Hell icon
Encyclopedia
Hell icons are legendary icons with images of Devil hidden under primer
, riza
or painted layer. Also, the image of saint could include horns, hidden under the paint. The term "Hell-created" first occurs in Prologue (Eastern Orthodox Synaxarium
) regarding Sabellianist
church banners. Full Church Slavonic dictionary gives the following commentary: "painted in hell". The term "Hell icons" is known mostly amongst Old Believers
. Hell icons painting, known as Adopis, "hellography" (as opposed to iconography
), was also a type of black magic
in medieval Russia
.
Hell icons were first mentioned in the Life of St. Basil
(16th century). Basil threw a rock at the icon of Virgin Mary before the eyes of the astonished crowd of pilgrim
s. Then he allegedly showed that an image of the devil was hidden under the paint.
Messages about hell icons appeared in newspaper articles and literature of the 19th century. but such articles reported only the later icons of "cheap and clumsily painting." Interested in Christian iconography, Nikolai Leskov
included a reference to hell icons in his story The Sealed Angel (1872) and in short article "On hell icons" , published in 1873.
Despite these studies of hell icons, in the 20th century Russian linguist Nikita Tolstoy doubted the fact of their real existence. This point of view is shared by modern art critics due to lack of material evidence (all such icons, if ever existed, have been lost).
Primer (paint)
A primer is a preparatory coating put on materials before painting. Priming ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being painted.-When primers are used:...
, riza
Riza
A riza or oklad , sometimes called a "revetment" in English, is a metal cover protecting an icon. It is usually made of gilt or silvered metal with repoussé work and is pierced to expose elements of the underlying painting. It is sometimes enameled, filigreed, or set with artificial,...
or painted layer. Also, the image of saint could include horns, hidden under the paint. The term "Hell-created" first occurs in Prologue (Eastern Orthodox Synaxarium
Synaxarium
Synaxarion, Synexarion, pl. Synaxaria —Latin: Synaxarium, Synexarium—the name given in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches to a compilation of hagiographies corresponding roughly to the martyrology of the Roman Church.There are two kinds of synaxaria:*Simple...
) regarding Sabellianist
Sabellianism
In Christianity, Sabellianism, is the nontrinitarian belief that the Heavenly Father, Resurrected Son and Holy Spirit are different modes or aspects of one God, as perceived by the believer, rather than three distinct persons in God Himself.The term Sabellianism comes from...
church banners. Full Church Slavonic dictionary gives the following commentary: "painted in hell". The term "Hell icons" is known mostly amongst Old Believers
Old Believers
In the context of Russian Orthodox church history, the Old Believers separated after 1666 from the official Russian Orthodox Church as a protest against church reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon between 1652–66...
. Hell icons painting, known as Adopis, "hellography" (as opposed to iconography
Iconography
Iconography is the branch of art history which studies the identification, description, and the interpretation of the content of images. The word iconography literally means "image writing", and comes from the Greek "image" and "to write". A secondary meaning is the painting of icons in the...
), was also a type of black magic
Black magic
Black magic is the type of magic that draws on assumed malevolent powers or is used with the intention to kill, steal, injure, cause misfortune or destruction, or for personal gain without regard to harmful consequences. As a term, "black magic" is normally used by those that do not approve of its...
in medieval Russia
History of Russia
The history of Russia begins with that of the Eastern Slavs and the Finno-Ugric peoples. The state of Garðaríki , which was centered in Novgorod and included the entire areas inhabited by Ilmen Slavs, Veps and Votes, was established by the Varangian chieftain Rurik in 862...
.
Hell icons were first mentioned in the Life of St. Basil
Basil Fool for Christ
Basil the Blessed is a Russian Orthodox saint of the type known as yurodivy or "holy fool for Christ"....
(16th century). Basil threw a rock at the icon of Virgin Mary before the eyes of the astonished crowd of pilgrim
Pilgrim
A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journeying to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system...
s. Then he allegedly showed that an image of the devil was hidden under the paint.
Messages about hell icons appeared in newspaper articles and literature of the 19th century. but such articles reported only the later icons of "cheap and clumsily painting." Interested in Christian iconography, Nikolai Leskov
Nikolai Leskov
Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov was a Russian journalist, novelist and short story writer, who also wrote under the pseudonym M. Stebnitsky. Praised for his unique writing style and innovative experiments in form, held in high esteem by Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov and Maxim Gorky among others, Leskov is...
included a reference to hell icons in his story The Sealed Angel (1872) and in short article "On hell icons" , published in 1873.
Despite these studies of hell icons, in the 20th century Russian linguist Nikita Tolstoy doubted the fact of their real existence. This point of view is shared by modern art critics due to lack of material evidence (all such icons, if ever existed, have been lost).