Author Archives: iconreader

Nativity Greetings | News for 2017

Posted on December 23, 2016 by iconreader

Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the tree of life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave! Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit: If we … Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of Christ, Icons of the Incarnation | 2 Comments

Lent 2016

Posted on February 21, 2016 by iconreader

  Today, Feb 21st 2016, is the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. It is the first Sunday of the Lenten Triodion – a three week period that leads up to the beginning of Lent, and from Lent we … Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of Christ, Icons of the Incarnation, Special Icons | Leave a comment

The Place of the Theotokos in Icons of the Resurrection

Posted on April 15, 2015 by iconreader

There are three general representations of the Resurrection in Orthodoxy: the Harrowing of Hades, Christ triumphantly rising from the tomb, and the angel appearing to the myrrh-bearing women beside the empty tomb (example at the top of this post). The … Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of Christ, Resurrection Icons, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Lent 2015

Posted on January 31, 2015 by iconreader

February 1 marks the beginning of the Lenten Triodion (the period of preparation before Easter) with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. This is a reminder for any readers that there is a page on the Icons for … Continue reading →

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The Saint who always carried an icon of the Saviour

Posted on January 18, 2015 by iconreader

January 19th celebrates the memory of a Georgian saint: Venerable Anton of Martqopi, the Stylite. He is one of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers who settled in Georgia during the 6th century to preach the Gospel and are credited with establishing … Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of Christ, The Saints | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Wonder working Icon of the Theotokos thwarts thieves

Posted on December 29, 2014 by iconreader

The Panagia Giatrissa Icon (All-Holy Virgin “the Healer”) is a well-known wonder-working image in Greece. In the early hours of December 24th 2014, another miracle was added to the list attributed to the holy icon.

Posted in News, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Weeping Icons in Ukraine and Russia

Posted on March 6, 2014 by iconreader

Over the past couple of days, a number of websites have been linking to an article I posted a couple of years ago, quoting Fr Seraphim Rose’s words on why icons of the Mother of God weep. The reason for … Continue reading →

Posted in History, News, Special Icons, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Why does John the Baptist have wings in Orthodox icons?

Posted on August 29, 2013 by iconreader

August 29th is the day that commemorates the Beheading of John the Baptist. Why is this Saint, almost uniquely, shown in many icons with wings?

Posted in Iconography, The Saints | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Happy Feast of the Transfiguration 2013

Posted on August 6, 2013 by iconreader

August 6/19 is the feast of the Transfiguration. Below are links to two articles about the Transfiguration icon. The articles also contain links to sermons and other resources related to the feast. Transfiguration Icon | The Event and the Process Who’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of the Incarnation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The snakes that venerate icons

Posted on August 1, 2013 by iconreader

In a tiny Greek village in the south of Kefallonia, a miracle occurs every year after the feast of the Transfiguration (Aug 6). Around the bell-tower of the chapel at Markopoulo, small venomous snakes appear. These snakes crawl around the church, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Special Icons, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments