Lukashenko donated the Lord Almighty icon to Shklov church
On April 16th, the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, donated the Lord Almighty icon to the Saviour Transfiguration Church in Shklov during the Easter service
This icon is one of the most ancient and revered types of images of the Saviour. On it, he appears before us in the form of the universal Ruler and Judge, who rewards each of us according to our faith and deeds. This is the personification of the Higher law and justice – severe and incorruptible, but merciful and all-forgiving. The icon shows glimpses of divine light pouring from within the Lord, thereby the author shows not only the physical state, but also the spiritual essence, and therefore reveals the divine principle of Jesus Christ. The Lord Almighty icon helps get rid of various difficulties, gain stronger faith and consolation. This icon is an integral element of the interior design of churches.
The author of the icon is priest Sergiy Nezhbort, the head of the icon-painting studio of the St. Elisabeth Convent in Minsk.
In response, the Head of State received from the church rector, Archpriest Andrei Rybakov, the icon of the Resurrection of Christ with the Twelve Great Feasts. It is made in the technique of miniature painting by applying enamel. The images are separated from each other by filigree – with the help of jewellery technology, using an openwork or thin wire pattern soldered onto a metal background.
photos: www.president.gov.by
Along the perimeter of the icon are small images describing the main twelve feasts, the twelve most important annual church holidays after Easter, which are associated with the Gospel history and the history of the Church and are dedicated to the events of the earthly life of the Saviour and the Mother of God. According to the time of celebration, they are divided into passing (associated with Easter and moving along with it according to the calendar: the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the Ascension of the Lord and the Holy Trinity) and non-passing (every year they fall on the same date: the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, the Nativity of Christ, the Baptism of the Lord, the Presentation of the Lord, the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos).
The Resurrection of Christ icon depicts the event, which is timed to coincide with the feast of Holy Easter, when the crucified Saviour rose from the dead on the third day after the cruel execution. The resurrected Christ is depicted in the centre of the canvas in a shining robe. Behind the Saviour is a blue-blue sphere as a symbol of God’s grace. Under the Christ’s feet, fragments of the destroyed walls of the underworld are depicted as a symbol of the fact that there are no barriers for the Almighty Lord. Below, on the sides of Christ, the first sinners – Adam and Eve – are depicted, turning pleading eyes to the Saviour with a silent request for forgiveness. The Lord absolves them of their sins and takes the repentant by the hand. Saints and kings are depicted on both sides of the figure of Christ.
