#russian orthodox iconography

[graysoniconography]

Saint Tsar Nicholas II

One of my favorite Russian saints

Troparion (Tone 1)

Most noble and sublime was your life and death, O Sovereigns;

Wise Nicholas and blest Alexandra, we praise you,

Acclaiming your piety, meekness, faith, and humility,

Whereby ye attained to crowns of glory in Christ our God,

With your five renowned and godly children of blessed fame.

O passion–bearers decked in purple, intercede for us.

Kontakion (Tone 2)

Royalty and martyrdom were joined together, O blessed ones,

In your death for righteousness and right belief, O wise Sovereigns,

Nicholas and Alexandra, with your five children.

Hence, Christ our God counted you worthy of thrones in Heaven;

And with twofold crowns of glory,

You reign forever, adorned with grace divine.

[soulrestinginstpetersburg]

Icons made by nuns from monastery Gradac, Serbia

[commissarred]

Midnight Office followed by Liturgy at 1 am

[orthodoxadventure]

“Saint John the Russian” Monastery in southern Romania was established on November 1, 2008, on the ruins of a former military unit of the Giurgiu Border Police. Photo credit: Doxologia

[religious-extremist]

[dioscrucificado]

(x)

[jh-newman-opn]

Writings on (proper) Orthodox Iconography

Or, things that were useful for my diss-writing: requested by @naomisramblings

The Meaning of Icons - Leonid Ouspensky, Vladimir Lossky -- this was the book I kept coming back to: excellent pictures, wonderfully spiritual explanations, it's the real deal

An introduction to russian art and architecture – robert auty and dimitri obolensky

Byzantine Sacred Art - Constantine Cavarnos -- a collection of writings by Photis Kontoglou, a 20thC Greek iconographer

Le Stoglav Ou Les Cent Chapitres - E Duchesne -- a French translation of the Stoglav, which is a 16th collection of rubrics around ecclesiology, symphonia, and iconography compiled after a Russian church council. Slightly controversial document but historically useful. Couldn't find an English translation.

‘The Moscow Stoglav (“hundred chapters”) Church Council of 1551. (Volumes I and II) - JE Kollman -- more stoglav stuff,

https://web.archive.org/web/20130424141441/http://www.themoscownews.com/local/20130304/191296031/A-guide-to-the-interior-of-a-Russian-Orthodox-church.html -- guide to the interior of a Russian church

Development of Eastern Christian Iconography - Elena Ene D-Vasilescu

The Iconographic Canon of Orthodox Churches: History, Evolution, Symbolism - Gheorghe Gîrbea

Icons in Theory and Practice: An Orthodox Christian Example - M Kenna -- more about greek icons but still a lot of transferrable info

Sinai, Byzantium, Russia: Orthodox art from the sixth to the twentieth century - Piatnitsii et al -- LOVED this book, gives a really good bird's eye view of the development of iconography. Iirc it's one of those books that has a real hard on for mount athos but I could be wrong.

https://russianicons.wordpress.com - this blog is also useful, esp on podlinniki. it's not scholarship per se but it's a guy with a niche interest and honestly is that not the backbone of civilisation

Строгановский иконописный лицевой подлинник: (Конца XVI и начала XVII столѣтий) - Sergei Stroganov -- if you can find this, I found it helpful as a closer look into podlinniki

Hope that helps! I don't have access to half of these books anymore, but if you have a university/institution login that should do the trick. Annoyingly I seem to have lost a bunch of my notes but these ones survived-- if you want my notes from any particular book you're very welcome to them as well. Ah, the joys of the internet :)

[prehistoricpatristics]

Christian Iconography relating to marriage

Icon as Christ as a Bridegroom

Christ the Bridgegroom is symbolic of marriage within the Orthodox Church. The ropes that bind his hand are a universal symbol of marriage within the Orthodox Church, symbolising the unification of the souls under the marriage. The reed, a symbol of humility in relationships, and his crown a symbol of Christ as the head of families and relationships.

Christ as Pantokrator

Christ as Pantokrator is a common wedding gift, symbolising the rule of Christ over relationships

St. Argyre

St. Argyre the New Martyr is the patron saint of marriage, one who was killed in order to respect her marriage vows. She if often called upon to find a spouse, and to strengthen the current relationship.

Priscilla and Aquila

St. Priscilla and St. Aquilla are two married Saints themselves named in the New Testament. St. Aquilla is traditionally listed among the 70 disciples of Christ who lived with St. Paul the Apostle. The two saints are referred to as the patron Saints of Love and Marriage and the strength they gave to the early churches was based on their love for eachother.

Saint Basil the Elder and his wife Saint Emmelia 

St. Basil and St. Emmelia are two Orthodox Christians who greatly influenced Christian history. Of their 9 children, 5 are remembered as Saints, many of them being influential in theology and patristic writings. They are the perfect example of a godly marriage and family.

