The apostles are the foundation stones of the Church — the men chosen by Christ to carry the Gospel "to the ends of the earth." In iconography they are among the most frequently painted figures, each recognizable by his attribute: Peter's keys, Paul's sword, Andrew's diagonal cross, John's eagle. This guide introduces the icons of the Apostles and Evangelists: who they are, what their symbols mean, and how to choose one for your church, hom... Read more...

On 14 September the Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross — one of the oldest feasts in the Christian calendar, older than Christmas. It commemorates two events: the finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena in Jerusalem in 326, and its recovery from Persian captivity in 628, when Emperor Heraclius carried it back to the Holy City. This guide explains the feast, the iconography of the Exaltation, and how a Holy Cross icon can a... Read more...

Why does Saint Peter hold keys, Saint Lucy carry her eyes on a plate, and Saint Florian pour water on a burning house? The answer is saint symbols — the attributes that icon painters have used for centuries to identify each saint. Once you learn to read them, every icon becomes a small catechism. This guide explains the most common saint symbols, how they developed, and how to use them to recognize the saints in our collection of saint icons. Read more...

The Holy Family icon shows Jesus, Mary and Joseph together — the household of Nazareth — and it is one of the most loved images for family homes. Yet few people know that this composition has an unusual history: for centuries many Orthodox Christians considered the "Holy Family" type controversial, and it became widespread in the West mainly through Catholic devotion. In this guide you will learn what the icon shows, why the controversy exi... Read more...

A guardian angel icon is one of the most personal sacred images you can own. Unlike icons of named saints, the guardian angel represents the unseen companion given to every person at baptism — the one who "beholds the face of the Father in heaven" (Matthew 18:10). In this guide you will learn what guardian angel icons mean, how to read their symbols, where to place one in your home, and how to choose the right size for your family. Read more...