0413 Archangel Michael

Russian.
18th cent. 33x26x2.5 cms.

The titanic struggle between the powers of good and evil are described in Revelation 12: 7-12. This icon encapsulates that text. Archangel Michael, The crowned commander of The Heavenly Host, attacks the forces of evil. His right arm is held up to Heaven as he holds the Book of Judgement. His other hand holds a golden censer. A rainbow arches between his hand symbolising the promises of God. He blows a trumpet heralding the destruction of the wicked.  As he rides he spears  a grotesque two-winged figure with three human feet and a paw. In the devil’s belly is a woman. His horse churns up dark waters symbolising evil. All is chaos. Yet, in the top left corner there is hope. here there is an image of Christ Emmanuel before a prepared altar with a chalice commemorating the Eucharist and God’s eternal forgiveness of sins.

The icon was once within a church as witness by the evidence of candle burns. The board is bowed has scaffti of the workshop and two shponki channels.