photos by J. D. Bos and Zachary Bos
Gallery: The Museum of Russian Icons

^ Illustration of 1 Kings 17:6, when ravens brought food to Elijah in the desert.

^ Visitors admiring icons in a recreation of a household "beautiful corner."

^ Blessed Womb Mother of God c. 1750. "Mary is a Christian Saint who is the Mother of God and the wife of Joseph. The assumption that Mary's body was assumed into heaven is one of the oldest beliefs of the Catholic Church. As a result, the Church taught that Mary is truly the Mother of God. This role is exemplified by her acceptance of Christ in the womb, her offering of him to God at the Temple, her urging Him to perform his first miracle, and standing at the foot of the cross at Calvary. Thus, the meaning of red in this icon symbolizes beauty, love, passion, and lifegiving."

^ Saint Nil of Stolbensk. "Four hundred years ago, Saint Nil was a monk in Krypetsk Monastery near Pskov in northern Russian. After ten years at the monastery, he asked God to lead him to a quieter place where he would not be constantly interrupted in his prayers. In 1528 he moved to Stolbensk Island in Lake Seliger and lived in a small cave on the island. // When a band of thieves came to the island, Saint Nil told them that all of his treasures where in the corner of his cave. They searched the cave and found only an icon of the Mother of God. // Saint Nil lived a life devoted to prayer and asceticism. He slept upright, supported only by two crutches, to continue praying at night."

^ Christ Enthroned c. 19th Century. "This icon shows Christ sitting upon an elaborately decorated throne wearing the clothes and the crown of a king. In addition, there are symbols on the throne for the four Evangelists-Saints Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke. Here, red represents power, beauty, and eternal love."

^ Shown: Saint Basil; the Descent; Old Testament Trinity; Mother of God Smolenksaya; the "Don't Cry For Me" Mother of God; John the Baptist; Saints Florus and Laurus; Mother of God Bogolybskaya; Saint Nicholas of Zaraisk; Saint Gregory of Nazianzus and Saint Alexius, the "Man of God"; the Resurrection with Feats; Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk; Saint Paraskeva; the Last Supper; Saint Nil Stolbensky; Saint Nicholas with Martyrs Boris and Gleb; the Extended Deesis; Icon in Three Registers; Saint Sergius; Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker; the Nativity of Mary; Ancestral Icon; Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, with Scenes; Pokrov Mother of God; Christ Lord Almighty; Christ Pantocrator; the Nativity of Christ.

^ Example of the acheiropoieta, or icon "made without hands."

^ A row of samovars on display in the Museum tea-room.

^ Looking up into the central stairwell. Note the original acheiropoieta hanging on the upper story. A replica of the same piece, created by master icon painter Alyona Knyazeva, hangs on the wall in the basement where docent-guided tours begin.

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