One of the high-ranking angels — the Archangel Gabriel — appears in the Old and New Testaments as the one who brings joyful news and keeps the secret knowledge of God. A Seraph, he comes “second after the Archangel Michael” and, just like Michael, he is an Archangel — a leader of all the heavenly hosts.

In the Bible, the Archangel Gabriel appeared in the desert to Moses and helped him write the book of Genesis, telling about the origin of man: the beginning of the world, the fall, the flood, the origin of diverse human languages, and other events. In the Old Testament, Gabriel also visited the prophet Daniel and told him about the future coming of Christ.

In the Gospel, the Archangel played a highly significant role: he informed people of all the most important news. Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would have a son and he would be Christ the Savior. He also informed Mary’s parents about her birth; he explained the secret of the Immaculate Conception to Joseph and warned him and Mary about Herod’s insidious plans.

Gabriel spoke to the shepherds and told them about Christ’s birth. He appeared in the Garden of Gethsemane to comfort Jesus before the coming sufferings.

When the myrrh-bearing women approached the tomb of the Lord, it was Gabriel who met them with the words:

The image of the Archangel Gabriel is part of the second tier of the iconostasis, which is called the Deesis and is considered the main one. The tier also includes the icons of the Archangel Michael, John the Baptist, the Most Holy Theotokos and the Lord Almighty himself. The Deesis may contain other images of revered saints.

The icon from the museum’s collection was also included in the main tier of the iconostasis in a stone church with an altar in the name of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. The church was built in the late 19th century near the town of Murom. However, researchers believe that the iconostasis came from an older wooden church of the Archangel Michael, located nearby. It was discovered by an expedition of the State Tretyakov Gallery in 1965.

The icon features the Archangel in three-quarter view. In one hand, Gabriel holds a staff, and in the other — a transparent sphere (“zertsalo”), which symbolizes that he is “God’s messenger bringing the news about the salvation of the human race.” The Archangel wears rich, festive, and solemn attire.