Orthodox icon | The Holy Trinity | Visit of the Three Angels | 24996

Embedded metal icon of the Orthodox icon | The Holy Trinity | Visit of the Three Angels.

The depicted scene showcases the Old Testament’s depiction of the Holy Trinity – the encounter between Abraham and Sarah, and the three angel messengers in the Mamre grove. This encounter serves as an embodiment of the Trinity’s presence.

Each angel holds a staff symbolizing identical divine authority, gathered around a table bearing a goblet. Early church fathers interpreted the Bible’s reference (Gen 18.2) to “three men” visiting Abraham in Mamre as an enigmatic allusion to the triune God.

The Eastern Orthodox Church views this event as the manifest appearance of the Divine Trinity. Unlike the Western Church, which has observed its own Trinity feast (on the first Sunday following Pentecost) since the late Middle Ages, the Eastern Church marks the arrival of the three angels to Abraham on Pentecost Sunday, symbolizing the triune God.

In the topmost part of the icon:

The Deeis – Christ Pantocrator, is present, with the Mother of God and John the Forerunner at his sides, as well as the Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Corners:

The corners feature the symbols of the four evangelists.

Sides:

Depictions of Saint Sergius of Radonezh and Saint Martyr Leontius, the Bishop and Miracle Worker of Rostov, adorn the sides.

Bottom:

The bottom portrays three prophets, including David and Solomon.

Source: Orthodox icon | The Holy Trinity | Visit of the Three Angels | 24996 © Ikonen Mautner. Typing errors, other errors or changes reserved. For more information: “Das Synaxarion. Die Leben der Heiligen der Orthodoxen Kirche.” (http://www.prodromos-verlag.de/buecher.html) and Joachim Schäfer: Das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon – https://www.heiligenlexikon.de