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42-Russian Icon
The Lord Almighty
19th century
Egg tempera on wood panel
12" x 10.25"
James and Tatiana Jackson Collection

ere Christ is depicted as the “Lord Almighty,” (Gospod Vsederzhitel - Russian) Ruler of the Universe. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord, Who Is, Who Was, and Who Is to Come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). Christ holds a book of Gospels open to Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all Ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The halo attached to the riza displays the distinctive cross-halo inscribed with the Greek works HO ON, meaning “Who Is.” With his right hand, Christ delivers a blessing in the manner favored by the Old Believers.

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his icon type is included in the official church list of miraculous Mother of God icons. In the year 1540 Adrian, a disciple of Kornily of Komel (see icon #31), along with the Starets Leonid, went into the wilderness to seek a suitable place to begin a monastery. Before leaving they were blessed in their endeavor with an icon of the “Dormition of the Mother of God.” While surveying the forest along the Votkha River near the village of Poshekhonye, they placed the icon of the Dormition high up in a tree to protect it as they continued to assess the area. At the same time three fishermen working the nearby river saw the icon up in the tree. Because they had been unsuccesssful all day, they decided to try fishing beneath the tree that held the icon. There they caught two enormous Pikes. One of the fishermen then climbed the tree in hopes of retrieving the icon, only to fall and become unconcious. They then decided that the icon should not be touched, so they left one of the fish they had caught along with a loaf of bread in the tree as an offering. When Adrian and Leonid returned from their survey, they found the fish and bread in the tree. Adrian decided to build his monastery across the river from the tree. The icon illustrates this story. The fishermen are seen in and along the river. Adrian is depicted upon his return to the tree to discover the fish and loaf beneath the icon. The monastery he founded is seen in the background. Adrian was killed by bandits only ten years later. When his remains were uncovered 200 years later, they began to work wonders. The icon of the Dormition remained in his monastery where it also continued to work miracles. The abbreviated inscription above his head reads: “The Holy Venerable Martyr Adrian of Poshekhonye, Wonderworker.” On the left border is the Apostle Saint Matthew, and on the right border is the Holy Martyr Irena.