Who is most often depicted by the icon? Jesus Christ is the main figure that was painted and continues to be painted by church artists. For more than 200 years, the conflict between the fathers of the Christian faith regarding the permissibility of depicting the image of God continued. One side called it paganism and blasphemy, referring to the prohibition of the creation of idols. Another reasoned her decision by the fact that the icon is not a deity, but allows an imperfect person to approach the incomprehensible through its personification. Which of them won becomes clear when visiting any temple.
Beginning of icon painting
How did the first icon come about? The miraculous image of Jesus Christ appeared when he wiped his face with a piece of cloth (plate), on which after that his image was formed by the will of God. So says the legend. King Avgar, who ruled Osroene, was healed with the help of this face from a terrible disease - leprosy. And the canvas itself became the source for a number of icons "The Savior Not Made by Hands". The oldest icon that still exists today dates back to the 15th century. It was painted in wax and is kept in one of the Egyptian monasteries.
All Christianity is literally permeated with symbolism and hidden meaning. ATliteral meaning is not considered today, neither the Scriptures nor the icon. Jesus Christ is also surrounded by allegories in the images. This was especially common when icon painting in Christianity was just in its infancy. Also, this technique was relevant in the days of iconoclasm. He allowed to avoid persecution and punishment for the glorification of the images of the Savior. At that time, it was written in the form of a bird, which, according to our ancestors, fed offspring with its flesh - a pelican. And the metaphorical dolphin was the "savior of the drowning." The parallel with the salvation of sinful souls is obvious. Later, such tricks were banned, the canonical icon that became known to us was allowed. Jesus Christ began to be depicted in the image that we are used to seeing in churches.
Lord of the earth and heaven
The Son of God was painted by many artists, and each of his images has its own history of origin. The icon of Jesus Christ the Almighty, or otherwise "Pantokrator" ("Almighty Savior"), is one of the most common cycles in iconography. On it, he traditionally holds the Gospel in his left hand, while the right is raised for blessing. The figure is depicted both chest-length and full-length. The Savior can sit on a throne, which emphasizes his title of the king of heaven and earth, while in his hands there will be symbols of power - a scepter and an orb.
Wonderful phenomenon
One of the most beloved images in Russia - the Savior Not Made by Hands - an icon, Jesus Christ on whichis simple, close and understandable to us. Usually icon painters depicted him as a middle-aged man, with thin, clear and regular features. Spirituality and tranquility emanates from him, probably because so often this face adorned the banners of Russian soldiers. The background can be fabric tied at the top with knots, or brickwork. The second option came just from that story with the sick king. After recovering, Avgar was baptized and became a Christian. A miraculous image crowned the gates to the city. After the death of the ruler, paganism returned, the icon was walled up, and this place was forgotten. After 4 hundred years, one of the bishops had a vision about where to look for the Savior. During this time, the icon was not damaged and even mirrored on the clay slab that covered it.
