Saint Seraphim of Sarov (Серафим Саровский) († 1833), is one of the most renowned Russian monks and mystics in the Orthodox Church who was canonized in 1903. He is generally considered the greatest of the 19th century startsy (elders) and, arguably, the first. He is remembered for extending the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson, and taught that the purpose of the Christian life was to acquire the Holy Spirit. He was canonized in 1903 in Sarov at the ceremony attended by the Tsar and senior members of the Russian Imperial family.  Saint Seaphim is depicted … More

Our Lady of Kazan is a holy icon of the highest stature within the Russian Orthodox Church and is considered a palladium of Russia for centuries until its theft and likely destruction in 1904. The icon represents the Virgin Mary as the protector and patroness of the city of Kazan. It is a close-up variant of the Hodegetria (Directress) style, it is noted mainly for the Child standing, with the Virgin chest length. The Kazan icons are traditionally small, following the original. The Kazan icon was very popular in Russia, especially as a wedding gift, and many copies were made … More

Saint Seraphim of Sarov (Серафим Саровский) († 1833), is one of the most renowned Russian monks and mystics in the Orthodox Church who was canonized in 1903. He is generally considered the greatest of the 19th century startsy (elders) and, arguably, the first. He is remembered for extending the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson, and taught that the purpose of the Christian life was to acquire the Holy Spirit. He was canonized in 1903 in Sarov at the ceremony attended by the Tsar and senior members of the Russian Imperial family.   

The Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox Church (corresponding to the Western feast of the Assumption) which commemorates the "falling asleep" or death of the Mother of God, and her bodily resurrection before being taken up into Heaven. The Theotokos is depicted lying on a bier, surrounded by the twelve Apostles. At center, Jesus Christ is shown in a golden mandorla, swaddling the soul of the Virgin Mary. To either side of him are depicted the Hieromartyrs Dionysius the Areopagite and Ignatius the God-Bearer who, according to sacred tradition, are … More

Christ Pantocrator refers to a specific depiction of Christ. The most common translation of Pantocrator is "Almighty" or "All-powerful". In this understanding, Pantocrator is a compound word formed from the Greek words for "all" and the noun "strength" (κρατος). This is often understood in terms of potential power, i.e., the ability to do anything, omnipotence. The iconic image of Christ Pantocrator was one of the first images of Christ developed in the Early Christian Church and remained a central icon of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Christ is depicted half-length, holding the Gospels in his left hand and making the blessing … More

Christ Pantocrator refers to a specific depiction of Christ. The most common translation of Pantocrator is "Almighty" or "All-powerful". In this understanding, Pantocrator is a compound word formed from the Greek words for "all" and the noun "strength" (κρατος). This is often understood in terms of potential power, i.e., the ability to do anything, omnipotence. The iconic image of Christ Pantocrator was one of the first images of Christ developed in the Early Christian Church and remained a central icon of the Eastern Orthodox Church.  Christ is depicted half-length, holding the Gospels in his left hand and making the blessing … More

The icon depicts Christ as Pantocrator ( "Almighty" or "All-powerful") - pictured half-figured blessing with his right hand while holding an Orb and a Cross in his left hand. It is covered by ornate silver oklad revetment cover with separately attached halo.  The cover is hallmarked with Moscow 84 zolotniks (875/1000) silver purity mark, assayer's mark dated 1871, and ИЕ maker's mark for a silversmith Ivan Yegorov.

Known as Synaxaria (monthly), twelve monthly panels of the Calendar icons are exhibited in the Orthodox church one at a time on a special lectern called the analogion and depict images of saints arranged chronologically according to their feast days in alteration with the movable liturgical feasts as they distributed in the Orthodox calendar for one specific month.  Although, most saints are represented standing, martyrs are usually depicted at the moment of their martyrdom. The images are arranged in four rows, each row signifying a calendar week of a month with portraits of saints venerated during this week. The layout … More

Our Lady of Kazan is a holy icon of the highest stature within the Russian Orthodox Church and is considered a palladium of Russia for centuries until its theft and likely destruction in 1904. The icon represents the Virgin Mary as the protector and patroness of the city of Kazan. It is a close-up variant of the Hodegetria (Directress) style, it is noted mainly for the Child standing, with the Virgin chest length. The Kazan icons are traditionally small, following the original. The Kazan icon was very popular in Russia, especially as a wedding gift, and many copies were made … More

Russian icon depicting Selected Orthodox Saints: St. Martyr Theodore, St. John the Metropolitan, St. Martyr Demetrius and St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.