Icons

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...

This 15th century icon features the typical style of the Vologda school of Russian iconography. Christ is seen coming out of the dark pit of Hades, bringing with Him all of the righteous Old Testament saints. The Lord is pulling Adam and Eve out, having...

This unique Russian icon depicts Saint Nicholas with Sword and Scenes.  Serving as Bishop of Myra, Saint Nicholas obeyed the word of scripture, to "do justice for the orphan and defend the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). He holds a sword, a symbol of...

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...

The Elder Simeon the Stylite was born in Cappadocia in the lat 4th century. The son of Christian parents, he was obedient and a dedicated worker. While still a boy, he was struck by the singing of the Beatitudes in church. With the help of a trusted...

This detail from the famous Hagia Sophia mosaic features the Theotokos in a Deesis (Supplication) pose. The mosaic was completed in the 13th century.  The Hagia Sophia iconography is some of the most beautiful in the world. Uncovered in the...

This icon depicts the Virgin holding Christ, Who holds her in a sweet embrace. Archangels Michael and Gabriel offer their praise and worship. This Russian icon dates from the 18th century.

This 19th century Russian lithographic icon depicts All Saints of Mount Athos. The most prominent and famous Athonite monastic saints are visible in the foreground, and the haloes of countless more saints, known and unknown, stretch into the distance...

  Saint Ambrose was born in Gaul in the year 340 and became a member of the Roman Senate as Governor of Milan. When the Arian bishop of Milan died, the Orthodox and Arians fought over who would succeed him. Ambrose, desiring to maintain peace, tried...

Also known as Nathanael, St. Bartholomew is traditionally held to have been one of the younger Apostles, and followed Christ with a simple, cheerful faith. After the Ascension, he ministered through Syria and Asia Minor alongside St. Philip, and was...

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 Athanasius was born to a Christian family in Alexandria in 295. He was ordained the bishop of Alexandria before he reached his thirtieth birthday, and became a leader of the Church even before that.  At the time that Athanasius was...

This unique example of Western iconography from the 13th-century Bible moralisée depicts Christ as the Architect of the world, or Geometer.

This stunning icon of the Harrowing of Hades includes many scenes not typically included in icons of the Resurrection. In the center, Christ can be seen standing on the Gates of Hades, pulling Adam and Eve with the Old Testament saints up out of the...

This unique 18th century Russian icon features a stylized church iconostasis. This is a great way to bring the church into the home as a centerpiece for prayer. Top Row: Crucifixion and Holy Friday scenes Second Row: Patriarchs Third Row: Prophets...

Saint Aidan was a seventh century Irish missionary who preached in Northumbria in northern England. Centuries after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the impacts of the fall were beginning to fade, and paganism was making a comeback in the British...

Saint Gregory served as the 63rd Pope of Rome from 590 to 604. He was known for his writings, especially the Dialogues, and his almsgiving. He initiated the first major missionary effort among the Anglo-Saxons. He made several important contributions to...

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 icon depicts the Virgin Mary worshiping her Son, Jesus Christ, as he hangs on the Cross. Her hands are crossed in a gesture of worship and prayer. It was painted in Russia in the 19th century, and features the style of the Novgorod School, which...

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 infanticidal slaughter was ordered by Herod, who was afraid of losing power to the one called "King of the Jews" by the Magi. Soon after the birth of Christ, all the male children in the Bethlehem region under two years of age were murdered. Mary...

The Prophet Jonah (or Jonas) lived in the 8th century before Christ. He prophesied to the Israelites and the Ninevites, calling all to repentance. He also foretold of the coming Messiah. Jonah was eaten by a sea creature and spent three days in...

Saint George was born in the province of Cappadocia, Asia Minor (Turkey), in the third century and raised as a Christian. At the age of 20, he joined the Roman army under Emperor Diocletian and soon showed himself to be a skilled and talented soldier. As...

The Mother of God has long been associated with Moses' burning bush, which held God but was not burned up. This icon is a symbolic representation of this idea. The Theotokos is surrounded by ranks of angels and archangels, as well as various biblical...

The hodigitria (guide) 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 particular icon is a 13th-century mosaic from Saint Catherine's...

This beautiful example of Western iconography is part of the Lindisfarne Gospel illuminated manuscript, which was produced in England in the early 8th century. We see Saint Mark writing his Gospel. The text at the top reads Imago Leonis, "Image of...

This event is commemorated on August 1 (988) with the feast of the Cross. This icon is brimming with details and scenes from Russia's holy history.

This 19th century Russian icon features Christ Pantocrator (Almighty) in the center, with the Theotokos Virgin Mary and John the Baptist on either side. These holiest of saints are always nearest to our Lord Jesus, praying for the peace and salvation...

Saint Gregory was born in 329 in Cappadocia. After his studies, he suffered in a shipwreck and feared for his soul, as he was unbaptized. God spared him, and arriving in Athens, he joined his friend Basil the Great. They lived as monastic brothers in...

Saint Benjamin was born in 1873 in the northwestern Russian Empire with the name of Vasily. At age 20, he graduated from seminary. Two years later, he was ordained a priest-monk with the name of Benjamin. A man of great intellect, he served as a...

Saint Paisios the Great was an Egyptian monastic father in the 5th century. His feast is celebrated on June 19.

  This unique icon of Theophany is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction of the revealing of Christ's Divinity and identity within the Trinitarian Godhead. The anonymous iconographer captures the glory and humility of...

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,...

This beautiful illuminated manuscript is an incredible example of early Western iconography. It comes from the 9th century "Book of Kells," an illuminated Gospel book produced in Ireland. The iconography depicts the Theotokos and Christ, surrounded by...

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...

This historic icon depicts the Burial of Christ. In moving form and vivid color, the anonymous 14th century iconographer records the last embrace of Christ’s body by the Theotokos and the weeping of his disciples before his burial. After the...

  Saint Gabriel was born on March 22, 1684, in Zvierki (Zwierki, Poland). His parents, Peter and Anastasia, maintained their Orthodox faith despite the growth of Uniatism in the region. As a child, Gabriel preferred prayer and solitude rather than...

This historic Byzantine icon depicts the Archangel’s Michael response to Saints Florus and Laurus’ prayers in aiding them in their work with horses. As patron saints of horses and horsemanship, these saints–who eventually were martyred...

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...

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.