Author Archives: iconreader

Lent 2019

Posted on February 28, 2019 by iconreader

The Icons of Lent page has been updated with this year’s dates. Hopefully the articles within will provide useful. May our Lent be fruitful and productive, ending in the glorious celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ! “The … Continue reading →

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Lent 2018

Posted on January 25, 2018 by iconreader

Pascha is early this year and so Lent is rapidly approaching; this Sunday, the 28th of January, marks the Sunday of the Publican of the Pharisee which is just two weeks before the beginning of the Great Fast. As I … Continue reading →

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All Creation Rejoices | The Icon of the Hymn

Posted on December 31, 2017 by iconreader

Many icons are inspired directly by the hymns of the Church and are indeed simply a visual representation of the words. One such icon is that of the Mother of God, “All Creation rejoices in thee…”

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Icons of the Bosom of Abraham

Posted on December 31, 2017 by iconreader

The Sundays before the Nativity feast (Christmas) are dedicated to the Holy Forefathers and Ancestors of Jesus Christ. Among all the Old Testament Saints commemorated on these days, Abraham is perhaps the supreme example, being the common patriarch of Judaism … Continue reading →

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Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Posted on December 27, 2017 by iconreader

A famous variation of the Synaxis of the Mother of God is found in an icon at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The image is usually cropped to show the mouth of the cave and the holy family … Continue reading →

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The Synaxis of the Mother of God

Posted on December 26, 2017 by iconreader

The day after every major feast in the Orthodox Church is usually dedicated to a saint who played a major “supporting role” in the events celebrated. So, the 7th of January – the day after we celebrate the baptism of … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Iconography, Icons of the Incarnation, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Martyr Stephen the New of Mt Auxentios | Confessor of Icons

Posted on November 28, 2017 by iconreader

On Nov 28, the memory of the Holy Confessor and Martyr Stephen “the New” of Mount Auxentios. Born after numerous prayers for a child from his pious parents, John and Anna, St Stephen was born in Constantinople in 715 and … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologia, History | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Icon of Saint Nektarios in Rhodes bleeding from hands

Posted on August 28, 2017 by iconreader

  After yesterday’s post about St Phanourios of Rhodes, current news of a potentially wonder-working icon from the same Greek island. According to various sources, an icon of St Nektarios has been bleeding from the hands since December last year … Continue reading →

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Saint Phanourios | The Saint Revealed by His Icon

Posted on August 27, 2017 by iconreader

Icons have been often described as a method of teaching about theology, Christ’s life and His Saints to the illiterate. In centuries past – and it seems for most of human history – the majority of people could not read … Continue reading →

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

When is an Icon not an Icon? | Russian Parsuna

Posted on January 25, 2017 by iconreader

Above are two Russian portraits painted on wooden panels, with the distinctive “recess” creating a raised border seen in many icons. One is painted in the 16th century and the other in the early 17th century. Both contain similar stylized … Continue reading →

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