Protective Saints (Saint George the Great Martyr, Saint Athanasius the Great, Saint Olympias the Deaconess)., 19th century

Egg tempera on panel

Height x width: 41 x 36 cm

Surmounting the scene, within a semicircular geometric cloud, is the bust of Christ the Savior (Lord Almighty), emerging in a gesture of blessing and holding the Book of Gospels. The three figures below represent a specific devotional combination, intended to reflect the name days or spiritual patronage of the original patron's family members. Each saint is clearly identified by inscriptions in Old Slavic characters (liturgical Cyrillic) set against the dark green background. On the left stands Saint George the Great Martyr (Святой Великомученик Георгий Победоносец), depicted—unusually—not on horseback but as a noble Roman soldier, wearing embossed golden armor, high black boots, and a bright red cloak, while clutching a slender cross of martyrdom in his right hand. Dominating the center is the monumental figure of Saint Athanasius the Great (Святитель Афанасий Великий), Archbishop of Alexandria and Father of the Church; he is portrayed according to strict hierarchical tradition in solemn episcopal vestments—including the characteristic white omophorion adorned with large black crosses—bestowing a blessing with his right hand and holding a precious, gold- and gem-encrusted volume of the Gospels in his left. Completing the composition on the right is Saint Olympias the Deaconess (Святая Олимпиада Диакониса), a renowned hermit saint and associate of Saint John Chrysostom in Constantinople. She is depicted in austere monastic attire, featuring a maphorion and a dark blue veil covering her head over a reddish-brown tunic, while she clasps a cross to her chest. Stylistically, the icon is distinguished by a refined and linear execution, typical of the traditional 19th-century workshops of Central Russia. The contrasting use of vibrant hues for the garments against the somber background, combined with the precise definition of the faces through subtle highlights, lends a sense of solemnity to the figures—an effect further enhanced by the impeccable gilding of the large, circular haloes.