What can you ask for from icons of saints, a list of names and descriptions of Christian images

Reverse perspective

Andrey Rublev. Trinity. 1425–1427. State Tretyakov Gallery Art Media / Print Collector / Getty Images
Many objects on the icons are depicted as if we are viewing them from different sides: a church, a house or a fortress tower, a table at which the angels sit in the Trinity icons, or a cup on the table are visible at the same time frontal, top and side. The icon painter seems to be revealing objects to the viewer. This allows him to talk about them in detail. We see simultaneously the shape of the cup (from the stem to the top edge - now it cannot be confused with a dish or other vessel) and its contents (the head of the calf with which Abraham treated the wandering angels). There is a table in front of us: we see the legs, the right and left edges and what is happening at this table (treats and drinks are laid out on the surface, the hands of angels are folded in blessing gestures). An icon does not show objects and events as they appear to a person from the outside. Another thing is important for the icon painter: to explain to the viewer what actually happened to the characters, to visually describe all the key objects, as if he were describing them in words.

How icons are created

An icon is an important symbol for a believer, so the process of its creation is reflected in long-described canons that are still preserved. Creating an image is not a quick task; it takes at least three months.

Creating an icon has some stages that are strictly followed:

• Selecting wood and making the board that will serve as the base.
• Then the surface is prepared. This is necessary so that the image is preserved for a long time without changes. To do this, several steps are taken. First, the notches are made, then liquid glue is applied, followed by a primer (gesso). The latter should be applied several times and allowed to dry well, then sanded. Often, pavolok or serpyanka (special fabric) is glued in front of the gesso layer.
• The next stage is drawing. This is not the final image - just an outline. It should then be squeezed out with something sharp so that it does not get lost among other layers.
• If the icon will have gilding, then it should be applied right now, at this stage.
• Now you need to prepare the paints. To paint icons, you need to take natural ones.
• The first paints are applied in one color, on the background and background elements.
• Then comes the painting. The first to process the personal elements (landscape, clothing), after which the personal details (arms, legs, face) are painted. They also sign the icon (who is depicted on it).
• The final touch is treatment with drying oil or varnish.

Then the icon must be consecrated.

Right and left

Last Judgment. Fragment of an icon. Novgorod school, 16th century. State Tretyakov Gallery Bridgeman Images / Fotodom
If Christ is depicted in the center of an icon (or a number of icons, as on an iconostasis), and other characters are around, the composition is often built on a hierarchical principle. Of the two symmetrically located apostles, or archangels, or prophets, the more significant is the one on the right. On the icons depicting the Last Judgment, the righteous are to the right of Christ, the sinners are to the left. The starting point is the central character, the Messiah. His right hand and therefore the right side of the composition are located to the left of the viewer, and his left hand and the left side of the composition are to the right. In other words, a mirror replacement occurs: the right part of the icon, based on its meaning and construction, is called the viewer’s left, and the left is called the viewer’s right. You need to look at such an icon (and interpret the image) not from the outside, but from the inside.

An icon from a historical perspective

The appearance of icons dates back to the 1st century AD. It is believed that the first of them was created by Luke, who wrote one of the parts of the Gospel. According to the second version, the oldest image is the imprint of the face of Jesus Christ when he kissed a towel while washing himself.

One way or another, the oldest images found were dated to the 6th century. They were made in the Byzantine Empire, which had a great influence on the painting of icons. In it, but much later, canons for painting images were written.

The history of icons has different periods. There were persecutions, flourishing, and changes in writing style. Each of the images reflects its time, each is unique. There are a lot of icons that exuded myrrh, tears, blood, and healed the sick in difficult times. They are revered as the greatest shrines.

Outside and inside

Great Martyr Nikita beating a demon in prison. Fragment of an icon. XVI century. Uglich Historical, Architectural and Art Museum Fine Art Images / Heritage Images / Getty Images
If an icon painter depicts a church, and on its outer wall an icon, as if hanging from the outside, this is not a gateway image. In fact, we see the temple from the inside. If there are people standing in the background, most often this means that they are also in the temple. The icon painter shows what the building looks like from the outside (carved walls, windows, gilded domes) and, at the same time, what is happening inside (icons hanging, people standing, priests serving the liturgy).

