Icons

Raphael in the Hebrew language means Healing of God or God the Healer. One of the eight traditional archangels, he is named in the book of Tobit, where he restores sight to the blind. He holds a staff and an orb, which represents authority...

This icon is faithfully reproduced from a detail in a large 16th century fresco from Mt. Athos. It features a glorious angel titled "Angel of the Lord." He is dressed as a deacon in deep red and gold festal robes, following Psalm 103’s...

  Saint Raphael is one of the seven traditionally named Archangels of God. His name means "healing of God," and his intercessions are frequently sought for healing. He makes his biblical appearance twice in the book of Tobit. Tobit had been blinded,...

This stunning Slavic-style icon depicts the Archangel Michael in his role in trampling the church’s foes as seen in Revelation 20. The vivid colors and figures of this traditional 18th century icon remind us to remember that “we fight not...

This icon depicts the arrival of Mary at the temple, as she is received by the High Priest and the other temple virgins. Her elderly parents, Joachim and Anna, are seen in the background. In the upper right corner, Mary has taken her place in the Holy...

The Venerable Stylianos (or Stylianus) lived around the sixth century. He lived a strict ascetic life in the wilderness, praying and fasting. The citizens of the area became aware of his holiness, and many sought him out for his advice and prayers. He...

Saint Olga was born on February 3, 1916, in the Yup'ik village of Kwethluk, Alaska. Her family herded reindeer, and Olga (Arrsamquq, her Yup'ik name) loved spending time in the mountains as a child, playing with her six brothers. She married her...

This icon of the Holy Archangel Michael depicts him in festal robes in a traditional Russian pose. The icon makes use of vivid color and decoration to commemorate this saint’s role as intercessor and protector.  Michael in the Hebrew language...

Saint Katherine (also spelled Catherine) was a Great Martyr who suffered in the year 305 at the hands of Maximinus of Alexandria. She is commemorated in the Slavic churches on November 24, the date of her martyrdom. In the Byzantine churches, she is...

Saint Raphael was born in Beirut in 1860. He spent the first decades of his life traveling throughout the Middle East and Russia, gaining knowledge and experience as a clergyman. Father Raphael was called to America and established a parish in...

This icon from Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC, depicts the synaxis (assembly) of the holy Angels and Archangels. At the center is an orb containing Christ as a youth, known in iconography as Emmanuel. Nearest to Christ are the...

The Apostle Andrew "the First-Called," was the brother of Saint Peter. He had been a disciple of Saint John the Baptist, but went to follow Christ when Saint John called Him "the Lamb of God," becoming the first disciple. After the Lord's ascension...

This detail from a large 16th century fresco features a Seraph. The Seraphim, which in Hebrew means "burning ones," are the highest of the nine angelic ranks. Their name indicates their closeness to God: so close that they are eternally burning with...

Gabriel in the Hebrew language means Man of God or Might of God. He is a bringer of good news of the mysteries of God, especially at the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. He holds messenger's staff, rather than a soldier's spear, and an orb, which...

Saint Mary lived in the fifth century. As a girl, she left her Christian family in order to follow her pleasures in unbridled sinful living. At one point she joined a group of pilgrims to Jerusalem, selling herself in exchange for passage. When they...

Saint Justinian the Great reigned as Byzantine emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, tens of thousands of pagans were baptized into Christ and the pagan schools of Athens were closed. Some ninety missionary churches were built to evangelize and...

The Apostle Andrew "the First-Called," was the brother of Saint Peter. He had been a disciple of Saint John the Baptist, but went to follow Christ when Saint John called Him "the Lamb of God," becoming the first disciple. After the Lord's ascension...

This detail from a large 16th century fresco features a Cherub. The Cherubim are the second-highest of the nine ranks of angels. The Ark of the Covenant fashioned by Moses, and later the Temple, depicted images of Cherubim. In the icon, the Cherub...

This is an original and unique icon from Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral. It depicts Saint Raphael of Brooklyn, the founding cleric of the Cathedral community in 1895, and Saint Tikhon of Moscow, who actually consecrated the old Saint...

This icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel in his service and posture as chief messenger of the Lord of Hosts. His left hand bears a scepter, symbolizing his authority, and his right hand is raised in greeting. Holy Gabriel was instrumental in preparing...

