34. Resurrection and Feasts

Details

Russian, first half 19th century
22.2 x 18 cms

Provenance:
Private collection, Germany.

Description:
The centre festival on this icon is the Anastasis, the Easter feast, depicted with a double theme of the Descent into hell and the Resurrection of Christ.

Around the Anastasis is the Passion Week depicted in twelve scenes.

Sixteen Church festivals of the Orthodox year are depicted around the Easter festival. The festivals are read tier by tier from left to right. The 1st tier shows: the Birth of the Mother of God, the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, the Holy Trinity, the Annunciation and the Nativity of Christ. On the 2nd tier we see: the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and the Baptism of Christ in the river Jordan. The 3rd tier shows: Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem and the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. On the 4th tier are depicted: the Ascension of Christ and the Dormition. On the last tier can be seen: the Raising of Lazarus, the Beheading of Saint John, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Fiery Ascent of Prophet Elijah and the Pokrov.