Cyril and Athanasius of Alexandria and Leontius, the bishop of Rostov, Sts.

The icon represents three saint bishops: St. Cyril of Alexandria to the left, St. Athanasius of Alexandria in the center, and St. Leontius of Rostov to the right. They are depicted full-length, frontally, in almost the same poses, holding the gospels they press to the chest with the left hand. The gestures of right hands are varied. Cyrill and Leontius are blessing, while Athanasius touches the code as if trying to draw attention of the other saint to it. This gesture emphasizes the importance of a symbolic meaning of the Gospel – one of the saints’ main missions is setting the flock in the right way.

Inv. № 10922. © Novgorod State United Museum