Our Journey Through Great Lent

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The Story Behind This Icon:

The icon of the Resurrection, also known as "Christ's Descent into Hades" and "the Anastasis", is the icon of Easter, celebrating Jesus' triumph over death. The icon depicts Jesus Christ descending into Hades and pulling Adam and Eve from the tombs, symbolizing His victory back to the very beginning of mankind. The two golden bars under Jesus' feet (note that His feet and hands still carry the signs of His crucifixion) are the gates of Hades which He has broken open.

On the left of the icon, we see David and Solomon, representing those who died before Jesus' crucifixion, waiting patiently in Hades for their Messiah. On the right side of the icon, we see Abel as a shepherd, the first person to die as a result of the Fall, as well as Saint John the Baptist, the final prophet before the Christ. In the darkness below, keys, locks & chains symbolize that He has entered and conquered both death and Hades.

As we say after the Resurrection every year: Christ is Risen! 

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This icon of The Resurrection is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection Icons from Mount Athos, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

The Story Behind This Icon:

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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

The first Sunday after Easter commemorates the assurance of the Apostle Thomas. After the Resurrection, Christ appeared to His Disciples, yet the Apostle Thomas was not present and later declared to the others: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails and unless I put my hand into the mark on His side, I will not believe". Christ appeared miraculously a second time, eight days after the Resurrection and asked the Apostle Thomas to touch the wounds on His body. The eighth day has a significant meaning as the number "eight" in Christian theology signifies completion, fullness and a new beginning. The Apostle Thomas verified the wounds and was convinced that the Resurrection was true and real and he exclaimed "My Lord and My God", confirming the miracle of the Resurrection. Thomas' absence during Christ' first appearance was not by chance but part of God's providence.

This beautiful icon depicts the Apostle Thomas wanting to see for himself the wounds of Christ's hands and side. The Greek wording on the icon reads "The Touching of Thomas", as the icon does not show the doubt of Thomas, but rather his reassurance.

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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. 

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

The Story Behind This Icon:

The oldest and perhaps one of the most treasured icons of all on Mount Athos, Greece is that of the Theotokos of the Akathist.

The original icon is made of beeswax and mastic (an aromatic resin that exudes from the bark of a Mediterranean tree) along with myrrh. On the back side of the original icon, the following is written: "This is the miraculous Icon which Patriarch Sergios held whilst circling the walls of Constantinople and which ridded the city of the barbarian siege and was donated to the Monastery of Dionysiou by Emperor Alexios".

In the year 626, the Christian Capital of Constantinople was in danger and surrounded by barbarians. The Patriarch Sergius led the faithful around the walls of the City praying and singing for the Theotokos intercession throughout the night; as a result of those prayers, the City was saved. Among the prayers offered were 24 verses of Salutations to the Theotokos, which were then given the name "Akathist" (not sitting) in remembrance of how the faithful had stood in reverence and fervent prayer all night.

Those 24 verses are depicted on the icon with 24 small images/scenes surrounding the Theotokos sitting on a throne, giving a visual expression to the Akathist Hymn. The first letter of each verse of the Akathist Hymn corresponds to the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet, starting from "A" and ending to "Ω".

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All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

The Story Behind This Icon:

This icon portrays the Annunciation of the Theotokos, a feast which is celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before the Nativity. This feast celebrates the day on which the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to share the good news that she is to bear the Messiah, God Himself. "Rejoice, o favored one, the Lord is with you!" Mary's response befitted her chastity: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." The Virgin Mary was not forced to bear the Christ, rather, her response demonstrated her willingness to do the will of God. The Virgin Mary became, literally, the Mother of God, bearing the Word Incarnate, God Himself, in her womb, bringing Him into the world He created, for the salvation of mankind. 

At the icon's top edge, the half circle represents the Kingdom of God with three rays representing the presence of the Holy Spirit directed to the Virgin Mary. The Archangel Gabriel holds a staff, the ancient symbol of a messenger. His feet are spread to show the movement of running to share the good news with Mary. On the right side of the icon, the Virgin Mary is seated, but elevated, a sign that as the Mother of God she is greater in honor than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word. Mary raises her right hand in a gesture of acceptance, indicating her assent to the good news carried by Gabriel. In her left hand, the Virgin Mary holds a spindle of scarlet yarn, symbolizing the task of preparing the purple and scarlet material to be used in making the veil for the Temple in Jerusalem.