Another way to show the interior space is to depict a certain architectural element (roof, canopy) above the character’s head or simply place it in a symbolic frame. A person finds himself inside a delineated space connected to a neighboring building. The main events occurring with the main character are shown large, in detail, in the center of the composition. The building itself is moved to the side and turns into a visual commentary-explanation - “and this happened inside.”

Prices for icons

You can buy icons in every church shop. Their prices may vary. The most expensive, of course, are the ancient images that have survived to this day. Many of them are kept in museums or temples. Such icons are usually not sold, only appraised. For example, the images of the Apostles Peter, Paul, John, and Mark date back to the 16th century. They are valued at 150 thousand euros.

Also, the cost of the icon will depend on its design. After all, even images painted in our time, but decorated with expensive materials (gold, silver, precious stones), will not be sold cheaply. Their price range can start from 2500 rubles. The cost will depend on the materials.

If you need inexpensive icons, then there are icons that are completely simple in design. They can be purchased in shops near the church. Similar images can be purchased at prices ranging from 100 rubles and above.

Rare icons can be purchased in an antique shop or during the sale of a private collection. It is difficult to overestimate such icons and their significance, since for a believer they are truly priceless.

Sign of sin

Fragment of the fresco of the Last Judgment from the Novodevichy Convent. 17th century Fine Art Images / Heritage Images / Getty Images
In Christian iconography, hair standing on end is a sign of sin and vice, rage and savagery.
This is the traditional hairstyle of demons. Russian demons and Satan are crested and pointed-headed. Only by the 17th century did horns occasionally appear, which the devils borrowed from their European colleagues. But the horns are often adjacent to the same rearing curls. Such a hairstyle for other characters means that this is a sinner, a heretic or a pagan. If a crested man is completely or partially painted in dark paint, it means that he is no longer a sinner, but a demonic illusion - a demon who has transformed into a monk, warrior, woman, etc., in order to deceive or seduce the hero. Pilate's court. Fragment of an icon from the Assumption Cathedral of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. Around 1497 Wikimedia Commons
Many icons and frescoes show warriors wearing strange helmets with diagonal lines on the back. This is not a plume; in Rus' they did not use combat plumage. Before us is the same crest - a sign of sin. An indispensable attribute of a warrior is a helmet on his head, but it is impossible to show standing hair under it. To solve this dilemma, Russian icon painters created a hybrid of a helmet and a demonic hairstyle - a crested helmet. This sign often marks enemies - aggressors, invaders, murderers, servants of pagan kings. The same helmets can be seen on the heads of Roman soldiers in scenes of the Passion of Christ. Very rarely, similar headdresses were depicted on Old Testament Jewish soldiers: in this case, here it is not a sign of sin, but part of the exotic attire of ancient people from a distant country..

Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Nicholas the Wonderworker is an equally revered saint in the Christian world. People turn to him on various issues - from physical illnesses to stopping quarrels and hostilities. He lived in the 3rd-4th centuries and during his lifetime became famous for his great deeds. There are numerous icons of him, photos of which illustrate his spirituality.

The oldest image of the saint dates back to the 11th century and is located on Mount Sinai, in the monastery of St. Catherine.

Today, in many monasteries and temples there are his images that have miraculous properties.

Key and book, Peter and Paul

Apostles Peter and Paul. The work of icon painter Feoktist Klimentov. 1708 State Hermitage Museum Bridgeman Images / Fotodom
Among the disciples of Christ, it is easy to distinguish two. The man with a thick beard and curly hair is Peter. Often in his hands is a scroll on which you can read: “And Peter said: You are the Christ, the son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:17). These are the words of the apostle, after which Jesus answered him: “And I say to you: you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it; and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18–19). The key to heaven promised by Christ is Peter's second attribute. Sometimes it hangs on a cord, which the apostle holds in his hands along with the scroll. In the icons depicting the Last Judgment, Peter leads the righteous to paradise and prepares with this key to open its gates, which were closed to people after the expulsion of Adam and Eve.

The man with a high forehead and thin hair is Paul, a preacher and theologian, the author of most of the apostolic epistles. You can recognize him by the book he is holding in his hands. In the Deesis row , the Deesis row, or deesis (from Greek “prayer”), is an iconographic composition with the image of the Savior in the center, and on the right and left - those standing and praying to Christ. On the altar, Peter usually stands third on the right hand of Christ, and Paul - third on the left.

