Electronic magazine "Orthodox worshiper on the Holy Land". Iconography of saints
There are certain difficulties with the issue of identifying the personality of the Apostle Thaddeus. The fact is that on the pages of the New Testament he is mentioned under several different names, which is quite consistent with the customs of that time. Moreover, if researchers have no doubts about the fact that he is called Judas Jacob and Levway, then there are disagreements about several other, possibly corresponding names, for example Barsabas (Acts of the Apostles 15:22). Let's look at this in more detail.
List of apostles
First of all, let us turn to the canonical list of names of the 12 apostles of Christ who became His closest disciples. They are usually called in the following order:
- Andrew, usually mentioned with the addition of the title First-Called.
- Peter is his brother.
- John is an evangelist, the youngest of the apostles, a beloved disciple of Christ, who earned the title of Theologian.
- Jacob Zebedee, brother of the apostle
- Philip, about whom it is only known that he was from Bethsaida.
- Bartholomew is the same apostle whom Jesus called “a true Israelite, in whom there is no guile.”
- Matthew is an evangelist, a former publican who collected taxes.
- Thomas, nicknamed the Unbeliever because of his doubts about the resurrection of Jesus.
- Jacob Alfeev is the brother of the Apostle Thaddeus.
- Judas Thaddeus is the apostle discussed in our article. It should be noted that in the canonical list he is mentioned under two names at once.
- Simon the Canaanite, also called in the New Testament
- Judas Iscariot is a traitor who, after his apostasy and subsequent suicide, was replaced by an apostle named Matthias (not to be confused with Matthew!).
Disciple of Christ
In the list of names of the 12 apostles of Christ, Thaddeus is traditionally mentioned tenth in a row with the addition of another component of the name ─ it is important to take into account, for example, for the correct understanding of the episode described in the Gospel of John, when during the Last Supper one of the apostles, called Judas, but with with the caveat that it was not Iscariot, asks Jesus a question regarding His upcoming resurrection. Turning to the list of names of the apostles, it is not difficult to guess that in this case we are talking specifically about the Apostle Thaddeus.
In the New Testament, information about this disciple of Jesus Christ, who was one of the 12 apostles, is very limited. It is only known that he was the son of Alpheus and Cleopas. Somewhat more detailed information can be obtained from the Holy Tradition, which states that after the Ascension of the Savior, the Apostle Thaddeus (aka Judas) preached the word of God first in Judea, Idumea, Samaria and Galilee, and then went to the Arabian Peninsula, visited Mesopotamia and Syria, after which he arrived to Edessa.
Author of the Council Epistle
One of his most significant deeds is associated with this city, located in the southeast of modern Turkey. In Edessa (according to other sources, in Persia), the apostle wrote his famous Council Epistle, included in the New Testament. In it, he briefly, but at the same time unusually succinctly and convincingly outlined a number of truths that are integral part Christian teaching. In particular, he outlined the dogma about the Holy Trinity, about the coming Last Judgment, the incarnation of our Savior Jesus Christ, as well as about the angels of God and the spirits of darkness.
This work of his has not only dogmatic, but also great educational significance, since in it the holy apostle calls for the observance of carnal purity and chastity, the conscientious performance of one’s daily labors and diligence in prayer. In addition, he warns members of religious communities against possible influence various heretical false teachings that became very widespread during that period. Placing faith in Christ above all else, the Apostle Jude (Thaddeus) points out that without good deeds and real manifestations of love for others, it is dead.
Crown of Martyrdom
The disciple of Christ completed his earthly journey in 80 or 82 in Armenia, where, according to the Holy Scriptures, he suffered martyrdom from the pagans. His holy relics were then interred in what is today northwestern Iran. Subsequently, the monastery of St. Thaddeus was established there, to which millions of pilgrims from all over the world now flock.
