Three Great Hierarchs: St. Basil the Great of Caesarea, St. Gregory the Theologian of Nazianzus, and St. John Chrysostom of Antioch, The
Entry/Object ID
2005.02.095
Description
Tempera on wood panel situated within ornately carved wooden kiot box with hinged and clasp lid. The borders of the kiot have pyramid and square geometric designs on them. The icon itself shows 3 male full body figures holding bibles in red and blue and green and red robes respectively. The robes are decorated with gold leaf as are the halos, the books they each carry, and the background of the icon itself. They stand on a brown floor with black Cyrillic captions between the exterior and interior figure. A depiction of Christ among the clouds in red and green robes sits at the top with additional captions. The border of the icon features geometric designs in shades of red and blue.
Type of Painting
Panel
Artwork Details
Medium
Tempera
Collection
Betsy Scheuring Icon Collection
Acquisition
Accession
2005.02
Source or Donor
Betsy Scheuring
Acquisition Method
Gift
Credit Line
Gift of Betsy Scheuring
Made/Created
Date made
1875 - 1900
Time Period
19th Century
Place
* Untyped Place
Central Russia
Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Icon
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
Symbol, Religious
Nomenclature Sub-Class
Religious Objects
Nomenclature Class
Ceremonial Objects
Nomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects
Dimensions
Height
10-3/4 in
Width
9-1/2 in
Depth
3 in
Exhibition
Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)
Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Cultural/Historical Context
Label
This group of the three most important Church Fathers in the Orthodox faith is a common subject for icons. The figures wear bishops’ robes and hold Gospel books. Basil is shown on the left with a long pointed beard in blue and red robes and is considered the founder of the Orthodox monastic system. Gregory, with a shorter, rounded beard and half bald in the middle was a famous orator and poet. John Chrysostom, whose beard always appears very short and dark on the right, was known for his eloquence, and the liturgy he wrote is still used in the traditional Orthodox Sunday service. The outer, closed calf length robes worn by Gregory and John is called a sakkos. They also carry the flat, diamond-shaped badge called a palitsa in light mauve and teal respectively which is awarded in recognition of exceptional piety. The wide stole decorated with crosses worn by all three is called an omophorion, and the red cape-like garment with gold designs worn by Basil is the phelonion. In this representation of the group, God the Father is seen hovering in the clouds above. The colors are vibrant and the gold ornament of the garments is especially decorative. The festival celebrating all three hierarchs occurs on January 30, and is regarded as the most important national and school holiday.
