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40-Russian Icon
Resurrection with Feasts
19th century
Tempera, gold leaf on wood panel
21.25" x 17.5"
James and Tatiana Jackson Collection

his complex subject was extremely popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It depicts a combined Resurrection scene at center, surrounded by 16 images celebrated on the liturgical calendar (feast days). This central image combines the traditional “old depiction” of Christ’s descent into Hades, and the Western depiction of Christ triumphant over death atop an empty tomb. In the lower part of the central panel, Christ is shown standing on the fallen gates of Hades. Jesus grasps the hand of Adam; Eve kneels at Christ’s feet as other righteous Old Testament patriarchs, prophets and holy women walk forth from bondage stepping out of the jaws of Hell, depicted as the mouth of a great monster (borrowed from Western Art). Among those freed are Jacob, Isaac, Rebecca, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Kings Solomon and David, and John the Forerunner. They climb upward to the Gates of Heaven at top right. Inside Rakh, the Righteous Thief, is shown meeting Enoch and Elijah. A six-winged Seraph guards the heavenly gates. Above the jaws of Hell (left) an angel descends and binds Hades, shown as a bearded anthropomorphic figure. Above this traditionally influenced scene, is the Western version of the Resurrection. Christ stands above an empty tomb, while Roman soldiers sleep below him. In the far left corner, Peter sees the linen grave clothes lying empty. At lower right Christ appears at the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:48), and at the very top is the New Testament Trinity (Jesus, God the Father and a dove, sign of the Holy Spirit). The 16 scenes which surround the central image are identified by accompanying inscriptions. Clockwise from upper left they are: 1) The Birth of the Mother of God; 2) The Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple; 3) The Image of the Old Testament Trinity; 4) The Annunciation; 5) The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ; 6) The Theophany (Baptism) of Our Lord Jesus Christ; 7) The Transfiguration of the Lord; 8) The Dormition of the Mother of God; 9) The Elevation fo the Life-Giving Cross; 10) The Pokrov; 11) The Fiery Ascent of the Prophet Elijah; 12) The Cutting Off of the Head of the Holy Prophet John the Forerunner; 13) The Raising of Lazarus; 14) The Ascension of the Lord; 15) The Entrance into Jerusalem; 16) The Meeting of the Lord.

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ccording to tradition, this icon type became famous in the 18th century when the cleric Vikentiy of the Navrinskoy Church fell ill with a mouth disorder that affected his tongue. As the sick cleric lay in bed praying to the Mother of God to intercede on his behalf, his guardian angel appeared before him. At the request of the cleric, the angel then appealed to the Mother of God. The Mother of God then appeared to the cleric, at which time she gave him milk from Her breast, then vanished, and the man was healed. The icon depicts the moment the Mother of God administers her medicinal milk. The lower left corner is inscribed with a narrative regarding this miraculous event. Along the top border is inscribed, “The Healing Most Holy Mother of God: Her Singular Miracle Is The Healing Of The Navrinskaya Cleric.” This is a finely executed icon of a less frequently encountered subject.