Icon of St. John at the Feast Day celebration in the village of Armenoi on the Greek island of Crete
This is an icon depicting St. John writing the Gospel. In Eastern Orthodoxy an icon is generally a flat panel, like this wooden one, of a painting that depicts a holy being or object. From the 12th to 17th century Crete was a thriving center for the art. El Greco came from this pool of talented painters of icons working in Crete.
This icon is a feature of a celebration service at the ancient, but newly restored, temple of Agios Ioannis Theologos (St. John the Theologian) in the small village of Armenoi in the Apokoronas region of western Crete.
On May 8 the Orthodox Church celebrates the "Feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian." The villagers of Armenoi mark the occasion this year with special pride since it is the first service in the church since the completion of major improvements on the site.
New features inside allow views of ancient archeology revealed beneath the foundations and lower surfaces of the temple. These suggest that at least two major buildings stood on this site during many of the centuries that pre-date Christianity. Outside, a beautiful new walled plaza was installed that faces the center of the village.
Icon of St. John at the Feast Day celebration in the village of Armenoi on the Greek island of Crete
This is an icon depicting St. John writing the Gospel. In Eastern Orthodoxy an icon is generally a flat panel, like this wooden one, of a painting that depicts a holy being or object. From the 12th to 17th century Crete was a thriving center for the art. El Greco came from this pool of talented painters of icons working in Crete.
This icon is a feature of a celebration service at the ancient, but newly restored, temple of Agios Ioannis Theologos (St. John the Theologian) in the small village of Armenoi in the Apokoronas region of western Crete.
On May 8 the Orthodox Church celebrates the "Feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian." The villagers of Armenoi mark the occasion this year with special pride since it is the first service in the church since the completion of major improvements on the site.
New features inside allow views of ancient archeology revealed beneath the foundations and lower surfaces of the temple. These suggest that at least two major buildings stood on this site during many of the centuries that pre-date Christianity. Outside, a beautiful new walled plaza was installed that faces the center of the village.