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The Book of Genesis presents two distinct accounts of the creation of the world and humankind. The first narrative (Gen. 1:26–29) describes how, over the course of five days, God...
According to the Evangelist Matthew (Matt. 2:1-11), when Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem. They inquired about...
Saint Andrew the Apostle originated from Bethsaida of Galilee and was the brother of the Apostle Peter. He was among the first to follow Jesus Christ, earning him the title...
Roman Maria Alexander Sheptytsky, known as Metropolitan Andrey, was born into a family of Polonized counts in the 19th century. According to his mother, at the age of eight, he...
The event of Christ's baptism is described in all four Gospels (Mt. 3:13–17; Mk. 1:9–11; Lk. 3:21–22; Jn. 1:29–34). John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, calling for repentance and...
One of the Twelve Apostles, Saint Bartholomew hailed from Cana of Galilee and was likely a close friend or relative of the Apostle Philip, who introduced him to Jesus. The...
Iconography is based on the texts of the Old and New Testaments. For example, in the Psalms (Ps. 110:4), it is stated: "You are a priest forever, according to the...
The Heavenly Coronation of the Virgin Mary represents the final episode of the Assumption, symbolizing the unification of her soul and body in Heaven. This narrative is venerated in Catholicism...
Daniel, one of the Four Major Prophets, was of noble Jewish lineage and was taken into Babylonian captivity at a young age, around 607 BCE (Dan. 1:1–6). In Babylon, he...
After the Ascension of the Lord, the eleven apostles, the Virgin Mary, and other women remained together in Jerusalem. During these days, Peter addressed the 120 disciples of Christ, reminding...
The canonical Gospels do not describe the final days of the Virgin Mary. Instead, the narrative is preserved in a few apocryphal texts from the 4th to 6th centuries, such...
Elijah (Hebrew: אֵלִיָּהוּ, "The Lord is my strength") was born in Tishbe of Gilead around 900 BCE. From a young age, he lived a life of prayer and fasting in...
The event of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem is described in all four canonical Gospels. In the Gospel of Matthew (21:1–11): "Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came...
The Eucharist, or the Sacrament of Communion, was instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper, as narrated in the Synoptic Gospels (Mt. 26:26–28, Mk. 14:22–24, Lk. 22:19–20) and in...
According to tradition, around 326 CE, Empress Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, at the age of approximately 80, experienced a vision in which she received a divine...
There are two main versions of the legend about the Holy Mandylion. According to "Historia Ecclesiastica" (Book I, Chapter 13) by Eusebius of Caesarea, the King of Edessa, Abgar, was...
The traditional Ukrainian iconostasis of the 15th—18th centuries typically includes between one and seven tiers of icons, each serving a distinct symbolic and functional role. Base Tier In the 15th—16th...
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (lat. Immaculata Conceptio Beatae Virginis Mariae) represents a theme that did not emerge from renowned miraculous visions but instead reflects a doctrinal...
The iconography reflects a devotion rooted in both doctrinal and mystical traditions. It is based on the words of Righteous Simeon to the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Gospel of...
James, the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John the Evangelist, was one of the twelve apostles of Christ. To distinguish him from James the Less (the son of...
Jeremiah (Hebrew: יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirmeyahu, meaning "The Lord will exalt") was one of the four great prophets of the Old Testament, who lived in the 7th–6th centuries BCE. Born into a...
Jude, also known as Thaddeus or Lebbaeus, is described in the Gospels as one of the Twelve Apostles (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13). He is referred to as "Jude the son...
The event of the Flight into Egypt, described in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt. 2:13-22), occurs after the Magi have presented their gifts to Christ. Warned in a dream not...
The Apostle Luke was born into a pagan family in Antioch. From a young age, he studied medicine and philosophy and was fluent in Greek and Egyptian. Upon hearing about...
One of the Twelve Apostles, according to the Gospels of Mark and Luke, Matthew was called by Christ while sitting at the tax collector’s booth. The Gospel of Mark (Mk...
