For believers, icons act as mediators between the Divine world and the earth in individual prayer or in the process of worship. They do not honor the icon itself, but what is depicted on it, attributing magical, healing properties to the picturesque image of God, the Mother of God or the Saints.
In terms of art, the icons are undoubtedly works of art, impressive in their craftsmanship and the splendor of rich colors.
Iconography, as a type of painting with the faces of saints, originated at the dawn of Christianity, and has more than 2 thousand years of history. In all their diversity, we will present the most beautiful icons, especially revered in Russia and other Christian countries.
The most beautiful icons in the world:
1
Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
The miraculous icon, written according to the traditions of the Byzantine, Luke was brought to Kiev in the XII century. It was a gift from the emperor of Byzantium to the Russian prince Mstislav.
Having disobeyed his father, Yuri, nicknamed the chroniclers “Dolgoruky”, going to Rostov, stole it from Vyshgorod, but near Vladimir (as the legend says) the horses carrying the icon stood up and did not want to go any further. So it became the main shrine of the Assumption Cathedral of Vladimir and got its name, and the city of Vladimir eventually became the princely residence and capital of Russia.
Now the holy face of Our Lady of Vladimir is in the temple-museum of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi.
2
"Trinity"
The work of the brush of the great Russian painter Andrei Rublev, written by him at the very beginning of the 15th century, is one of the most famous icons of Orthodoxy.
Until 1920, the creation of Rublev was in the Trinity Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. After a short trip to museum churches, in 1929 she firmly established herself in the archival collection of the Tretyakov Gallery and is now considered to be the "pearl" of Russian icon painting of the museum of painting.
Note that the amazing icon was repeatedly replenished, and recently the question has often been raised about the return of the “Trinity” to the monastery.
3
Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God
Today there are several lists of this miraculous icon, the work of the brush of the Evangelist Luke. In handwritten legends it is said that the Mother of God of Tikhvin first appeared to the world near the town of Tikhvin at the end of the 14th century.
The miraculous salvation in 1613 of the Tikhvin monastery, and the city itself during the offensive on the Russian lands by the Swedes, as well as many other miracles, are associated with it.
One of the most revered icons in the vastness of Russia and the entire Orthodox world is located in the monastery of Tikhvin, and many pilgrims come to see it.
4
"The Apostles Peter and Paul"
Most likely, this is the oldest work of Orthodox easel painting.
Experts and historians agree that the icon was painted around the beginning of the 11th century in Novgorod land. It depicts two saints Peter and Paul, one of the most revered Christian saints.
Thus, the fate of the icon “Apostles Peter and Paul” was such that she had to leave her native Novgorod three times during the tragic periods of history. But invariably she returned, and now occupies a place of honor in the museum-reserve of Veliky Novgorod.
5
Smolensk Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary
How and when the Hodegetria was brought from Greece to Russia is not known for certain, but based on one of the legends, it can be assumed that she was with Princess Anna, who went to Kiev in 1046 to become the wife of Prince Vsevolod.
Perhaps that is why the icon was a symbol of the continuity and friendship of Byzantium and the Russian state. The son of Vsevolod Vladimir Monomakh transported her to the city of Smolensk, where he installed it in the newly erected church. Since then, the face began to be called the Smolensk Mother of God.
6
“The Sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
The Virgin on the “Sign” is depicted in full growth and with prayerfully raised hands. The baby is not registered on the hands, but on the mother’s chest. Such an image refers to the icon-painting type of Orant.
Miracles began to be attributed to the “Sign” since 1170, when the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary helped the Novgorodians. Already in the XVII century, a cathedral was specially built for her.
The fate of the Sign was an amazing fact, when in 2009 one of the lists made 176 circles around the Earth in a Russian orbital ship. Upon her return, she again took her place in the Novgorod Sophia Cathedral.
7
Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
According to medieval legend, the “Kazan Mother of God” was discovered on the ashes of one of the churches after the fire in 1579 in Kazan. And her girl Matrona found, whom the Virgin ordered to find the shrine, who appeared in a dream.
This image is most respected and loved, and at all times acts as the "Great Protector of Russia." Whoever came to Russian soil with a sword, the holy army invariably prayed to Our Lady of Kazan before significant battles.
The only surviving list can be seen in the iconostasis of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.
The editors of most-beauty.ru advise you to look at the magnificent Orthodox churches of Harbin.
