Byzantine art is not just drawing, but something a little bit different. These works are even known by a special name: icons. They are not just hung on the wall; we venerate them and pray in front of them. This is because icons are not only beautiful, but also show us ways to live our lives.

The word icon comes from the Greek word eikona, which means image. So literally, a religious icon is a depiction of Christ, or the Virgin Mary, a Saint, an Angel, or a particular holy event or narrative scenes such as the Christ's Crucifixion.

Icons were first used in the places where the early Christians would gather to worship. In the places where the martyrs had given up their lives for Christ, the Christians would celebrate a Liturgy. They believed that the martyr did not die, but lived forever and was present at every Liturgy. This is the reason why they painted the martyrs on the walls of the churches.

Byzantine art is really a way of life. It is a life of victory over death. It is a life of the Resurrection and everlasting love and happiness because it expresses eternal life and it reveals the meaning of life now.

Icons often give us examples of how we should live. They take us beyond the here and now. They turn beauty into something everlasting, because Byzantine iconography is a classic art-form whose basic features do not change.

While today the term Icon is most closely associated with wooden panel painting, in Byzantium icons could be crafted in all media, carved in stone, embroidered on cloth, done in mosaic work, printed on paper or metal, etc. Orthodox icons were, and still are, created for prayer and liturgical use in the church and for personal prayers at home or in travel. Some of the most famous icons are Byzantine, Greek and Russian paintings. The most significant impression will be made, by visits to any Orthodox household and Orthodox Churches, where icons play a very important role. In Orthodox homes, the eastern corner of a centrally located room (usually the bedroom) is always dedicated to the display of icons. For example, many religious homes in Russia have icons hanging on the wall in the krasny ugol, the "red" or "beautiful" corner. There is a rich history and elaborate religious symbolism associated with icons. In Russian churches, the nave is typically separated from the sanctuary by an iconostasis (Russian ikonostás) a wall of icons. The same thing exactly occurs in Greece even nowdays; most homes have an “iconostasi” where many icons are displayed and a beeswax candle (or kadili) is lited and every bedroom in the house has at least one icon.

Icons were and are painted by faithful painters - usually monks - in monastic seclusion. Apart from serving as religious objects, icons are appreciated by collectors all over the world for their intrinsic artistic value, their charm and fine craftsmanship. Icons add beauty and spirituality to any room. They are given as gifts on occasions of marriages, baptisms or saint's name days (commemorating the saint after whom a Christian is named). They also are donated to churches and monasteries as memorial gifts or acts of thanksgiving. Small icons were sometimes given by a father to a son going into military service and larger ones were often carried into battle on banners. Old manuscripts and recent archeological excavations give evidence of travelers, soldiers and sailors who carried small metal icons (usually on a string around the neck) with them on journeys. Icons were displayed on city gates and walls (such as the gates of the Kremlin) and in special places along the highway. Many old and even recently-made icons have been considered miraculous.

Icons can make beautiful and memorable gifts for Name-days, Baptisms, Birthdays, Bridal / Baby Showers, Anniversaries, Christmas, Easter, Graduations, Sunday School Students, Promotions, Grand Openings, Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses, Teachers or for any other occasion you want to give a special gift. Unlike any other gift, an icon is never discarded but it provides a lifetime of joy. Portara Gallery offers you a unique collection of contemporary Byzantine Orthodox icons that are never seen before and are available nowhere else. Every icon is handcrafted and signed by the painter monk to show its authenticity and it is imported from Greece. Portara’s icons will stimulate conversation among your guests at both formal and informal gatherings. Add special meaning to any place in your home or office and adorn your walls inexpensively from our wide variety.

A quote from St. John of Damascus:

"If a pagan asks you to show him your faith, take him into church and place him before the icons."

Article written by Eleni Marakes