It is located in a mountainous area, 20 km from the city of Maku. Main temple The monastery - its photo is presented in the article - according to legend, was built in 68 AD. e., that is, during the life of the apostle. It is known that in 1319 it was seriously damaged during an earthquake and was then rebuilt.
However, certain parts of the building, in particular the altar ledge and the adjacent walls, date back to at least the 10th century. The most ancient parts of the temple are made of black stone, which is why people give it the name “Kara Kelis”, which means “Black Church”.
Apostle of the Armenian Church
It is interesting to note that, despite the large gathering of pilgrims, only one service is held in the temple a year, namely on the feast of the Holy Apostle, which, according to local custom, is celebrated on July 1. On this day, the prayer to the Apostle Thaddeus is spoken in Armenian. The point is that it is this local church belongs to the monastery, and among Iranian Armenians its veneration is most widespread.
The monastery contains the earliest icon of the Apostle Thaddeus, from which many copies were subsequently made that were distributed throughout the Orthodox world. A photo of one of them is presented in the article. In addition, individual fragments of the relics of the apostle, transferred to the Vatican, are also kept in St. Peter's Basilica. In Western European art, an indispensable attribute of images of the Apostle Thaddeus is a halberd, which can be seen in the reproduction given in the article.
Brother of Jesus
All of the above is the most common option for identifying the Apostle Thaddeus, and meanwhile, some researchers identify him with another gospel character - Judas, called the brother of Jesus Christ, since he was the son of Joseph the Betrothed from his first marriage. And this version is also of interest. Before presenting it, we note that this Gospel character is also mentioned under the name Jacob, which should not confuse anyone, since it corresponds to the custom of using several names, which was mentioned above.
This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when not only in Western Europe, but even in Rus' it was customary to identify the Apostle Judas (Thaddeus) with the brother of Jesus Christ, who is mentioned in the 6th chapter of the Gospel of Mark. In this regard, he is credited with the authorship of the Epistle of Jude, which is part of the texts of the New Testament.
Descendant of the kings of Israel
If we dwell on this version, then the Apostle Thaddeus should be recognized as the son from the first marriage of the righteous Joseph the Betrothed, who was only formally the husband Holy Virgin Maria. In this case, the holy apostle is a direct descendant of the Israeli kings David and Solomon.
According to the Holy Scriptures, the Apostle Jude (Thaddeus) had three siblings ─ Simeon, Judas and Josiah, as well as two sisters, whose names are not indicated. Since all of them were the children of righteous Joseph, the betrothed of the Virgin Mary, it became a tradition to call them Relatives of the Lord, emphasizing that, despite the lack of a blood connection with him, they nevertheless belong to the same family.
Inheritance of Righteous Joseph
Mentioning the brothers of Jesus Christ, which, according to this version, included the Apostle Thaddeus, Evangelist John says that at first they did not believe in His Divine essence and did not attach importance to the words of the sermons He preached. His sisters treated him the same way.
Moreover, as the saint points out in the life of the Apostle Thaddeus, after his return from Egypt, righteous Joseph wished to divide the land that belonged to him among his sons. He gave an equal share to Jesus, despite the fact that he was born by the Most Pure Virgin Mary not from him, but in a supernatural way, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Finding Faith
The brothers opposed his decision, and only Judas (Thaddeus), supporting his father, agreed to joint ownership with Jesus of the plot of land allocated to him. This was the reason for calling him the Brother of the Lord. Since, as indicated above, he is often mentioned under the name of Jacob, the expression ─ Jacob, brother of the Lord came into use. It should be kept in mind that these are the same person.
At a later stage of the earthly ministry of the Savior, Judas (Thaddeus) believed that Jesus was precisely the Messiah whom everyone had been waiting for for many centuries. Jewish people. Turning with all his heart to his Teacher, he was included by him among the 12 apostles. Nevertheless, remembering his previous unbelief, and rightly considering it a grave sin, the apostle considered himself unworthy to bear the title of God's brother. This was reflected in his conciliar message, where he calls himself only the brother of James.
