Lent & Holy Week

After the Church was rocked by the heresy of Iconoclasm in the 8th century, the 7th Ecumenical Council proclaimed the ancient truth that images were a worthy and necessary part of Christian doctrine and worship, as they are proof of the incarnation of...

In this 12th century icon from the Sinai region, we see Christ extending his hand to his beloved friend Lazarus, who comes out of his tomb after being dead for four days. This miraculous event happened just before Palm Sunday. By this action, Christ...

On the day after Palm Sunday (Holy Monday), the Lord Jesus cursed a fig tree. This tree appeared hardy and covered with leaves, but it was fruitless. At this the Lord said, "May fruit no longer come from you forever!" The tree immediately withered...

"So the cohort and the tribune and the servants of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him, and led him away to Annas first. For he was Caiaphas’ father in law, who was chief priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that...

In this icon, a variant of the Akthyra type, the Mother of God holds her heart as she looks upon Christ being crucified. In this 18th century Russian icon, she is modeled after the famous Theotokos of Kazan. At the bottom of the icon are...

From the 10th century Bamberg Psalter.

Saint Andrew was born about the year 650 in Damascus, Syria. At the age of 14 he joined the Monastery of St. Sabbas the Sanctified in Jerusalem. Known for his virtue, he became the secretary of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and attended the Sixth...

From the 10th century Bamberg Psalter.

From the 10th century Bamberg Psalter.

This instructional icon depicts the Second Coming and the Last Judgment. At the top Christ is seen coming in glory, flanked by the armies of the heavenly host, his Mother, and the Prophet John. In the next row are the Twelve Apostles, sitting as judges...

"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ And taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee he began to grow sorrowful and distressed. Then Jesus said to...