The Nativity of the Lord

The Nativity of the LordThe Nativity of the Lord is depicted in this mounted icon in the Jordanville tradition. The icon's composition reveals the Orthodox understanding of Christmas as a cosmic event the Creator lying in a manger, the star proclaiming the mystery to the Magi, the shepherds drawing near in wonder, and the angels singing glory to God in the highest. A quality icon from Damascene Gallery.

who saw the heavens opened and Christ standing at the right hand of the Father as the stones fell upon him

and was revered by the Tsar himself as a man of God

The twelve whom Christ chose gather here as witnesses to the faith of the whole Church

is the patron saint of Venice and of all who preach the Gospel with urgency and fire

this icon renders the virgin-martyr with the crown and wheel that are her traditional attributes

has been the occasion of miraculous deliverances and the center of the nation's prayer in its darkest hours

Their feast on May 11 (N

the Father's voice heard from heaven

the Samaritan Woman at the Well — later named Svetlana in holy baptism — is depicted in this mounted icon in the Jordanville iconographic tradition

and St Basil the Blessed

Great Martyr of the 4th century who suffered at the hands of the Gothic king Athanaric for his faith in Christ

The Moscow tradition brought characteristic richness and warmth to the great feast icons