Personalized icons

This is a separate category of images in Christianity. Usually personalized icons are purchased at baptism, then they must be kept throughout life. It will be even better if you hang such an image over your child’s crib so that it protects him from harm.

You should know that personalized icons are those that depict the saint in whose honor the person was baptized. Usually this image is chosen based on the child’s name. If there is not one among the saints, then you should take the one that is most suitable. Thus, the child has a heavenly patron.

In ancient times, such icons were ordered specifically for the birth or baptism of a child. They were called measured and were made to fit the height of a baby.

Personalized icons are not the only ones that are used for special occasions. There are also:

• wedding icons - used during the ceremony in the church;
• family - they can depict saints whose names correspond to family members, usually they are passed down from generation to generation;
• those that should be on the home iconostasis;
• icons of saints revered by the family.

The Last Supper: Find the Traitor

Last Supper. Icon from the Assumption Cathedral of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. 1497 State Russian Museum Fine Art Images / Heritage Images / Getty Images
Of the 12 apostles who surrounded Christ at the Last Supper, without signatures you can recognize John the Theologian, the youngest disciple - he clung to Jesus. Next to him is curly-haired Peter. Another recognizable character is the traitor Judas, whom Christ exposed at the Easter table. In European art, Iscariot was singled out in different ways: he was deprived of his halo, seated aside from other students, a bag of thirty pieces of silver was placed in his hand, etc. Old Russian icon painters used a different technique: Judas reaches across the entire table to the vessel standing in the center. The icons here refer to the place in the Gospel where Christ points to the traitor with the help of a dish: “He answered and said: He who dipped his hand into the dish with Me, this one will betray Me” (Matthew 26:23); “And he answered and said unto them, One of the twelve, dipping with me in the dish” (Mark 14:20).

Demand on the market

The cost of icons is formed under the influence of market demand or the interest of collectors in purchasing certain images. Therefore, sellers’ expectations regarding the price of their own relic may not be justified: interest in it among antique dealers may be low. It is especially important to take into account the specifics of the market when preparing an icon for an auction or concluding a purchase and sale agreement.

Valuing icons is a complex matter. In order to set an objective and fair price, it is important to take into account various nuances: historical and artistic value, religious component, demand for the image in the market. It is important to understand that the online assessment, available at any time of the day or night, is preliminary in nature. Nothing can replace meeting an icon “live.” In addition, our company provides this service free of charge. You need to either bring the relic to our office or arrange for an appraiser to visit your home.

Calvary

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Scene of the crucifixion in the Vysoki Decani monastery, Kosovo. XIV century Blago Fund

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Moon. Fragment of the crucifixion scene in the Vysoki Decani monastery, Kosovo. XIV century Blago Fund

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Sun. Fragment of the crucifixion scene in the Vysoki Decani monastery, Kosovo. XIV century Blago Fund

The scene of the execution of Golgotha ​​in Orthodox art is very different from Catholic art. The cross on which the Savior was crucified is depicted with three crossbars: in addition to the central one, there is a small upper one (a tablet on which “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” is written in three languages) and a lower one - the feet of those executed were nailed to it. Under the cross are depicted a skull and bones - the remains of the first man, Adam, whose sin was atoned for by the “second Adam” - Christ. According to apocryphal legends, Adam was buried on Golgotha, and the cross of the Savior was made from the same Eden tree on which the apple that seduced the ancestors grew. In contrast to European art, the Savior is shown not exhausted and dying, but as if floating on the cross: in this image there is not only suffering, but also a future resurrection. Jesus' feet are nailed with two nails (in Europe, from the 13th century, the motif of one nail with which both feet of Christ was nailed spread). To the right and left of the cross are often placed the sun and the moon, and on them either angels, who, as was believed in the Middle Ages, guided the planets across the sky, or human faces that personified the luminaries. The same sun and moon can be seen, for example, on “Crucifixion of Monde” (1502–1503) by Raphael Santi.. Ufologists like to pass off the originally painted sun and moon on the frescoes of the Vysoki Dečani monastery in Kosovo and in the Svetitskhoveli temple in Georgia as ancient images of humanoids in UFOs.

Assessing authenticity

Even if you become the owner of an ancient icon with faded paint, chips and scratches, this does not mean that what you have in front of you is an original. Modern “masters” are able to create high-quality fakes, which are impossible for an inexperienced person to identify.

