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St. Basil
16th century
Moscow School
Tempera on wood panel
42 5/8 x 32 1/2 in.
Saint Basil, a 4th-century archbishop, was a prolific writer and doctor of the church and was active in helping the sick and poor. He built a hospice and a huge complex to minister to the sick and attracted huge crowds with his preaching. As the leader of a sect of orthodox believers, Basil established the basis of monastic life. In this icon he is shown full-length with the Gospel in his left hand, while his right is raised in a two-fingered blessing. A three-quarter-length figure of Christ is depicted in a roundel above his right hand, and a similar one of the Blessed Mother appears in a roundel above the Gospel. Fourteen scenes of Saint Basil's life surround the main figure. The size of this icon suggests that it once hung on a church wall.