The Theophany Orthodox Icon
Price range: $600 through $1750
The Theophany Orthodox Icon, also known as the Baptism of the Lord, is a hand-painted feast icon created in the Mstyora academic style on a linden wood board with kovcheg, egg tempera, natural mineral pigments, and genuine 960-grade gold leaf.
The icon shows Christ standing in the Jordan, Saint John the Forerunner baptizing Him, angels in reverence, and the Holy Spirit descending as a dove. It is a profound image of spiritual renewal and the revelation of the Holy Trinity.
Available sizes: 17 x 21 cm, 20 x 24 cm, 27 x 31 cm, 30 x 40 cm. Free international shipping. Payment after receiving.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
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The Theophany Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Baptism of the Lord, also called Theophany. In the hierarchy of Orthodox feasts, this event has a special place: it reveals the beginning of Christ’s saving ministry and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity to the world.
The icon is painted in the Mstyora academic style, known for its soft modeling, luminous color, careful drawing, and noble use of gold. Every line in the figure of the Savior, the flowing forms of the Jordan, the reverent gesture of Saint John, the angels, and the rocky banks is composed to bring the viewer into the great Gospel event.
History and Spiritual Meaning of Theophany
The Baptism of the Lord is described by all four Evangelists. At the age of thirty, Jesus came from Nazareth to the Jordan River, where Saint John the Forerunner was baptizing. Christ did not need purification, for He was without sin, yet by entering the waters He sanctified the nature of water and revealed the mystery of Baptism for all people.
When Christ came up from the water, the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father proclaimed: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” For this reason the feast is called Theophany, the manifestation of God. In the icon, this Trinitarian revelation is expressed through the vertical axis of the composition: from the heavenly segment above, through the ray and the dove of the Holy Spirit, to Christ standing in the Jordan.
Iconography and Artistic Features
The Mstyora school inherited the best traditions of ancient Russian and Byzantine icon painting, adding a refined painterly softness. In The Theophany Orthodox Icon, this is seen in the following details:
- Central image of the Savior: Christ stands in the waters of the Jordan. His right hand is raised in blessing, sanctifying the waters. The body is painted with soft tonal transitions characteristic of the academic style.
- Saint John the Forerunner: John stands to the side in deep reverence, placing his hand upon the head of the Lord. His figure expresses humility, obedience, and recognition of Christ as the Messiah.
- The angels of the Lord: The angels stand beside Christ with covered hands, a sign of reverent service. Their faces and garments are painted in gentle tones that harmonize with the gold background.
- The Jordan and the rocky landscape: The stylized rocks and flowing water give the composition depth, balance, and solemnity.
- Smooth gold background: The background and halos are made with genuine 960-grade gold leaf. The absence of chasing emphasizes purity and strictness, allowing the gold to reflect light evenly and quietly.
Traditional Technique and Durability
Creating a hand-painted icon is a careful multi-stage process intended to preserve the sacred image for many years. Only natural, time-tested materials are used.
The base is a linden wood board, valued for its density and stability. Oak splines are inserted to help protect the board from warping. Linen pavoloka is applied to the front surface as a flexible layer between the wood and the painting. The board is then covered with traditional gesso made from chalk and glue; each layer is allowed to dry and is polished before gilding and painting.
The painting is done with natural mineral pigments in egg tempera. The background and halos are gilded with genuine 960-grade gold leaf. At the end, the finished icon receives a protective coating to help guard the paint and gold from ordinary environmental effects.
| Characteristic | Specification |
|---|---|
| Base | Linden wood, oak splines, kovcheg |
| Painting style | Academic, painterly Mstyora style |
| Gilding | Genuine 960-grade gold leaf on the background and halos |
| Paints | Natural mineral pigments in egg tempera |
| Available sizes | 17 x 21, 20 x 24, 27 x 31, 30 x 40 cm, and larger church formats |
Meaning of the Icon in the Home
The icon of Theophany is traditionally one of the most meaningful feast icons for an Orthodox home. It reminds the believer of purity of heart, spiritual renewal, the blessing of water, and the grace of Baptism. Before this image, Orthodox Christians pray for strengthening of faith, healing, protection, and a blessed beginning for good works.
Because of its high level of hand painting and the use of precious traditional materials, this icon can become not only an image for prayer but also a family sacred treasure passed from one generation to another.
Ordering, Shipping, and Payment
The icon can be painted in the listed sizes or in a larger church format by individual agreement. Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after receiving the icon. The finished icon is carefully packed to protect the painted surface and gold background during delivery.
Questions and Answers
What is shown in The Theophany Orthodox Icon?
The icon shows the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan River: Christ stands in the waters, Saint John the Forerunner baptizes Him, the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father is revealed from heaven.
Why is the feast called Theophany?
The feast is called Theophany because the Holy Trinity is revealed: the Son is baptized in the Jordan, the Spirit descends as a dove, and the Father bears witness from heaven.
What is the spiritual meaning of the Baptism of the Lord?
Christ, though sinless, enters the waters to sanctify them and to reveal the beginning of His saving ministry. The icon speaks of purification, spiritual renewal, and the mystery of Baptism.
Why are angels shown in the icon?
The angels stand beside Christ with covered hands as a sign of reverent service. Their presence emphasizes the solemnity of the event and the worship due to the Savior.
Why is the gold background smooth rather than chased?
This icon is made in a classical manner with a smooth gold background. The restrained gilding keeps attention on the faces, figures, and theological structure of the composition.
What materials are used?
The icon is painted on a linden wood board with oak splines and kovcheg, linen pavoloka, traditional gesso, mineral pigments, egg tempera, and genuine 960-grade gold leaf.
What sizes are available?
The icon is available in 17 x 21 cm, 20 x 24 cm, 27 x 31 cm, and 30 x 40 cm. Larger church and iconostasis formats can be discussed individually.
Is this icon appropriate as a baptism gift?
Yes. The Theophany icon is especially appropriate as a gift for baptism, for a home icon corner, for a parish, or for anyone who wishes to honor the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
How should the gold background be cared for?
The gold surface should be dusted only with a dry, very soft brush. Do not use wet cloths, cleaning products, or abrasive materials.
Do you offer international shipping and when is payment made?
Yes. Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after receiving the icon.
| Dimensions | 17x21cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20x24cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30x40cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
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