Saint Stylianos, or Stylianos of Paphlagonia, also referred to as Stylianos the Hermit, lived between the 5th and 6th centuries AD. Stylianos was born into a wealthy family in Adrianopolis (modern day Turkey) but chose to live amongst the desert hermits...

The most preferred translation of Pantocrator is “Almighty” or “All-powerful”. In this understanding, it is often understood in terms of potential power i.e. ability to do anything. Christ Pantocrator signifies Jesus in his glory...

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...

In the book of Genesis, God places the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the Garden of Eden. This is where the tree of life stands as a symbol of God giving presence and eternal life. The Tree of Life Icon is depicted with Christ and...

Archangel Michael is one of the most celebrated of the Angels, chief of the Heavenly Hosts. Archangels are messengers of great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the faith, helping people understand the will of God...

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...

Virgin Mary, Sweet Kissing is one of the most familiar depictions. An icon inspired by the Virgin that is located in the Holy Monastery of Preveli in Crete. It is an intriguing version depicting the Mother of God, an artwork of a hagiographer of the...

Saint Anna, the patron saint of mothers and children. Saint Anna, the mother of the beloved Virgin Mary, and her husband Joachim were married for 20 years without a child. After enduring much pain and rejection he traveled to the desert, praying to God...

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 Gabriel was the holy messenger sent to inform Zechariah of the birth of John the Baptist. He is further associated with the Annunciation, the event in which Archangel Gabriel visits the Virgin Mary to inform her that she will give birth to...

The Princess Elizabeth Feodorovna was born in 1864. She was the granddaughter of the Queen of England, Victoria, and of Ludwig IV, the Grand Duke of Hesse. Her benevolent, compassionate, and pure soul was evident from her first years. She treated all...

At the age of nineteen, Saint Seraphim entered the monastery of Sarov, where he showed his obedience, self-discipline, and humility. He devoted himself to solitary prayer in the forest. He returned to the monastery after fifteen years of living in the...