Cast bronze and enamel Russian icon

Imagine if your Priest, Rabbi, or Imam suddenly said, “We’re going to change the way we do things. From now on, forget about everything we did before.” What would you do? In 17th century Russia, Christians were faced with this dilemma, and a select group of them chose to ignore the church’s new practices. They stubbornly clung to the “old ways,” and for doing so they were persecuted, exiled, and even put to death by religious and political leaders acting in unison. They became known as the Old Believers.

This Old Believers icon has four folding leaves, which depict episodes from the life of Christ and the veneration of the Holy Mother

This week’s New Arrival features a bronze four section icon. By the time it was created the harassment of the Old Believers went far beyond the people and their practices. It extended all the way to art; specifically, bronze icons the government conveniently banned and then confiscated so they could use the metal to make arms and coins. Yet, this one survived; its features worn down through centuries of worship by believers who placed greater trust in faith than in the words and deeds of their leaders.

View Product ››