Orthodox Icon Jesus Christ
Price range: $700 through $2200
The Icon of the Savior Christ is a magnificent hand-painted image of the Lord Almighty, created by master iconographers in the strict canons of the Russian Orthodox tradition. The face is painted with natural mineral tempera on a solid linden wood board. The main decoration of this icon is its luxurious golden background, executed with genuine 23-karat (960 standard) gold leaf, featuring an elegant relief ornament on gesso (levkas). This image is available in sizes ranging from compact analoy formats (17×21 cm) to large church dimensions, making it an ideal choice for both a home “beautiful corner” and Holy Matrimony (Wedding pairs).
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
Free shipping worldwide
The icon of the Savior Christ (also known as the Lord Almighty or Pantocrator) occupies a central place in the hierarchy of Orthodox shrines. It is the fundamental image to which believers address their prayers in any life situation. The Savior is depicted as the Heavenly King, the Provider, and a merciful Judge. In His left hand, He holds an open Gospel with the words of salvation, and with His right hand, He blesses everyone who stands before Him with a pure heart.
The presented hand-painted icon strikes the viewer with its beauty and solemnity. It is executed in a picturesque (academic) style, which is distinguished by its deep modeling of the face, soft chiaroscuro, and expressiveness of the gaze. A special majesty is given to the image by its rich golden background, adorned with an ultra-fine relief pattern.
Theological Meaning and Iconography
The iconography of the Lord Almighty was formed over centuries and is designed to reveal the mystery of the Incarnation—the union of the Divine and human natures in Jesus Christ.
The color palette of the Savior’s garments is not accidental and carries a strict dogmatic meaning:
- The Red Chiton (inner garment) symbolizes His human, earthly nature, as well as the martyr’s blood shed on the Cross for the redemption of the sins of humanity. The golden stripe on the shoulder (clavus) points to His royal dignity.
- The Blue Himation (outer cloak) signifies His heavenly, incomprehensible, and eternal Divine nature.
The text in the open Gospel is a direct appeal from the Lord to believers. On this icon are inscribed the words from the Gospel of Matthew: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…”. This is a comforting call, reminding us that only in Christ can a person find true rest and support.
Creation Technology and Materials: Traditions of Mstyora
The icon is created in one of the most famous icon-painting schools in Russia—Mstyora. The masters sacredly honor the ancient technologies of icon painting, using only natural, long-lasting materials.
Base: Linden and Oak Splines
The life of an icon begins with the right board. For this image, a solid piece of seasoned linden wood is used—a timber that is remarkably stable and minimally prone to warping. To prevent the board from bowing over time due to changes in humidity, reinforcing oak splines are inset into the back. The front part is covered with pavoloka (linen cloth), which serves as an reinforcing layer, and levkas (a natural chalk primer based on animal glue) is applied, creating a perfectly smooth surface for painting.
Painting with Mineral Tempera
The face and garments are painted with mineral egg tempera. This is an ancient paint that iconographers create by hand, grinding semi-precious minerals (lapis lazuli, malachite, cinnabar) into powder and mixing them with an egg yolk emulsion. Tempera painting does not tarnish or fade in the sun, maintaining its saturation for centuries.
Gilding and Relief Ornament on Gesso
One of the main distinguishing features of this icon is its rich background. It is covered with genuine 23-karat (960 standard) gold leaf. Gold in iconography is not simply an ornament; it is a symbol of the uncreated Divine light of the Kingdom of Heaven, where no shadows exist.
A complex floral ornament is executed across the golden background and margins of the icon. This technique is called chasing (or engraving) on gesso. The master uses special tools to carve the pattern on the primed board even before the gold is applied. When the gold leaf is laid upon this relief and polished with an agate burnisher, it creates an incredible play of light, making the icon voluminous and alive.
What the Icon of the Savior Helps With
The image of the Lord Almighty is the primary icon in the home of every Orthodox Christian. Believers turn to it with their most intimate and important prayers:
- For forgiveness and repentance: Asking the Savior for the remission of sins and the strength for spiritual correction.
- For peace and prosperity: Praying to protect the family from discords, misfortunes, envy, and adversaries.
- For healing: Asking for help in overcoming severe mental and physical ailments.
- For guidance on the true path: Requesting a blessing before making important decisions, entering into marriage, or setting off on a long journey.
The icon of the Savior always participates in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony (paired with an icon of the Mother of God). It is exactly this icon that is passed down through generations, becoming the main family heirloom and protector of the lineage.