It is not always possible for an expert to say for sure whether a real icon was brought to him for evaluation or not. This is due to the fact that the images are “refined”. The barely visible face, painted in the 15th - 17th centuries, is corrected, skillfully repeating the painting techniques of past eras, and passed off as a well-preserved original.

High-precision equipment is used to identify high-quality counterfeits. With its help, the age of the relic is determined based on the composition of the paint, the characteristics of the soil and other parameters. This approach is required in particularly complex cases. Others have enough expert knowledge that is also available online. We offer you to assess the authenticity of your icon without leaving your home: upload high-resolution photographs of the relic through the online assessment service on our website and wait for comments from a specialist.

Last Judgment

Last Judgment. Novgorod school, 16th century. State Tretyakov Gallery Bridgeman Images / Fotodom
Icons and frescoes of the Last Judgment are a detailed story about the future. At the top is Christ the Judge, surrounded by angels and saints, the apostles who opened the “books of life”, where all human deeds are recorded; Below on the right are the righteous, and on the left are the sinners. But the most unusual thing happens in the center of the composition, where a huge snake, covered in rings, wriggles. The serpent tries to bite Adam's heel (he prays before Christ the judge) and reminds of the character with whom the entire history of human sins began - the serpent-tempter. The rings on the body of the serpent are ordeals, posthumous trials of the soul, which determine whether it will have to wait for the Last Judgment in hell or in a good place. Around the serpent there are battle scenes: angels and demons fight for the souls of people, and above the good and evil deeds of each person are weighed on scales, the “righteous standard”, and the demons place scrolls on the cup of sin with records of all the bad deeds that a person has done during his lifetime and didn't confess. Below, in the lake of fire, the devil sits on a hellish beast (from one of its mouths the serpent of ordeals usually emerges) and holds a small figurine on his knees. This is Judas, the main sinner of human history, the traitor of Christ. Among the images scattered throughout the composition, one can sometimes notice animals and fish spitting out human hands, legs and heads, and women holding coffins or ships full of people. These are scenes of the resurrection from the dead: the dead are brought to judgment by the earth and the sea in the guise of women, and with them the animals that ate the corpses.

Names and meanings of the most important and Orthodox images

Most of the images of saints are associated with the face of the Mother of God or other righteous people:

• Saint Nicholas;
• Seraphim of Sarov;
• St. George the Victorious;
• Peter and Fevronia;
• Healer Panteleimon.

"Semistrelnaya"

Initially, the Seven-Arrow Icon was located near the Toshni River, and it was found by a peasant. It is not known exactly who painted the image. The approximate date of creation falls on the 18th century. The name comes from the image on the canvas of the Virgin Mary, who was pierced by seven arrows.

The icon protects against illness and helps to come to terms with loss. Now there are beautiful lists from it.

"Inexhaustible Chalice"

The Inexhaustible Chalice is an icon that first appeared in 1878, but was lost by 1929. Known lists from it are located in the Vysotsky and Vladychny monasteries. The canvas depicts the Mother of God with her hands raised in prayer along with the Child.

"Healer"

The famous icon “Healer” was painted around the 4th century. Previously it was located in the temple of Kartalinya. The story of the icon tells about the healing of a monk who fervently prayed to the Mother of God at the time of a serious illness. Miraculous copies of the icon are located in several monasteries.

"Unexpected Joy"

The icon “Unexpected Joy” was first described in 1683; the exact date of its creation is unknown. Church history says that the sinner always prayed before committing unrighteousness. Then he received a vision where the Mother of God and her Son talked about punishing sinners. After the Mother’s prayer, Jesus forgave the man who saw the vision. This plot is depicted in the picture.

"Three-handed"

The “Three-Handed” icon is an image of the Mother of God, which is revered by the Orthodox Church. The painting was transferred to Sava's monastery until the 13th century, after which it was transferred to the Hilandar monastery. The story goes that the monks placed the icon on the altar, but it was moved to the abbot's place. Its lists are located in Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine. “Three-handed” means “the owner of three hands,” since this is how the Mother of God is depicted in the painting.

"Quick to Hear"

“Quick to Hear” is an image of the Mother of God, which is considered miraculous. On the lists she is depicted with a Baby in her arms. The story goes that the monk deliberately smoked the holy face because he did not believe that he heard a voice from him. Then the Mother of God sent blindness to him. After many years of prayer, the monk regained his sight, and the icon gained fame. The lists are located in Moscow, Przemysl, Kazan, Dochiar.

