The Virgin Mary Eleousa, or Eleusa, icon is also known as the Virgin of Tenderness, as it depicts the Theotokos with the infant Jesus in her embrace. According to tradition, the icon of the Virgin Mary Eleousa of Kykkos was painted by the Evangelist Luke...

Also referred to as Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows, the swords aimed at Mary’s heart symbolize the pain she felt watching her Son during the time of his crucifixion. Traditionally, the seven sorrows are: 1. The Prophecy of Simeon as found in Luke...

Archangel Michael, also called the Archistrategos (“chief commander”) or Saint Michael, is known as the Defender of the Faith. Archangel Michael is a protector of humanity, known for protecting the faithful from war and invasion. He is also...

The Crucifixion is one of the Icons that make up the Twelve Feasts. Jesus Christ was crucified in AD 30 or AD 33 after being sentenced to be scourged, then put to death by Roman executioners. The scenes are: The entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), The...

The depiction of Christ as Pantocrator is an icon from the 16th century. Christ Pantocrator is displayed over the central dome of all the Byzantine churches. In this version of the icon, Jesus Christ is depicted with a strict look but expressing the love...

Saint George, Victory-Bearer, born to Christian parents in Cappadocia Saint George joined the Roman army as a young man and became a talented soldier, valiant in battle. He rose in the ranks of the military, but the pagan government was uneasy that a...

The Virgin Mary Portaitissa, or Panagia Portaitissa, is a miraculous icon accredited to Saint Luke the Evangelist. Icons depicting the Panagia Portaitissa are the most famous icons of the Theotokos, or Virgin Mary. According to tradition, the original...

Saints Ioakim and Anna, also known as the Holy and Righteous Joachim and Anna, were the parents of the Virgin Mary and thus, grandparents to Jesus Christ. Saint Ioakim belonged to the tribe of Judah, one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and was the first...

The icon of the Holy Family depicts the Virgin Mary, a young Jesus, and Saint Joseph embracing together in a family-style portrait. The icon exists in both the Orthodox and Catholic faiths, but is more popular in Catholic iconography. Notably, icons and...

The Crucifixion is one of the icons that form the basis of the Twelve Feasts. The blessing cross is engraved in hardwood with the Crucifixion The wood is cured birch and is wall-mounted Faithful recreations of originals with religious...

Pantocrator means “Almighty” or “All-powerful”. In Iconography, Christ the Pantocrator represents a specific depiction of Christ. This image is one of the first of Christ in the early Christian Church, and today it remains a...

The Annunciation, or the Annunciation of the Theotokos, refers to the event in which Archangel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary with the message that she was to become the mother of Christ. The Annunciation is found in the Gospel of Luke (New Testament),...