Ancient Faith Radio host Kevin Allen says: "Tremendous and include some of the most beutiful icons in Legacy Icons collection. I want one of those. A great, great gift for the holiday season!"
What a great gift for yourself, Sunday school teachers, or others. Handmade in America to our exacting museum-grade specifications, with stunning colors and a balanced palette of tones make these dynamic and perfect for your Christmas tree or decorations. After the holidays, replace the string and hang them in your car, home, or office to enjoy all year long!
Ornaments have the same outstanding high-grade prints, and are sized at 2x3, 3x4, and 4x4 inches.
Nativity A & B:
This 15th century Greek icon depicts theNativity of Christ, with several related scenes. The Virgin Mary is depicted resting beside her newborn Son. The cave imagery recalls icons of the Resurrection, reminding the viewer that our salvation was wrought through
the entirety of Christ's life, not just one part of it. The ox and donkey beside him represent the worship of the entire human race, Jews and Gentiles alike. The magi are visible on the left, and the shepherds on the right. Also visible is the elder Joseph, who is being tempted by the devil to leave his betrothed. Filling the heavens are the angels, praising God and proclaiming the good news of great joy.
Archangel Michael:
This icon, part of the Zvenigorod desis,was painted about 1415 by the Russian master iconographer St. Andrei Rublev. In the New Testament Michael leads God's armies against Satan's forces in the Book of Revelation, where during the war in heaven he defeats Satan.
(Prayer to Saint Michael, the Archangel)
Holy Michael Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle;
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou,
Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan
and all wicked spirits
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Saint Nicholas:
Saint Nicholas was the 5th-century Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). He is well-known and well-loved for his generosity and
miracle-working. This icon was painted at the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai in the 13th Century.
Theotokos Tenderness:
Iconographers of all times tried to show in the image of Theotokos as much beauty, gentleness, dignity and grandeur as they could imagine. They sometimes paint grief, and sometimes sorrowful, but always filled with spiritual strength and wisdom. This icon dates from the early 15th century. The Theotokos represents the Church of Christ, thereby displaying the fullness of love between God and man, a love that can only be achieved within the bosom of church, the Mother. The Most Pure Lady is always shown with her head covered with a veil, which drops to her shoulders. The veil or head covering is usually colored red to show her suffering and her acquired holiness.
Synaxis of the Archangels:
This 19th century Russian icon portrays the synaxis (assembly) of the holy Angels and Archangels. In the center is an orb containing Christ as Emmanuel. Behind Christ, holding orbs reading IC XC("Jesus Christ"), is the chief Archangel, Saint Michael. Flanking Christ are the Archangels Gabriel, in blue, and Raphael, in green. In the back row are the other four traditional Archangels, left to right, Jegudiel, Selaphiel, Uriel, and Barachiel. Holding Christ's orb is a Seraph, with two Cherubim besides.
Pantocrator of Christ (Hagia Sophia):
This mosaic, perhaps from the 12th century, is from the Hagia Sophia (the Church of the Holy Wisdom) in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey). After the fall of Byzantium to the Turks in 1453, the church was turned into an Islamic mosque and the holy icons were plastered over. Some of the images were uncovered in the early 20th century, including this mosaic.