Seraphim of Sarov

Seraphim of Sarov was elevated to sainthood during his lifetime; people turn to his image when they lose strength. He believed that the worst thing for a person is to fall into despondency, so his face protects the believer from deep sorrow and despair. Seraphim also helps to resist temptations and sinful thoughts. Merchants believe that the image of Saint Seraphim improves sales and promotes success in business.

St. George the Victorious

St. George the Victorious is considered one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox world. It is generally accepted that he died during the Great Religious Persecution, when he was caught and tortured for 8 days. After this he was beheaded. This happened in 303 or 304. The saint is considered the patron saint of warriors and those who fight for a righteous cause. Also, prayers to his icon improve crops and protect livestock from diseases.

Nikolai Ugodnik the Wonderworker

The icon of the Wonderworker helps those who have lost faith and returns them to the true path. Throughout his life, Saint Nicholas helped people regain their faith and worked miracles, returning food to the hungry. His deeds are the most popular and revered because of his strong faith and purity of thoughts. The saint always sought solitude to read the Bible, as well as helping those who needed it.

Our Lady of Vladimir

The Icon of the Vladimir Mother of God is the most famous and revered painting among the Russian Church. There is an opinion that it, just like the Iveron image, was written by the Evangelist Luke. In Rus', the image appeared in the 12th century, in the 14th century it was placed in Moscow to protect the city from attack. The icon was moved from Vladimir to Moscow several times, after which in the mid-20th century it was transferred to the Tretyakov Gallery. It is customary to ask the image for patronage in business, good luck in endeavors and protection from bad intentions.

"Burning bush"

“The Unburnt Bush” (or bush in translation) is an iconographic type, and not a full-fledged image, like other saints. The painting depicts famous prototypes of the incarnation of Christ, which are revered in Orthodoxy. Her list is located in Ukraine. You can ask the icon for guidance on the righteous path.

Iveron icon

The Iveron Icon is located on Mount Athos, in the Iveron Monastery. This is an image of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms. Supposedly it was painted by Luke, the evangelist and first icon painter. Its lists are located all over the world, including the Caucasus, Russia, France. The first list was written for the Moscow monastery, but was lost during the Soviet Union.

Its exact location is unknown.

"Eternal Color"

“The Unfading (or Fragrant) Flower” is an icon that is revered in the Orthodox religion. It was created approximately in the 17th century on Mount Athos or in Constantinople, according to other sources. The painting depicts the Virgin and Child in an unusual design, as there is a frame of flowers on the canvas.

They ask the icon for children and the health of their offspring.

"Tenderness"

There are several variations of the Tenderness icon:

1. Novgorodskaya.
2. Starorusskaya.
3. Podkubenskaya.
4. Pskov-Pecherskaya.
5. Serafimovo.

Except for the last one, all of them depict the face of the Mother of God and the Child. The basis of the plot is the Mother holding her Son in her arms. The Seraphim icon was kept in the saint’s cell for a long time.

Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

The Kazan Icon is one of the miraculous icons; it first appeared in 1579. She is most revered in the Russian Church. There is a Moscow list that was sent to Tsar Ivan the Terrible. Ancient legends say that the icon appeared when Kazan was almost burned down. You can ask the image for protection of the hearth and safety of things.

Ostroobramskaya

The Ostrogramskaya icon is revered not only in Russia, but also in Poland and Belarus. It is located in Vilnius, on the city gates as a protective image. The painting depicts the Mother of God without the Child, who folds her hands and looks at them. The image appeared around the 15th century. You can ask him for the protection of religion and your beliefs, since the icon is revered equally by Orthodox and Catholic believers.

"The Unbreakable Wall"

“The Unbreakable Wall” is not a specific icon, but an image of Our Lady Oranta. This can be called any image that corresponds to the canons. The mosaic image is located in Kyiv, in the St. Sophia Cathedral. The celebration takes place at the end of May. You can ask Our Lady for the search for love and family well-being.

Mourning

The mourning icon is the face of the Mother of God, who experiences the death of her Son. She raises her hands in prayer and looks up. The image is kept in the Holy Trinity Monastery. You can ask the face for the repose of the soul and the pacification of grief.

