Product Description
CHRIST THE TEACHER AND VIRGIN WITH CHILD - UKRAINIAN ICON DIPTYCH
This remarkably beautiful icon diptych features a golden framed icon of Jesus Christ: The Almighty – The Pantocrator on the right and a coordinating framed icon of The Virgin Mary Sweet Kissing on the left.
Christ is presented with His right hand raised in blessing while His left hand holds a closed book of the Gospels. The letters IC and XC, at the top left and right corner, are the first two letters of the Greek spelling of Jesus Christ. The three letters in Jesus’ halo represent the Greek abbreviation for what is YWH in the Hebrew Bible identifying Christ with the God who revealed Himself to Moses as: I AM WHO AM.
The Virgin Mary is tenderly holding the Christ Child. The infant Christ Child, in turn, is embracing the Blessed Mother with both of His arms. At the top left and right corner are the letters MP and OY which stand for the first letters of Mother of God in Greek.
Each framed icon measures approximately 10½”W x 14½”H and fits snugly in a velvety burgundy case with a brass clasp and a golden Three Bar Cross on the front.
Overall the diptych measures 23½”W x 15¾”H when open; and 11 ¾”W x 15 ¾”H x 2½”D when closed.
Made in Ukraine.
In old Russia, the wedding icons became the central icons of the “icon corner” of the domestic church as a newly married couple begins their new family together. The icon corner would be an Eastern corner – easily visible upon entrance to the home – where the family or visitors would reverently bow to acknowledge the presence of Christ and His Mother and the Saints. A diptych of Christ and the Virgin Mary (of the image of Kazan) is a traditional wedding present. Some traditions hold it as traditional gift from the groom's parents as the new couple at the "Crowning" (Eastern term for wedding) are starting a "new kingdom." The blessing of the wedding icons usually takes place 40 days before the wedding and is used in the wedding. A wedding icon set is sometimes handed down from generation to generation. This is an ideal gift for a wedding or anniversary!