About the Icon of the Resurrection

Christ is here depicted in glorious victory over death. Having broken the gates of Hell, spread in the form of a cross over the abyss, Christ tramples them underfoot and grasps the hand of Adam, whom he vigorously delivers from the darkness of death.

This face to face meeting of the first and Second Adam assumes a special meaning. The icon strongly stresses that the rising of Christ announces the good news of the Resurrection to all humanity. Adam stares at his Liberator with a look of joy marked by fatigue. He holds up his free hand in a gesture of welcome and prayer, drawn toward His Creator just as a flower is drawn toward the sun. We also see the kneeling Eve being raised, one hand covered with an edge of her cloak in humility.

Appearing in this icon on the left behind Adam are King David and King Solomon with John the Forerunner, whose hands point to Christ. Behind Eve are depicted some of the prophets who have announced the arrival of the Savior.

Icons on this site are courtesy of:
St. Isaac of Syria Skete