Family Icons

Family icon

We are often addressed with a request to paint an icon that would be passed over from one generation to another. This tradition goes back to the devout customs of our forefathers who would start no affair without blessing of an icon called "patrimonial". These icons most frequently represent the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus surrounded by holy God-pleasers. They may be saints who the members of a family are named after, or holy protectors and patrons of the family. Such icons are transferred from generation to generation, they are used for blessing children, they serve as a family object of worship. Such an icon assists in communal praying, that is in uttering a common prayer when a man prays not only for himself, but for the whole family, and the entire family prays together: parents pray for their children, children pray for their parents. This family praying together gives hope for surmounting all family arguments, squabbling; it paves the way to confidence, mutual understanding, patience and love.

At the Cathedral on the Blood. Archbishop Vikenty is giving a present to the President A picture from the site of theOrthodox Paper

Variants of composition for these icons are numerous. One can paint an image of the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus surrounded by holy God-pleasers represented on the margins of the icon. Another option is to have an icon arranged in two parts - an image of the Mother of God and saints below; in yet another way the images can be painted on separate icons and altogether comprise a family corner. We are also capable of painting a family iconostasis.

One of our last works is the family icon of the Mother of God "Kardiotissa ". On the top of the icon one can find an image of the Mother of God, on the bottom - holy patrons of a family. This icon was painted and presented to President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Ekaterinburg at the end of 2003.

Also read:
— Icon-painting Workshop