Monthly Archives: March 2011

The Holy Family in Orthodox Icons

Posted on March 29, 2011 by iconreader

For many people who have heard of the term, “Holy Family” is a name given to the Infant Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Joseph. Images of the three members together in a loving embrace, like a family portrait, do … Continue reading →

Posted in The Saints, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Surety of Sinners Icon

Posted on March 19, 2011 by iconreader

The Surety of Sinners (Споручница грешных) Icon of the Theotokos is a Russian image which was revealed as wonder-working during the middle of the 19th century. It gets it name from the inscription found on the icon: “I am the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Icons of Christ, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

St Gregory Palamas on Holy Icons

Posted on March 18, 2011 by iconreader

On the second Sunday of Lent, the great theologian and ascetic of the Church, St Gregory of Palamas is remembered. To honour this, I post some words of his on the Holy Icons, taken from his work: The New Testament … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologia, The Saints | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

From Vespers on the Sunday of Orthodoxy

Posted on March 13, 2011 by iconreader

“Inspired by your Spirit, Lord, the prophets foretold your birth as a child incarnate of the Virgin. Nothing can contain or hold you; before the morning star you shone forth eternally from the spiritual womb of the Father. Yet you … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologia, Iconography, Icons of Christ, The Saints, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Triumph of Orthodoxy and Holy Icons

Posted on March 13, 2011 by iconreader

An icon celebrating the veneration of icons, the Triumph of Orthodoxy is the festal icon for the first Sunday of Great Lent. As Lent is a period of communal fasting which continues for seven weeks, such triumphalism early on is … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologia, History, Iconography, The Saints, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Iconostasis | Between Heaven and Earth

Posted on March 9, 2011 by iconreader

One of the most striking aspects upon entering an Orthodox church is the way in which the space is divided into two. The nave, the main body of the church building, is where the faithful gather; to the east of … Continue reading →

Posted in Iconography, Icons of Christ, Special Icons | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Forgiveness Sunday in Icon and Prayer

Posted on March 6, 2011 by iconreader

A composition of Icons and portions of Saturday vespers and the Sunday hymns on the theme of Forgiveness Sunday: The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise

Posted in Didactic Icons, Iconography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Paradise | Expulsion | Mourning

Posted on March 6, 2011 by iconreader

Forgiveness Sunday is the last day before the Great Fast of Lent, and the day which commemorates Adam and Eve’s expulsion from paradise. For this day, I offer a picture of the northern altar door from a late medieval Russian … Continue reading →

Posted in Didactic Icons, Iconography, The Saints | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Crucifixion | Giving Meaning to the Cross

Posted on March 4, 2011 by iconreader

For the Jews request a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified — to the Jews a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks — Christ, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Icons of Christ, Icons of the Incarnation, The Saints, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments