Icons

Saint Thekla (or Thecla) was born into a pagan noble family just sixteen years after the Ascension. When she was eighteen, against the wishes of her mother and fiancé, she became a disciple of St...

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...

The Harrowing of Hades is the icon most often used to represent the Resurrection of Christ: the Feast of Feasts, Pascha (Easter). In this scene, Christ is seen coming out of the dark pit of Hades,...

"Academic" style icon of the Nativity scene: Christ in the manger with Mary the Theotokos and Saint Joseph nearby, surrounded by subtle angels.

The holy prophet Joshua, the Son of Nun (in Greek, Jesus of Navi), was called by Moses to survey the Promised Land. He urged the people to trust in God as they prepared to enter the land. He was...

This contemporary Byzantine icon celebrates Saint Marina the Great Martyr. She lived in was from Antioch in Pisidia (modern-day Turkey). As a holy virgin, she suffered faithfully and endured many...

The Apostle and Evangelist Luke was not one of the Lord’s twelve original disciples. A Gentile physician from Antioch, he is counted among the Seventy Apostles. He was a follower of Saint Paul, and...

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...

Joachim and Anna were the parents of the holy Virgin Mary. They were childless, and for this they were derided by their fellow Jews, who believed they must have been cursed. They both devoted...

During the reign of Caesar Augustus, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem. Refer to the Gospels of Matthew (chapters 1-2) and Luke (chapter...

Born to wealthy and devout Christian parents in Egypt, Anthony was always sensitive to the duties of faith. When his parents died, Anthony distributed his inheritance to the poor and went to live a...

  Saint Olaf II was an early King of Norway and Christian martyr. He was born about the year 995 to the royal family of the small kingdom of Vestfold. He grew up participating in fighting expeditions...

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 icon always appears...

Gabriel in the Hebrew language means Man of God or Might of God. He is a bringer of good news of the mysteries of God, especially at the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. He holds messenger's staff,...

This historic Byzantine icon of the Theotokos and Christ child is a moving portrayal of their love for each other and the Church. Depicted wearing rich robes of red, blue, and gold, Christ and His...

The Apostle Andrew "the First-Called," was the brother of Saint Peter. He had been a disciple of Saint John the Baptist, but went to follow Christ when Saint John called Him "the Lamb of God,"...

Saint Raphael was born in Beirut in 1860. He spent the first decades of his life traveling throughout the Middle East and Russia, gaining knowledge and experience as a clergyman. Father Raphael was...

This icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel in his service and posture as chief messenger of the Lord of Hosts. His left hand bears a scepter, symbolizing his authority, and his right hand is raised in...

One of the most popular and beloved Christian Orthodox Icons from the most ancient times is the Orthodox icon of the Good Shepherd. As you look at Christ beautifully holding a sheep on his shoulder...

This deësis (supplication) icon of the Theotokos was painted in the 12th century at Saint Catherine's Monastery at Mount Sinai. Icons of this type usually appear in a row on either side of an...

Saint Seraphim is one of the Orthodox Church's most beloved holy elders. He was born in western Russia in 1754. According to tradition, he was sickly as a child but was healed through the Kursk Root...

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...

This beautifully intricate design comes from a page of the 8th century Lindisfarne Gospel book. Inspired by Eastern and Celtic motifs, this early English manuscript illumination is called a...

This 18th century Russian Old Believer icon is based on the "Hymn of Justinian" that is sung in the Divine Liturgy: Only-Begotten Son and Word of God; who art immortal; who for our salvation willed...

This Legacy Learning Icon Card features the icon of Pentecost: the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The description on the back explains the meaning of the icon and the feast, and how it may inspire us...

The holy Great-Martyr Anastasia was born in Rome in the 2nd century under the Diocletian persecution. Her father was a pagan, but her mother was a secret Christian and arranged for Anastasia to be...

Saint James was a kinsman of the Lord Jesus, either His half-brother (a son of Joseph by his first wife) or His cousin (a son of Joseph's brother Cleopas). In any case, the Scriptures refer to...

This beautiful icon of Christ Pantocrator “All Powerful” reminds the worshipper of His might to save and preserve His Church. Painted in vivid color and line, it follows the Byzantine canons...

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 is also known as "Extreme Humility." This...

  The Apostle James, son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve Apostles and the first to be martyred, by Herod in AD 44. Sometimes he is called "James the Greater" to distinguish him from "James the...

This glorious icon features the Lord Jesus Christ as Pantocrator, Almighty God, enthroned on the Cherubim and Seraphim, dressed in white, inspired by the vision of Ezekiel. The four living creatures...

Barbara, born in the third century in Syria, was so beautiful that her pagan father placed her in an isolated tower to keep her innocent of any influence except his own until she could be married...

The eleusa (tenderness) genre of icons has Christ embracing His Mother tenderly in a gesture of love.

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...

This stunning and unique Russian icon depicts the Archangel Michael in his role as chief of the bodiless powers of heaven. Painted in a traditional style in the early 19th century, it includes...

Saint Menas the Wonderworker is one of the best-known Egyptian saints throughout the world. He was a soldier in the Roman army, and died a martyr about the year 309 when he refused to renounce his...

Christ is depicted as both a bishop and a king, reflecting His role as both the Great High Priest and King of Kings.

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...

In icons of the "Sign" type, the Theotokos directly faces 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...

This historic Byzantine icon of Christ Calling Peter and Andrew depicts the scene as recorded in the Gospels (Matthew 4, Mark 1, John 1). This relatively simple, unadorned icon movingly depicts...