St. Xenia of St. Petersburg

St. Xenia of St. Petersburg was a Saint who wrote widely on the impacts and theology surrounding marriage, specifically she wrote about equality in marriage. In every marriage the love between spouses is manifested by the mutual offering of emotional and material support of each other. St. Xenia's believes on love are incredibly influential.

SS. Anne and Joachim

Ss. Joachim and Anna serve as a model for marriage, Mary the Mother of God is the fruit of their marriage. They also serve as a great example of a model relationship, with them coping with and dealing with the trials and struggles of infertility.

The Theotokos

In the context of a wedding, the Prescence of the Theotokos serves as a reminder of the importance of marriage union, and the sacred bond between spouses.

Wedding Feast at Cana

The Wedding Feast at Cana is a clear example of a happy wedding, one of praise and celebration that Christ himself was present at. The depth of celebration, praise for the couple but Christ himself too is a perfect example of what a wedding should be.

Iconography of the song of songs

It is much harder to find, and not widespread, but iconography of the Song of Songs is perfect for a wedding, not only symbolising the love between spouses, but the love between mortal and divine.

[andijaart]

+++ 🙏🏻God Bless🕊️ +++

The Guardian Angel Orthodox icon is a revered symbol in Christian tradition, depicting a protective angel assigned to watch over and guide each individual. This icon, often crafted with intricate details in silver or gold plating, reflects Byzantine artistic heritage. Guardian Angels are seen as messengers of God, offering divine protection and comfort to the faithful. Placed in homes or churches, the icon serves as a reminder of God’s constant presence and guidance in life’s journey, embodying peace, faith, and spiritual guardianship.

💫 International Orthodox Art Corporation Andcross

May the blessing of the Lord be upon you!

[graysoniconography]

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[goingpostal1980]

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY

^ This one isn't actually religious art it's a Russian painting of a scene from a Brothers Grimm story but it's so cool I have to include it

[salomedebeaurepaire]

My first commission for an orthodox icon has just being shipped :D :D ! I don't know how many orthos I'll find on tumblr but anyway my Etsy shop is RheaIconography don't hesitate to check it :))

[commissarred]

Arrival of the first Orthodox mission to America, Saints Herman, Juvenaly, and others ☦️

[orthodoxadventure]

Икона Божией Матери именуемая "Отгоняющая злые помыслы". The icon of the Mother of God called "Driving away evil thoughts".

[gourmetgrilledcheeses]

screenshots from a video of my grandpa painting a Russian Orthodox Church in 1987☦️

[globalworship]

Tree of Life (icon by Br. Robert Lentz)

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ARTIST: Br. Robert Lentz, OFM

ARTWORK NARRATIVE:

In the first centuries after Jesus’ death, he was never depicted suffering on the cross. When artists finally began depicting him on the cross, he was shown either in a peaceful repose or as a king in glory. Other medieval crosses were studded with precious jewels. A third type of cross was the Tree of Life, filled with vegetation and harkening back to the Green Man revered in the old religions of northern Europe. Realistic crucifixes that graphically depict Jesus in his death throes were an innovation of the late Middle Ages. In this icon Jesus is the Tree of Life. He shines at the center of four arms that stretch to the four sacred directions -- reminiscent of the Native American medicine wheel. He is the center of creation. Exotic vegetation coils from him, or towards him, depending on one’s perspective. He is the fulfillment of the ancient Green Man of old Europe, as well as the vine spoken of in John’s Gospel. He is the World Tree, Yggdrasil, the pole of the universe, upon which shamans and other mystics travel to experience the divine. Having become part of creation, and unjustly executed, he is the advocate of all those who have been trampled underfoot. Slain on the cross, but risen, he declares that God’s greatest miracle is to bring life and light even out of injustice and death.

Information is from this webpage, which has prints you can buy: https://trinitystores.com/collections/tree-of-life-rltol

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Artist bio:

Robert Lentz is a Franciscan friar whose innovative icons are known throughout the world. He is a member of Holy Name Province, and is stationed in Silver Spring, Maryland at Holy Name College. Besides painting many hours each day, he teaches apprentices, writes, and conducts workshops on art and spirituality throughout the United States. Brother Robert is active in promoting dialog between Muslims and Christians. He is also committed to the indigenization of Byzantine iconography in the various cultures embraced by the Church.

Brother Robert was born in rural Colorado in 1946. His grandparents emigrated from tsarist Russia in the early 1900's. He studied Byzantine iconography by apprenticing himself to a master painter from the school of Photios Kontoglou in a Greek Orthodox monastery founded from Mount Athos.

His icons reflect his experiences among the poor in this country and in the Third World, as well as his Franciscan and Russian roots. They are filled with bright colors and often depict contemporary subjects. While always striving to remain true to the essence of Byzantine iconography, he adapts traditional conventions in order to minister better to the emerging Church. His icons remain transcendent expressions of the ancient Christian Tradition, and they invite us into communion with God and the saints.

Text above is from this webpage, where you can browse dozens of his icons: https://trinitystores.com/collections/br-robert-lentz-ofm