THE ICONOGRAPHY OF THE POKROV FEAST OF THE ALL-HOLY MOTHER OF GOD AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY

Jan HUSAR

docent, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Presov, Masarykova 15, 080 01 Presov, Slovakia, jan.husar@unipo.sk, 00421517724729, ORCID: 0000-0003-3781-1440

Abstract

The present article focuses on the theological and iconographic interpretation of the feast of the Pokrov (Protection, or more generally intercession) Theotokos. Although it is not one of the twelve major feasts of the Church, it enjoys great popularity in Slavic countries due to its special veneration. The iconographic representation of this feast is itself based on a specific historical event. The style of the icon depends on the depiction of the historical events of the feast and also on the development of the various iconographic schools in Byzantium and in the individual Slavic countries.

Keywords

Pantocrator, Mother of God, Saint Sophia, Christianity

SUMMARY

In orthodox iconography we quite often encounter scenes that characterize a particular event or situation in the history of Christianity. One of these examples is the icon of the Pokrov ("Protection") feast. Like virtually every icon, this one has undergone its own historical enrichment. From the simple basic feature that depicts the protection of the Mother of God over the Emperor's city to the added scenes that relate to the event, or symbols that characterize the main motive of the scene of the event. The icon of this feast gradually spread as quickly as the feast itself and became an essential part of the liturgical life of the Church, which is also reflected in the permanent part of the icon in the iconostasis.

(Language: english)

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