8
"St Nicholas"
Nicholas the Wonderworker since ancient times is one of the most revered saints in Russia. That is why his images are distinguished by careful drawing and brightness of colors.
One of these images is captured on the so-called Ugresh icon, which, according to legend, appeared to Prince Dmitry during his campaign against the troops of Mamaia. The prince ordered to lay a monastery in that place, where until 1925 the image of Nicholas was preserved.
Now "St. Nicholas" is in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery, delighting lovers of Orthodox paintings visiting an amazing museum.
9
"Spas Eleazarovsky"
This holy image of Christ Pantocrator was discovered in 1352, and the tree from which he was found was laid in the foundation of the temple built on this site.
"Spas" is the greatest work of icon painting of the pre-Mongol period, and became the basis for the emergence of a new style that appeared in the XIV century.
Despite the poor preservation of the masterpiece and the need for restoration work, the unique icon in 2010 was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, but with the condition of non-use in worship.
10
"St. Nicholas the Wonderworker"
The image was created from the famous, especially revered shrine of Mozhaisk, a wooden sculpture of Nicholas the Wonderworker with a sword. Therefore, in the sources and colloquial speech it is also called "Nikola Mozhaisky."
On a wooden plank, in addition to the central figure of the saint himself, there is also a hagiographic mark depicting the main wonders of Nicholas. The temple image is interpreted as the main intercessor, patron and temple and city.
After restoration work carried out in the mid 90-ies of the last century, "Nikola Mozhaisk" was returned to the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, which is located in Mozhaisk.
11
"The Almighty Savior"
“The Almighty Savior” or “Pantocrator” (“ruler of everything) appeared on the territory of Russia somewhere in the XII century and became the main prayer icon of all Russian princes.
This is the dominant image in Russian icon painting, and in churches and temples always takes pride of place. Of the miracles, it should be noted that the image of Jesus was often streamed, and there were cases of healing of the afflicted and sick.
12
"Transfiguration"
Written in 1403, “The Transfiguration of the Lord” was long considered the brush of Theophanes the Greek, however, studies of recent decades and the use of the latest technology have proved that this is the work of an unknown artist.
In Pereslavl-Zalessky at that time the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral was restored, and it is to this event that the writing of the image of the son of God is related.
Like many other masterpieces of Russian icon painters, the Transfiguration is in the famous Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
13
"St. Spyridon of Trimyphus"
Spiridon, who lived at the end of the 3rd - beginning of the 4th century, is especially revered by the holy Christian church. It was he who, speaking at the Ecumenical Council, helped condemn the Arian heresy.
The oldest Greek icon depicting Spyridon has been preserved in the world. Also in the Moscow Church of the Resurrection of the Saying Word there is his face, in the ark of which the relics of St. Prelate Spiridon are sealed.
In memory of the great saint in Moscow during the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, a church was erected in the name of the saint, and his statue is in Yalta, which stands at the entrance to the temple chapel of Mikhail Antistratig.
14
"Spas in the forces" Andrei Rublev
Another creation of the great Russian master "Savior in power." Rublev helped in his work on the image of his apprentice, and this all happened in 1408.
"Savior in power" was written specifically for the magnificent Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir. It is known that in this cathedral and the walls are painted by a Russian painter. It is considered one of the most beautiful Orthodox worlds.
This work of Rublev laid the foundations of a new direction in Russian icon painting, and the masterpiece itself amazes with grandeur and beauty.
15
"Saved the Golden Robe"
Due to the gold salary, which, unfortunately, has now been lost, the icon got its luxurious and unique name. “Spas” was written directly for Russia by the Byzantine master in the X century, as indicated by some technical features.
Critics in the pose of Jesus and the manner of execution distinguish this masterpiece among other works. In the Russian land "Spas Golden Riza" begins its history in the St. Sophia Cathedral of Novgorod.
In 1700, "Spas" was rewritten and Jesus' clothes were painted in gold to meet the name. This amazing face of the son of God has been preserved and can be seen by visiting the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, many masterpieces have died for various reasons, most have survived as lists that have reached us, and some are hidden from the world in private collections.
You can believe or not believe in the miraculous and healing properties of icons, but they are definitely majestic, unique works of art, part of our great history, Orthodoxy. It is with them that significant events of the development of Russia are connected, and its people, blessed with the faces of the saints, have accomplished and continue to accomplish great things. The editors of most-beauty.ru asks you not to stand aside, but to write in the comments which beautiful icons of the world you like to contemplate.