19th century on Roersma Iconpaintings

Mother of God 'Axion Esti'

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 18:23:35 +0200

The iconography of this icon is a variant of the Mother of God of Kykkotissa and is based on a miracle. In the 8th century, at the time of the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo III, a soldier attacked the icon with a sword, causing blood to flow from it. Full of remorse the solder fled to Mount Athos but the icon followed him across the water. Finding the icon on the beach, the soldier brought it to the main church of the Athos monasteries and the flow of blood was stemmed. In thanks the monks raised their voices to sing the ‘Axion Esti’.

The birth of Christ

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 15:01:58 +0200

Along the top edge is written in Church Slavonic ‘The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ’. The icon depicts various scenes relating to the birth that follow the late medieval Russian iconography. In the centre is the adoration of the magi from the East, holding in their hands their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The ox and the ass refer to Isaiah 1 verse 3. In the top right hand corner are two angels, below them two shepherds playing the flute. In the bottom right hand corner the child is being washed, and in the bottom left corner is Joseph, listening to an old shepherd standing before him.

The Holy Mandylion

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:57:24 +0200

The holy Mandylion is a beloved representation in orthodox churches, the style is related to a “divine creation”-theme. As it doesn’t display the regular human representations. During Christ’s life on earth, the ill king Abgar of Edessa asked Christ to cure him. Christ did not travel to Edessa himself, but pressed a piece of cloth against his face. This cloth, showing an imprint of his face, was sent to the king. The cloth cured him of his illness

New Testament Trinity

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:50:00 +0200

This icon of the Trinitywas painted according to the New Testament. Lucas 22 verse 69, “But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”. Seated right is the Father, on a seraph throne. And left of him, Christ, holding the gospel book in his left hand and the Cross with his right. In the four corners, gospel symbols are pictured. Matthew as a winged human, Marcus as the lion, John as the eagle and Lucas as the bull.

Mother of God of Vatoped

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:37:13 +0200

The icon of the Mother of God of Vatoped, named ‘Joy’ or ‘Consolation’ depicts the Holy Virgin from the monastery of Vatoped on Mount Athos. Similar icons can be found in the convent of Tavolzhank in Voronesh and the ‘Smolny Convent of the Resurrection’ in St. Petersburg.

Mother of God Moldavskaya

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:30:11 +0200

The Flowering of Moldavia.

The name refers to Moldavia in Romania.

The icon refers to the apocryphal story of the choice of Joseph as the bridegroom of Mary by the ‘Miracle of the Rods’. It is very rare to find a depiction of this story.

The Annunciation

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:21:33 +0200

This icon forms part of the King’s doors in the Saint Charalambios Chapel in the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. It is a simply painted icon in bright colours on a dark blue background, where the Angel Gabriel and Mary are depicted on a cloud. The icon also shows the year in which the doors were painted.

The Resurrection

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:20:00 +0200

In the centre is the figure of Christ clothed in a dazzling white robe. He stands over the abyss of darkness, where the broken doors, locks and hinges are still visible. The first to be liberated from limbo by Christ are the forefathers and the Kings of the Old Testament who stand behind him, together with Eve. Finally, Christ pulls Adam out into the light of mercy..

The All-Seeing Eye of God

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:10:35 +0200

This icon has a strict geometrical structure, all the rings containing Church Slavonic inscriptions on a white background, referring to the figure depicted. In the middle ring is Christ Emmanuel, in the second ring four eyes, nose and mouth, ’the all-seeing eye’, in the third ring the Virgin Orante and in the largest ring the seraphim and cherubim. The four corner rings contain images of the four evangelists, with texts in the rings referring to each of them. In the upper middle ring is God the Father, with the seraphim and cherubim in the outer ring.

Archangel Michael

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:06:47 +0200

The Arch Strategist ‘Who is as God’ reads the translation of Michael who, as a herald of the Apocalypse, weighs up the souls at the Last Judgment. ‘And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils’ (Revelation 18:1-2).

Christ Blessed Silence

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:04:48 +0200

Christ is depicted on the icon according to the iconography of Emmanuel, but with the wings of an angel and bearing the title ‘Saviour and Blessed Silence’. This refers to ’the eternal silence of God’s existence’. The text on the prayer scroll reads ‘Why do you call me, My mother, My mouth was full’ (Isaiah 42:3 and Isaiah 53:7).

Deësis

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:54:57 +0200

This is originally a Byzantine composition, with Christ in judgement flanked by Mary and John the Baptist or forerunner. In the centre is Pantokrator, who will judge mankind at the end of time. Mary and John the Baptist mediate for a merciful judgement. John the Baptist as representative of the Old Testament and Maria as the representative of the New Testament.

Christ, King of Kings

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:52:45 +0200

On a magnificent throne, surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists, sits Christ in the robes of a High Priest and a precious crown on his head as King of Kings, blessing the believers. The text on the open pages of the Book of the Gospel reads: ‘My kingdom is not of this world, take, eat, this is my body, drink, this is my blood that was shed for you, do this in remembrance of me’.

Christ in Majesty

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:51:56 +0100

Dressed in beautiful robes and a crown-like headdress, Christ sits on the throne which his Father has prepared for him in heaven. The cross of his suffering has been changed into the sceptre of his majesty and dominion.