Folding icons consisting of four panels, or “large festive screens”, with a decorative element at the top were cast in huge numbers in the 18th — early 20th century. The folding icon “Twelve Great Feasts”, the third leaf of which is kept in the collection of the Museum Complex of Kuybyshev, was created in the second half of the 19th century by an unknown master.
The displayed panel is a cast metal plate made of copper alloy with a top part resembling a church dome. On the sides are three loops for pins. The panel is divided into four square parts and one top one, which is located in the “dome”. Each fragment of the panel contains a scene depicting an Orthodox holiday.
At the top left is the image “Resurrection of Christ (Harrowing of Hell)”. The soul of Christ descended into the underworld for the victory over death and the devil, and for the liberation of the righteous people of the Old Testament period that were captive there. The icon shows Jesus holding the hand of an exhausted Adam and pulling him out of hell. Behind Adam are the saints, who are also preparing to leave. Eve kneels to the right of Jesus. A host of forefathers crowds behind her to leave the underworld.
At the bottom left is the “Old Testament Trinity”. The icon depicts three angels and a table with three cups. In the middle sits God the Father. To his right is the Holy Spirit. On the left is God the Son, humbly lowering His head. Behind the figures, one can see the Oak of Mamre — the tree of life, and the Christian church as the temple of Holy Spirit. Behind the back of God the Son is a mountain, which He is destined to ascend to atone for human sins.
In the top part of the panel is the image “Exaltation of the Holy Cross”. In the center of the icon, a priest holds a cross over his head against the background of the cathedral’s domes, blessing the people below.
The displayed panel is a cast metal plate made of copper alloy with a top part resembling a church dome. On the sides are three loops for pins. The panel is divided into four square parts and one top one, which is located in the “dome”. Each fragment of the panel contains a scene depicting an Orthodox holiday.
At the top left is the image “Resurrection of Christ (Harrowing of Hell)”. The soul of Christ descended into the underworld for the victory over death and the devil, and for the liberation of the righteous people of the Old Testament period that were captive there. The icon shows Jesus holding the hand of an exhausted Adam and pulling him out of hell. Behind Adam are the saints, who are also preparing to leave. Eve kneels to the right of Jesus. A host of forefathers crowds behind her to leave the underworld.
At the top right is the scene “Ascension of the Lord”, it depicts Jesus Christ soaring in the sky, surrounded by angels. At the bottom, in the center is the image of the grieving Mother of God. To the right and to the left of her are two angels who look at the apostles, and they, in turn, direct their gaze at heaven.
At the bottom left is the “Old Testament Trinity”. The icon depicts three angels and a table with three cups. In the middle sits God the Father. To his right is the Holy Spirit. On the left is God the Son, humbly lowering His head. Behind the figures, one can see the Oak of Mamre — the tree of life, and the Christian church as the temple of Holy Spirit. Behind the back of God the Son is a mountain, which He is destined to ascend to atone for human sins.
At the bottom right is the scene “Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos”. The Mother of God is depicted lying on a bier surrounded by the mournful apostles. Above the bier is the figure of Jesus Christ in a halo, who holds His mother’s soul in His hands.
In the top part of the panel is the image “Exaltation of the Holy Cross”. In the center of the icon, a priest holds a cross over his head against the background of the cathedral’s domes, blessing the people below.
