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According to the Byzantine iconography, hell is symbolically depicted as an earth fault. Christ is shown trampling on hell. The catastrophe of hell is depicted as ruined gates and broken locks. The central figures of the composition are Jesus Christ, Adam and Eva being led out of hell. -
In the center of the composition is a figure of Christ in a three-quarter turn, standing on the broken gates of hell, with a big cross in his right hand. He is flanked by two groups of characters depicted against symmetrical hills: to the right are the Old Testament kings and prophets David and Solomon with John the Baptist, to the right are the forefathers of mankind Adam and Eva with the righteous Abel. -
The icon depicts the evangelic scene of Christ’s Descent into Hell. -
From the festival row. In the center is a figure of Jesus Christ in a three-quarter turn, with a big cross in his left hand, trampling upon the gates to hell. He is flanked by kneeling Adam and Eva. -
From the festival tier. The Ressurection – Descent into Hell. The Descent of the Holy Spirit. The Dormition. -
Against the background of … Christ is depicted in red and gold robes which is rare in iconographic tradition. He descends into the inferno welcoming the righteous men. He takes Adam and Eve who are down on their knees out of the Hell. They are surrounded by numerous figures of prophets and righteous men. Beneath Christ’s feet is the infernal abyss with the overwhelmed gates and scenes of massacre of the Satan and the Hebrews led by Moses. Among the Selected Saints represented below are St.Catherine, St.Anastasia, Martyr Photius, St. Nicholas, St.Basil the Great, St.John (in ecclesiastic attire), St.John of “the Goldenmouth”, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Martyr Nicetas, St. Barbara and St.Parasceva. -
The icon represents Christ’s Descent into Hell. -
The icon shows the risen Jesus Christ descending into Hell. -
The mullion represents the scene of the Descent into Hell, with the border panels showing Gospel scenes. -
In the center of the composition stands the figure of Jesus Christ in a three-quarter turn, trampling upon the broken gates of hell. He is flanked by the kneeling Adam and Eva. To either sides of Jesus Christ stand the Old Testament prophets and righteous. -
The icon from the festival row. In the central part is the figure of Jesus Christ leading Adam and Eva out of Hell. On either side of Christ, against hills, stand the Old Testament prophets and righteous. -
The icon from the festival row. In the center of the composition is a figure of Christ in a three-quarter turn, standing on the broken gates of hell. He leads the kneeling Adam and Eve by the hands out of the shrine. He is flanked by two groups of characters depicted against symmetrical hills: to the right are the Old Testament kings and prophets. -
Resurrection of Jesus Christ with the chosen saints and St.George’s miracle with the Dragon
The icon has three tiers, the upper and the lower are divided into three segments. In the central segment of the upper tier is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Mother of God with the Divine Child is to the left. To the right - St.Nicholas. In the middle tier is the archangel Gabriel with the chosen saints. In the left segment of the lower tier is a scene of St.George slaying the Dragon. In the middle and to the right are the selected saints. -
The icon depicts the descent of Jesus Christ arisen from the dead into Hell. -
The icon from the Festival tier of iconostasis. In the center of the composition is shown Jesus Christ in a frontal pose. He leads kneeling Adam and Eve out of the shrine with both His hands. Symmetrical figures of Adam and Eve are depicted on either side of the Savior. To the right are represented righteous Abel and three Old Testament prophets talking to each other. To the left are prophets David and Solomon with John the Baptist. -
In the center is the figure of Christ with a scroll in his hand trampling the broken hell gates with his feet. In the mandorla and above it are the choirs of angels. On either side of Christ are Adam and Eva, the Old Testament kings and prophets including David, Solomon and John the Baptist. In the lower register is hell in the shape of a dark yawning abyss. Angels are chaining Satan, portrayed as a monstrous beast. The souls of the righteous dressed in white vestments extend their hands to Christ. -
In the center is the scene of the Descent of Jesus Christ into hell. On either side of the scene are the figures of saints standing in a pose of prayerful intercession. -
In the center is the figure of Jesus Christ holding a scroll trampling the broken gates of hell. In the mandorla and above it are the choirs of angels. On either side of Christ are Adam and Eva, the Old Testament kings and prophets including king David and Solomon, John the Baptist, the prophets Daniel and Moses, the foremothers, Abel and Zacharia. Inside the fracture of hell are angels piercing devils with lances. -
the lower tier is shown the full-length depiction of archangel Gabriel in a three-quarter turn. In the upper tier is represented the Descent into Hell. -
From the Festival row of iconostasis. In the centre of the composition is represented Christ in the almond-shaped halo holding a scroll in his left hand standing on the broken gates of the Hell. To His right is depicted Adam followed by the prophets David, Solomon, Daniel and John the Baptist, to the left are the Old Testament prophets and Eve in the red omophorion bowing before the feet of the Savior. -