Moses (Hebrew: מֹשֶׁה, "drawn out of water") was born during a time of persecution of the Hebrews in Egypt. Pharaoh had decreed the killing of all newborn Hebrew boys to...
The birth of Christ is described in the Gospels of Matthew (Mt. 1:18–25) and Luke (Lk. 2:4–20). These events are also mentioned in apocryphal texts, including the Protoevangelium of James...
The New Testament provides relatively limited information about the life of the Most Holy Virgin. Consequently, much of the information regarding Her birth and parentage comes from apocryphal sources. Accounts...
"Our Lady of the Rosary" (Italian: Madonna del Rosario) or "Our Lady of the Rosary" refers to one of the many titles of the Virgin Mary. The veneration of this...
"Bona Mater Gratia" (fr. de Grâce). This iconography is also known as the "Miraculous Medal" (fr. Médaille miraculeuse). According to Catholic tradition, "Gratia" is a title for the Virgin Mary...
Iconography of the Lourdes Virgin traces its origins to the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to 14-year-old peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, who was gathering firewood in a forest. The Virgin...
It is known that in 1597, the icon was in the possession of a wealthy widow, Anna Hoyska, who owned the town of Pochaiv. She prayed to the Virgin Mary...
Images of the Virgin with raised hands in prayer, palms facing forward, known as "Orans" (Latin orans — "to pray"), appear as early as the catacomb period. This hand position...
According to legend, in 358 AD, a Roman patrician named Giovanni and his wife were unable to conceive a long-awaited child. In response, they fervently prayed to the Virgin Mary,...
Icons of the "Unfading Flower" type typically depict the Virgin Mary with the Child in the iconographic styles of Hodegetria or Eleusa. A defining feature of this type is the...
The Apostle Philip was from Bethsaida and was among the first called by Jesus (John 1:44). While he appears multiple times in the Gospels, the most detailed accounts are provided...
According to the Law, every firstborn had to be brought to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord. Boys were brought on the fortieth day, and girls on the...
This event is not described in the Four Gospels but is mentioned in apocryphal texts such as the Protoevangelium of James (late 2nd century) and the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (9th...
The iconography reflects the legend of the miraculous salvation of the inhabitants of Constantinople during the siege of the city, according to various accounts, by the army of the Rus'...
Born into a wealthy Coptic family in the Egyptian town of Coma, Anthony was destined for a life far removed from material riches. When he turned twenty and lost both...
In the 3rd century, a daughter was born to a noble pagan named Dioscorus. She was so beautiful that her father built a tower and confined her there, allowing no...
Basil the Great (ca. 329–379) was Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia (modern Turkey), a Church Father, theologian, and saint. Born into a wealthy and devout Christian family, Basil’s lineage faced...
St. Catherine of Alexandria (287–305) is among the most venerated Christian martyrs. Scholars debate the historical authenticity of St. Catherine’s life. Some suggest that her story may be based on...
Saint George was born in the 3rd century in Cappadocia into a wealthy Christian family. He served in the military, achieving the rank of tribune and becoming close to Emperor...
(c. 329–379) — a prominent theologian, poet, and Archbishop of Constantinople, recognized as one of the Three Hierarchs. Born in Arianzus (modern-day Turkey) into a deeply religious family, Gregory's father,...
The Evangelist Luke writes that the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were childless (Luke 1:6). While Zechariah was offering incense in the Temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him...
Johanan (Hebrew: "God is generous in grace") was the son of Zebedee and Salome, who, according to tradition, was the daughter of Saint Joseph the Betrothed. He was the younger...
Ivan the Warrior, likely of Slavic descent, served in the army of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363 AD) and, as a soldier, took part in the persecution of Christians. However,...
(1580–1623) — Archbishop of Polotsk, Basilian monk, martyr, and canonized saint. Born into an Orthodox noble family in the town of Volodymyr-Volynskyi, he later embraced the Union with the Roman...
Lawrence was from the city of Osca in Taraconic Spain. He was a disciple of Archdeacon Sixtus, who became the Bishop of Rome in 257, and Lawrence was ordained as...
