☦ Parish Path

Icons of The Great Feasts

The twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox liturgical year — plus Pascha — each have a distinctive icon that depicts the theological meaning of the event. These feast icons are displayed prominently in churches on their appointed days.

9 icons

Nativity of the Theotokos — Anna reclining with the newborn Mary and attendants

The Nativity of the Theotokos

Feasts

14th century · Byzantine

Elevation of the Precious Cross — the patriarch raising the True Cross for veneration

The Elevation of the Precious Cross

Feasts

15th century · Russian

Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple — young Mary ascending the steps to the High Priest

The Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple

Feasts

14th century · Byzantine

Nativity of Christ icon — the multi-layered Orthodox composition with the cave, star, angels, and shepherds

The Nativity of Christ

Feasts

15th century · Russian

Theophany — the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan with the Holy Spirit descending as a dove

The Baptism of Christ (Theophany)

Feasts

14th century · Byzantine

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple — Simeon receiving the infant Jesus

The Meeting of the Lord (Presentation)

Feasts

15th century · Russian

Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem — Christ on a donkey with palm-waving crowds

Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

Feasts

14th century · Byzantine

The Ascension — Christ ascending in glory with apostles and the Theotokos below

The Ascension of the Lord

Feasts

15th century · Russian

Pentecost — the apostles in a semicircle with tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit descending

The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost)

Feasts

14th century · Byzantine