Icons

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...

"Then Pilate released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he had scourged and handed him over to be crucified." (From the 5th Passion Gospel reading of Holy Friday in the Orthodox tradition.)

This deësis (supplication) icon of the Theotokos was painted in the 13th century. Icons of this type usually appear in a row on either side of an iconostasis (prayer screen), with saints facing Christ, Who is enthroned above the holy doors...

This icon is a famous and historic symbol of Moscow and its ancient kingdom. In the center is the Theotokos of Vladimir. She is surrounded by a "family tree" filled with saints from the Moscow region. Painted in 1668 by Simon Ushakov. On the left side:...

The Theotokos of Vladimir is one of the most well-known and popular Orthodox icons, the most famous example of the eleusa (tenderness) type. It is traditionally considered to be the first icon ever painted, by the Apostle Luke himself, the...

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...

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...

Saint Basil was born in Caesarea in 329, to a holy family full of saints. He went to complete his education in Athens, where he first met his lifelong friend Saint Gregory the Theologian. Later, after he had spent some time in solitude, Basil...

Saint Susanna  is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke as one of the women-disciples who followed the Lord and paid for his expenses throughout His ministry. She was one of the Myrrh-bearing Women who followed Christ, and saw the angel at the tomb...

This is an iconographic representation of the Akathist Hymn. The Prophets surround the Virgin Mary with scrolls of praise, and on the outer border there are feasts and scenes from the Theotokos' life. The Akathist Hymn is chanted on the fifth Saturday...

This historic Byzantine icon of the Theotokos and Christ child is a moving portrayal of their love for each other and the Church. Depicted with a rich red background, the anonymous 15th century iconographer depicts the holiness of both Christ and His...

Outside the city of Constantinople, there was a sacred spring dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A monastery grew up there in the 5th century, and over time the spring was overgrown by a grove of trees. The Byzantine Emperor encountered a blind man who was...

This historic Byzantine icon depicts the Virgin holding Christ, who responds with his own sweet embrace. Two angels flank the pair and offer their own praise and adoration. Dating from the late 13th century, this icon features a unique style with vivid...

  The face of our Savior is kind and gentle in this image of the Holy Face, also known as the Mandylion. This icon is celebrated on August 16, the feast of the Icon Not-Made-By-Hands. This icon, also known as the Holy...

Saint Gregory was elected as the 63rd Pope of Rome after the death of the Apostles in the year 590. He was known for his writings, especially the Dialogues, and his almsgiving. He initiated the first major missionary effort among the Anglo-Saxons. He...

"At that time Joseph of Arimathea, a noble councillor, who was also waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate wondered if he were already dead, and after summoning the centurion he asked him if...

This 15th century icon shows Christ with his Apostles, who are talking amongst themselves in shock at the revelation that one of them would betray Christ. Judas, the betrayer, is seen reaching his hand into a bowl as the Gospel says. At this Passover...

Aaron was the brother of Moses. While God assigned the task of Israelite leadership directly to Moses, Aaron became an important leader in his own right.  At his first encounter with God, Moses expressed concern that he was not well-spoken enough...

This stunning Ethiopian icon of St. George depicts the renowned soldier of Christ in combat with the dragon.  Saint George, sometimes called “the Trophy-bearer,” was born in the province of Cappadocia, Asia Minor (Turkey), in the third...

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...

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 Crucifixion of Christ as a panorama of people and events associated both with the Gospel account as well as the time and place of its origin. It depicts the Crucifixion occurring outside a stylized city of Jerusalem...

Saint Nicholas was born in the third century in the city of Patara. His wealthy Christian parents died when he was young, and he gave his inheritance to the poor. Devoting himself to the Church, Nicholas was eventually ordained Bishop of Myra...

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...

This contemporary Byzantine icon depicts St. Justin Popovich of Chelije. A renowned modern Serbian saint, he is remembered for his devotion to the Church through his life and writings. He was instrumental for helping the Serbian Church endure during...

From the years 527 to 565, Saint Justinian the Great reigned as the Roman Emperor. During his reign, tens of thousands of pagans were baptized into Christ and the pagan schools of Athens were closed. Some ninety missionary churches were built to...

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 18th century Russian icon features the 12 Great Feasts, with the Resurrection, the Myrrhbearers at the tomb, the Hospitality of Abraham, and the Protection of the Mother of God. The original size is about 25x20 inches. Order this Cathedral size...

The feast of the Protection celebrates the appearance of the Mother of God at Blachernae in the 10th century, when she appeared and spread her veil over the church, saving the city from invasion. The name of the feast in Greek (Skepi) and Russian...

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,...

Saint George, sometimes called “the Trophy-bearer,” was born in the province of Cappadocia, Asia Minor (Turkey), in the third century and raised as a Christian. About age 20, he joined the Roman army under the emperor Diocletian,...

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 popular icon tells the story of a certain young man who, despite his sinful way of life,  kept a prayerful devotion to the Mother of God. One day, he prayed before the icon of the Theotokos as he was leaving his house to commit a sin...

In this incredible icon, the Theotokos is depicted wearing the royal robes and crown of the Queen Mother. This points to her unique role as the Mother of the King, Jesus Christ our God. Offered under license from the iconographer.

This stunning Ethiopian icon depicts the Virgin Enthroned accompanied by angels. Part of a historic genre of icons in the East and West featuring the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) being honored by her Son in heaven, this Ethiopian icon gives a distinctive look...

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,...

This beautiful 9th-century mosaic from the dome of the Basilica of Saint Praxedes in Rome features Christ Pantocrator ("Almighty") being upheld by four archangels. To us at Legacy Icons, this evokes an image from the Cherubic Hymn: "That we may...

This icon is a beautiful contemporary Byzantine portrayal of the Old Testament Prophet Micah. Renowned for his prophecies of the coming Messiah and God’s redemption of His rebellious people, the Prophet Micah holds an important place in the...

The Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John was the older cousin of our Lord. He was born miraculously of his aged parents, specially chosen by God to prepare the way for Christ, the Messiah. It was John who identified Jesus as "the Lamb of God...

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...