In this interesting composition we see the three Patriarchs, Isaac, Abraham and Jacob, seated in the Garden of Paradise. The unusual plants seen growing in the background illustrate the garden aspect. On each lap and behind them are small children dressed in white representing the souls of the righteous. The scriptural basis for this icon is probably Matthew 8:1 “And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Also Luke 16:22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.” The sun, shown upper left, and the moon upper right represents the cosmos. Along the top border resting on a bank of clouds is the Lord Sabaoth whose halo bears the eight-pointed glory. On the left border is the Venerable Evdokia and on the right the female saint, Zinoida.
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