Icons

Orthodox Icon of Prophet Moses and the Burning Bush. Icon of 12th cent., St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai Egypt.

Commemorated September 4th.

The Holy Prophet and God-Seer Moses was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Abram and Jochabed (Exodus 6:20). His life is described in the Bible (Exodus 2 through Deuteronomy 34:12). Moses was born in Egypt around 1689 B.C. When Pharaoh ordered all male children of the Hebrew slaves to be killed (Exodus 1:22), Moses mother placed him in a basket of papyrus coated with pitch, and set him adrift on the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter found him and raised him as her own son. At the age of eighty, Moses fled to Midian, where he spoke to God in the Burning Bush on Mt. Horeb (Exodus 3:2).

God chose Moses to lead His people from the slavery of Egypt. They crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land, and for forty years they wandered in the desert. Arriving in the land of Moab, Moses went to the top of Mt. Nabau, or Nebo (Deuteronomy 32:49), which is called Phasga (Deut. 34:1). There, according to the will of God, he died in 1569 B.C. at the age of 120 without entering the Promised Land.

The first two Biblical Odes are attributed to Moses: Let us sing to the Lord...u201d (Exodus 15:1-9), which was sung on the shores of the Red Sea after the Hebrews had crossed it. Attend, O heaven... (Deut. 32:1-43) was sung in the land of Moab, a few days before Moses death. He is also regarded as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). The holy Prophet Moses performed many miracles during his lifetime, and also after his death.

He appeared on Tabor with the Prophet Elias at the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6). On the day that St John of the Ladder (March 30) was installed as abbot of Mt. Sinai, the Prophet Moses was seen going around and giving orders to the cooks, stewards, and servants. When the guests had gone and the monks were sitting at table, they wondered what had become of the stranger who had been giving orders. St John said, Our Lord Moses does nothing strange by serving in the place which belongs to him.

Reference: O.C.A.

Orthodox icon of the miracle of our Lord Jesus Christ of the "Multiplication of the loaves". Icon of 16 cent by iconographer Georges, Mount Athos.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing x of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children." (Matthew 14:13-21)

Orthodox icon of the miracle of our Lord Jesus Christ of the "Multiplication of the loaves" (2). Icon of 16 cent by iconographer Georges, Mount Athos.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing x of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children." (Matthew 14:13-21)

Orthodox Icon of the Mystical Supper or the Last Supper (1)

 The Orthodox icon of the Last Supper depicts the last meal of Christ with his disciples in the 'Upper Room' before his arrest. Christ is the central figure at the table. The chalice on the table contains the Precious Blood of Christ..

The Evangelist, Saint John the Beloved, is seated next to Christ, as the youngest of the disciples, he is depicted as beardless. He receives in his left hand a piece of the Body of Christ; another morsel is on the table before Christ. The chalice containing the Precious Blood of Christ is sometimes in His Left hand Judas Iscariot the Betrayer is depicted dipping into the dish (Matthew 26:20-25).

Orthodox Icon of the Mystical Supper or the Last Supper (2)

 The Orthodox icon of the Last Supper depicts the last meal of Christ with his disciples in the 'Upper Room' before his arrest. Christ is the central figure at the table. The chalice on the table contans the Precious Blood of Christ..

The Evangelist, Saint John the Beloved, is seated next to Christ, as the youngest of the disciples, he is depicted as beardless. He receives in his left hand a piece of the Body of Christ; another morsel is on the table before Christ. The chalice containing the Precious Blood of Christ is sometimes in His Left hand Judas Iscariot the Betrayer is depicted dipping into the dish (Matthew 26:20-25).

Orthodox Icon of the Mystical Supper or the Last Supper (3).

The dimensions on this icon are approximate, because of the shape.

The Orthodox icon of the Last Supper depicts the last meal of Christ with his disciples in the 'Upper Room' before his arrest. Christ is the central figure at the table. The chalice on the table contans the Precious Blood of Christ..

The Evangelist, Saint John the Beloved, is seated next to Christ, as the youngest of the disciples, he is depicted as beardless. He receives in his left hand a piece of the Body of Christ; another morsel is on the table before Christ. The chalice containing the Precious Blood of Christ is sometimes in His Left hand
Judas Iscariot the Betrayer is depicted dipping into the dish (Matthew 26:20-25).

You will find this icon over the entrance to the Sanctuary or the royal doors in most Orthodox Churhes

Orthodox Icon of the Mystical Supper or the Last Supper (4)

 The Orthodox icon of the Last Supper depicts the last meal of Christ with his disciples in the 'Upper Room' before his arrest. Christ is the central figure at the table. The chalice on the table contains the Precious Blood of Christ..

The Evangelist, Saint John the Beloved, is seated next to Christ, as the youngest of the disciples, he is depicted as beardless. He receives in his left hand a piece of the Body of Christ; another morsel is on the table before Christ. The chalice containing the Precious Blood of Christ is sometimes in His Left hand Judas Iscariot the Betrayer is depicted dipping into the dish (Matthew 26:20-25).

Orthodox Icon of the Mystical Supper or the Last Supper (5). Copy of a contemporary icon.

 The Orthodox icon of the Last Supper depicts the last meal of Christ with his disciples in the 'Upper Room' before his arrest. Christ is the central figure at the table. The chalice on the table contans the Precious Blood of Christ..

The Evangelist, Saint John the Beloved, is seated next to Christ, as the youngest of the disciples, he is depicted as beardless. He receives in his left hand a piece of the Body of Christ; another morsel is on the table before Christ. The chalice containing the Precious Blood of Christ is sometimes in His Left hand Judas Iscariot the Betrayer is depicted dipping into the dish (Matthew 26:20-25).

You will find this icon over the entrance to the Sanctuary or the royal doors in most Orthodox Churhes

Orthodox Icon of the Last Supper, Mystical Supper (SP).

Silver-plated icon of the Last Supper on a special paper, with decoration.Silver-plated icons are made with the latest and very specific technique. The icon is a copy of a hand painted icon and the background is silver 958.

NOTICE: The colors of the icons seems little darker, because of the reflection in the scanner

Mystical (last) Supper in the Upper Room sharing the Passover meal with the Twelve was when Jesus gave a radically new meaning to the food and drink of the sacred meal. He identified Himself with the bread and wine: "Take, eat; this is my Body. Drink of it all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant" (Matthew 26:26-28).

Orthodox Christians have come to understand that this was the institution of the Eucharist: whereby earthly food  bread and wine becomes our gift of life, the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is the center of life in the Orthodox Church. We participate in this event each time we have a Divine Liturgy. We share as Christ told to his disciples in His Blood and Body. It is a participation in union with Him.

Orthodox icon of the Prophet Nathan, Προφήτης Ναθάν.

Commemorated December 17.

Prophet Nathan was an advisor to King David and King Solomon. He is mentioned in the Prayer of Absolution in the Mystery of Confession: “It was God Who pardoned David through the Prophet Nathan when he had confessed his sin....” David had committed adultery with Uriah's wife Bathsheba, and had him killed. Then he took Bathsheba as his wife. David confessed his sin to Nathan (2 Samuel 12:13) and received pardon.

Orthodox icon of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ in gold foil (GF)

Please note that because of the gold in the icon and the reflexion, the photos are NOT so good.