What are the icons

Icon – a kind of window into the spiritual world. Referring with icons to the image of his patron Saint, the person prays his prayer, detached from the vain material thoughts and doing important work on the formation of their own faith.

Since ancient times, has led the Christian tradition to give a newborn child the name of a Saint. It was believed that this way is provided by heavenly patronage and protection of this Saint and his teaching on righteous living. Icon of the Saint, after whom was named Christian, is called nominal. Moreover, in Russia, this Holy could be not only testimony, i.e., one bearing the name of the baptized, but also any other Saint, especially revered either in a particular area or in a particular genus. Most often to such icons were the image and face of St. Nicholas, Archangel Michael, St. John the theologian St. Sergius of Radonezh.

The types of icons

The iconographic tradition of images of saints on the named icons do not adhere to very strict canons, and because the image of the Saint may be added the face of the Savior, Guardian Angels, or scenes, which tells about the life of the Saint. Usually images of saints on icons are written in personal or lap – i.e. the figure on the belt, or growth – image of the figures of saints in full growth.

Dimensional icon

Variety icons – dimensional icon on which the patron Saint of the baby depicted on the Board, a rate equal to the growth of the newborn, the width corresponding to the width of his shoulders. The figure of the patron is necessarily depicted in full growth and, as a rule, does not contain any additional elements of iconography. Special attention in the image growth figures painters give hand gestures which have a deep symbolic meaning.

The selection of icons

In order to properly choose its own icon, you need to know the name of that Saint who is the patron Saint of this person. If the name of the person there in Christmastide, it is recommended to choose the name of the Saint, whose memory is celebrated on the closest day to the day of the birth or baptism of this man. But it is not forbidden to choose and the Saint to whom more is the soul and which man esteems more than the others.

Icons with a female name

The most popular personalized icons designed for female names, are as follows: the icon of Holy blessed Matrona of Moscow, St. Xenia of St. Petersburg, St. Martyr Tatiana the Holy Martyr Tamara, the Holy equal to the apostles Princess Olga, St. Catherine, great Martyr.

Icons with a male name

The most popular name icons with male names are: the icon of St. Ilya the prophet, the Holy GreatMartyr Demetrios, Apostle Andrew, Saint Seraphim of Sarov, St. Nicholas, St. St. Cyril Radonezh.