Our Lord Jesus Christ

Orthodox icon of the Holy Communion.

NOTE: the sizes of the icon are approximately.  

Orthodox icon of the Holy Trinity , the Hospitality of Abraham (1). Copy of a contemporary icon.

Orthodox icon of the Holy Trinity by Andrei Rubliev (1410). Philoxenia of Abraham (2).

Commemorated on Pentecost Day, 50 days after Resurrection.

On the book of Genesis 18:1-15 says the story that is commonly known as the Hospitality of Abraham. In this story, three angels appear to Abraham and Sarah. They treat their three visitors with great reverence, and prepare a meal for them.You have probably seen an icon of these three angels seated at the table, but you may have known that this icon is a "type" of the Holy Trinity! A type is a figure or a representation.

The guests are described simply as three men, but when Abraham talks to them, they respond as one ("they said"). The Lord appeared to Abraham, but when he looks to see who is there, he sees three men. Three men speaking as one; the one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At other times, only one of the angels speaks to Abraham and he is referred to as "Lord." In the icon, it is most often felt that the angel in the center of the icon is the one referred to as Lord: Jesus Christ.

In iconography, it is traditional for Christ to be depicted wearing a red undergarment, with a blue garment over the top of it (red representing His divinity, and blue His humanity which He "put on"). In the icon of the Hospitality, the center angel is also wearing red with blue over the top of it. 

Orthodox icon of the Holy Trinity, also know as the Hospitality of Abraham, Philoxenia of Abraham (7). Icon of 15th century, Byzantine Museum, Athens Greece

Commemorated on Pentecost Day, 50 days after Resurrection.

On the book of Genesis 18:1-15 says the story that is commonly known as the Hospitality of Abraham. In this story, three angels appear to Abraham and Sarah. They treat their three visitors with great reverence, and prepare a meal for them. You have probably seen an icon of these three angels seated at the table, but you may have known that this icon is a "type" of the Holy Trinity! A type is a figure or a representation.

The guests are described simply as three men, but when Abraham talks to them, they respond as one ("they said"). The Lord appeared to Abraham, but when he looks to see who is there, he sees three men. Three men speaking as one; the one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  At other times, only one of the angels speaks to Abraham and he is referred to as "Lord." In the icon, it is most often felt that the angel in the center of the icon is the one referred to as Lord: Jesus Christ.

In iconography, it is traditional for Christ to be depicted wearing a red undergarment, with a blue garment over the top of it (red representing His divinity, and blue His humanity which He "put on").In the icon of the Hospitality, the center angel is also wearing red with blue over the top of it. 

Orthodox icon of the Holy Trinity, also know as the Hospitality of Abraham, Philoxenia of Abraham (4). Contemporary icon.

Commemorated on Pentecost Day, 50 days after Resurrection.

On the book of Genesis 18:1-15 says the story that is commonly known as the Hospitality of Abraham. In this story, three angels appear to Abraham and Sarah. They treat their three visitors with great reverence, and prepare a meal for them. You have probably seen an icon of these three angels seated at the table, but you may have known that this icon is a "type" of the Holy Trinity! A type is a figure or a representation.

The guests are described simply as three men, but when Abraham talks to them, they respond as one ("they said"). The Lord appeared to Abraham, but when he looks to see who is there, he sees three men. Three men speaking as one; the one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  At other times, only one of the angels speaks to Abraham and he is referred to as "Lord." In the icon, it is most often felt that the angel in the center of the icon is the one referred to as Lord: Jesus Christ.

In iconography, it is traditional for Christ to be depicted wearing a red undergarment, with a blue garment over the top of it (red representing His divinity, and blue His humanity which He "put on").In the icon of the Hospitality, the center angel is also wearing red with blue over the top of it. 

Orthodox Icon of the Holy Trinity, also know as the Icon of the Hospitality of Abraham (Philoxenia of Abraham) (6).

Commemorated on Pentecost Day, 50 days after Resurrection.

