Tag Archives: Martyrs

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

All Saints Icon | The Great Cloud of Witnesses

Posted on July 1, 2013 by iconreader

After Pentecost, remembering the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Church celebrates the Sunday of All Saints. This is fitting, as the Saints are the result of the Holy Spirit being given to the Apostles, the fruits of that “grain … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Iconography, Icons of Christ, The Saints | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The July Menaion Icon

Posted on July 1, 2012 by iconreader

The word Menaion (Gr: Μηναίον; Slavonic: Минея) comes from the Greek word meaning “of the month”. It is used to describe a way of grouping together liturgical texts, prayers and stories based on the order of Saints’ days and other feast … Continue reading →

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The June Menaion Icon

Posted on May 31, 2012 by iconreader

The word Menaion (Gr: Μηναίον; Slavonic: Минея) comes from the Greek word meaning “of the month”. It is used to describe a way of grouping together liturgical texts, prayers and stories based on the order of Saints’ days and other … Continue reading →

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The Warrior Saints

Posted on May 7, 2012 by iconreader

Also called soldier saints, these are a group of saints who were generally soldiers in life, martyrs to Christ in death, and then latterly revealed as our heavenly protectors. But is their appearance in icons – equipped and ready for … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Iconography, The Saints | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

The May Menaion Icon

Posted on May 3, 2012 by iconreader

The word Menaion (Gr: Μηναίον; Slavonic: Минея) comes from the Greek word meaning “of the month”. It is used to describe a way of grouping together liturgical texts, prayers and stories based on the order of Saints’ days and other … Continue reading →

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Holy-Martyr Panteleimon the Unmercenary

Posted on July 26, 2011 by iconreader

On July 27th, the feast-day of St Panteleimon is celebrated. Born Pantoleon (Gr. “in all-things like a lion”), this pagan took the name Panteleimon (Gr. “All-Merciful”) upon being baptized. He belongs to a group of Saints known as Holy Unmercenaries … Continue reading →

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The Icons that Canonized the Holy Royal Martyrs

Posted on July 17, 2011 by iconreader

The 17th of July (July 4 in the Old Calendar) marks the anniversary and feast day of Holy Passion-Bearer Tsar Nicholas II and his family. Russia’s last royal family are universally recognized in the Orthodox Church as saints worthy of … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Special Icons, The Saints | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The meaning of objects held by Saints in Icons

Posted on May 15, 2011 by iconreader

Iconography can be an extremely concise way of communicating the Faith. Therefore, what the Saints hold in their hands in portrait icons help in identifying them and in telling us about their lives. I hope to show that what is … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Iconography, The Saints, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , , | 59 Comments

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