Orthodox icons "Legend '

According to the Orthodox Church is an important icon doctrine is "Tradition", intended for the rumors, oral traditions, also known as "church tradition." Orthodox Church that "Holy Tradition 'and the Bible, just as God's revelation, the difference between the Bible only in the Bible is inspired by God who passed the church in the form of text record in the book. Orthodox Church confirmed the safety awareness of the beliefs and principles are not correct individual member, but by the whole Church saved by the Church as church tradition from generation to generation, which is the church of St. pass a variety of ways to keep the general form of his own doctrine.

Church tradition recognized the Savior's an icon in his lifetime when it already exists, this is like heaven Savior, Savior, like non-hand-made.

The legend of the origin of the non-hand-made icon of Christ, there are two versions, one popular in the West, the other in the East spread (in this case refers to the east of the Oriental Christian world of the East Roman Empire). The first legend is that there is a devout believer woman Veronica, she was out of compassion, the crucifixion of Christ on Calvary, when, with his scarf to wipe the face of Christ, so that Christ's face on the magicIt is printed on her headscarf. In the West and Russia after the 17th century, there is the portrait of female followers Veronica, her hand printed picture of the square of Christ.

The second story takes place in the legendary Oriental City Ai Desa, a local king Oriago had leprosy, the long-sought cure for the disease of people. He heard about the miracle of Christ can do it, he sent his servant to look for disease. He wants to give him a piece of white cloth used to draw, then put his face to the canvas. Then his face is automatically non-hand reclamation printed on canvas.

When the king's servants back to this magical cloth Aide Sa, King approaches the canvas, it's a terrible disease was cured. King Oriago put this canvas as the most precious relics preserved. Later, once the capital besieged by the enemy, seeing the fall of Oriago ordered the piece of the puzzle in the canvas walls in order not to fall into enemy hands and is not tainted. In fighting the most intense moments, this piece of heaven's portrait has appeared a miracle - the portrait seemed to penetrate the thick walls, printed on the wall. See this incredible magic phenomenon, scared the enemy to evacuate the wall, not on the offensive. Thus, Christ's miraculous save both face the king, but also save the city.

Religious God jesus art Christian Orthodox icon

Byzantine Orthodox icon

From the Orthodox point of view of the traditional, icon figurative prayer; but the point of view of art history, the Orthodox icon is inherent Orthodox faith and a combination of ancient Greek art form. This feature from the historical development of Byzantine art can be clearly seen.
In 395 AD, the Roman Empire was divided into east and west, the two parts are independent countries. East Rome came to be known as Byzantium. In certain historical period, the Eastern and Western Roman Empire experienced a different fate. Once wealthy and densely populated city in western Rome because barbarian invasion and looting put impoverished and depressed, within the ancient cultural heritage destroyed. Eastern Rome in this period is to escape the barbarian attack, life is relatively stable. When the Western Roman impoverished when Byzantium is full of them, a national has thousands of cities. Ancient Greek art tradition has become the foundation of the Byzantine culture.
In the 4-5 centuries throughout the Mediterranean region, both eastern and western, Italy or Greece, Christian art is a unified whole. But in the early sixth century, they began to form a special, Byzantine Christian art language and image, on the one hand it is the basis of ancient Greek art, on the other hand, has joined the spiritual tendency consistent with Christian thought. Byzantine artists to create a number of specialized tools and methods to give the sensibility of Greek art in the form of Christian spiritual connotation. This forms a Christian aesthetic: no longer external formal beauty of ancient Greek art as the ideal goal, but trying to perfect the performance figures of the spirit of prayer and intuitive to concentrate on God.The purpose of art as the expression of the characters and phenomena inherent meaning, rather than its external aesthetic features.
In the religious ideas, and holy it is more reliable than having a natural reality, it is the real divine, eternal existence, natural phenomena belong to changing perishable or fallen creature in the world. The Incarnation theology linked to religious art task is to take the visible image to reflect this divine reality. As a researcher of Byzantine Culture, he said: "Byzantine art and Byzantine theology, is from heaven and the secular opposition objects, heavenly things worldly things than the principle of departure."
Byzantine icons of art has been extended to mid-15th century. In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was destroyed by the Turks, icon painting to give to maintain and develop the island of Crete in Greece and Mount Athos and other places.

