As you know, each Orthodox icon is created in order to help, protect, comfort in a certain life situation. In addition, the icons differ in plot, stylistic features, and technique of execution. However, first things first.
What is an icon
From the point of view of art history, an icon is an image made in most cases on a hard surface, supplemented with religious signs and inscriptions. Mostly it is written on a linden board covered with gesso (liquid glue and alabaster). Icons can also include sculptural, mosaic images, paintings.
In Christianity, an icon (Greek "image", "image") is a creation depicting persons or events from sacred history that are the object of veneration for believers - Orthodox, Catholics belonging to the ancient Eastern churches. The list of such objects of veneration was approved at the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787.
Varieties of icons
Greek icons are divided into six types by value:
- Measured - given for the christening of a child, their height is equal to the height of the baby.
- Family - the image of the patrons of all family members.
- Nominal - patron saint, inwhose honor a person is named (determined by the date of birth and the Orthodox calendar of the name day of the saints).
- Wedding - such icons depicting Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary bless the newlyweds.
- Holidays - the history of a particular Christian holiday.
- Vowed - written by promise.
All Greek icons depicting the Savior strive to convey one story - the appearance of the Son of the Lord in the flesh into the world of people. The most famous image is "The Savior Not Made by Hands" - the imprint of the Divine face on the board. The following looks are also popular:
- "Almighty" - Christ blesses with one hand, holds a book in the other;
- "The Lord is on the throne" - greatness, a symbol of the Universe;
- "The Savior is in strength";
- baby Jesus in the arms of the Virgin.
Greek icons of the Mother of God, the defenders of the Russian land, are the most diverse in terms of plot, so they should be given a separate, next section.
Based on the technique of depicting icons are divided into two categories:
- Canonical - the most ancient, original, traditional style. A symbolic two-dimensional image, where a big role is given to details - shades, elements of clothing.
- Academic - its prototype is the Western European type of painting. Such icons appeared in Russia in the time of Peter the Great.
Greek icons of the Mother of God
The icons reveal the Image of the Holy Intercessor from severalfacets:
- "Omen" (Oranta, Incarnation). On the icon we see the image of the praying Virgin Mary (Oranta). At the level of her heart, she has a sphere, a medallion, where Spas Emmanuel is depicted, still in the womb of his mother. The hands of the Virgin are raised in a prayerful impulse, and the hands of the Savior bless the viewer, holding a scroll. Mary's clothes are traditional - a blue undergarment and a red cape. On both sides of them are written the powers of heaven - angels and archangels.
- "Guidebook" (Hodegetria). The Mother of God leads the believer from darkness to light, to Christ, she is a bridge on the path to Salvation. Mary is depicted here with Jesus in her arms, with one hand she points to the Baby, directing the viewer towards him. Christ blesses on the image Mother.
- "Tenderness" (Eleusa) - the most lyrical Greek icon of the Mother of God. The heads of the Virgin and the Savior are bowed to each other, Jesus hugs the Mother by the neck. Mary here is not only a mother, but also a soul inclined to fellowship with God.
- "Intercessor" - Mary is depicted without the Child, in full growth, in her hands is a scroll.
- Akathist Greek icons - reflect the Mother of God as she was described in akathists. Each of the images is addressed with a certain prayer in a difficult period of life - to the "Burning Bush", "Inexhaustible Chalice", "All creation rejoices over You", "Our Lady of Bogolyubskaya" and others.
Icon classifications
Greek icons according to the plot:
- depicting Christ;
- Holy Trinity;
- Our Lady;
- saints;
- holidays and church events;
- allegorical, symbolic images.
By the number of independent stories:
- one, two or more pieces;
- main plot and terminals (small secondary drawings) - hagiographic, akathist, icons with action;
- Jerusalem - multi-plot compositions depicting the holy places of the city.
Scale:
- main (one face);
- shoulder;
- waist;
- throne (seated image);
- growth.
By location:
- Temple;
- road (way);
- brownies.
Icon technique:
- picturesque;
- embroidery;
- cast;
- carved;
- typographical (printed);
- folding (vaulted altar).
For a believer, an icon is not just a beautiful painting. This is the window through which he turns to God, the Heavenly Intercessor. The plot variety of icons is connected with the role that they have in the life of the Orthodox.
