Icon - a very important part of Christianity.Translated from the Greek word meaning "image."Normally, the icons depict various saints, the Mother of God, Jesus Christ or the actions that took place in ancient times and described in the Scriptures.
General information about the icons, their spiritual value
Lick depicted on the icon, not the Lord God.It is believed that it is intended only to remind the praying of the Divine.Therefore, do not write on the icon of the face, and the face.Very important it is the eyes that reflect the depth of the soul.No less significant and hand gestures that bear a certain meaning.
The rest of the figure is very airy, as it is intended to show the inner strength.It is on this and emphasis.
in a certain period of time among the artists became popular religious theme.And that's like - a picture and an icon on the same subject, it is shown in the same saint, for example.But on the ground there is a spiritual canvas, and the second is not.Therefore, the need to comply with the iconography has long written canon that exclude accidental details.Each piece carries a certain meaning and spiritual burden.
icon in terms of history
appearance of icons dated back to the I century A.D. It is believed that the first of them was created by Luke, who wrote one of the parts of the gospel.In the second version, the oldest way is to print the face of Jesus Christ, when he kissed the towel during washing.
Anyway, the most ancient images were found dated back to the VI century.They were made in the Byzantine Empire, which had a great influence on the writing of icons.In it the same, but much later, the canons were written for writing images.
history icons have different periods.There were persecutions, and flourishing, and change the style of writing.Each of the images shows the time, each is unique.A lot of icons, exuded myrrh, tears, blood, to heal the sick in difficult times.They are regarded as the greatest shrine.
How are icons
icon - an important symbol for the believer, so the process of creating a display for a long time described the canons, which are still preserved.Creating an image - it is not fast, you need a minimum of three months for this purpose.
Creating icons has some steps that clearly met:
- The choice of wood and the manufacture of the board, which will be the basis.
- then prepared surface.This is necessary to ensure that the image is stored a long time without change.To do this, perform several actions.Please make memorization, liquid adhesive is then applied, after - primer (gesso).Last should be applied a few times and let it dry thoroughly, then - sand.Often, before a layer of gesso and glued pavoloka serpyanku (special fabric).
- next stage - the patterning.This is not the final image - just a loop.It follows the squeeze something sharp, so it does not get lost among the other layers.
- If the icon will be gold, it should be put right now, at this stage.
- Now you need to prepare the paint.For a list of the icon must be taken natural.
- first-colored paint is applied on the background and dolichnye elements.
- Then comes the painting.Dolichnye first processing elements (landscape, clothing), then paint your private parts (hands, feet, face).Also sign icon (who is depicted on it).
- The final touch is the treatment of linseed oil or varnish.
then you must sanctify the icon.
importance and significance of icons in the church
All are icons in the temple have their value, are in place.Included in the church iconostasis is immediately visible.This wooden wall that is in front of the altar of the temple.On it - the image of Christ's life, the description of his suffering.
should know that every icon hangs in its place is no accident.In the center is definitely the so-called Deesis row, in which there are many saints, martyrs.At its center - an icon of Christ the Almighty.Top - holiday images, among them - stories from the New Testament.
In the center of the iconostasis are King's Gate, behind which - the altar.On each side - the images with the faces of Christ and the Virgin.Also, there is the lower tier, which is filled with icons of saints, as well as images of events which are more revered.
Talking about the meaning of the icons in the church, we can note their importance in various ceremonies, to be reminded of the Lord for the faithful.Some have a special status as the healing of ailments, fulfilling worldly desires.They also traded with gratitude for the help.
believed, therefore, that the icons in the church are the intermediaries.Believers know that, by submitting a request to the genuine saints depicted on them, we can expect help.
most ancient and old icons
In Christianity, there is a particularly venerated images that come to us from ancient times.They are the link between the time when the events took place as described in the Bible, and ours.These ancient icons in the original mainly kept in museums, but are often copied in other temples.
For example, in the Kiev Museum of Western and Eastern Art houses the most ancient icon of St. John the Baptist, which dates back to the VI century.It is made using the technology of the time - encaustic.It used it to paint the old icons in the Byzantine Empire.
also one of the oldest surviving images of a painting of St. Peter and St. Paul.Date of its creation - XI century.Now it is stored in the Novgorod Museum.It is not entirely preserved: the hands, face and feet have not kept the original paint.However, during the restoration of the contours have been updated.
existing icon of St. George, which is stored in the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow, assumptions, refers to the end XI - beginning of XII century.Preservation of the relics of the good.
Ancient icons - this is an important legacy of Christianity.Each of them has its own special history and technique of writing.The study shows the icons, which were then used materials to create them.Unfortunately, very few survived those first images, as there have been periods of mass destruction.
should also be noted that it is rare at the time the author points out.This indicated that important in the iconography was still image.
