Types of Orthodox Icons
Choosing the right Orthodox icon can be a challenging task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the Christian symbolism used in iconography. Various elements such as colors, clothing, gestures, text, figures, and objects play a crucial role in conveying the meaning of an icon. Before placing an order for an icon, it is helpful to explore the diversity of icon types.
Depending on the depicted image and subject matter, Orthodox icons can be categorized as follows:
Icons of Christ
Icons of the Mother of God
Icons of saints
Icons of archangels
Icons of angels
Festive icons
Symbol of faith
Baptismal icons
Family icons
Wedding couple icons
Personal icons
The Not-Made-by-Hands Image - the very first icon to appear on a piece of cloth offered by the compassionate woman Veronica for Jesus to wipe His face. This icon depicts only the face of the Savior with a deeply penetrating, soul-searching gaze. Nothing distracts the worshiper from the divine perfection of the Holy One.
Christ Pantocrator - the Lord is portrayed with a blessing gesture, seated on a throne with the Holy Gospel book. Frescoes featuring this image of the Savior often adorn the domes of churches, giving the church's vault a resemblance to the Heavenly Kingdom.
Christ Enthroned - a scene of Christ's glorification. The Lord majestically sits on a throne surrounded by angels.
Christ in Majesty - an image of His second coming. This is the most symbolically rich representation of Jesus Christ. The Savior is depicted against a square and a circle, symbolizing the two worlds, the Earthly and the Heavenly. The halo around the Lord represents the knowledge and enlightenment that the Son of God brought to humanity.
Icons of Christ
Images of the Savior, significant to believers worldwide:
Oranta (The Sign) – Mary in prayer without the Child
Her hands are raised upward, spread out to the sides, palms facing outward. The most popular icons in this category include the Inexhaustible Chalice, the Ascension, and the Protection.Odigitria (The Guide) – she who shows the way to Christ
The Mother of God holds the Christ Child in her left hand while pointing to Him with her right, indicating the path to God through the adoration of the Divine Infant. The most famous icons of this type are the Kazan Icon, the Iver Icon, the Passion-Bearer, and the Three-Handed.Eleusa (Tenderness) – the gentlest portrayal of Mother and Child
The Virgin Mary is depicted as a loving mother, cradling her child to her chest. This icon of the Mother of God often resonates deeply with the faithful, with the most renowned image being the Mother of God of Vladimir.Panagia – the Queen of Heaven
The Virgin Mary is shown seated on a throne with the Child on her lap, surrounded by angels. This image of the Mother of God is venerated in matters of state, hence the most popular icons being the All-Queen and the Pechersk.Agiosortissa (The Intercessor) – Mary in supplication to Christ
The Virgin Mary is depicted full-length on the icon, with her hands extended in prayer or holding a scroll with the words of a prayer. She intercedes to Christ, praying for all of humanity collectively and individually. This icon is often found in the apostolic tier of the iconostasis, surrounded by the disciples of the Savior, as well as Archangels Michael and Gabriel.We have made quality our habit. It’s not something that we just strive for – we live by this principle every day.
Icons of the Mother of God
Among the myriad images of the Mother of God, five distinct types of icons stand out:
Apostles – followers of Christ called by Him personally. This includes the twelve closest disciples and the seventy apostles. Apostles Peter and Paul are venerated as Chief Apostles.
Equal-to-the-Apostles – saints who, like the apostles, converted entire nations to Christ. For example, Saint Prince Vladimir.
Monastic Saints – monks revered for their ascetic life, striving to "imitate Christ" in all aspects. Notable figures in this category include Saint Sergius of Radonezh and Saint Seraphim of Sarov.
Prophets – in Old Testament times, they conveyed God's will to the people and foretold the coming of the Messiah. The Church venerates eighteen Old Testament prophets and one from the New Testament – John the Baptist.
Unmercenary Healers – Christians renowned for their selflessness and the refusal of payment for their medical services, often possessing the gift of healing. Examples include Saint Panteleimon the Healer and the Unmercenary Physicians, Cosmas and Damian.
Righteous Rulers – kings and princes glorified for their service to the Church and their people, righteous life, acts of charity, and strengthening of the Church and faith. Notable figures include Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky and Prince Dmitry Donskoy.
Martyrs – saints who endured death for their faith in Christ. Examples include Saint George the Victorious, Anastasia the Roman, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Foolish for Christ and Blessed Ones – "Fools for Christ" voluntarily took on the appearance of madness to condemn sin and ungodliness. They were also known for their charitable deeds. Examples include Andrew the Fool for Christ and Basil the Blessed. "Blessed Ones" traditionally refer to some ancient saints who are recognized as hierarchs or monastics. Examples include Saint Jerome of Stridon and Saint Augustine.
Righteous – laypersons and clergy (not monks) venerated for their righteous lives. Examples include Righteous John of Kronstadt. The category of the righteous also includes Old Testament Patriarchs, such as Abraham and Jacob, as well as the Holy Forefathers Joachim and Anna, the Spouse of the Theotokos Joseph the Betrothed, and King David.
