Icons

This 15th century Greek icon depicts the Nativity of Christ, with several related scenes. The Virgin Mary is depicted resting beside her newborn Son. The cave imagery recalls icons of the Resurrection, reminding the viewer that our salvation was wrought...

The ancient "IC XC NIKA" cross is very common in Eastern Christianity. An abbreviation that means "Jesus Christ conquers", the pattern is stamped on the holy bread used for the Eucharist, and is frequently used in every kind of decoration. Let this...

This stunning fresco depicts the arrival of the Gospel to the natives of Alaska.  Saints Herman, Juvenaly, and Innocent were the first saints of the Orthodox Church to shine forth in the wilderness of Alaska. With a missionary spirit desiring to...

The Hodigitria (Guide or Directress) 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 icon always appears on the iconostasis in Orthodox...

This 21st century icon shows the scene of the Mystical Supper (or the Last Supper). Christ reveals that one of his Disciples will betray Him, as they look at one another with shock. Judas, the betrayer, is seen reaching his hand toward the bowl, as the...

The Theotokos of the Passion is one of the most recognized Byzantine icons of the Mother of God (Theotokos) by both Eastern Orthodox Christians as well as Western Roman Catholics. Traditionally, it is said to be one of the icons painted by St. Luke...

In this icon, a detail from the Apostles' Communion icon often seen in the sanctuaries of Orthodox Churches, Christ is depicted as the High Priest and prototypical celebrant the Mystical Supper of the Holy Eucharist. In the words of the Divine...

The Cross of Golgotha is an elaboration on the symbol of the Cross, and is especially common in Orthodox monasticism. The meaning of the text is as follows (from top to bottom): The King of GloryJesus Christ Conquers Honored Trophy, the Dread of Demonsa...

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 Augustine lived in the 4th century. He was raised by his mother, Saint Monica, in Carthage, Africa. He lived a prodigal life of sin, and at the ceaseless prayers of his mother, he came to repentance and true faith in Christ. Augustine's...

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is part of our annual preparation for Great Lent. We have all squandered our Heavenly Father's inheritance, but He is waiting with open arms for us to return to Him through repentance.

This icon set includes icons of Christ and the Theotokos that were painted in Bulgaria in the 21st century. The bold red background of these icons is stunning and must be seen in person. The color red, like gold, represents holiness and divinity...

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. In this...

Of all the Eastern Christian icons, the "Theotokos of Vladimir" (from the Greek word Theotokos meaning "God bearer") is one of the most beloved and well known not only among Eastern Orthodox Christians, but also in the West. Even St. Paul’s...

Saint Nikephoros born in Greece in 1887. He suffered from leprosy and was sent to live in a leper colony at age 13. He joined the monastery of Chios in 1916 at age 24. He bore his ailment and its disfiguring effects with patience, chanting in the church...

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...

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...

Saint Moses the Ethiopian, also known as Moses the Black, lived in Egypt during the fourth century. He was a slave, but after committing a murder, his master cast him out. Moses carried on with his sinful life, and was widely feared for his infamous...

The Church has received the  tradition of the Dormition (death) and Assumption into heaven of the Mother of God from the ancient Fathers of the Church. When the Savior was pleased to take His Mother to Himself in heaven, He sent the Archangel...

John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness, preparing the way for Our Lord. As John was baptizing the people in the Jordan River, Jesus came to be baptized Himself—not that He had sins to be forgiven, but to inaugurate His ministry...

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 Patrick was a 5th century missionary and bishop in Ireland, and he is the foremost patron saint of that country. His feast is celebrated on March 17 by Christians all around the world. In the icon, he is vested as a bishop. He holds the Gospel in...

On the third day after His death, the Sunday of Pascha (Easter), our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ raised Himself from the dead. This icon celebrates the universe-transforming event known as the Harrowing of Hades, the doctrine laid down in...

Our Lord is depicted at His trial, stripped of His clothes and beaten, hands tied, wearing the crown of thorns and holding the reed in His hand. This icon of Christ is used during the first three days of Holy Week, especially at the Bridegroom Matins...

This unique 19th century Russian icon features twelve illustrated panels of the Nicene Creed. The panel's original inscriptions were in Church Slavonic, but we have painstakingly recreated them in English for accessible reading. Lord of Sabaoth and...

Saint Katherine (also spelled Catherine) was a Great Martyr who suffered in the year 305 at the hands of Maximinus of Alexandria. She is commemorated in the Slavic churches on November 24, the date of her martyrdom. In the Byzantine churches, she is...

Saint Demetrios (or Demetrius) was born in Thessaloniki in the third century. He was a soldier in the Roman army and exhibited every Christian virtue. During the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, Demetrios was imprisoned. While in prison he spoke...

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 around...

This stunning historical icon of the Archangel Michael is a faithful reproduction of the original painted in Constantinople in the 1300s. It depicts him in a traditional frontal pose wearing a chiton and a himation. He holds a scepter in his right hand,...

This 17th century icon comes from the Hilander monastery on Mount Athos. It features four prominent warrior saints, from left to right, Demetrios the Myrrh-streaming (also spelled Demetrius/Dmitri), George the Trophy-bearer, Prokopios (or Procopius),...

John the Evangelist did not only author a Gospel, but was a much-beloved Apostle and minister of Jesus. He and his brother James were both fishermen and both called by Jesus at the same time and place. Jesus also gave him the surname Boanerges,...

Saint Christopher of Lycia was a third-century martyr. Originally named Reprobus, the Roman authorities became aware of him when he converted a group of soldiers to Christ. He was baptized with the name Christopher, which means "Christ-bearer." This is...

This unique icon was commissioned for Saint Nicholas Cathedral, and is the only such icon in the world. It contains more than 30 well-known saints that are from or have a special connection to the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East. From...

Painted in 1312 this image of Christ among his disciples depicts the last supper or the mystical supper. From the Monastery of Vatopedi at Mount Athos this world renowned image has deep blues, reds and yellows. Peter is at the right hand of Christ...

The Apostle Stephen was the first deacon of the Church. For this, he is called "Protodeacon" or "Archdeacon," and as he was the first Christian martyr, he is called "Protomartyr." While performing his missionary work, he defeated some Jews in a debate...

This icon, the Apostles' Communion, is often seen in the sanctuaries of Orthodox Churches. In it, Christ is depicted as the High Priest and prototypical celebrant the Mystical Supper of the Holy Eucharist, distributing it to his Apostles. In the words...

Saint Monica was born about the year 330. She had a gentle disposition and always kept guard of her tongue, and by this she avoided the wrath of her short-tempered pagan husband. Monica desired to have her three children baptized, but her husband would...

The "Tender Heart" (Kardiotissa) icon genre illustrates the tender love of the Mother for her Son. This 19th century example is particularly sweet in the facial expressions and lovely rose color palette.

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...