Feasts

From the 10th century Bamberg Psalter.

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...

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...

This beautiful Hagia Sophia mosaic features the Theotokos and Christ, standing between Emperor John II Komnenos and his wife Empress Irene of Hungary, holding symbols of donations. The mosaic dates...

This is a reproduction of an illuminated manuscript from the Beatus Codex Manchester, a commentary on the Book of Revelation written in the year 776. The image depicts the vision of St. John from...

This glorious ancient icon of the Nativity captures the splendor and humility of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. Painted by the monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery of Mount Sinai, Egypt, it has survived...

On the eighth day after his birth — January 1 — the Lord Jesus was circumcised in the flesh according to the Abrahamic covenant. In submitting to this Christ confirmed his true human nature. He...

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...

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...

The feast of All Saints is commemorated on the Sunday After Pentecost by Eastern Christians and November 1 by Western Christians.  This beautiful 19th century Russian icon features a rich palette...

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...

This unique example of Western iconography from the 13th-century Bible moralisée depicts Christ as the Architect of the world, or Geometer.

This 19th century Russian lithographic icon depicts All Saints of Mount Athos. The most prominent and famous Athonite monastic saints are visible in the foreground, and the haloes of countless more...

In the Eastern Christian tradition, each day of the week is dedicated to special remembrances. This unique 18th century Russian icon portrays each day's commemoration: Sunday: the Resurrection,...

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...

This historic 11th century icon of the Vision of Saint Romanos commemorates the moving story of this saint’s devotion and gift. Born in the 5th century, this Eastern saint desired to write music...

The Bosom (or "Embrace") of Abraham is an image that refers to a place comfort within Hades (the common place of the dead) for the righteous departed. This term is used in the Lord's parable of...

This infanticidal slaughter was ordered by Herod, who was afraid of losing power to the one called "King of the Jews" by the Magi. Soon after the birth of Christ, all the male children in the...

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...

This unique Deësis (supplication) icon is from an iconostasis from the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow. Known as the Suzdal Deësis, it was painted in the 13th century. It features a simple Deësis row...

This unique 18th century Russian icon features a stylized church iconostasis. This is a great way to bring the church into the home as a centerpiece for prayer. Top Row: Crucifixion and Holy...

This unique icon of the Ascension of Christ is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction from chapter 1 of the Acts of the Apostles. The anonymous iconographer represents the...

"The Pure Soul" is an extremely rare subject matter, but it is found in Russian iconography during the 16th-18th centuries. It is an instructional icon based on various spiritual texts. The female...

This event is commemorated on August 1 (988) with the feast of the Cross. This icon is brimming with details and scenes from Russia's holy history.

The original Kursk Root Icon is one of the most famous icons of the Russian Church, dating to the 13th century. It is an icon of the Theotokos "of the Sign" and features around the border nine...

The first Great Feast of the ecclesiastical year, the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8) is also the first Great Feast of our salvation. The Mother of God is born to Saint Anna, after a...

Celebrated on January 6th, the Feast of Theophany (from the Greek Theophaneia, "manifestation of God") commemorates the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Within the Orthodox...

In this radiant icon, we see Moses and Aaron standing within the Tabernacle of Witness. Moses holds a chalice and a text of the Law, while Aaron the high priest holds a censer and the budded rod...

The hymn All Creation Rejoices in Thee is part of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, and was written by St. John of Damascus. (He appears in this icon, to the left of the Theotokos, presenting his...

This 19th century icon beautifully portrays the nativity in the flesh of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Visible in the icon, from the top, are the Star of Bethlehem (portrayed as the Holy...

The feast of All Saints is commemorated on the Sunday After Pentecost by Eastern Christians and November 1 by Western Christians. This 17th century icon is of Greek origin. Symbolism Center –...

This unique historical icon of the Annunciation is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. The Archangel Gabriel was sent from God to greet the Virgin, saying, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord...

The Church has received the tradition of the conception of the Mother of God from the ancient Fathers of the Church. The Virgin Mary was born to her parents about 16 or 17 years before the birth of...

On the 40th day after His Resurrection, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven in His resurrected body. As the eleven Apostles stood on the Mount of Olives at Bethany, they watched Him disappear...

In his ministry, our Lord Jesus many times cast demons out of those who were afflicted. In this fresco from Decani Monastery, we see his miraculous work for the Gergesene (also called the Geresene...

Palm Sunday is the celebration of Christ's triumphal entry into the royal city of Jerusalem. Riding on a young donkey, he was met by a massive crowd who publicly hailed Him as king. They waved palm...

This beautiful Russian icon depicts the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church Calendar, featuring the 12 Great Feasts around its perimeter with Pascha (Easter) in the center. Reproduced from the 18th...

Mid-Pentecost is celebrated on the Wednesday 25 days after Pascha, the halfway point between Pascha at Pentecost. This feast celebrates Christ as the Holy Wisdom of God, as the Gospel describes Him...

This miracle is recorded by all four of the Evangelists in their Gospels. In the wilderness near Bethsaida, the Lord had compassion on the crowds and miraculously multiplied five loaves and two...