sakharov. As a child he prayed for long periods of time every day, and even experienced the Uncreated Light. As he came of age, he became a talented artist and attended...

This icon is a beautiful contemporary Byzantine portrayal of the Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel. Renowned for his visions of the angelic hosts and the New Jerusalem, his message of God’s salvation came at a time of national calamity. Handcrafted in...

This icon depicts the many saints who shone forth at Mount Sinai and in the surrounding desert. Saint Catherine, the patron of the monastery at Mount Sinai, stands at the center of the fathers at the bottom; the prophet Moses stands at the top,...

The Lord's restoration of sight to the Blind Man, as described in John 9:1-41, is celebrated on the fifth Sunday after Pascha (Easter) in the Orthodox Church. According to many of the Church Fathers, the man was not merely blind, but he was born...

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 icon is used in the Russian tradition for the feast of Pentecost, and in many churches it appears above the Holy Doors. It bears two meanings.  On its surface, this icon depicts a scene from the Bible. The image of three angels grouped...

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;"...

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...

In this beautiful detail from a massive 17th century fresco at Slivnichki Monastery in Macedonia, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove, perched on a royal throne. He holds the Holy Gospel, and is surrounded by the instruments of the passion: the...

Saint Joseph lived in Syria in the 19th century. He was a priest who worked as a translator and editor of the Church Fathers' writings, desiring to bring their teachings to the faithful. In 1860, a wave of anti-Christian Druze riots swept through...

The feast of All Saints is commemorated on the Sunday After Pentecost by Eastern Christians and November 1 by Western Christians. This 18th century Russian icon features 80 representatives of all the ranks of Saints: Apostles, Prophets, Hierarchs,...

Saint Nicholas II reigned as the last Tsar (Emperor) of Russia from 1894 to 1917. His rule saw the liberalization and eventual fall of the Russian Empire in the Bolshevik Revolution, which ushered in the Soviet communism which was incredibly...

The holy Virgin Martyr Paraskevi (or Paraskeva) was born in Rome in the 2nd century to Christian parents. From her earliest years she was devout, spending much of her time in prayer and reading the Scriptures. After her parents' death, she dedicated...

This historical icon of The Great Commission powerfully displays Christ's command to His disciples to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Depicting the words of Matthew 28:19-20,    Therefore go and make disciples of all...

Saint Vladimir was the grandson of Saint Olga, who became a Christian at Constantinople. Vladimir's father Svyatoslav divided his kingdom among his three sons. Vladimir, at that time a fierce pagan, was granted the principality of Novgorod. He...

Saint Olaf II was an early King of Norway and Christian martyr. He was born about the year 995 to the royal family of the small kingdom of Vestfold. He grew up participating in fighting expeditions. Around the age of 19, he converted to the Christian...

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...

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...

The feast of All Saints is commemorated on the Sunday After Pentecost by Eastern Christians and November 1 by Western Christians. Symbolism Circle — Christ enthroned in glory, with the Theotokos and John the Baptist and the ranks of the saints:...

The feast of All Saints is commemorated on the Sunday After Pentecost by Eastern Christians and November 1 by Western Christians. Symbolism Circle — Christ enthroned in glory, with the Theotokos and John the Baptist and the ranks of the saints:...

From the 10th century Bamberg Psalter.

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...

The feast of All Saints is commemorated on the Sunday After Pentecost by Eastern Christians and November 1 by Western Christians.  This beautiful 19th century Russian icon features a rich palette and vibrant colors for an excellent example of...

As they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This...

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...

The Lord's miracle of the healing of the man paralyzed for 38 years, as described in John 5:1-15, is celebrated on the third Sunday after Pascha (Easter) in the Orthodox Church.

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...

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 unique icon of the Ascension of Christ is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction from chapter 1 of the Acts of the Apostles. The anonymous iconographer represents the glory of this event of the gathered disciples and...

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 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...

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...

The feast of All Saints is commemorated on the Sunday After Pentecost by Eastern Christians and November 1 by Western Christians. This 17th century icon is of Greek origin. Symbolism Center – Christ enthroned in glory, with the Theotokos...

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...

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...