Who most often depicts an icon?Jesus Christ - the main figure, which was written and continues to write artists, churchmen. For more than 200 years, the conflict between the fathers of the Christian faith continued over the permissiveness of portraying the image of God. One side called it paganism and blasphemy, referring to the prohibition of the creation of idols. Another reasoned its decision by the fact that the icon is not a deity, but allows an imperfect person to approach the incomprehensible way of his personification. Which of them won, it becomes clear when visiting any temple.
How did the first icon?The miraculous image of Jesus Christ appeared when he wiped his face with a piece of cloth (a board) on which afterwards the image of God appeared by the will of God. So says the legend. King Avgar, who ruled Osroena, was healed by this face from a terrible disease - leprosy. And the canvas itself became the source for a number of icons "The Savior Not Made by Hands". The most ancient icon, which exists in our days, dates back to the 15th century. It was painted in wax paint and stored in one of the Egyptian monasteries.
All Christianity is literally permeated with symbols andhidden meaning. In literal meaning, neither the Scripture nor the icon is considered today. Jesus Christ is also surrounded by allegories in the images. This was especially common when the iconography in Christianity was just beginning. Also this method was relevant during the days of iconoclasm. He allowed to avoid persecution and punishment for glorifying the images of the Savior. At that time he was written in the image of a bird, which, in the opinion of our ancestors, fathered the offspring with its flesh, the pelican. And the metaphorical dolphin was the "savior of the drowning." The parallel with the salvation of sinful souls is obvious. Later such tricks were banned, the canonical icon, which became known to us, was allowed. Jesus Christ began to be depicted in the image that we used to see in the temples.
Many artists painted the Son of God, and each of themits images have their own history of origin. The icon of Jesus Christ the Almighty, or otherwise "Pantokrator" ("Savior Almighty"), is one of the most common cycles in iconography. On it, he traditionally holds the Gospel in his left hand, while the right one is raised for blessing. The figure is depicted both on the chest and in full growth. The Savior can sit on the throne, which emphasizes his title of the king of heaven and earth, while in his hands there will be symbols of power - the scepter and the power.
One of the most favorite images in Russia -The Holy Savior is an icon, Jesus Christ on whom is simple, intimate and understandable. Typically, the icon painters portrayed him as a middle-aged man, with thin, clear and regular features. Spirituality and tranquility are blowing from him, probably, because so often this face was adorned with the banners of Russian soldiers. The background can be a fabric tied up at the top of the nodes, or brickwork. The second variant occurred just from that story with the sick king. After recovery, Avgar was baptized and became a Christian. A marvelous image crowned the gate to the city. After the death of the ruler, paganism returned, the icon was immured, and this place is forgotten. Four hundred years later, one of the bishops had a vision of where to look for the Savior. During this time, the icon was not damaged and even mitered on the clay slab that covered it.
