Icons
An icon is a characteristic expressive medium of Orthodoxy. It depicts and illustrates the invisible, spiritual divine essence, which—although invisible to the eyes—is at the foundation of everything that exists.
Icons serve multiple functions. One of them is to make church teachings understandable for the illiterate—Saint John of Damascus said that "an image is a monument"—just as words are for the listening ear and books are for the literate, images are for the illiterate. At the same time, icons are part of the liturgy, the service in the church, and the prayerful humility in the believer's home, and so on.
Characteristics of Iconography
Iconography is not painting. Its specific goals and tasks determine the characteristic requirements for iconographers. They are obliged to work according to the norms of the ecclesiastical canon, which draws a clear line between religious-themed paintings and icons.
An icon is recognizable at first glance, even by people with no prior preparation. It does not aim to present realistically and emotionally one saint or another; it does not flood our minds and feelings with the fullness of life, emotions, and vanity.
The images of saints are elongated, with slender proportions, almost incorporeal. Their eyes possess a characteristic expressiveness and look not into your eyes but into your soul. Their faces are turned toward you, rarely in profile, and never in full profile—that is reserved for subordinate or negative figures, for animals. Their hands bless or are open in prayer.
The static nature of icons is intentional. The saint does not seek, suffer, or experience emotions. He has attained holiness and is with God. An icon is a symbol, a sign of the victory of the spiritual, the divine.
History of the Icon
The word comes from Greek and means image. Orthodoxy places the beginning of iconography with the uncreated image of Christ, imprinted on the cloth with which he wiped his face. Saint Luke is considered the first iconographer. In the 5th-6th centuries, iconography became widespread in churches.
The typified images of saints were painted directly onto the plaster of church walls, arranged as mosaics, painted on canvas, carved into wood, stone, and metal. But most often, they were painted on pre-prepared small pieces of wood. Pigments mixed with egg, oil, wax, etc., were used.
Today, icons are not only in churches but also in our homes and galleries. Even if you do not feel religious sentiments, contemplating them immerses you in spiritual experiences that bring peace and clarity of mind and lightness and strength of spirit.
Gallery "Maestro"
Maintains a collection of icons painted by contemporary Bulgarian iconographers according to the canonical requirements of the Orthodox Church. Most of them come with a certificate of authenticity. Browse them online on our website or visit us at 37 Tsar Samuil Street. We will help you choose an icon for your home or as a gift.
Rely on us for cleaning and restoration of the old icon you have kept in your family for many years.