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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

This Holy Cross presents a uniquely beautiful representation of the Crucifixion of Christ.To the viewer's left (Christ's right) is the Holy Theotokos and to the viewer's right (Christ's left) is Saint John the Theologian, representative of the fact that these two stayed by Christ's side after he was crucified. The text on the top of the Holy Cross reads "The Preparation of the Throne." This is a Holy Cross unlike any other to grace your home, your office, a chapel, or any other place appropriate for such a precious piece.

The background of this Holy Cross is composed of 22 karat gold leaves that have been applied by hand, piece by piece.

In order to maintain its shape through the years and to avoid any bending or deforming of the cross, we have selected marine grade plywood as a high quality material for the making of this cross.

This Holy Cross has a hook on its back side for convenient wall hanging or mounting.

Dimensions: 14" x 15.7" x 1" (35.6 x 40 x 2.5 cm).

Dimensions may slightly vary as these items are cut by hand.

This Holy Icon is comprised of two individual icons: The Archangel Gabriel and the Theotokos. Each piece measures 5.9" x 11.8" (15 x 30 cm), with a recessed style border.

The Story Behind This Icon:

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This set of icons is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The backgrounds are comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

The icon "Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)" depicts one of the most important events in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the left part of the icon is the Mount of Olives while on the right is the city of Jerusalem. In the center, Jesus Christ is shown sitting upon a donkey, an animal of peace, followed by his disciples and He is blessing the crowds. People are laying red fabric, and welcoming Jesus with palm branches in hand, shouting the words "Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!

Jesus entered Jerusalem one day after the resurrection of Lazaros, and this important event in His life is celebrated by the Church on the last day of the Lent, marking also the beginning of the Holy Week.

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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

This Holy Cross background is composed of 22 Karat Gold leaves that are applied by hand, piece by piece.

In order to maintain its shape through the years and to avoid any bending or deforming of the cross, we have selected marine grade plywood as a high quality material for the making of this cross.

Dimensions: 11.4" x 18.3" x 1" (29 x 46.5 x 2.5 cm).

Dimensions and weights may slightly vary as these items are cut by hand.

This Holy Cross has a hook on its back side for convenient wall hanging or mounting.

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

The background of this Holy Cross is composed of 22 karat gold leaves that have been applied by hand, piece by piece.

In order to maintain its shape through the years and to avoid any bending or deforming of the cross, we have selected marine grade plywood as a high quality material for the making of this cross.

Dimensions: 9" x 15.7" x 1" (23 x 40 x 2.5 cm).

Dimensions and weight may slightly vary.

This Holy Cross has a hook on its back side for convenient wall hanging or mounting.

The parable of the Prodigal Son is heard on the second Sunday of the Triodion, a parable beloved and relevant to all Christians. This icon pictures the Father embracing the Prodigal Son upon his return from the far country, a deeply moving and iconic scene which represents Christ's infinite love for us.

You might also like: "The Parable of the Prodigal Son, a Commentary in the Light of the Fathers" by Hieromonk Gregorios, Elder of the Cell of St. John the Theologian in Mount Athos, Greece.

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This icon of The Prodigal Son is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection Icons from Mount Athos, which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

Author: St. Nektarios of Pentapolis

Pages: 124

Binding: Softcover

St Nektarios of Pentapolis (1846-1920) was both a careful student of the art of teaching and a tireless teacher. The present work aims to present and analyze his labors with the sphere of education as well as furnish translations of his core writings on the topic. By these means he is shown a strong proponent of the view that education is properly understood as formation of the whole person, rather than the simple imparting of information.

FROM THE PROLOGUE: It is often observed that St. Nektarios' well-earned reputation as a wonderworker has largely overshadowed his other feats and accomplishments, as well as the other gifts he has bestowed upon the Church. Numbered among these oft-forgotten contributions is the bequest he has made to the sphere of education, a bequest under-girded by a rare, insurmountable desire to both learn and teach. From the time the Saint could read the 50th Psalm, he began repeating and emphasizing the line, I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. From the time his little hands could manage, be began sewing together little booklets in order to disseminate God's words. From the time he could clamor, he would ascend the stool in his mother's kitchen and preach the homily he had heard that morning in church for the benefit of any who might hear. These youthful expressions of that desire to teach are interpreted by the Saint's modern encomiasts as foreshadowing the significant educational work which would occupy a central, albeit oft-overlooked, place in his life and spiritual legacy.