Two calendar dates
According to the tradition established in the Russian Orthodox Church, the memory of the Holy Apostle Thaddeus is usually celebrated twice a year. The first time this happens is on July 2, when Church calendar The brother of the Lord is honored - the Apostle Judas Jacob. From the above text it is clear that he is identified with the Apostle Thaddeus, whose greatness is given as one of the closest disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. He is celebrated again on July 13 on a holiday called the Council of the 12 Apostles, since he is one of them.
If the characters are signed, then read, but if not, then nothing. (This does not apply to separate, individual images - in these cases there is often a distinctive detail, as, for example, in Andrew - a cross with the letter X, in John - a glass with a snake, in Bartholomew - a skin thrown over his hand, in James the Elder - a sea shell and so on.).
Personally, I can tell the difference between half. Or less. Depending on the.
Peter and Pavel- It's clear. Santa Claus with a key in his hands and an “anti-Semite’s dream” with a sword. Weil and Genis). Always in the central part of the exhibition. Paul was not one of the 12 apostles, however, being the founder of Christianity, he took first place along with Peter. At the same time, the number of depicted apostles did not increase, but remained the same. After exclusion by known reasons Judas Iscariot the apostles chose a replacement by lot - a certain Matthias, since the number twelve had to remain unchanged - according to the number of tribes of Israel (the eleven apostles can be seen only in the plot of the Assurance of Thomas). But the apostles did not suspect the existence of Paul at that time.
Gospel of Rabula, 586. Miniature “The Council of the Eleven Apostles on the Election of Matthias”
Immediately from the fourth to fifth centuries. (the first surviving mosaic monuments of Ravenna, Rome and Milan date back to this period), Paul took the “legitimate” place of Matthias in iconographic schemes. Sometimes even where he should not logically be. For example, in the stories “The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles” or “The Ascension of Mary”.
Recently I discovered an icon of the “Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles” by a Constantinople master from the 14th century. in our Pushkin Museum there is a rare image of Matthias.
Fourth from right in top row and there is Matthias. On the icon itself the apostles are signed, but it is illegible, so I had to turn to the explanatory tablet. Icon of the Palaiologan Renaissance period, wonderful, very High Quality, one might say exquisite. Here, I think, is how it is, an enlightened age, literate icon painters, intellectual customers, and therefore the iconography exactly matches literary source. And suddenly I see - the third apostle on the left is listed as Judas! Actually, Judas was also the name of the Apostle Thaddeus, but Thaddeus is second from the right. That is, we have both Judas Iscariot and Matthias at the same time (in the absence of James the Elder), or what?
Besides Peter and Paul can be easily identified Andrey. He is old, gray-haired and shaggy, to put it in a high style - “flaming.” Next to his brother Peter or Paul, because he was the First-Called, and in the Eastern tradition also because he was the first bishop of Constantinople. That is why it is highlighted especially on our icon.
Apostle John the Evangelist. Often (not always) young, handsome, almost always with a code in his hands. And also next to the chief apostles. Sometimes you can find John in the place of Paul, as in a 6th century fresco. in the Cairo Museum from the Egyptian monastery of Bawhit.
Fragment 
Jacob the Elder(Zavedeev) - who is in Santiago de Compostella. Brother of John the Evangelist and one of the three eyewitnesses of the Transfiguration. His type is black haired, strong man in the prime of life - formed early, already at the end of the 5th century. and was placed close to Christ or a symbol replacing him. Despite his prominent position, he later “merges” with other minor apostles, and sometimes is completely absent. As in our icon or in the mosaic decorations of some Sicilian basilicas.
Besides John they hold the book Matthew, because the Evangelist and not always - Jacob the Younger(Alfeev). On our icon they are in the first row. Jacob the Younger sometimes has external resemblance with Christ (since he is identified with the apostle, whom Paul called “James, the brother of the Lord”).
