Tag Archives: The Apostles

An icon for Whitsun | Pentecost Mosaic of San Marco

Posted on May 18, 2013 by iconreader

The image above is of the interior of a dome at the 9th-century St Mark’s Basilica in Venice. The mosaic of gold, bronze and other precious materials dates from the 12th century and depicts the descent of the Holy Spirit … Continue reading →

Posted in Iconography, Special Icons, The Saints | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Archangel Michael at Chonae | Icon of a Miracle

Posted on September 7, 2012 by iconreader

The Orthodox Church not only celebrates special events during the Incarnation of Christ (Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension etc.), but also miraculous events that happened after the time described in the New Testament. This demonstrates that the time of miracles has … Continue reading →

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

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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Ascension Icon | Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

Posted on May 23, 2012 by iconreader

Forty days after Christ’s resurrection, He was taken up into the Heavens before the disciples, and so forty days after Easter, is the Feast of the Ascension. The icon for this feast shows the events as described in the Book … Continue reading →

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

John the Apostle | The Theologian in Silence

Posted on May 7, 2012 by iconreader

The 8th of May is a feast day dedicated to the Apostle John, the Evangelist and Theologian. Among all the Apostles, the title “Theologian” is only bestowed upon St John, which attests to the spiritual heights to which he attained, … Continue reading →

Posted in Didactic Icons, The Saints | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 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 →

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

Boundless Christ | Resurrection Icon with Extra Scenes

Posted on April 14, 2012 by iconreader

In the tomb with the body, in hell with the soul as God, in paradise with the thief and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, You fill all things, O boundless Christ. The prayer above, said by … Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of Christ, Icons of the Incarnation, Resurrection Icons | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

An Icon for Holy Thursday

Posted on April 11, 2012 by iconreader

On the Thursday before Easter, called Holy or Maundy Thursday, four events are remembered: the Last Supper, the Foot-Washing of the Apostles by Jesus, the prayer of Christ in Gethsemane, and the Arrest of Jesus. Each of these events can … Continue reading →

Posted in Icons of Christ, Icons of the Incarnation, The Saints | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The April Menaion Icon

Posted on April 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in History, The Saints | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Icons of the Iconostasis

Posted on October 5, 2011 by iconreader

An earlier post has already discussed the symbolism of the iconostasis, or icon screen, within Orthodox churches. The conclusion there was that iconostasis represents the division of Heaven and Earth, and how the barriers between the two have been broken. … Continue reading →

Posted in Iconography, Icons of Christ, Icons of the Incarnation, The Saints, The Theotokos | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments