Description

House icon depicting the main holidays of the Russian Orthodox Church. Christ’s resurrection and victory over the realm of death (Anastasis) is depicted centrally. The lower register shows how Christ rises from the grave and saves Adam from the mouth of Hades. Adam is followed by a great procession of Old Testament saints, ending with John the Forerunner, the last prophet who died before Christ. Events from the Easter story can be seen in the corners of the central image. At the top left is the Crucifixion and the Entombment, a somewhat rarer image on a Holiday icon. At the top right, the remorseful criminal Dismas enters heaven. He is met by Elijah and Enoch. At the bottom left, an angel knocks down a devil. Bottom right, the disciples have gone fishing again after Christ’s death. When Christ appears at the edge of the lake, Peter recognizes him and jumps into the water. The outer border consists of twelve smaller images of main feasts, namely:

1. Birth of the Mother of God
2. Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple
3. Annunciation to the Mother of God
4. Birth of Christ
5. Presentation of Christ in the Temple
6. Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
7. Entry into Jerusalem
8. Transfiguration on Mount Tabor
9. Ascension of Christ
10. Hospitality of Abraham
11. Dormition of the Mother of God
12. Cross Exaltation