"The Joy of All Joys"

“The Joy of All Joys” is an image of the Mother of God that was in the cell of Seraphim of Sarov for a long time. Its alternative name is “Tenderness of Seraphimo.” Throughout the saint's life, the Mother of God was his protector, so prayers to him can also be heard by the Queen. You should ask the icon for the cure of serious illnesses.

"The Holy Trinity"

The “Holy Trinity” icon was painted by Andrei Rublev and is currently kept in the Tretyakov Gallery. This icon is considered one of the most famous in the Russian Church. They wrote lists based on it, which are located in different parts of Russia. The main faces of Abraham, Sarah, and Lot are written on the image.

"Recovery of the Dead"

The Icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost” is an image of the Mother of God that was created in the 17th century. The name was given because of Theophilus' story of repentance. According to its text, Theophilus prayed before the image of the Mother, whom he later called “Seeking the Lost.”

"The Tsaritsa"

The “Tsaritsa” icon is an image of the Mother of God with the Child in her arms, surrounded by angels. The image is located in the Athos monastery of Vatopedi. Its writing dates back to the 17th century. The image is considered miraculous, as there have been known cases of cancer cures after prayers to it.

"The Omen"

“The Sign” is another face of the Mother of God, which was depicted according to the Orant type. At the moment, the image is located in the St. Sophia Cathedral of Veliky Novgorod. The miracles of the icon were first mentioned in 1170, when Novgorod was attacked, but the Mother of God drove the enemy away from the city gates. You can ask the image for protection in business, protection from evil tongues.

"The Bread Wrangler"

The rarest, but deeply revered icon of the Mother of God is the “Spreader of the Loaves.” The image shows the Virgin Mary with her hands raised to the sky, seated on the clouds. The image was painted in 1890, after which the Kaluga province miraculously got rid of famine. You can ask Our Lady for help in earning money and protecting grain fields.

Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon

The Great Martyr Panteleimon was not only a deeply religious man, but also a doctor and healer. In the Orthodox Church, his image is revered in the treatment of serious illnesses, but in the Catholic faith he is not so popular. They ask his icon for good health and strong offspring.

Blessed Matrona of Moscow

Matrona of Moscow had the ability to see the future due to her deep faith and complete lack of vision. The saint healed people and gave them good health. You could confess to her and get clean. There is an opinion that she was able to predict her death in 3 days, but still continued to help people. You can ask her image for the forgiveness of loved ones, the health of children and relatives.

Peter and Fevronia

On many icons, saints are depicted alone or, if it is the Mother of God, then together with the Child. Therefore, the icon of Peter and Fevronia is a rare exception. Their joint image symbolizes the unity of the family and the strength of the love connection. You can ask their image to find a lover and peace in the family.

Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas is Nicholas the Pleasant, at whose image one prays for deep faith and success in business.

Naked and clothed

Sinners in hell. Fragment of a mosaic from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta on the island of Torcello in Venice. 12th century Bridgeman Images / Fotodom
Nudity in iconography (except for ascetics and holy fools in loincloths or ancestors in Eden) is a frequent sign of a disembodied spirit. The soul is depicted naked as it leaves the body on its deathbed (very rarely the soul, like a person resurrected from the dead, is dressed in a funeral shroud). Demons and spirits are usually depicted naked - personifications of hell, river or wind. Sinners in hell are also naked (clothing appears only if the icon painter needs to indicate their previous position and rank). The nakedness of the condemned is a symbol of their depersonalization and hopeless fate: sinners merge into a mass of defenseless naked bodies. By contrast, the angels and the righteous in Heaven wear light clothes (in Western art, the dressing of the righteous in light robes before entering heaven has become a popular motif).

Icons of Sergius of Radonezh

Sergius of Radonezh is one of the most revered saints. During his life he performed many deeds in the name of Christ. His words reconciled and pacified.

On the icon, Sergius of Radonezh is depicted stern, with his right hand raised in blessing. In his left he holds a scroll as a symbol of knowledge. His icons and their meaning are very important for Christians. They pray to this saint for protection from enemies for the country. It also helps in studying, before an exam, or simply during times of difficulty in understanding something.

