Macedonia on Roersma Iconpaintings

The Baptism of Christ

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:17:13 +0200

Christ, clothed only in a loincloth, stands in the River Jordan as John baptizes him. Above Christ are the rays of the Holy Ghost. In the river at Christ’s feet, still clearly visible as an ancient relic, is the river god Jordan. To the left of Christ stand four angels bearing his clothes in their hands. To the right an axe hangs in a tree, illustrating Matthew Chapter 3 verse 10: ‘Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’

Christ the Pantokrator

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:16:42 +0100

Christ the Redeemer and Giver of Life, originally painted by Metropolitan John Zographos. This half-portrait icon of Christ, with the right hand held up in blessing and a splendid Bible in the left hand, corresponds with the Pantokrator iconography. The wording on the border of the icon reads: ‘The icon of our Lord Jesus Christ was painted in the year 1393-1394’.

The Virgin Pelagonitissa

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:10:57 +0100

The Virgin Pelagonitissa was originally painted by Makarios Zographos in 1422. Makarios, who belonged to the group of painters of his bishop brother and monumental painter Jovan, shows the Christ Child playfully embracing his mother, while turning at the same time to an admirer or observer. The face of Mary is painted in a very serious style that is typical of the Byzantine tradition.

The Saviour

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:53:21 +0100

Christ the Saviour and Giver of Life, originally painted by John Zographos. This half-figure of Christ, his right hand extended in blessing and his left hand holding a beautiful bible, corresponds to the Pantocrator icons. The text in the icon border states: “The icon of Jesus Christ our Lord was painted in the year 1393-1394.”

The Annunciation

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:43:38 +0100

The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that the Holy Ghost shall come upon her and she will bring forth a son. It is taken from Luke 1:26-38. This icon is almost always placed in the centre of the iconostasis.