#menaion

[russianicons]

Menaion icons are monthly sacraments closely connected to the church calendar and the veneration of saints. Most often, you see rows of feasts and saints associated with certain months. In the featured 19th-century holy icon, you can take a closer look at the yearly Menaion that depicts a huge number of saints whose feast days are celebrated every day of the year. In the middle of the work, you can clearly see the scene of the coronation of the Virgin. Learn more about the sacral meaning of Menaion icons on our blog.

[orthodoxthoughts]

Like a radiant star doth Stephen the protomartyr shine forth on the Nativity of Christ, illumining and enlightening the ends of the earth, but casting a pall of darkness over all the impiety of the Jews. Reproving them with words of wisdom, discoursing from the Scriptures, and persuading them that Jesus, Who was born of the Virgin, is the Son of God, the godly protomartyr Stephen put to shame their impious wickedness.

[russianicons]

September Menaion icon created in the mid-19th century in Palekh, Russia. It is part of a full set of twelve icons of saints and church feasts commemorated every month during the liturgical year, from September to August. The iconography of the icon is quite complex, with the detailed composition of the feast scenes and the expanded number of saints who are depicted full-length, usually facing each other.

[russianicons]

July Menaion icon created in the second quarter – middle of the 19th century in Palekh, one of the most notable iconographic centers of the Russian Empire. The icon depicts the saints and major Church Feasts in order of their commemoration in July. The iconography is noteworthy for the detailed composition of the Feast scenes and the expanded number of saints who are shown full-height, facing each other.

[russianicons]

Palekh icon of The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with the Yearly Menaion (1870s-1880s). This beautiful antique icon features a complex iconographic composition that includes the scenes of the Rising from the Tomb and the Harrowing of Hades in the center, surrounded by the Menaion that is represented by the compilations of saints and feasts for every month, depicted in several rows according to their celebration day.

[orthodoxthoughts]

“Come, all ye who love God, and beholding the precious Cross uplifted, let us magnify it together and give glory to the one Deliverer and God, crying aloud: O Thou Who wast crucified on the wood of the Cross, disdain not us that pray to Thee!”

From Vespers to Sts. Sophia, Faith, Hope, and Love

[orthodoxthoughts]

“Clad now in an embroidered purple robe dyed in thine own blood, thou dost reign with Christ, O James; for through sufferings thou didst find the well-spring of dispassion, in which thou hast been vouchsafed to delight eternally, O most blessed one.” From ode 9 of the canon to the Great Martyr James Composed by Joseph The acrostic whereof is “With songs do I hymn the Persian martyr James”

[discerningthoughts]

#mostholytheotokossaveus #demons #hourofdeath #thedepartureofthesoul from #orthros #menaion #novemberthird #stgeorge