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63-Russian Icon
The Holy Forefathers in Paradise
19th century
Egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel
12" x 10"
James and Tatiana Jackson Collection

n this interesting composition we see the three Patriarchs, Isaac, Abraham and Jacob, seated in the Garden of Paradise. The unusual plants seen growing in the background illustrate the garden aspect. On each lap and behind them are small children dressed in white representing the souls of the righteous. The scriptural basis for this icon is probably Matthew 8:1 “And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Also Luke 16:22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.” The sun, shown upper left, and the moon upper right represent the cosmos. Along the top border resting on a bank of clouds is the Lord Sabaoth whose halo bears the eight-pointed glory. On the left border is the Venerable Evdokia and on the right the female saint, Zinoida.
 

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he first official Russian saints were not, as is generally assumed, Olga and her grandson, Vladimir. That honor went to Boris and Glyeb, the two sons of Vladimir by a Bulgarian woman. When Vladimir died in 1015, Svyatopolk, another son of his by a Greek woman, did not want to share the inheritance and decided to kill his brothers. He sent conspirators to murder Boris, who did not resist, but sang Psalms, prayed before an icon of Christ, and then lay down to be murdered. Glyeb’s assassins arrived while he was praying aboard a boat. The two brothers accepted their deaths as Christ accepted his. Consequently they are called “Holy Passion Bearers” (Strastoterptsiu - Russian). Their relics were made holy (canonized) in 1071. On icons they are usually shown together in their princely robes, as in this example. They are often depicted upon horses, sometimes bearing lances or swords. Boris has a short dark beard; Glyeb is beardless. Christ is seen at top center delivering a blessing from atop clouds. The inscriptions on the top margin read: “Holy Prince Boris” and “Holy Prince Glyeb.” The high quality, ornate decoration and distinctive clouds at the top would suggest this icon was painted in the village of Mstera.