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,...

This beautiful example of Western iconography is a manuscript illumination from the Book of Kells, a Celtic Gospel book dating to the early 9th century. The Evangelists are represented by their symbolic representations: an angel for Matthew, a lion for...

Saint Conon was born in Nazareth, the hometown of the Lord Jesus. As an adult he lived in Mandona, where he was a gardener. He was a devoted Christian and had a pure heart. The saint suffered under the emperor Decius and openly confessed his faith at...

Saint Genevieve was born in the village of Nanterre, west of Paris in Gaul (modern France), about the year 420. When she was eight years old, she expressed to Saint Germanus of Auxerre her desire to consecrate her virginity to the Lord. About the age...

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...

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.

This beautiful icon features the 13 holy fathers who are considered to be the founders of Georgian monasticism. Their names are: John of Zedazeni, Abibus of Nekresi, Anthony of Martqopi, David of Gareji, Zenon of Iqalto, Thaddeus of Stepantsminda, Jesse...

St. James Alphaeus, is also known as “St. James the Less,” meaning the smaller or younger, to distinguish him from the second apostle James, the brother of John. Unlike the brother of John, St. James Alphaeus is not often mentioned in the...

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,...

St. James, the brother of St. John the Evangelist, was with his brother among the second of the Apostles to be called to Jesus. With John as well, James was given the surname "Boanerges," Sons of Thunder, by Jesus, and with John and Peter James was...

While not himself one of the Twelve Apostles, the Evangelist St. Mark is said to have been present at Jesus’ arrest. In the Gospel of Mark, the “young man” who ran away from the scene, and apparently watched the Crucifixion from afar,...

Saints Peter and Paul are celebrated together as the Holy and Glorious Leaders of the Apostles. Saint Peter was a zealous follower of Christ, and was the first to confess His Divinity. While the Apostle denied Christ after His arrest, the Lord forgave...

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...

Also known as Isaac of Ninevah, he was born in Arabia in the early 7th century. As a young man he entered a monastery and devoted himself to the monastic life. Later in his life, he was ordained Bishop of Nineveh in the north of modern Iraq. After just...

Saint Cyrus was from Alexandria of Egypt. He attended university and became a physician, treating his patients free of charge and healing miraculously in the name of Christ. Under the persecutions of Diocletian, he fled to the Persian Gulf to join a...

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

The Apostle Matthias was the 12th Apostle, chosen to replace Judas after he hanged himself. He died a martyr's death.  His feast is celebrated on August 9 by the Orthodox Church, May 14 in the West, and On February 24 in certain Protestant...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

Saint Alexis (or Alexios/Alexius) was a 4th-century Roman monastic who secretly left the secular world and lived in anonymity for much of his life. He is counted among the saints called "Fools-for-Christ." His feast is celebrated on March 17.

This beautiful icon depicts the Apostle Peter, one of Christ’s original 12 disciples. Called from his life as a fisherman, he became a ‘fisher of men’ and was known for his outspokenness, courage, and humility. After Pentecost, he...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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

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 from the 1400s depicts a number of miracles and saints related to horses and other domestic livestock. As such, it is a moving reminder of God’s power revealed through creation, even through common animals.  The historic...

Saint Dorotheos was born in Antioch about the year 506 of prominent parents. He was well-educated and worked as a physician. He desired to enter the monastic life, and joined the monastery of Thawatha, where Saints Barsanuphius and John also lived...

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...

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.

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

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...

  The Apostle Simon the Zealot is traditionally regarded as the bridegroom at the Wedding of Cana, where Christ performed His first miracle. After witnessing this, he became a zealous follower of Christ. After Pentecost, he traveled throughout...

Saint Mary lived in the fifth century. As a girl, she left her Christian family in order to follow her pleasures in unbridled sinful living. At one point she joined a group of pilgrims to Jerusalem, selling herself in exchange for passage. When they...