Greek Icons of the Mother of God: Classification of Creations

As you know, every Orthodox icon is created in order to help, protect, comfort in a certain life situation. In addition, the icons differ in plot, stylistic features, and technique. However, first things first.

What is an icon?

From an art history point of view, an icon is an image made in most cases on a solid surface, complemented by religious signs and inscriptions. Mostly it is written on a lime board coated with gesso (liquid glue and alabaster). Icons may also include sculptural, mosaic images, paintings.

In Christianity, an icon (Greek "image", "image") is a creation depicting persons or events from a sacred history that are worshiped by Orthodox believers, Catholics belonging to ancient Eastern churches. A list of such veneration objects was approved at the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787.

Varieties of Icons

Greek icons are divided into six types by value:

1. Dimensional - given for the baptism of a child, their height is equal to the growth of the baby.
2. Family - The image of the patrons of all family members.
3. Named - patron saint, in whose honor a person is named (determined by the date of birth and the Orthodox calendar of the name day of the saints).
4. Wedding - with such icons depicting Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary bless the bride and groom.
5. Holidays - the history of a particular Christian holiday.
6. Vowed - written by promise.

All Greek icons depicting the Savior, seek to convey one plot - the appearance of the Son of the Lord in the flesh in the world of people. The most famous image is "The Savior Not Made by Hands" - the imprint of the divine face on the board. The following images are also popular:

• "Almighty" - Christ blesses with one hand, holds a book in the other;
• "Lord on the throne" - greatness, a symbol of the universe;
• "Savior in power";
• baby Jesus in the arms of the Virgin.

The Greek icons of the Virgin, the defenders of the Russian land, are the most diverse in plot, so they should highlight a separate, next section.

According to the technique of the image, the icons are divided into two categories:

1. Canonical - the most ancient, original, traditional style. A symbolic two-dimensional image, where a large role is given to details - shades, elements of clothing.
2. Academic - its prototype is the Western European type of painting. Such icons appeared in Russia during the time of Peter the Great.

Greek icons of the Mother of God

Icons reveal the Image of the Holy Intercessor from several faces:

1. "Sign" (Oranta, Incarnation). On the icon we see the image of the praying Virgin Mary (Oranta). At the level of her heart, she wrote a sphere, a medallion, which depicts Spas Emmanuel, still in the womb of his mother. The Virgin’s hands were raised in a prayer impulse, and the Savior’s hands bless the viewer, hold a scroll. Mary's clothes are traditional - blue underwear and a red cape. On both sides of them are written the powers of heaven - angels and archangels.
2. "Guide" (Hodegetria). The Virgin Mary leads the believer from darkness to light, to Christ, she is a bridge on the path to salvation. Here Mary is depicted with Jesus in her arms, with one hand she points to the Baby, directing the viewer to him. Christ blesses in the image Mother.
3. "Tenderness" (Eleusa) is the most lyrical Greek icon of the Mother of God. The heads of the Virgin and Savior are inclined to each other, Jesus hugs Mother by the neck. Mary here is not only a mother, but also a soul inclined to fellowship with God.
4. "Intercessor" - Maria is depicted without the Baby, in full growth, in her hands is a scroll.
5. Akathist Greek icons - reflect the Mother of God as she was described in akathists. Each of the images is addressed with a specific prayer in a difficult period of life - to the “Burning Cup”, the “Inexhaustible Chalice”, “The whole creature rejoices over you,” “Our Lady of Bogolyubskaya,” etc.

Icon Classifications

Greek icons on the plot:

• depicting Christ;
• The Holy Trinity;
• Mother of God;
• the Saints;
• holidays and church events;
• allegorical, symbolic images.

By the number of independent stories:

• one, two or more parts;
• the main plot and terminals (small minor drawings) - everyday, akathist, icons with action;
• Jerusalem - multi-plot compositions depicting the holy places of the city.

Scale:

• main (one face);
• mantle
• waist
• throne (seated image);
• growth.

By location:

• temple;
• road (worthwhile);
• brownies.

Icon execution technique:

• picturesque;
• embroidery;
• cast;
• carved;
• printing (printing);
• folding (vaulted altar).

For a believer, an icon is not just a beautiful painting. This is the window through which he turns to God, the Heavenly Intercessor. The plot variety of icons is associated with the role that they have in the life of the Orthodox.