In icons of this type, Our Lady appears directly facing the viewer with her hands raised in the orans (prayer) position. This is the moment of her conception of Christ at the Annunciation, as He is symbolically depicted within her. He appears as...

Saint Menas the Wonderworker is one of the best-known Egyptian saints throughout the world. He was a soldier in the Roman army, and died a martyr about the year 309 when he refused to renounce his faith in Christ. His feast is celebrated on November 11...

This contemporary Byzantine icon of Holy Michael the Archangel depicts him as warrior and intercessor for the church. He bears a flaming sword and orb, marked with the Greek letter chi (X), symbolizing his authority delegated by Christ, Lord of Hosts...

This stunning and unique Russian icon depicts the Archangel Michael in his role as chief of the bodiless powers of heaven. Painted in a traditional style in the early 19th century, it includes Christ at the top overseeing the countless rows of the nine...

Saints Cyril and Methodius were 9th-century Greek brothers born in Thessalonica in Macedonia, in the Byzantine Empire. They dedicated their lives to the evangelism of the Russian peoples, and they are known as the Apostles to the Slavs. Saint Cyril is...

This contemporary Byzantine icon of the Archangel Michael depicts him in his role as warrior and intercessor for the church. He holds aloft a flaming sword in his right hand and in his left carries an orb bearing the Greek letter chi (X), the first...

In icons of the "Sign" type, the Theotokos directly faces the viewer with her hands raised in the orans (prayer) position. This is the moment of her conception of Christ at the Annunciation, as He is mystically depicted within her. He is shown with...

Father Roman Braga was born in 1922 in a small village in central Moldova. His mother was a devout Orthodox Christian, and she raised him in a religious environment centered around the monastery of Condrita. During World War II, Roman attended seminary...

These twin brothers were physicians and martyrs in the early Church. They are called Unmercenaries, as they did not accept payment for their services. They were arrested and beheaded in the year 287, and are among the most highly-venerated martyrs...

While not himself one of the Twelve Apostles, the Evangelist St. Mark is said to have been present at Jesus’ arrest. In the Gospel of Mark, the “young man” who ran away from the scene, and apparently watched the Crucifixion from...

Saint John Chrysostom (which means "Golden-Mouthed," after his eloquent speaking abilities) is one of the greatest preachers and theologians in Church history. His sermons and commentary on the scriptures are invaluable, and his bold preaching is...

This 18th century Russian icon portrays the synaxis (assembly) of the holy Archangels. Including the well-known Holy Michael and Gabriel, and Raphael from Scripture, it also includes three other archangels known from Holy Tradition–Uriel,...

The holy Martyr Alexandra was the wife of Roman Emperor Diocletian. She was a contemporary of Saint George, and she is commemorated with him on April 23.

Saint Tikhon was the first Patriarch of Moscow after the patriarchate was restored in 1917. But before this, he served as Bishop of the Aleuts and North America, and became an American citizen. He worked tirelessly to establish new churches in America,...

This exquisite 19th century fresco is from the Church of St. John the Baptist in Kratovo, Macedonia. It depicts the Angelic Host of Heaven of  archangels, cherubim, and seraphim, from the visions of Ezekiel. The iconographer captures the glory and...

This contemporary Byzantine icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel in shining white and red. He bears a scepter, denoting the authority delegated to him by the Lord of Hosts. As a member of one of the nine celestial hierarchies accounted by Scripture and...

Saint Gregory was born in 1296 and raised in the imperial court of Constantinople, where he excelled in both religious and secular knowledge. He later departed to Mount Athos and labored in the Vatopedi Monastery. When his harsh asceticism brought an...

Saint George, sometimes called “the Trophy-bearer,” was born in the province of Cappadocia, Asia Minor (Turkey), in the third century and raised as a Christian. About age 20, he joined the Roman army under the emperor Diocletian,...

The Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (also named Levi) was the brother of James Alphaeus. He was a tax collector until he was called by Christ. He was the first to write a Gospel, and he wrote in Hebrew. The theology of his Gospel is aimed at the Jews,...

This beautiful Byzantine icon of Saint Andrew the First Called Apostle depicts the faithful disciple called by Christ at the Sea of Galilee along with his brother Peter and close companions, James and John (John 1:35-42). According to Holy Tradition,...