Angels play a significant role in the Orthodox Church. More specifically, Archangels do. The icon I chose to recreate is of the Archangel Gabriel. Earlier I touched on why I chose Gabriel as a subject, now I would like to focus on his role and significance in Orthodoxy specifically. To do this, I think a bried discussion of angels in general is needed.
Angels are "Incorporeal Powers" as they are without physical bodies. They are also called "Spirits," "Minds," "Heavenly Beings," and or "Powers." The Church divides the angels into nine orders. The nine orders are categorized into hierarchies, which are ranked highest to lowest. The chart below outlines this.
The Highest Hieracrchy
Seraphim
Cherubim
Thrones
Middle Hierarchy
Dominions
Powers
Authorities
Lowest Hierarchy
Principalities
Archangels
Angels
Within each hierarchy, there is also a ranking from highest to lowest. The hierarchies are essentially ranked according to proximity to God. The highest angel is known to be with God specifically and only, the lowest angels serve as messengers and soldiers of God, thus having contact with man.
There is a also a category of fallen angels, those who have fallen away from God. In iconography, these are depicted as black, faceless, small figures.
Of the hierarchies outlined above, only about a third are depicted in Orthodox iconography. Seraphim are found in the Hagia Sophia, below the base of the dome. Seraphim are shown with having six wings, often with a pair covering either their feet and/or their face. Cherubim, who are known to have four faces (that of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle) and four wings are painted having a human face. Archangels and Angels are the last two orders of angels which are depicted in iconography. Of these only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are mentioned by name in the Bible. Michael and Gabriel hold a special place in Orthodoxy.
In fact, the Orthodox Church has a feast day celebrating all angels, but which mentions specifically Michael and Gabriel. Each November 8th is the "Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and the Rest of the Holy Incorporeal and Heavenly Powers." Michael and Gabriel are also given their own feast days, September 6 for Michael and March 26 and July 13 for Gabriel. March 26 is the original day celebrating Gabriel as it is the day after the feast of the Annunciation(Gabriel announcing to Mary that she is carrying Christ). It was later changed to July 13in some churches as the original date March date fell within Lent, a time of fasting.
As evidenced by the icon I painted, angels and and archangels are shown wearing tunics and robes, or mantles. Gabriel is typically dressed in blue or white. The original icon from which I copied my icon had him dressed in a pale green tunic with a pale goal mantle. Gabriel is also often shown holding a lily, a trumpet, or a lantern. These items signify Gabriel as God's intercessor and messenger, bringing the news of man's salvation.Angels are often shown holding a staff, which represents the authority given to them by God. Sometimes they are shown holding a disk with an "X" marked on it, the "X" representing Christ. In the icon I painted Gabriel's right hand is raised in supplication, this is seen often in iconography. An interesting fact about Byzantine Iconography is that angels are always represented as men, albeit beardless, and never as children or babies. as we often seen in other religious paintings. Archangels are shown having two wings, as Gabriel is in my icon, although in scripture they are seen without them. The wings thus take on a symbolic meaning, representing their heavenly role.
Within the Orthodox Church icons Michael and Gabriel are often painted on the side doors of the templon, Michael to the north, Gabriel in the south.The middle of the iconostasis of a Byzantine Church,called the Beautiful Gate; is where one often finds an icon of the Annunciation. In addition, icons of the Virgin are often flanked on either side by Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