Virgin Mary of Jerusalem of plastic frame

Holiday commemorating Jesus Christ - Pentecost

"Acts of the Apostles," recorded in the first 50 days after the resurrection of Christ and his disciples were gathered together is a sitting room, suddenly there came a sound came from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and filled the room they are; and there are tongues of fire came out, points fall on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, according to the Holy Spirit began to speak the words of other countries. This is what Jesus Christ commanded them to wait in advance; for it is, after this, they just go around evangelizing.
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church attaches great importance to the status and role. Because Orthodox man's ultimate goal - salvation, forgiveness of sins do not see, but get "deification", and this purpose is not only dependent on the Father and the Son, and God the Trinity requires another bit cell exists, it is coming in the world after the Son, this is the Holy Spirit. People living in the world, which sanctified by the Holy Spirit is accomplished.According to Orthodox theologians view Scholastics Anselm reason why the rescue is only attributed to Christ's atonement achievements, we split a complete Christianity, precisely because it was the West has lost the true concept of Person of the Holy Spirit, so that The Holy Spirit began retreated to a secondary position，Son became assistant.
From the point of view the status of the Holy Spirit, if the Spirit from the Son, then Christ affiliation, large Western Spirit often considered not having a body, and is the relationship between the Father and the Son. But the Holy Spirit Orthodox believe the Holy Spirit comes only from the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit seems to be an equal relationship.
From the role of the Holy Spirit, the Orthodox from the "business" aspect to understand the Holy Spirit. Son and Holy Spirit each with its own mandate and mission, is the partnership between them, not affiliation;Son is through the Holy Spirit and the Incarnation. Christ by means of the Holy Spirit to complete his earthly career, he does not  have the presence of the Holy Spirit. After the Ascension, Pentecost people children, continue to cause complete deification; the role of Christ and the Holy Spirit for different people. Under Christ to the world and human nature combined, the essence is common to man; the Holy Spirit is the personal face, personality of the Holy Spirit, a single deity perfect way to convey to everyone.
In terms of performance of the Holy Spirit, Orthodox theologians believe that the Holy Spirit is God's presence in our midst, the presence of the Holy Spirit is not to suppress the empirical world, but to save it, this in place all united in the same truth, but were given a variety of life skills, the Holy Spirit is the giver, it is always higher than all creation exists, it is the tradition of the Church and protector of inheritance, while his presence again so that people become truly free children of God.
                       

Pentecost Apostles

Meanwhile soul rest in peace and honor of the Virgin Mary of the Assumption holiday

Meanwhile soul rest in peace and honor of the Virgin of the Assumption holiday. Our Lady of the Assumption of the memorial from the 4th century, Western Christianity had in the region. AD 582 was officially designated as 15 August.
Fila Delfina monk priest in "hard asylum seekers," a book based on a variety of records godfather saints, the Virgin Mary tells the last days of the life of this world. "Chastity of the Virgin to his Son pray hard. One day, the archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin gal brought the Lord to the Virgin of fast news, said she was about to die. Archangel to the Virgin Solidago heaven date palm branch, a symbol of the Virgin ascend to heaven, heavenly grace branches shining light. this branch should be taken to Our Lady of spirit bed.I heard the message of Our Lady to die soon, all came to see the people cried and prayed the Our Lady of Mercy do not abandon them so that they become orphans. Our Lady said to them: "Do not cry, have to leave and joy for me and now I want to come before the throne of God, and I will see my God face to face and son, easier for all I prayed for him. the kind of grace. I will not abandon you that you may become orphans, not just you, but I will not abandon this world. I'll see you, protect you, help the less fortunate. "At 9:00 on August 15 to the Notre Dame should die in this moment. Many people lit candles, sang a hymn apostles. Our Lady of Good decoration lying in bed. Suddenly, the light of God's glory unpredictable illuminate the church, candle become dim. Walls magically split. Glory of the Lord from heaven. This is the glory of Christ, led by the king of all the heavenly angels and elves, as well as patriarchs and prophets saints soul, and together they own the Virgin being approached.
"Mary bowed to Christ and worshiped, and said: 'Blessed your fame, Lord my God, I implore you chose me, your gentle servant to serve your sacraments King of Glory, in thy eternal kingdom bless me in。You know, I love you and hold treasure was entrusted to me. Now, please accept my soul in this world, to protect me from the dark realm, let me from the devil's attacks. 'Lord comforted her not to be afraid that has been stepped on the foot of the power of the devil, and lovingly call her to leave the world to heaven. She happily replied: "My heart is ready, Lord, ah, I am willing 'and said the year when the Annunciation said that sentence:' reluctant according to your word to me 'so Notre Dame painlessly put their souls chastity handed the hands of the Son, the same as falling asleep. "
Orthodox honor of the Virgin of the Assumption of the festival is to teach the believer, death is not the elimination of human existence, but only from the world into heaven, is to get rid of damage and decay, to eternal life.

