Holy-Icons

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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Saint Seraphim of Sarov

Matthew — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:03:52 +0000

St. Seraphim of Sarov was born in 1759 in Kursk. He was a sickly child who was miraculously healed by by a miracle-working icon of the Mother of God. He left the merchant life of his parents to enter the Sarov Monastery. There he lived a life of severe asceticism, seldom eating or sleeping, and spending his life in prayer. He had visions, and could often foresee the future. He would often leave the community to live the life of a hermit, and even animals would seek him out because of his holiness. He eventually became a starets, or spiritual elder. One account of his life includes a description of his transfiguration, where his face shone brighter than the sun with uncreated light.

His feast day is celebrated on January 2

St. Luke the Surgeon Wonderworker of Simferopol and Crimea

Matthew — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:08:30 +0000

St. Luke the Surgeon

celebrated June 11

Troparion of St. Luke of Simferopol – Tone 1

O herald of the way of salvation,

confessor and archpastor of the Crimean flock,

faithful keeper of the traditions of the fathers,

unshakeable pillar and teacher of Orthodoxy,

pray unceasingly to Christ our Saviour

to grant salvation and strong faith to Orthodox Christians,

O holy hierarch Luke,

physician wise in God.

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Luke_of_Simferopol

Saint Apollonia of Alexandria

Matthew — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:05:12 +0000

Saint Apollonia of Alexandria

Commemorated on February 9

St. Apollonia was an elderly virgin and deaconess of Alexandria, whose martyrdom was described by St. Dionysius of Alexandria in one of his letters.

When Decius became emperor in 249, he launched the greatest attack upon Christians up to that time, becoming the first emperor to call for Christianity’s total extermination. St. Dionysius wrote that the persecution started at Alexandria a year before other places, incited by a certain “prophet and poet of evil,” who stirred up the people against the Christians.

Backed by the power of the government, the pagans massacred Christians, believing that they were serving false gods. The “aged and excellent virgin Apollonia” was seized and struck in the face until all her teeth were knocked out. The mob built a fire outside the city and threatened to burn her alive unless she agreed to worship the idols and sacrifice to the emperor’s genius.

St. Apollonia asked the pagans to let go of her for a moment so that she could pray. As soon as they did, she leaped into the flames and was consumed, receiving a double crown of martyrdom and virginity. Because of the nature of her torments, she is sometimes depicted with a golden tooth hanging from a necklace, or holding a tooth in a pair of pincers. She is invoked by those suffering from toothache.

http://www.antiochian.org/node/17497

Saint Job of Pochaev

Matthew — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:51:40 +0000

Saint Job of Pochaev

celebrated October 10

Troparion – Tone 4

Having acquired the patience of your Forefather,
and having resembled the Baptist in abstinence,
you shared the divine zeal of both
and were counted worthy to receive their names.
You were a fearless preacher of the True Faith;
in this way you brought a multitude of monastics to Christ.
You strengthened all people in Orthodoxy,
Job, our venerable father;
pray that our souls may be saved

Kontakion – Tone 4

Podoben: “Today You have shown forth…”
You were a pillar of the True Faith;
a zealot of the commandments of the Gospel;
a denouncer of pride,
and a defender and teacher of the humble.
Therefore, those who honor you pray for the remission of their sins,
and that this, your holy habitation, be kept safe from all harm,
Job, our father, who resembled the long-suffering Patriarch of old.

http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=103087

Kykkos Mother of God

Matthew — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:35:15 +0000

The original of this icon is attributed to St. Luke. It is reputed to have traveled extensively before it came to rest in Cyprus where it is credited with numerous miracles and healings. Copies of this icon became commonplace in Russian in the 17th century.

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Beautiful Gate — Royal Doors — Holy Doors

Matthew — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:57:44 +0000

The Beautiful Gate, also known as the Royal or Holy Doors, stand between the Nave and the Sanctuary in an Orthodox Church. They serve as both as separation and a point of contact between these two areas of the Church. These doors depict the Annunciation — the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Theotokos to tell her that she will conceive and bear Christ, as well as the four evangelists, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.

These Royal Doors are part of the iconostasis at Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church in Boise, ID.

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Christ the Light-Giver

Matthew — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:07:27 +0000

This icon of Christ depicts Him with an open gospel book with the words, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” This icon is part of the iconostasis at Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church in Boise ID.

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Archangel Michael

Matthew — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:57:08 +0000

The Archangel Michael is given several roles in the Tradition and Scriptures. He is the chief of the Archangels. He fights against Satan, rescues and brings souls to judgement, and intervenes to help us in times of need.

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Triptych of the Kykkos Mother of God with St. Andrew and St. George

Matthew — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:23:44 +0000

This triptych features an icon of the Kykkos Mother of God. The original of this icon is attributed to St. Luke. It is reputed to have traveled extensively before it came to rest in Cyprus where it is credited with numerous miracles and healings. Copies of this icon became commonplace in Russian in the 17th century.

On either side of the Mother of God are depicted St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle and St. George the Trophy-Bearer. This icon was commissioned for a wedding gift and the saints depicted are the patron saints of the couple.

The closed triptych features a byzantine floral cross pattern.