Icons

This famous image is one of Russia's finest and most ancient treasures. Dating to the 12th century, it survived the Mongol invasion and first appeared in Moscow in the 16th century. Based on the...

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...

Saint Aquila, a tent-maker by trade and one of the Seventy Apostles, and his wife Priscilla originally dwelt in Rome. When the Jews were expelled by Claudius, they settled in Corinth, where they met...

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...

This ancient fresco icon is one of the earliest known depictions of Christ Pantocrator. Located in the 4th century Catacombs of Commodilla near Rome, it depicts Christ with the Greek letters Alpha...

This beautiful mosaic icon of the Crucifixion of Christ captures the humility and glory of the culmination of Holy Friday.  In this mosaic, the Lord is crucified in the presence of the Theotokos...

Jesus Christ is removed from the cross. Mary Magdalene and the other Myrhh bearing women hold his hand in this moment of sadness and reflection. Angels weep and look on at the death of our Lord. A...

This is a modern recreation of the historic icon known as "the Black Madonna." The famous original has a deep connection to Poland, which became known in the 15th century, but is likely far older...

This unique Ethiopian Orthodox icon depicts Christ Pantocrator as the "Ancient of Days." It is flanked by the four creatures/symbols of the Four Gospels (Matthew=Angel, Mark=Lion, Luke=Bull,...

Job was a descendent of Abraham, and righteous in every way. For this, he was richly blessed with wealth and power. God saw fit to test Job. All at once, he lost his children and his wealth. His...

St. Basil was born in Caesarea in 329 AD to a holy family full of saints. He was educated in Athens, and here first met his lifelong friend St. Gregory the Theologian. Later, following a period of...

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

Saint Mark of Ephesus entered the monastic life as a young man, and became a devoted student of the hesychast teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas. He became a deacon, and later a priest, and was...

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...

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...

The Prophet Joel lived some 800 years before Christ. One of the Minor Prophets, he prophesied of the coming of the Holy Spirit. He is commemorated on October 19.

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...

This historic icon depicts Christ on Holy Friday as He prepares to leave his trial and travel to the Cross. Painted on the Holy Mountain (Mount Athos), it captures the glory and humility of “the...

This icon depicts the Transfiguration of Our Lord on Mount Tabor. Moses and Elias appear on either side of Him, while the disciples fall down in fear. This feast is celebrated on August 6. On the...

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...

Saint Cyril was born in Alexandria in the year 376. He was i

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...

This icon presents a selection of the martyrs and confessors of Russia under the Bolshevik yolk, including the royal family of Tsar Nicolas II and the Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow. Below, their figures...

Saint Gregory was born in 1296 and raised in the imperial court of Constantinople, where he excelled in both religious and secular knowledge. He later departed to Mount Athos and labored in the...

Saint Hilda was born in 614 in the north of modern England. She was a relative of King Edwin of Northumbria, who became a Christian about 627. At the age of 33, Hilda became a nun under the...

Saint Theodora was born in Paphlagonia, along the Black Sea coast in Asia Minor, about the year 815. The daughter of a military commander, she is believed to have been of Armenian descent. When...

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...

This icon by Brian Whirledge features Saint Dionysius in his episcopal robes, holding the Gospel. As one of the earliest converts to Christianity, he is an important figure in the first century...

This stunning icon of Saint George is from the iconostasis at Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It features Saint George on horseback outside a city, famously...

Saints Constantine and Helen are important figures in the history of the Church: Constantine for Christianizing the Roman Empire, and Helen for building churches and encouraging others with her...

This stunning Hagia Sophia mosaic from the church's apse overshadowed the altar when it was a church. Completed in the 9th century, the deep blue of the Theotokos' robe contrasts beautifully with...

The Three Holy Youths Ananias, Misael, and Azarias were among the Jews who were taken to Babylon in the sixth century BC. King Nebuchadnezzar took them into his royal household where they served,...

This unique Russian icon depicts the Theotokos weeping at the Cross of her Son, Jesus Christ, outside the city of Jerusalem.  The 18th century iconographer faithfully and beautifully uses color and...

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...

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...

This 19th century Byzantine icon of the Apostle John the Theologian uniquely depicts him contemplating the stories of Christ in silence. Whether writing or reading his own Gospel account, his face...

Christ is seen among the Jewish scholars, teaching them. The Theotokos and Saint Joseph are seen on the left, having searched for the young Jesus after He disappeared from their traveling party...

Saint Alexis was a Hungarian-American Greek Catholic priest. After being mistreated by a series of bishops, he converted to Orthodoxy and worked tirelessly to bring other uniate communities into...

Saint Cassiani was a nun and eminent poet who lived in the 9th century. She established a convent in Constantinople, and excelled as a theologian and musician, composing hymns for her nuns. Dozens...

This fine icon of the holy Ancestor of God Saint Joachim is by the hand of American iconographer Mark Fiorenzo. It depicts the father of the Virgin Mary and grandfather of Jesus Christ with his hand...