question about an icon

Mary Kissel · Post by **Mary Kissel** » Mon 16 February 2004 10:32 am

In an icon of the Resurrection of Christ, there is an old looking man who's bound in chains and laying under the gates (of hell?) that Christ is standing on. He is pulling up two people who I would guess are Adam and Eve out of what I think are two tomb-like 'boxes'. Does anyone know who this old man in the chains is? I have been trying to figure it out and I just can't figure out who it is. Thankyou in adavance to anyone who can answer this question for me!

In Christ,
Mary

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Mon 16 February 2004 10:35 am

If I'm not mistaken, that should be the devil in the chains. You are correct, that is Adam and Eve Christ is pulling out of the tombs. Another name for the icon is 'the Decent into Hell/Hades'.

Mary Kissel · Post by **Mary Kissel** » Mon 16 February 2004 10:55 am

Thankyou Daniel I wasn't sure if that was who it was or not.....I had thought if it was anyone that it was Judas who was there in chains. Thankyou for the name of the icon too Is the devil depicted like that in all the Resurrection icons of Christ? If he's not, then what is the reason for him being depicted in this particular version of the icon? Thanks

Mary

Mary Kissel · Post by **Mary Kissel** » Wed 18 February 2004 12:41 pm

I have another question about icons.... in the Dormition icon where the Theotokos is laying on the beir, is that the devil with his hands trying to turn over the beir or is that a guy? It's in the one with one of the angels chopping his hands off when he goes to reach for the beir. Thanks!

Mary

尼古拉前执事 · Wed 18 February 2004 1:12 pm

That is an anti-Christian Jew that tried to grab the bier. An unseen angel chopped off both of his hands and he converted and Saint Peter healed him.

Mary Kissel · Post by **Mary Kissel** » Wed 18 February 2004 1:22 pm

ahh ok thanks Would anyone know the answer to my other question?

Is the devil depicted like that in all the Resurrection icons of Christ? If he's not, then what is the reason for him being depicted in this particular version of the icon?

Mary

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Wed 18 February 2004 1:29 pm

Mary Kissel wrote:
ahh ok thanks Would anyone know the answer to my other question?

Is the devil depicted like that in all the Resurrection icons of Christ? If he's not, then what is the reason for him being depicted in this particular version of the icon?

Mary

I've seen both, but I don't know why he may or may not be there. Maybe who ever commissioned the icon to be made was afraid of people accidentally kissing the devil, and so had him left off.