Border scenes:
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1. The Old Testament Trinity2. The Nativity of the Mother of God;
3. The Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple; 4. The Annunciation to the Mother of God; 5. The Nativity of Christ; 6. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple; 7. The Baptism of Christ; 8. The Transfiguration; 9. The Entrance of Christ into Jerusalem; 10. The Ascension; 11. The Dormition; 12. The Elevation of the Holy Cross. |
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Painted in the Western style the icon depicts Christ’s Resurrection and Descent into Hell (Greek Anastasis) surrounded by twelve festivals. The icon is encased in a silver-gilt engraved and repoussé rococo-style oklad.
The central two-part composition combines depictions of Christ’s Resurrection and His Descent into Hell. In the upper part, Christ is shown rising out of a tomb; He stands on his sarcophagus, at His left are the Three Marys. In the lower part of the composition, Christ is depicted standing on the Gates of Hell, which He has broken down. He extends his arm towards Adam who greets Him warmly. On either side of Christ is the Procession of the Elect; by the doors of Heaven stands the Wise Robber. The central panel is circumscribed by twelve major church festivals (from top left clockwise): the Old Testament Trinity, the Nativity of the Virgin, the Entrance of the Virgin at the Temple, the Annunciation of the Virgin, the Presentation of the Christ Child at the Temple, the Transfiguration of Christ, the Elevation of the Cross, the Dormition of the Virgin, the Ascension of Christ, the Entrance into Jerusalem, the Baptism of Christ, the Nativity of Christ.