The centre of the composition shows Christ in glory standing on the broken gates of Hell. To His right is depicted Adam, behind whom stand the Old Testament tsars and prophets headed by David and Solomon, to the left is represented John the Baptist, forefathers, foremothers and Eve dressed in the red omophorion bowing before Savior’s feet. The icon has a rare feature – the depiction of the three foremothers surrounding Eve. In the lower part of the icon are depicted the angels. To the right and to the left of their group are depicted the righteous men dressed in the white clothes rising from their tombs. -
The icon from the Festival row of iconostasis. It copies one of the iconographic types very well known in the byzantine art of the 14th – 15th centuries. Its specific features: the symmetrical composition with the figures of Adam and Eve on either sides of the central figure of Christ Who is represented in the round halo standing on the broken gates of Hell in a three quarter turn to Adam. Apart from this the icon has also the rare features that can obviously be called local. First of all the hell is depicted with the Satan in fetters, Adam falls down before Christ’s right hand. -
From the Festival row of iconostasis. In the centre of the composition is represented Christ in the almond-shaped halo holding a scroll in his left hand standing on the broken gates of the Hell. To His right is depicted Adam followed by the prophets David, Solomon, Daniel and John the Baptist, to the left are the Old Testament prophets and Eve in the red omophorion bowing before the feet of the Savior. -
Against the background of the mandorla is depicted Jesus trampling the broken gates of hell. He leads kneeling Adam and Eve out. At the sides of Christ are two groups of the Old Testament prophets. In the lower part of the composition is depicted the hell with the Satan fettered by the angels. -
In the centre of the composition is represented Christ in the almond-shaped halo holding a scroll in his left hand standing on the broken gates of the Hell. To His right is depicted Adam followed by the prophets David, Solomon, Daniel and John the Baptist, to the left are the Old Testament prophets and Eve in the red omophorion bowing before the feet of the Savior. -
In the centre of the composition is represented Christ in the almond-shaped halo holding a scroll in his left hand standing on the broken gates of the Hell. To His right is depicted Adam followed by the prophets David, Solomon, Daniel and John the Baptist, to the left are the Old Testament prophets and Eve in the red omophorion bowing before the feet of the Savior. -
In the centre of the composition in the almond shaped transparent “glorious” halo is depicted Jesus dressed in the red clothes. The Savior trampling the broken gates of the hell leads Adam and Eve out of it. In the lower part of the composition is shown the elaborate depiction of the chaining of Satan and release of the righteous. In the upper segment of the icon there is a waist-length Deesis in the centre of which instead of the usual depiction of Christ is represented saint Nicholas the Wonderworker with martyr Nicetas and the reverend Barlaam of Khoutyn, saint healers Cosmas and Damian, martyresses Barbara and Juliana, saint Blasius and Niphon (?), archangel Michael and martyress Parasceva named “Friday” turning to him. -
Four-part icon. In the upper left corner is represented the Descent of Christ into Hell with the righteous people marching to Heaven, above is shown the conversation of the Generous Robber with Elijah and Enoch in Paradise. In the upper right corner is the Mother of God “Life-Gicing spring”. The Mother of God with the Divine Child is depicted in the phial looking like a chalice, at their sides are the figures of the angels on the clouds. Around the quatrefoil are the suffering people drinking the water of the spring. In the lower left corner is the Miracle of St. George and the Dragon including the depiction of George on horseback slaying the dragon leashed by tsarevna Elisava and also the tsar and the court beyond the town walls. In the lower right corner is shown Monogenes Yios. The center depicts the Lord of Sabaoth in the glorious halo with the Holy Spirit looking like a dove on His bosom, below is Christ Emmanuel sitting on the cherubs, in the glorious halo being held by the two angels. At the sides of the Lord of Sabaoth are the sun and the moon, in the upper corners of the icon against the buildings are shown the figures of the Mother of God and the angel. In the center, between the two hills is depicted the composition “Do not mourn Me, Mother”. In the lower left corner is the figure of Christ on the Cross which is put above the figure of prostrate Satan, fettered by archangel Michael. To the right unfolds the march of Death. The Death sitting on the white apocalyptic beast with the quiver and the arrows behind its back mows down the sinners the bodies of which are being torn to pieces by the animals and the birds. Above is depicted the “Fiery” cherub with a sword. -
From the Festival row of iconostasis. In the centre of the composition is represented Christ in the almond-shaped halo holding a scroll in his left hand standing on the broken gates of the Hell. To His right is depicted Adam followed by the prophets David, Solomon, Daniel and John the Baptist, to the left are the Old Testament prophets and Eve in the red omophorion bowing before the feet of the Savior. -
Resurrection – Descent into Hell
Christ trampling the broken gates of hell leads Adam and Eve out of the hell. -
Resurrection – Descent into Hell, with the Feasts and the Selected Saints
Christ tramples the brokn gated of Hell. -
Resurrection –Descent into Hell, with the feasts
In the centerpiece is depicted the Ascension (iconographic type of the Descent into Hell) including Christ crushing the gates of Hell and leading Adam and Eve out of it, and also John the Forerunner, the Old Testament tsars and prophets against the background of symmetric hills.