Named icons
This is a separate category of images in Christianity.Usually it is the icon acquired in baptism, then they should be stored throughout life.It would be even better if you hang a picture over the crib of the child, in order to guard it from harm.
should know what icons - those which depict the saint after whom the baptized person.Normally, such an image is selected on behalf of the child.If that is not present among the saints, we must take what is most appropriate.Thus, the child appears patron.
In ancient times such icons ordered specially for the birth or baptism of the child.They were called dimensional and master in the growth of the baby.
Personalized icons are not only used for special occasions.There are also:
- wedding icons - used during the ceremony in the church;
- family - they can be depicted saints whose names correspond to the family, they are usually passed down from generation to generation;
- ones that should be on the home iconostasis;
- icon revered holy family.
most famous icon of Our Lady
particular relevance in the iconography to the feminine image, namely the Mother of God.Its icons are very honored believers often have miraculous powers.Each of them has its own meaning.Any such icons (there are photos in the article) is very original.
- Kazan icon of the Mother of God .She was found July 8, 1579 on the ashes of the burnt house in Kazan.This icon is considered to be healing.
- Iberian Mother of God .For the first time about her became known around the IX century when the miracle happened, and out poured the blood.After that, she was found on Mount Athos in 200 years.The prayer before the icon helps during difficult circumstances, to heal or increase soil fertility.
- Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God .It is believed that it was written by Luke the Evangelist.Who is stored in Rossii.Eta very revered icon among mothers.It helps in the prayer of the children of their healing.Also pray for her women who want to become mothers.
- Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God .One of the oldest, dating approximately to the XI century.Today is stored in the Tretyakov Gallery.I pray to the icon in the wars, to strengthen the faith.It also helps in diseases (such as mental and physical).It is believed that the icon is the guardian and protector of the house in the affairs of life.
There are other images of the Mother of God, pray for that.Each icon - a special protection and assistance of the female image in Christianity.
Icon Nicholas
Nicholas - no less revered saints in the Christian world.Turn to him on various issues - from physical illnesses before ending quarrels and hostilities.He lived in the III-IV centuries and became famous during his lifetime the great deeds.There are many of his icons, pictures that illustrate his spirituality.
most ancient image of the saint dates back to the XI century and is located on Mount Sinai, in St. Catherine's Monastery.
Today many monasteries and temples are his images that have miraculous properties.
Icons of God's Son Jesus Christ
One of the first images of Jesus Christ was his imprint on the towel, which miraculously appeared there.In today's world it is called Savior Holy Face.
If we talk about the icons of Jesus Christ, a lot of them.Also, there are several forms of writing his images.
- Savior - a strict face, his writing does not depart from the canon.
- Christ Pantocrator - it is believed that it is the main image, which also corresponds to his preaching age.
- Holy Face.It presented two kinds - "Savior on ubrus" and "Savior on the skull."
Image Son of God today has some mandatory elements.This halo book, outerwear, keypad, tunic.Also be sure the inscription.
His icons and their meaning have a special status in Christianity.
Icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh
Sergius of Radonezh - is one of the most revered saints.In life, he accomplished many feats in the name of Christ.His words are reconciled and pacified.
The icon shows a strict Sergius of Radonezh, a raised right hand in blessing.On the left he holds a scroll as a symbol of knowledge.His icons and their value is very important for Christians.They pray to this saint of protection against enemies of the country.It also helps in studies, before an exam or just during the difficulties in understanding something.
Mirotochenie and wonders icons
Myrrh-Streaming Icon - it is a miracle that does not happen very often.It is believed that it is a warning about something.Also, this phenomenon may be the result of a long and sincere prayer.
is believed that the liquid, which highlights the icon at this point, is healing.If you make an anointing the sick, his illness may leave.
Mirotochenie - it is also a phenomenon of the Lord to the people who believe.This is his message to them.
prices icons
Each church shop you can buy icons.Prices of them may be different.The most expensive, of course, are vintage images that have survived to date.Many of them are kept in museums or churches.These icons are not usually sold only estimate.For example, the images of the apostles Peter, Paul, John, Mark, dated XVI century.They are estimated at 150 thousand euros.
also value the icon will depend on its design.Even the images written in our time, but decorated with precious materials (gold, silver, precious stones), will be sold cheap.The price range they can start with 2500 rubles.The cost will depend on the materials.
If you need cheap icons, that is quite simple in design.They can be purchased in the shops near the church.These images can be purchased for as low as $ 100 and up.
Rare same icon can be purchased in an antique shop or sale of a private collection.It is hard to overestimate these icons and their meanings, as for the believer they are truly invaluable.
