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Orthodox Iconography Trivia Quiz

In Orthodox Christianity, icons are works of art that most often feature a saint or event from the Bible. Here's a quiz about some icons and their meanings.

A multiple-choice quiz by neon000. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
neon000

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
249,776

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1294

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 107 (6/10), hellobion (10/10), Guest 188 (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This icon depicts Christ as the "ruler of all" and is commonly found on the ceiling of churches. What is it? Hint

The Resurrection

Christ the Teacher

The Pantokrator

Christ Blessing

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Question 2 of 10

2. This icon is one of the most popular in Russian history. It depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, and was credited on many occasions with saving the country from military disaster. What is it? Hint

The Theotokos of Vladimir

The Mother of God of Kazan

The Mother of God of the Sign (of Novgorod)

Our Lady of St. Theodore

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Question 3 of 10

3. It is not normally acceptable to directly depict the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. However, there are rare exceptions, of which this icon is one. It shows three angels, believed to be symbolic of the Holy Trinity.

What is the icon? Hint

Synaxis of the Archangels

The Hospitality of Abraham

Mid-Pentecost

The Three Hierarchs

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Question 4 of 10

4. In this icon, the saints in question are depicted "greeting one another with a holy kiss". (A kiss on the cheek is a common greeting in some societies in Europe and the Middle East.)

The individuals are two of the most important figures in Church history, responsible for extensive missionary work and the founding of many churches. Whose icon is this? Hint

Sts. Athanasius and Cyril

Sts. Constantine and Helen

Sts. Cosmas and Damian

Sts. Peter and Paul

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Question 5 of 10

5. This icon shows Christ, John the Baptist and the angels at one of the key events in the ministry of Jesus. Which one is it? Hint

The Baptism of Christ

Palm Sunday

Jesus Washing the Disciples' Feet

Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist, Beheaded

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Question 6 of 10

6. This icon portrays one of the most sorrowful stories in the Gospel. It presents Jesus, Mary, and Joseph of Arimathea, among other figures. There is a ladder behind Jesus and Mary. Other people hold on to Jesus' hands.

What icon is this? Hint

Lamentation at the Tomb

Jesus Heals a Demoniac in the Catacombs

The Harrowing of Hades

The Removal of Christ from the Cross

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Question 7 of 10

7. This saint, who was a king, is depicted in his icon to be holding an ax, which signifies his power and military might. He was deposed by an uprising and fled to another country, where he still worked to convert and baptize people. He returned to his country and fought to regain the throne, but was unsuccessful, and died in battle.

Whose icon is this? Hint

Oswald of Northumbria

Tsar Nicholas II

Olaf of Norway

Harold of England

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Question 8 of 10

8. This icon shows a group of people holding crosses. This means they were martyrs--that is, they suffered and died for their faith.

In the background can be seen a church with onion domes, and across from it, the mission house. This is a rather large group portrait: all told, there are several dozen individuals in it. What icon is this? Hint

The Pskov Synaxis

The 'Concili' (Saints Attending the First and Second Ecumenical Councils)

Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

The Chinese Martyrs

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Question 9 of 10

9. This icon shows the followers of Jesus in a special assembly. At the center is Christ, wearing a crown, symbolic of His supreme power.

What icon is this? Hint

The Calling of the Twelve

Pentecost

The Creation of the Stars

The Apostles' Communion

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Question 10 of 10

10. This icon depicts a young man holding a cross. He died as a martyr in North America, at the hands of officials of another church. Included in many versions of the picture is a scroll, with his supposed last words: "I am an Orthodox Christian, and I will not betray my faith."

Whose icon is this? Hint

St. Juvenaly of Alaska

St. Peter the Aleut

St. Innocent of Alaska

St. Tikhon of Moscow, Enlightener of North America

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This icon depicts Christ as the "ruler of all" and is commonly found on the ceiling of churches. What is it?

Answer: The Pantokrator

The name is from the Greek for "all-ruler". In churches without a dome-style roof, this icon may be placed above the altar.

Answer: The Mother of God of Kazan

For many years, the icon had been kept by the Roman Catholic Church in Vatican City. However, Pope John Paul II had it returned to its country of origin. The icon was sent to Russia in August, 2004, and in 2005 was installed in Annunciation Cathedral, Kazan, amid a joyous celebration.

Answer: The Hospitality of Abraham

The icon was designed by Andrei Rublev. The image is from the Biblical story of the angels' visit to the home of Abraham and Sarah. Sometimes it is referred to as "The Hospitality of Abraham and Sarah", or "Rublev's Trinity".

4. In this icon, the saints in question are depicted "greeting one another with a holy kiss". (A kiss on the cheek is a common greeting in some societies in Europe and the Middle East.) The individuals are two of the most important figures in Church history, responsible for extensive missionary work and the founding of many churches. Whose icon is this?

Answer: Sts. Peter and Paul

The apostles Peter and Paul are credited with continuing the work of Christ by preaching, leading churches and writing Epistles which expounded on Church doctrine.

5. This icon shows Christ, John the Baptist and the angels at one of the key events in the ministry of Jesus. Which one is it?

Answer: The Baptism of Christ

In the icon, angels look on as John baptizes Christ in the Jordan River.

The feast of the Epiphany, also called Theophany, commemorates the baptism of Christ and the manifestation of the presence of God in that event. It is celebrated in the Orthodox Church on January 6.

Answer: The Removal of Christ from the Cross

A very poignant image. Mary cradles the body of Christ after He has been taken down from the Cross. Joseph of Arimathea, who assisted in the removal and burial of the body, is also present, as are other saints.
(Catholic artist Michaelangelo's sculpture "The Pieta" depicts the same event; however, it includes only Mary and Christ.)

Answer: Olaf of Norway

Olaf was overthrown by supporters of the future King Canute. He fled to Sweden and then Russia. In Sweden, he still took part in preaching and baptizing converts to Orthodoxy. Olaf returned to Norway and attempted to retake the throne, but died on the battlefield.

8. This icon shows a group of people holding crosses. This means they were martyrs--that is, they suffered and died for their faith. In the background can be seen a church with onion domes, and across from it, the mission house. This is a rather large group portrait: all told, there are several dozen individuals in it. What icon is this?

Answer: The Chinese Martyrs

The priest St. Mitrophan, his family and many of his parishioners were killed by participants in the Boxer Rebellion. The feast day of these saints is June 11.

9. This icon shows the followers of Jesus in a special assembly. At the center is Christ, wearing a crown, symbolic of His supreme power. What icon is this?

Answer: The Apostles' Communion

In this icon, Christ is about to administer the Eucharist to the Apostles. Judas is traditionally omitted from the image. Saints Peter and Paul stand closest to Christ.

Answer: St. Peter the Aleut

Tragically, in the early 19th century, conflicts were common between Orthodox missionaries in Russian-dominated Alaska, and Catholic missionaries in what was then the territory of California, owned by Spain. (California did not become a U.S. state until 1850.)

St. Peter was captured and imprisoned by the Spanish Catholic contingent. Even under torture, he refused to give up Orthodoxy; he died of his injuries.

Source: Author neon000

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ArleneRimmer before going online.
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