On the book of Genesis 18:1-15 says the story that is commonly known as the Hospitality of Abraham.u00a0 In this story, three angels appear to Abraham and Sarah.They treat their three visitors with great reverence, and prepare a meal for them. You have probably seen an icon of these three angels seated at the table, but you may have known that this icon is a "type" of the Holy Trinity! A type is a figure or a representation.

The guests are described simply as three men, but when Abraham talks to them, they respond as one ("they said"). The Lord appeared to Abraham, but when he looks to see who is there, he sees three men. Three men speaking as one; the one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At other times, only one of the angels speaks to Abraham and he is referred to as "Lord." In the icon, it is most often felt that the angel in the center of the icon is the one referred to as Lord: Jesus Christ.In iconography, it is traditional for Christ to be depicted wearing a red undergarment, with a blue garment over the top of it (red representing His divinity, and blue His humanity which He "put on").In the icon of the Hospitality, the center angel is also wearing red with blue over the top of it. 

Orthodox Icon of the Holy Trinity, also know as the icon of the Hospitality of Abraham Philoxenia of Abraham (8). Icon of 16 cent. Monastery of Pantokrator Mount Athos.

Commemorated on Pentecost Day, 50 days after Resurrection.

On the book of Genesis 18:1-15 says the story that is commonly known as the Hospitality of Abraham. In this story, three angels appear to Abraham and Sarah.They treat their three visitors with great reverence, and prepare a meal for them. You have probably seen an icon of these three angels seated at the table, but you may have known that this icon is a "type" of the Holy Trinity! A type is a figure or a representation.

The guests are described simply as three men, but when Abraham talks to them, they respond as one ("they said"). The Lord appeared to Abraham, but when he looks to see who is there, he sees three men. Three men speaking as one; the one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At other times, only one of the angels speaks to Abraham and he is referred to as "Lord."

In the icon, it is most often felt that the angel in the center of the icon is the one referred to as Lord: Jesus Christ. In iconography, it is traditional for Christ to be depicted wearing a red undergarment, with a blue garment over the top of it (red representing His divinity, and blue His humanity which He "put on"). In the icon of the Hospitality, the center angel is also wearing red with blue over the top of it. 

Orthodox icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God (1).

Commemorated September 8th.

The Icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God (Kiev), occupies an unique place in the Russian Orthodox Church. On the icon is depicted the Theotokos, and the Hypostatic Wisdom, the Son of God incarnate of Her. In Wisdom or Sophia, ponders the Son of God, about Whom in the Proverbs of Solomon it says: Wisdom has built a house for herself, and has set up seven pillars (9:1).

These words refer to Christ, the Son of God, Who in the Epistles of St Paul is called Wisdom of God  (1 Cor.1:30), and the word choose refers to the Most Holy Virgin Mary, of Whom the Son of God is incarnate. The arrangement of the icon bears witness to the fulfillment of this prophecy. On the Kiev icon of Sophia is a church, and standing there is the Mother of God in a robe with a veil on her head, under an archway of seven pillars. The palms of Her hands are outstretched, and her feet are set upon a crescent moon.

The Theotokos holds the Pre-eternal Christ Child, blessing with Her right hand, and holding the Infant with Her left. On the cornice of the entrance are inscribed the words from the Book of Proverbs: Wisdom has built a house for herself, and has set up seven pillars. Over the entrance are depicted God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. From the mouth of God the Father issues the words: I am affirmation of Her footsteps. Along both sides the seven Archangels are depicted with outstretched wings, holding in their hands symbols of their duties.

On the right side: Michael with flaming sword; Uriel with a lightning flash hurling downwards; Raphael with alabaster vessel of myrrh. On the left side: Gabriel with a lily blossom; Selaphiel with a scale; Jerudiel with royal crown; and Barachiel with flowers on a white shawl. Under a cloud with the crescent moon, serving as a footrest for the Mother of God, is a staircase with seven steps (depicting the Church of God on earth). Those standing on the seven steps are the Old Testament witnesses of the manifestation of Wisdom, the Forefathers and the Prophets. On each of the seven steps are inscribed: faith, hope, love, purity, humility, blessedness, glory. The seven steps of the staircase are set upon the seven pillars, on which images are inscribed, and their explanation taken from the Apocalypse.