In Dirk Bouts's painting The Last Supper, Jacob the Younger is easily identified.
Second Judas, aka Thaddeus(aka Judas Jacob; in this case, Jacob means the brother of James the Younger), is sometimes identified with another brother of Christ - Judas. It is clear that the “brothers” are conditional, “cousins” from “grandmother” Anna. As I write, the funny thing is - what brothers! What grandmothers!). However, the family tree diagram is developed in detail and reflected in art. Here, for example, is the wonderful work “Holy Relatives” by a father and son with the same name Jörg Brey.
According to one of the legends, Thaddeus and Simon Zelotes were the very shepherds to whom an angel appeared on the night of Christ’s birth. And if the artist follows this version, then he depicts them as very old people.
In church literature, the “biographies” of the apostles are well developed, the ages are determined and all that. Thomas And Philip are considered the youngest after John. But often artists, in the interests of symmetry and decorativeness, when depicting minor apostles, simply alternate hair color and beardness.
And the last apostle left Bartholomew(Nathanael). Often depicted next to Philip, as his relative or close friend. The word “Bartholomew” is long, so its “traces” can be seen more often than others on frescoes and icons).
The set of apostles could vary. Instead of James the Elder and Thaddeus, the Evangelists were represented - Luke and Mark. This replacement is characteristic of Byzantine art of the 12th century and this iconography is represented in Sicilian mosaics of that period - in Martorana (Palermo) and the Montreal Cathedral.
Example of signed apostles. Mosaic of the triumphal arch of the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec mid. VI century 
But here the inscriptions are confused, and you can try to “guess”. These are frescoes by Pietro Cavallini (c.1293) in the Roman Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. Almost everything that remains of the “Last Judgment” destroyed by the builders. But you can see them “face to face”, right at eye level, at a distance of half a meter. You just need to ask the employee, pay a little, and a very old nun will take you in the elevator to closed room in the choirs. 
For entertainment, examples of Spanish Romanesque frescoes of the 11th-12th centuries. Spanish Christian art always delivers).
Frescoes from the Church of St. Clement in Taul around 1123. Museum of National Art of Catalonia, Barcelona. Apostles Bartholomew, John, James.
Frescoes from the Church of St. Eulalia in Estacion. Museum of National Art of Catalonia, Barcelona.
Last update:
27.March.2018, 16:33
Saints are people who have acquired special grace, cleansed from sin. When canonization occurs, that is, the glorification of a saint by the entire church, his image is necessarily painted.
The icons depict: forefathers, prophets, martyrs, saints, saints, blessed ones (fools), the righteous, the silverless, the faithful, etc.
People please God in different ways: the Heavenly Father endows everyone with talents in due measure and accepts labors from everyone for His glory, therefore the Church glorifies the saints of God in different faces.
Holy forefathers
The first righteous people in human history. On icons they are depicted with scrolls containing texts from Holy Scripture; the forefather Noah is sometimes depicted with the ark in his hands.
Holy prophets
Prophets include holy people who, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, predicted future events and especially the appearance of the promised Messiah. In the iconography of the prophets there is always an image of a halo as a symbol of holiness and special chosenness of God; on their heads there are prophetic caps or a crown, sometimes they are also depicted with their heads uncovered. The scrolls in the hands contain excerpts from the texts of their prophecies. They are dressed in a chiton and himation, on the shoulders of some there is a mantle - a sheepskin cape
Prophets include holy people who received from God the gift of insight into the future, who proclaimed to the world the ways of His Providence; at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they predicted future events, especially about the promised Savior.
The most revered prophets: Elijah (August 2), John the Baptist (July 7, September 11). There are well-known prophetesses, for example righteous Anna(February 16).
In the iconography of the prophets there is always an image of a halo as a symbol of holiness and special chosenness of God; on their heads there are prophetic caps (for example, the prophet Daniel) or a crown, like the kings David and Solomon; Prophets are also depicted with their heads uncovered; the scrolls in their hands contain excerpts from the texts of their prophecies.