Holy monster

Saint Christopher. 17th century Cherepovets Art Museum Fine Art Images / Heritage Images / Getty Images
The images of St. Christopher on some icons can frighten the casual viewer: he is a man with a dog’s head surrounded by a halo. The combination of animal and human traits in medieval art is a characteristic feature of a demon or a fantastic monster. In fact, according to one version of the life, Christopher came from such monsters: he was born among the Cynocephalians - the dog-headed people (since Antiquity, it was believed that such creatures live on the outskirts of the inhabited world), converted to Christianity and became the only saint among his fellow tribesmen. Another legend claimed that he was handsome and specifically asked God to disfigure himself so that women would not bother him. In Rus', Christopher began to be depicted as a dog's head from the 16th century (sometimes, instead of a dog's, he received a horse's head), and in the 18th century, church authorities banned such icons as incorrect and “against nature.” However, of course, it was not possible to seize and destroy them all.

The most ancient and ancient icons

In Christianity, there are especially revered images that have come to us since ancient times. They are the link between the time when the events described in the Bible took place and ours. These original ancient icons are mainly kept in museums, but they were often copied for other churches.

For example, the Kiev Museum of Western and Eastern Art houses the oldest icon of John the Baptist, which dates back to the 6th century. It was made using the technique of those times - encaustic. It was used for painting ancient icons in Byzantium.

Also one of the oldest surviving images is the painting of the Apostles Peter and Paul. The date of its creation is the 11th century. Now it is kept in the Novgorod Museum. It is not completely preserved: the hands, faces and feet do not retain the original paint. However, during the restoration the contours were updated.

The existing icon of St. George, which is kept in the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow, is believed to date back to the end of the 11th - beginning of the 12th century. This relic is in good condition.

Ancient icons are an important heritage of Christianity. Each of them has its own special history and writing technique. The study of icons shows what materials were used to create them. Unfortunately, very few of those first images have survived, as there were periods of their mass destruction.

It should also be noted that the author was rarely indicated at that time. This indicated that the image was still important in icon painting.

Hagiographic icons: a story in scenes

An icon of a saint is often accompanied by a visual story of his life and miracles. This story is located around the middle - the central part of the icon. The scenes are placed in so-called stamps; they are not always separated by clear lines and sometimes overlap each other. You need to read them like text: from left to right and from top to bottom, looking over the middle. The first scene in the upper left corner usually shows the birth of a saint, then there are scenes of childhood, miracles performed and other important episodes of life. However, the death of the righteous does not need to be looked for in the lower right stamp - it is often depicted earlier, and the last scenes are posthumous miracles: the healing of the sick at the saint’s tomb, the transfer of his relics, etc.

Saint Nicholas with his life. Icon from the Ferapontov Monastery. Northern School, 16th century Fine Art Images / Heritage Images / Getty Images

The meaning of saints in Orthodoxy

Saints in Orthodoxy are needed in order to turn to them in moments of sorrow or despair, when there is no way to solve the problem on your own. They are often consulted for incurable illnesses or problems at home. Girls may ask about finding a lover or about the possibility of conceiving a child.

Icons are placed in shrines: churches, chapels, monasteries. The saints served as patrons of the sacred place, as well as the city that is located closest to the image. Also, each icon shows a different type of scripture, which indicates the development of iconography.

Free assessment of icons online based on photographs

An important task for any owner of an antique item is to find a reliable company that deals with repurchase and appraisal. Among the reliable performers, the antique store Zolotoy Sovet stands out, where every potential client can use the service and evaluate the icon from a photo .

To do this you need:

Take some good shots of an ancient icon.

Indicate the owner's return coordinates where you can contact the owner (in case of sending photos by email).

Get the result of evaluating an icon from a photo online.

Discuss all the nuances and choose the most convenient payment method.

The store's staff is represented by highly professional antique art experts who have extensive experience and are perfectly versed in the world of Russian heritage and icon painting. The icon evaluation procedure is free of charge and does not take much time. Within 20 minutes, the customer has information regarding the real price of the icon.

The obtained result does not oblige the client to further cooperation. The decision to sell is made independently and carefully.

How many icons of the Mother of God are there?

No one knows exactly how many different images of the Mother of God have been written. In the monthly book published by the Moscow Patriarchate, 295 names are mentioned.

But according to iconography, the images of the Mother of God are divided into only three types: Oranta (looks with arms raised up), Hodegetria (the baby blesses the Mother of God), Eleusa (tenderness, clinging to each other).

Most likely, you will find this article useful about how the Guardian Angel icon helps.

purchase icons of the Mother of God in the Orthodox online store Svyatsy.