Saint Longinus was a Roman soldier who, according to tradition, pierced the side of the crucified Jesus with a spear (John 19:34) and is associated with the centurion who declared...
Saint Mary originated from the town of Magdala near Capernaum. According to the Gospels, she was the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9), after...
The name "Michael" derives from Ancient Hebrew and translates to "Who is like God?" It is also interpreted as "Senior messenger, empowered by God." Michael is described as the leader...
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (c. 275–342) is one of the most venerated saints in Christianity. According to legend, he was born around 275 in Patara, a city in Lycia (modern-day...
Princess Olga was born approximately between 889 and 891. Her origin remains debated: some theories suggest Bulgarian, Pskovian, or even a descent from Prince Askold, whose family may have been...
Saint Peter, originally named Simon, lived in Capernaum, was married, and had children. According to the Synoptic Gospels, he worked as a fisherman with his brother Andrew when Jesus came...
As chronicled by Dymytriy Tuptalo, Saint Simeon Stylites was born in Cilicia to a Christian family. His mother, Saint Martha, played a pivotal role in his spiritual foundation. At a...
According to the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:1), the Christian community was rapidly growing, and there was a custom of caring for widows, orphans, and the needy. However, the...
Saint Theodore Stratilates († 319) was from the city of Euchaita in Asia Minor. According to legend, near the city there was a pit from which a serpent emerged daily...
Saint Volodymyr the Great (born c. 956 – died July 15, 1015) was the youngest son of the Kyivan prince Svyatoslav. After a dynastic struggle with his elder brother Yaropolk,...
There are three pairs of saints named Cosmas and Damian, who are venerated by the Church on different dates: the Asiatic ones—November 14, the Roman ones—July 14, and the Arabian...
Saints Cyril (born Constantine, c. 827–869) and Methodius (c. 815–885) were brothers born in Thessaloniki (modern-day Salonica, Greece) to the family of a military officer. The region was home to...
The parents of the Virgin Mary, Joachim and Anna, hold a significant place in Christian tradition, despite their names not being mentioned in the canonical Gospels. Most accounts about them...
The Apostles Peter and Paul are considered the most significant among the apostles because of their profound contributions to the development of Christ’s Church. Their figures can be viewed as...
The cult of Sophia—the Wisdom of God—developed in Byzantine theology based on Biblical texts about God's Wisdom. In the Old Testament, Wisdom is personified in Proverbs 8:22-23: "The Lord created...
The Feast of All Saints originates from biblical texts, particularly the Book of Revelation (5:11-13; 7:9-14): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number,...
Angels The word "angel" (from Gr. ἄγγελος, angelos - "messenger") refers to immortal beings in Abrahamic religions who execute God's will. Angels are mentioned frequently in the Bible, but only...
The icons of the Last Judgment illustrate the biblical prophecy concerning the Second Coming of Christ and the Judgment He will render upon humanity. The iconography of this theme draws...
The event of the Last Supper is described in all four Gospels: Matthew (26:17–30), Mark (14:12–26), Luke (22:7–20), and John (13:1–30). In accordance with the Old Testament Law (Exodus 12:6–18),...
The icon "The Raising of Lazarus" is a significant depiction in Christian art, symbolizing Christ's power over death and prefiguring His own resurrection. Based on the Gospel of John (11:1–45),...
The name Thomas derives from the Aramaic word ta’am, meaning "twin" or "one who has a counterpart." In the Gospel of John, he is also called Didymus, which translates to...
The Feast of the Three Hierarchs is celebrated in honor of John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, and Gregory the Theologian, who are among the most venerated Fathers of the Church....
The concept of the Trinity is one of the foundational dogmas of Christianity. The Old Testament contains numerous passages that can be interpreted as evidence of the multiplicity within the...
Zechariah (Hebrew: זְכַרְיָה, Zekharyah, meaning "The Lord has remembered") was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. Born during the Babylonian exile into a Levite family, Zechariah...