Holy Apostles
The righteous harbingers of the word of God, sent by Jesus Christ Himself to all the ends of the earth. They are traditionally depicted holding scrolls or a book in the form of a codex, with halos around their heads; the clothing of the apostles is a tunic and himation. The Apostle Peter is depicted with a bunch of keys. Four icons of the holy evangelists are always placed on the Royal Doors.
Apostles (in Greek - messengers) are disciples of Christ who accompanied Him during public service, and subsequently sent by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to all ends of the earth, spreading faith throughout the world. The apostles Peter and Paul (July 12) are called supreme.
Traditionally, the holy apostles are depicted with scrolls or a book in the form of a codex, with halos around their heads; the clothing of the apostles - tunic and himation.
On icons, the Chief Apostle Peter is usually depicted with a bunch of keys, which means a set of church Sacraments, which are symbolic keys to the Kingdom of Heaven: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it; and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19).
Four icons of the holy evangelists are always placed on the Royal Doors. The evangelists Matthew, Mark and Luke are depicted while working on the Gospels, sitting indoors behind open books, and the holy evangelist John is among the mountains on the island of Patmos, where, according to Tradition, he dictated the inspired text to his disciple Prochorus.
Equal to the Apostles
Saints, especially famous for converting peoples to the Christian faith and who lived in the times following the first apostles. Differences may be in the depiction of clothing that is characteristic of their time and people. They are also depicted with a cross in their hands - a symbol of baptism and salvation from eternal death.
Saints
Saints are patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops and bishops who achieved holiness through the purity of their personal lives and became famous for their tireless care for their flock and for preserving Orthodoxy from heresies and schisms. Among their great host, the most revered saints among the Russian people are: Nicholas the Wonderworker (December 19 and May 22), Ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom (common memory February 12); Moscow saints Peter, Alexy, Jonah, Philip, Job, Ermogen and Tikhon (common memory October 18).
Only bishops can be counted among the saints, since they, leading the community, receive the gift of teaching and continue the continuity of apostolic succession through the ordination of new bishops.
On the icons the saints are depicted in their liturgical episcopal vestments. On their head they may have a miter - a special headdress decorated with small icons and precious stones, symbolizing the Savior’s crown of thorns (but more often the saints are depicted with their heads uncovered); they are dressed in sakkos - outer clothing, signifying the scarlet robe of the Savior; on the shoulders there is an omophorion - a long ribbon-shaped cloth, decorated with crosses, which is an obligatory part of the bishop’s vestment. The omophorion symbolizes the lost sheep that the gospel good shepherd carries home on his shoulders.
Miracle Workers
(literally: one who performs miracles, Greek θαυματουργός) - an epithet of saints, especially famous for the gift of miracles and intercession in response to prayer to them.
Among miracle workers, Saint Nicholas the Pleasant is especially revered. Miracle workers are not a special category of saints, since in principle all saints have the gift of working miracles, and witnessed miracles are the main condition for canonization.
Holy Martyrs
Holy martyrs are saints glorified by the Church for their martyrdom accepted for the faith. The martyrs up to the new martyrs of our time are continuers of the apostolic ministry, and therefore there is a cross on their icons. Their iconography actively uses the color red as a symbol of shed blood for the faith.
Hieromartyrs accepted death in holy orders, and venerable martyrs- in monastic vows.
Confessors
Confessors The Church refers to those who suffered a lot for Christ, openly professing their faith, endured persecution, torment and torture for this, but survived, avoiding martyrdom. Since the 6th century, confessors have been called saints who have attested to the Christian faith through the special righteousness of their lives.
Stylites
Stylite (Greek στυλίτης, lat. stylita) - a Christian saint from among the saints who chose special kind feat - continuous prayer on a “pillar” (an open elevated platform, stone, tower, etc.)
