Ethiopian Icons Through the Centuries
Icon of Theotokos with caryying case.
upper right: the hermit Gabra Manfas Qeddus
lower right: early Egyptian ascetic Arsenius
Four Gospels: the Crucifixion and the Myrrh-bearing Women at the Tomb. Notice that the
crucifixion does not depict the crucified body of Christ. Instead, the image of the Lamb
of God is placed above a jeweled Cross, the symbol of Christ's victory over death.
Parchment, 14th century.
top left: Ethiopian abbots and holy men wearing their distinctive pointed monastic
hoods or caps.
top right: Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. Mary in front of arch depicting the
Holy of Holies is flanked by angels who offer her wine and bread. The Theotokos as the new
Temple containing the presence of God.
bottom left: Slaughter of the Innocents
bottom right: Holy Family at Dabra Qwesqwam; baptism of Christ
Parchment, c. 1320. Dabra Hyq Estifanos.
Four Gospels: St. Mark.
Parchment, c. 1320. Dabra Hyq Estifanos.
Pauline Epistles
Paul, Silvanus, Timothy
Parchment, early 15th century.
Psalter, Song of Songs, Night Prayers
left: King Solomon
Parchment, 15th century.
Psalter, Song of Songs, Night Prayers
left: St. Anthony
Parchment, 15th century.
Passion Week service book
left: Christ's Triumphal Entry
right top: Zacchaeus (?)
right bottom: Holy Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Parchment, 15th century. Dabra Abuna Marawi Krestos
Passion Week service book
The Judgement of Solomon
Parchment, 15th century. Dabra Abuna Marawi Krestos
Passion Week service book
Christ appearing to St. John on Patmos
Parchment, 15th century. Dabra Abuna Marawi Krestos
Center: Theotokos with Christ, flanked by angels
Center bottom: Christ teaching Apostles; St. Sebastian pierced with arrows
Left panel: The Resurrection, Christ raising Adam and Eve
Left bottom: St. George
Right panel: Crucifixion; Joseph and Nicodemus collecting Christ's blood in chalices; the
wrapping of Christ's body
Right bottom: Sts. Honorius, Takla Haymanot, and Ewostatewos
Central Ethiopia, 17th century
left: Theotokos flanked by archangels Michael and Gabriel. The infant Christ caresses
Mary's chin, while both hold a sprig of flowers, symbolic of Mary as "the flower of
delicious perfume which has blossomed from the tree of Jesse" (from the hymn, Weddase
Maryam). Inscription at top reads "Mary with her Beloved Son."
right: Twelve Apostles with Sts. George and Theodore in lower right.
Tempra on gesso-covered wood panels, fifteenth century.
right half of parchment fan with wood boards and handle.
Top left: Anastasis (Resurrection)
Top right: Crucifixion
Lower left: Joachim and Anna(?)
Lower right: Crucifixion
Ethiopian, 18th century
Top left: St. Gabra Manfas Keddus
Top right: Two saints
Lower left: Two saints
Lower right: Christ as a young boy performing a miracle
Ethiopian, 18th century