Archangel Gabriel Icon (8)

$ 22.00

Mounted on wood Sizes

4 X 6 5 X 7 6 X 8 8 X 11 11 X 17

Quantity

Orthodox Icon of Archangel Gabriel (8).

Commemorated March 26 & November 8th.

The sizes of this icon are approximate .

From the beginning and throughout the history of our salvation, this prince of the incorporeal powers, has been for humankind the Angel of mercy and of divine benevolence. A being of fire, free from all alteration and permanently consecrated to the contemplation of the divine glory, the Archangel Gabriel was designated by the Lord a a ministering spirit, sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation (Heb. 1:14).

According to saint Proclus of Constantinople, his name means "God and man" and signifies that he is charged to announce all the mysteries which have contributed to the preparation for the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The goal and summit of his mission as therefore the "Rejoice!" which he announced to the Mother of God and which has become the form of praise and thanksgiving of all those who, thanks to him, inherit salvation and try to imitate on earth the angelic way of life.

Gabriel is often referred to as the leader of the heavenly hosts; he is associated with numerous happenings in Holy Scripture, particularly the Annunciation where he brings the message to the Theotokos that she would bear is also recognized as the angel who announced the birth of the Theotokos to her parents Joachim and Anna and who came to Joseph the Betrothed in a dream, telling him that Mary's pregnancy was indeed miraculous and that he should protect and care for her. He also appeared to the shepherds near Bethlehem, telling them of the Birth of Christ.

We find this name of our God in two Biblical Books. The first is in the Book of Daniel and it was a vision that Daniel's had: "I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire."A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, And the books were opened”.

The second is in the book of Revelation 1/A 12-18: "I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands and among the lamp stands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

In the art of the orthodox iconography, sometimes Christ portrayed as an Elderly, as the “Ancient of the Days”, to symbolically show His existence in eternity and some times like a young “person” to demonstrate His incarnation. This tendency of hagiography appeared in the 6th century AD, especially in the Eastern Byzantine Empire.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review Write a review

Next: Archangel Gabriel icon (9)

Back to Icons

Next: Archangel Gabriel icon (9)