Unmercenary
Unmercenary (Greek ἀνάργυροι) - the face of saints in Orthodox Church, especially famous for their unselfishness, non-covetousness, renunciation of wealth, and generosity for the sake of their Christian faith. The idea of the virtue of unmercenary inherent holiness is based on the unmercenary nature of Jesus Christ. Those without money had the gift of healing and used it free of charge, healing illnesses both physical and mental. Such doctors were, for example, Saints Cosmas and Damian (July 14), the great martyr and healer Panteleimon (August 9), etc.
Blessed (foolish)
Fools for Christ's sake, taking on the guise of madness, enduring reproaches from those around them, exposed human vices, admonished those in power, and consoled the suffering. Among them are St. Basil the Blessed (Aug. 2), Xenia of Petersburg (February 6) and other saints.
External madness, combined with the gift of foresight, behavior that goes against the generally accepted, but allows, regardless of their faces, to expose sinners and call for salvation through awareness of one’s own imperfection and repentance - these are the main features of the feat of foolishness.
The blessed ones are depicted on the icons in the form in which they accomplished their feat: naked or with a light bandage around their loins, in shabby clothes, with chains on their shoulders.
Holy saints
Being family people and living in the world, the righteous saints were awarded holiness for a particularly pious and pleasing way of life to God.
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The main thing in apostolic iconography.
The face of the apostles. Mosaic of Sophia of Kyiv. 11th century
There is always a special attitude towards an icon, since it is a sacred image. Everyone knows that it is symbolic. But sometimes the desire to see symbolism in everything that is depicted on the icon makes people speculate about the meaning of this or that object. We will try to talk about these subjects and, if not dot all the i’s, then at least explain the basics.
Since there are some common attributes for different groups saints, then in order to simplify the presentation we will somewhat generalize the information. This time we'll talk about iconography apostles.
They are depicted differently, with individual characteristic features. For example, Peter usually wears short gray hair and a short beard, Paul is black-haired, bald, with a long pointed beard, Andrei has gray, somewhat tousled hair and beard, etc. It can be noted that such portrait features in the images of specific apostles can often be observed in their earliest images, which apparently indicates their historicity.
Apostles Paul and Peter. Mosaic. V century Italy. Ravenna. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
The clothing of the apostles is the average traditional outfit of the inhabitants of the Hellenistic East: a chiton (lower long shirt) and a himation - a kind of cloak that was draped over the chiton. This is how philosophers were often drawn in ancient times. In group images of the apostles, their clothes, although they differ in shades, are nevertheless quite typical and monotonous. This emphasizes the equality of Christ's disciples.
Last Judgment. Fragment. Apostles. XV century. Fresco of St. Andrey Rublev. Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir
In the hands of the apostles we usually see book codices or scrolls - exactly the same as on the icons of the Savior. Sometimes I have heard that only evangelists or authors of the Apostolic Epistles are portrayed in this manner. It is not always so. Traditionally, all the apostles could be written with a book or scroll, because they all carried the Gospel - the sermon about the Messiah-Savior. In general, a book or scroll on an icon is most often a symbol of the Word of God, which is brought to people by prophets, apostles or their successors - saints. Although, of course, any subject must be perceived in its context.
Apostle Peter. Icon. Encaustic. VI century Egypt. Sinai. Monastery of St. Catherine
Occasionally, individual apostles may have additional attributes. Thus, the supreme apostle Peter is often depicted with two keys. The basis for this was the words of Christ addressed to the Apostle Peter: “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).
