0426 St Mark

Russian
19th cent. 26.5 in dia.

In an Orthodox Church entry to the Sanctuary was through  The Royal Doors. Two in number, they were the focal point of the lowest tier of the Iconastasis and were, symbolically, the entry into Heaven. Often these doors would have a top border cormer decorated with one of the four Evangelists. These icons could be of any shape but circular ones were the more popular. this icon of St Mark is an example of one.