Holy-Icons » Old Testament

Holy Prophet Elijah

Matthew — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:45:56 +0000

This icon of the Holy Prophet Elijah is part of my private collection. It was painted (written) for our Slava. It depicts the Prophet Elijah in a cave with a raven bringing him food, as well as the angel waking him from sleep with the words “arise and eat” and the Prophet ascending into heaven in a fiery chariot handing his mantle to the Prophet Elisha.

Celebrated on July 20

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St. David the King

Matthew — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:48:19 +0000

St. David, the great-grandson of Ruth and Boaz was the king of Israel, and is an ancestor of Jesus Christ. He is well known for his many hymns and psalms.

Righteous Judith

Matthew — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:51:09 +0000

The Righteous Judith’s story is told in the Deuterocanonical book of Judith. She was a widow in the time of King Nebuchadnezzar. While under siege from the Assyrians, and on the brink of starvation, the Jews of the city of Bethulia consider surrendering. Judith, a widow, refusing surrender sought out the General of the Assyrians, and entranced him with her beauty. While he was distracted, she cut off his head, thus leaving the Assyrians with no leader. This allowed the Jews to fight back and drive away the Assyrian army.

A similar icon is available for purchase on the Icons for Sale page.

Patriarch Jacob

Matthew — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:50:34 +0000

Jacob, the son of Isaac and the father of the heads of the tribes of Israel.

Prophetess Deborah

Matthew — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:48:52 +0000

St. Deborah the Prophetess’ story is told in Judges 4:4-5:31. She used to sit under a palm tree and the Israelites would come to her for judgements. She went with Barak to face the forces of Sisera, and God granted the Israelites victory. Judges 5 records the Song of Deborah and Barak, one of the oldest poems in the Bible.

Prophet Daniel

Matthew — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:47:52 +0000

St. Daniel the prophet was a youth in Babylonian captivity and was made one of three presidents in the kingdom of Darius. He was so admired by Darius that Darius considered putting the rule of the kingdom under Daniel. The other presidents, and satraps wanted to remove Daniel, and so they had Darius issue an edict that anyone praying within 30 days of the edict must be placed in the lion’s den. When Daniel continued praying three times a day, he was thrown into the lion’s den overnight, but the next morning he was found unharmed. So impressed was Darius that he had the satraps and presidents cast into the lion’s den with their families. They were instantly killed by the lions.

Patriarch Benjamin

Matthew — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:45:16 +0000

St. Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and his 2nd wife Rachel. After Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, Benjamin was highly favored by his father.

The Sacrifice of Abraham

Matthew — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:43:31 +0000

Abram, from Ur of the Chaldaeans made a covenant with God, being given the name Abraham. He was rewarded with a great multitude of descendents and a land for them. God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham agreed despite his great love for his son. God spared Isaac, but only after seeing the Abraham was willing to do anything God asked of him.This icon was commissioned for the diakonikon of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in South Glens Falls, NY

Prophets Moses and Aaron

Matthew — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:51:31 +0000

Moses, considered perhaps the greatest of Jewish Prophets, was God’s instrument in the liberating of the Chosen People from Egyptian slavery. Raised by the Pharaoh’s daughter, he was called by God from the burning bush to free his people. Moses objected due to his lack of leadership skills and speech impediment. He overcame these difficulties, and through miraculous acts was able to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt. He received the ten commandments from God on Mount Sinai, but was unable to enter the Promised Land.

Aaron was the older brother of the Prophet Moses, and acted as Moses’ spokesperson due to Moses’ speech impediment. Aaron, like his brother, died before seeing the Promised Land.

Russian:

Troparion (Tone 2)

The memory of Your prophet Moses,

We celebrate today, O Lord.

By his prayers, we beseech You,

O Christ God, save our souls!

Kontakion (Tone 2)

The company of the prophets rejoices with Moses and Aaron,

For their prophecy is fulfilled

As the Cross by which you have saved us shines forth.

Save our souls by their prayers, O Christ our God!

Greek:

Apolytikion (Third Tone)

As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Moses,

O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.

Kontakion (Fourth Tone)

With the divine and righteous Moses and Aaron, the Prophets’ choir today rejoiceth with gladness,

seeing their prophecy fulfilled now in our midst;

for Thy Cross, O Christ our God, whereby Thou hast redeemed us,

shineth in the sight of all as the end and fulfilment of that which they foretold in ancient times.

By their entreaties, have mercy upon us all.

Prophet Ezekiel

Matthew — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:49:45 +0000

The Holy Prophet Ezekiel