Thus, the two keys symbolize the spiritual power of the Church - to “unlock” or “lock” the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven for every person. Sometimes this symbol in the popular consciousness is simplified and vulgarized, turning into some kind of keys to heaven and hell, which the Apostle Peter supposedly possesses. It is not surprising that the keys as an indispensable attribute of the Apostle Peter are more characteristic of Western Christianity, where it was Saint Peter who began to be considered the “prince of the apostles”, possessing the exclusive right to “knit and decide”, which was actively used by the Popes who declared themselves the successors of the Apostle Peter and his power. The keys of St. Peter are perceived in Catholicism as a symbol of the papacy itself, along with the tiara, and were included in the coat of arms of the Popes as an expression of their claims to dominance over the Church.
Apostle Peter with keys. Icon. Fragment. XVI century. Workshop of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery in Klimentovskaya Sloboda
However, the Savior’s words about the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, according to Orthodox exegesis, apply not only to the Apostle Peter. “What was said to Peter was also said to the other apostles: I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven,” says, for example, St. Ambrose of Milan.
In the early Christian era, the apostles were also often depicted with a long cross in their hands or a wreath - symbols of their victory over the devil.
Apostles Paul and Peter. Mosaic. V century Italy. Ravenna. Baptistery of the Orthodox
In the post-Byzantine era, under the influence of Western tradition, when creating the image of the apostles, literal symbols of their martyrdom began to be used more often: for example, the Apostle Paul with the sword with which his head was cut off, and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called with a characteristic oblique cross in the form of the letter X, on which, according to legend, he was crucified.
Dmitry Marchenko
The twelve apostles of Jesus Christ were the foundation of His church, not to mention that some of them even wrote the Gospels as eyewitness accounts. It is therefore not surprising that Eastern Orthodox icons depicting these heroes of the faith are so popular among Christian believers and collectors of religious icons. We've already written about how to recognize some in handwritten icons, but let us provide some additional information to help you in your search!
Saint James Alfeev
Saint James Alpheus, known as James the Younger, is usually depicted with a chestnut pointed beard and curly or wavy hair. As is known, there are several Jacobs in Eastern Orthodox iconography. You are already familiar with St. James the Elder, son of Zebedee, so now you know how to tell them apart. However, St. James of Alpheus can also be confused with St. James the Just, “brother of the Lord.” The latter was the first bishop of Jerusalem, and is therefore usually depicted in episcopal robes.
Saint Jude
Not to be confused with Judas Iscariot! St. Jude was the brother of St. James Alpheus and one of the twelve apostles. He is also known as Judah Lebway, Judah Thaddeus, Judah Jacob, and even “brother of the Lord.” In Orthodox icons, St. Jude is shown as a mature man with curly brown or gray hair and a beard. In addition, in some famous religious icons he holds a scroll with a quotation from his Biblical Message.
Saint Philip
St. Philip is renowned for its warm heart, missionary instinct and simple faith in God. He was one of the first apostles who recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah and immediately responded to His call. Moreover, it was thanks to him that the cross became a symbol of Christianity. For these reasons, Eastern Orthodox icons depicting St. Philip are among the most popular and beloved. The distinguished apostle is usually depicted as beardless young man, sometimes holding a scroll.
Judas Iscariot
The traitor Judas Iscariot is certainly not a saint, but he was one of the original twelve apostles, and is therefore depicted in some famous religious icons. For example, on an ancient icon “ Last Supper» Judas Iscariot is shown as a dark-haired man with a beard, dipping his hand into a dish. However, in other Orthodox icons he is usually depicted as a beardless young man, such as St. Thomas, St. Philip, or St. John. In addition, Judas Iscariot is the only apostle who is always depicted without a halo above his head.
Saint Matthias
St. Matthias was chosen by believers as a replacement for Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Jesus Christ and suicide. In Eastern Orthodox icons of saints, he is usually depicted as a gray-haired, elderly man. It is believed that long before becoming a disciple of Christ, St. Matthias was already mature man, making him the oldest among the twelve apostles.
This is the most important information, which can help you recognize the holy apostles on famous religious icons. However, do not forget that there are always exceptions to every rule. Therefore, if you have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact our Orthodox iconography experts.