The Virgin Mary of the Assumption

Holiday commemorating Jesus Christ - the cross section, or give glory Holy Cross Day

According to Orthodox tradition, the origins of this festival and the Roman Emperor Constantine I's mother related. Constantine I's mother Yelena in the past 80 years birthday, complained that the suffering of Christ the Savior and other holy places have been forgotten. So after I's son Constantius permission to travel came to Palestine in 324 AD, he visited Jerusalem, where to find the Lord crucified. Jerusalem Patriarch Macari boarded Heights, Elena found the cross raised for everyone to see.
With this cross in after localities have built the church in honor of it. There is a church that Elena find themselves in her place of primary Passion Cross foundation, established. After several years of the project, completed in AD 335 years, give glory as Holy Cross Day. Later in the Byzantine Empire and the Persians in the war, the Persians in 614 years of the fall of the Byzantine Palestine, sacked Jerusalem, also stole Jesus crucified. 14 years later, Lee defeated the Persian emperor Iraq, recaptured the Holy Cross. Personally put it back into the church. At this time, held a grand prayer ceremony, the ceremony, the Patriarch once again raised the cross to the people.
The moral significance of this festival are: The Passion of the Christ Memorial Cross, the Lord was crucified to save all of the cross, is to remind Christians must have the spirit of self-sacrifice, the sacrifice has lust flesh. Because, according to Christ's own words, who wants to follow me, he must sacrifice himself and take up his cross.

• Russian orthodox icon crucifixion silver gifts art

Byzantine icons of the Macedonian dynasty

After the destruction of the movement from the mid-10th century icons to arts and culture, commonly referred to as "Macedonian Renaissance", which is characterized by ancient Greek art standards of honor. St. verse of this period rarely preserved, one of which is kept in the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai, "the apostles Thaddeus and King and saints." The painting by the painting on different drawing board composed of four paintings, set in a frame in common. A left at the top of the apostle Thaddeus, the following one is the two-dimensional monks of Saint Paul and Anthony fee, the top right is the king Ao Jiali, is from a person who took a picture of "natural Savior as> a square, following one two saints; large leaf Fu Liemu St. Basil and Syrians.
In the 10th century under the bucket of Byzantine art, although still maintained a love for the ancient Greek style, it has clearly emerged a new trend: the first of the artistic image creation spirituality. For example, an icon of the period, kept in the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai, "by Christ blessed apostle Philip." Portrait of Philip lanky body, slender legs, feet as if standing in the air, but the toes slightly touching the edges of the frame, the whole body seems weightless world of, like can fly. Portrait character oval face, small jaw, unusually large eyes, revealing light on clothes. The background is entirely gold, which is a symbol of God's light, this golden light of the figures completely enveloped them。All this makes the Apostle Philip seemed completely out of the worldly life, but in being transformed into the ideal space.
Date to the first half of the 11th century, Byzantine art has formed a new norm, a new idea, although the traditional style of ancient Greek art still exists, but compared to this new norm has become less important. Many paintings and mosaics of this period, although there are differences in personality caused painter also,But they have similar content and style characteristics - seriousness and abstinence sex, away from worldly life. Portrait of character height breath on the mind, tranquility facial expressions, the body is in static, exaggerated eye, escapist eyes, they expressed a pair of generally beyond the world. Characters appear and spiritual doctrine of this art ascetic tendencies and the religious life is linked to the atmosphere, that have some kind of social influence, such as San Simeon the New Theologian, he actively advocated mystical spiritual life, announced that individuals can communicate directly with God.
St. Nicholas's image is typical of the bishop dressed in costume, brown priest vestments with gold cross on a white shawl, his left hand holding a binding gorgeous "Gospel" right hand on his chest to point this Bible, these indicate the founder of the Church and the Church of St. Nicholas of San division of identity.

Greek Religious silvericon art of Saint Nicholas

6th century to the 11th century Byzantine icon - the oldest Byzantine icon

According to church tradition, the oldest icon before AD 313 by Emperor Constantine established Christianity as the state religion, at the time of the Christian persecution had already appeared, but these icons have not saved. Before the 5th century early Christian frescoes and mosaics are not icons in the strict sense.
The oldest preserved statue belongs in the 6th century, most Saint Catherine monastery in Sinai. This does not mean that they are in this writing, these icons are often from urban centers with large painter brought convent. Three sites which have a higher icon painting techniques, from the point of view of painting styles and characteristics should belong to the artist's creation of Constantinople, including the Virgin with Saints West "Christ Almighty," "The Apostle Peter" and "on the throne Otto and George. "These portraits are personalized character face, lively eyes, a natural beard, picture linoleum style, rich colors, these characteristics are typical of Greek art Constantinople painters usually have.
Early icons contents most important is "the Christ Almighty," Christ left with a "gospel", the right shape for the blessing.Christ is such a portrait in the 6th century have been formed in all the Orthodox Byzantine art and played a key role. This image has become a basic one type Orthodox icon of Christ. Although the portrait still preserved many ancient Greece Portrait of ingredients, like a portrait of real people, but already has a statue of the property, which is to pray that the divine nature should have: people look focused, quiet, serene no worldly emotions show. Judging from the painting, smeared painting style on the screen is very clear, having the icon of smooth and precise, light color evenly distributed in the entire picture.
                 

Madonna and Saints Theodore and George on the throne