Icon Types
Icon Location
Symbols & Meaning
Theology of Icons
Icon Details & “Read the Icon”
100
This type of icon shows Christ holding the Gospel and blessing with His hand.
Christ Pantocrator
100
This screen or wall holds icons and separates the altar from the rest of the church.
Iconostasis
100
In icons, halos show this about a person.
Holiness/Being close to God
100
Orthodox Christians do this to icons as a sign of love and respect—not worshiping the wood, but honoring the person shown.
Veneration
100
Christ is usually shown blessing with this hand gesture, meaning His name.
IC XC blessing
200
This icon type shows the Virgin Mary holding Christ and pointing to Him as “the way.”
Virgin Hodegetria
200
These two icons are almost always found on the iconostasis: Christ and ________.
The Theotokos (Virgin Mary)
200
In many icons, Christ’s halo has these three Greek letters: Ο Ω Ν (ho ōn), what does this mean?
The One Who Is
200
Icons are sometimes called this because they teach the faith through images.
Windows to Heaven
200
In many icons of the Theotokos, Christ is shown as a small adult (not a baby-baby) to show He is fully.
God/Divine
300
This icon type shows Christ raising Adam and Eve from the tombs, showing His victory over death.
Resurrection icon (Anastasis)
300
The icon placed on the stand in the center of the church changes depending on the feast or saint being celebrated.
Icon on the Analogion
300
Icons often use gold backgrounds to show this reality, not normal earthly time and space.
Kingdom of Heaven/Eternity
300
Icons are important because God became human in the person of ________.
Jesus Christ
300
In the Anastasis icon, Christ pulls these two people up, showing He saves all humanity.
Adam and Eve
400
This icon type shows Mary holding Christ close to her cheek in a tender embrace.
Virgin Eleousa
400
The large dome icon usually shows this title of Jesus, meaning "Ruler of All"?
Pantocrator
400
The letters “MP ΘY” often appear near Mary, showing she is the...
Mother of God
400
This Church council defended the use of icons and is remembered on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
Seventh Ecumenical Council
400
In many icons, saints are facing forward and making eye contact to show this relationship with the viewer.
Invitation to prayer/relationship
500
This icon type shows Christ seated on a throne, often with angels, emphasizing His role as King and Judge of all.
Christ Enthroned
500
The door in the center of the iconostasis is often called this, because it leads into the altar area.
Royal Doors
500
In icons, saints are often painted with long, thin features to show they are focused on the _______ life rather than comfort or luxury.
Spirtual
500
Icons show not only what someone looked like, but their life in the Kingdom—meaning icons show people as this.
Transfigured/Filled with God's Grace
500
In Orthodox icons, perspective may look “backwards” to show the viewer is being drawn into the scene—this is often called this kind of perspective.
Inverse Perspective