Mandylion, "Icon Made Without Hands," by Simon Ushakov | Orthodox Christian Canvas IconAccording to Holy Tradition, the first icon was created while Christ still walked among us. His renown for miraculous healings reached far abroad, and so Christ was sent a letter from King Agbar V of Edessa, asking Him to cure the king's leprosy. The letter was carried by Ananias, the king's portrait painter, who unsuccessfully attempted to render Christ's image from a distance. Christ saw Ananias, called to him, and handed him a letter in reply to

either in Paradise or in Hell一all in a matter of minutes

It is the Day of Resurrection

and all ye abysses

Let all true Orthodox Christians strengthen themselves for the battle ahead

of all those who have been adopted as sons of God through the Lord Jesus

The one who knows God will follow the Lord's footsteps

for the creation was subjected to futility

but did not find them

Prince Izyaslav (in Baptism

O Christ our God

Sacramental and self-sacrificial living are what prepares a person for the Paraousia - for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ - and for the Paradise which will follow it

a prayer goes forth from her mouth