"Icon Painting" Top 5 Page for this destination Russia Local Custom Tip by Sharrie

Icons were considered as powerful as the saints they depicted & mostly used for protection during wartime. Content dominates over style. Often repainted, old icons were found in many of the cathedrals in Russia.

This haunting Icon of Jesus (not made with hands) is part of the Iconostasis at the Cathedral of Assumption. The Icon was from the 14th century while the iconostasis dates from 1652.

Iconostasis is part of the church that separtes the sanctuary from the main part.
It hence symbolises the boundary between the spiritual & temporal worlds.
It is arranged in tiers (4, 5 or 6 depending on its size).

Tiers of Iconostasis:

1) Local Tier
Found at the bottom of the panel
Contains icons of saints associated with the church.

2) Deesis Tier
Found above the Royal Gate.
Most important tier.
Christ Enthroned is always at its center. Flanked by Virgin Mary & John the Baptist.
Depicts saints, archangels & apostles.

3) Top Tier
As the name implies, at the top.
Depicts patriarchs, prophets of Old Testament.

4) Festival Tier
Just below the Top Tier.
Depicts festival, feast days in the Russian Orthodox calendar.

5) Additional Tier
Lies between Local & Deesis Tier.
Depicts months of the year.