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Asterisk

The asterisk (Greek: “little star”) is a sacred vessel consisting of two arched metal bands joined together in the shape of a cross. It was placed on the patin to prevent the veil from touching the p...

Patin

The patin is a liturgical vessel used during the consecration and cutting of the communion bread. During the Russian Orthodox liturgy, the patin symbolises both the manger in which Jesus was born in ...

Holy Water Basin

Russian Orthodox Christians regard water as a symbol of purification and rebirth. It also symbolises the presence of Jesus Christ. Holy water was used to consecrate churches, houses and people, to cu...

Plate

Plates were first used in the Russian Orthodox communion service in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Like the facial images on other precious vessels, their forms were closely linked to the con...

Precious Vessels

Vessels made from precious metals were highly revered in the Russian Orthodox church. The word “precious” was closely linked to the concepts of spirituality and piety, recalling God’s command to Mose...

Chalice

The chalice is one of the utensils employed during the Eucharist or communion service, when bread and wine are consecrated and consumed in remembrance of the Last Supper and Jesus’s body and blood: “...

Altar Cross

A large cross lay on the communion table in the chancel of every Russian Orthodox church, symbolising the presence of Jesus Christ. Such objects were richly ornamented and embossed with images of the...

Our Lady of the Dove

The Law of Moses stated that the dove was a “clean” bird to be used in sacrificial offerings. On the fortieth day after the birth of Jesus, Mary went to the temple to offer the traditional sacrifice ...

Our Lady of Kazan

The original icon of Our Lady of Kazan was discovered by a girl called Matryona among ashes in Kazan in 1579, after the city was taken by the forces of Ivan the Terrible. The work later became one of...

Virgin Hodegetria of Tikhvin

The iconography of the Virgin Hodegetria of Tikhvin comes from the Byzantine art of the late fourteenth century. The original icon allegedly disappeared from Constantinople, miraculously reappearing ...

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