14th century on Roersma Iconpaintings

Archangel Michael

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:58:15 +0200

It is very likely that this icon forms part of a Deesis. The title ‘Supreme Leader of the Heavenly Host’ indicates the rank of the archangel in the celestial hierarchy. The cryptogram on the globe has been deciphered and means ‘Christ the righteous judge’. The painting is typical of the Byzantine style, with the effect of depth and the light on the shapes using a network of fine white lines.

Mother of God Dumilenije

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:46:31 +0200

This icon is originally from a Serbian painter, has no playful details and the Mother of God looks sterner. The icon was painted at the time of King Dusan, who was a son of Stefan Decanski. He had the church of the Decani monastery built as a mausoleum for himself. The famous monastery church is rich in frescos and has a complete iconostasis.

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 Donskaya

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:11:30 +0100

Mary tilts her head towards the Christ Child, who is sitting on her right hand, his knees drawn up and his bare legs on the left arm of his mother, who gathers his robe around him. The Christ Child puts his cheek against the cheek of his mother and holds his right hand out in blessing, while keeping his gaze fixed on his mother’s face.

The Virgin Donskaya

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:08:02 +0100

This icon is of the Eleousa type and depicts the Virgin’s love for her Son. Their heads are bent towards each other and touch. Sometimes the hand of the child caresses the cheek of his mother or embraces her around her neck.

The Apostle Mark

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:56:30 +0100

This icon is part of the large Deesis from the Chilandariou monastery on the Athos peninsula in Greece.

The Apostle Matthew

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:55:54 +0100

This icon is part of the large Deesis from the Chilandariou monastery on the Athos peninsula in Greece.

The Apostle Paul

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:55:18 +0100

This icon is part of the large Deesis from the Chilandariou monastery on the Athos peninsula in Greece.

The Apostle John

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:54:47 +0100

This icon is part of the large Deesis from the Chilandariou monastery on the Athos peninsula in Greece.

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 Dormition

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:52:42 +0100

Behind the elongated deathbed of Mary surrounded by mourning apostles is a large image of Christ with the soul of his mother on his arm, completely surrounded by an aureole. Above his head is an angel with six wings. The two bishops could be Hierotheos and Dionysius, who were both disciples of Paul and bishop of Athens.

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.