Icons of Holy Persons depict individuals who have served God through their particularly pious lives or through acts of great virtue and have been canonized by the Church. They are venerated for their piety, righteousness, and steadfast confession of faith. In Orthodoxy, there are nine categories of sanctity:
Icons of Saints
Archangel Michael – the first and foremost among all Archangels. He is the Archistrategos and protects all Christians from evil. Archangel Michael took part in the battle against Lucifer, the Unclean Spirit.
Archangel Gabriel – the chief herald of the Lord. It was he who brought the joyful news of the Savior's birth to the Virgin Mary and told the prophet Zechariah about the birth of John the Baptist. He also assisted Moses on his arduous journey.
Archangel Raphael – a healer and deliverer of people from ailments and sorrows. Believers turn to him for help with questions of both physical and spiritual health.
Archangel Uriel – the protector of paradise gardens since the expulsion of Adam and Eve. He also has authority over the heavenly luminaries: the moon, sun, and stars.
Archangel Selaphiel – the human intercessor before the Lord. It is he who presents all our prayers and requests to God, offering comfort to people through Divine messages.
Archangel Jegudiel – the patron of monks and clergy.
Archangel Barachiel – brings Divine blessings for all the righteous deeds and actions performed by people.
Archangel Jeremiel – inspires pure thoughts in people and encourages them to do good deeds. This Archangel raises our spirits from the earthly world to the heavenly realm, towards the Creator.
Archangels are messengers of Divine Revelation, bringing good tidings to people, guiding and teaching them to live by the laws of the Lord. From the Bible, the Gospels, and Sacred Scripture, we know the following Archangels:
Icons of Archangels
According to Sacred Scripture, angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation (see Hebrews 1:14). They serve God, singing praises, standing before God when He proclaims His will, appearing by God's command to assist or punish, helping individuals choose the right path and strengthen their faith, revealing destinies to nations, and presenting human prayers to God.
To each newborn, the Almighty grants His own messenger, a protector, a guardian angel. This invisible guardian is always by a person's side throughout their life, guiding them and helping them overcome life's difficulties.
By bowing before the icon of their guardian angel and reading akathists, Christians seek forgiveness for their sinful deeds and ask for help in life situations. They overcome fears and anxieties, feel tranquility and peace, and find answers to complex questions.
Icons of Angels
Festive Icons
Festive icons are narrative icons dedicated to the 12 main holidays of the New Testament, events from the Gospel narrative, and other holidays associated with chosen saints and miracles, which are now Christian holidays.
Festive icons dedicated to Jesus Christ (Feasts of the Lord): Resurrection, Nativity, Presentation, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Ascension.
Festive icons dedicated to the Mother of God (Feasts of the Theotokos): Nativity, Entry into the Temple, Annunciation, Dormition.
There are also other festive icons: the Holy Trinity, Exaltation, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Beheading of John the Baptist, the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
The Symbol of Faith
The icon titled the "Symbol of Faith" combines several biblical narratives. On this canvas, you can trace the entire history of Christianity from the creation of the world to the ascension of Jesus Christ. This narrative represents the sacred idea of all humanity. The composition consists of six rows of images, illustrating the twelve parts of the "Symbol of Faith." Each of them is accompanied by the corresponding texts.
Baptismal Icon
A baptismal icon is commissioned by parents during their infant's baptism ceremony. The tradition of creating baptismal icons dates back to 17th and 18th-century Russia, especially for those born into the royal family.
Modern baptismal icons typically adhere to specific dimensions, usually measuring 30 centimeters in width and 50 centimeters in height. However, some parents choose to customize the size to match their baby's height. This thoughtful choice serves as a permanent reminder of the child's size at the time of their entrance into the world.
Typically, a baptismal icon portrays the patron saint whose name the child bears. In addition to this depiction, the icon may also feature other meaningful elements, such as the child's godparents, close family members, and the church where the baptism took place. The iconographer skillfully weaves these elements together into a cohesive and artistic representation, creating a cherished memento of one of life's most profound and sacred moments.
Family icon
A family icon is an icon passed down as an inheritance. It depicts the patron saints (those saints after whom a person was named) of all family members, who are not typically united in traditional iconography. This icon is considered a sacred object that connects all family members and unites them in spirit.
Such an icon is always highly revered: after baptism, infants are brought before it, prayers are said in front of it, and blessings are bestowed for various endeavors - studies for children, service for adults, and blessings for newlyweds. The presence of a family icon in the home strengthens the bond within the family, fortifies faith, and helps perform actions with pure intentions. The spiritual power of such an icon lies in its inclusiveness. When offering prayers, each family member prays not only for themselves but also for their parents, children, and loved ones.
Wedding Couple Icon
A wedding couple icon is an iconographic composition of two icons: the Savior and the Mother of God. They are used during the sacrament of marriage for blessings and serve as a reminder of this sacrament. After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds place their wedding icons in the "red corner" (a special place for icons) of their home and offer prayers before them.
The icons of the Mother of God and Jesus Christ symbolize the utmost significance of love, forgiveness, kindness, and faith.
Personal Icon
A personal icon is an icon depicting the patron saint in whose honor a person is given their name by their parents at birth or during baptism. According to tradition, all Orthodox Christians have an icon of their patron saint. The icon helps establish a prayerful communion with one's patron saint.