Sizes and Order Options
We understand that each customer has their own needs, which is why we offer the icon of the Savior Christ in several sizes:
- 17×21 cm and 20×24 cm: Compact dimensions. Ideally suited for smaller spaces, study rooms, or as a memorable gift for a godchild, son, or daughter.
- 27×31 cm: The classic church and analoy (lectern) size. This is the gold standard for a wedding pair and the central image in a home iconostasis.
- 30×40 cm: A large format, often ordered for spacious rooms, executives, or as a contribution to a church.
- Iconostasis Sizes: Upon custom request, we can paint a large-scale image of the Savior for the local tier of a church iconostasis.
Each icon is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, confirming the manual work and the use of 23-karat gold leaf.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Iconographic Type | Savior Almighty (Pantocrator), picturesque (academic) painting style |
| Base (Board) | Solid linden wood, inset oak splines, linen pavoloka, chalk levkas |
| Painting | Natural mineral egg tempera (hand-ground) |
| Background Gilding | Genuine 23-karat (960 standard) gold leaf |
| Background Decor | Manual chasing (engraving) of floral ornament on gesso (levkas) |
| Available Sizes | 17×21 cm, 20×24 cm, 27×31 cm, 30×40 cm, and custom iconostasis formats |
| Certification | Numbered certificate of authenticity for manual craftsmanship included |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I change the text in the Gospel upon ordering?
Yes, that is completely possible. Although the text “Come unto Me, all ye that labor…” is traditionally written on this image, upon your request, the iconographer can write other canonical words of the Savior, such as: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another” or “I am the light of the world.”
2. What is chasing (engraving) on gesso?
This is a complex technique for decorating an icon. Before covering the board with gold leaf, the master uses special tools (gravers) to manually carve a three-dimensional pattern into the soft chalk ground (levkas). After the gold leaf is applied and burnished with agate, the pattern catches the light beautifully, giving the icon a particularly solemn appearance.
3. Will the gold background tarnish over time?
No. We use only genuine 23-karat (960 standard) gold leaf. Unlike cheap potal (an alloy of copper and zinc), real gold does not oxidize, blacken, or turn green over time. Your icon will preserve its original brilliance for future generations.
4. How do I care for an icon with relief gilding?
Caring for such an icon must be very delicate. Dust should be brushed off exclusively with a dry, soft artist’s brush (such as squirrel hair) or a velvet cloth. Using wet cloths, household chemicals, or stiff brushes is strictly prohibited, as they can damage the protective layer of varnish.
5. Is the 20×24 cm size suitable for a wedding?
Yes, the 20×24 cm size is often chosen for weddings, especially if you plan to subsequently place the icons in a compact home iconostasis. However, the most popular and classic wedding size remains 27×31 cm.
6. How does mineral tempera differ from ordinary paints?
Mineral tempera is created manually from semi-precious stones and minerals (malachite, lapis lazuli, cinnabar, etc.) ground into a fine powder, which is then mixed with an egg yolk emulsion. This paint has a unique depth of color, a slight velvety texture, and, unlike acrylic or oil, is virtually immune to fading.
7. Is the icon painted on canvas or on wood?
All our hand-painted icons are written on solid wood—specifically prepared and seasoned linden wood boards. Canvas (pavoloka) is used only as an intermediate reinforcing layer between the wood and the gesso to prevent micro-cracks from appearing on the paint layer.
8. Why are oak splines needed on the back of the icon?
Wood is a living material that “breathes” (contracts or expands) with changes in room humidity. Oak splines, inset across the grain of the linden board, function as a rigid framework, preventing the board from bowing or warping.
9. Do you provide documents for exporting the icon abroad?
A certificate of authenticity from our workshop is attached to every icon. If you need to take the icon out of the Russian Federation, we can assist in obtaining an official expert conclusion from the Ministry of Culture, which confirms that it is a contemporary piece of art.
10. Do I need to order a kiot (icon case) additionally?
An icon case is not mandatory, but we highly recommend it. A wooden kiot with glass creates its own stable microclimate, protecting the hand-painted icon and thin gold leaf from humidity fluctuations, dust, candle soot, and accidental mechanical damage.
| Dimensions | 17x21cm (6.7×8.3 in) ,27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in) ,30x40cm (11.8×15.7 in) ,20x24cm (7.9×9.4 in) |
|---|---|
| Name | Jesus |
