Icon of Saint Abraham of Galich with Scenes from His Life

Saint Abraham of Galich was one of the earliest and most renowned disciples of Saint Sergius of Radonezh at the Holy Trinity Monastery. This icon, set in a gilded silver riza (revetment), depicts the life and deeds of Saint Abraham.

The central panel portrays the saint holding the Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” (Umilenie). According to tradition, this miraculous image appeared to Saint Abraham near Lake Chukhloma after he had left the monastery of Saint Sergius of Radonezh in search of a life of solitude.

The surrounding narrative panels illustrate the principal events and spiritual feats of the saint’s life. In the upper left corner, Saint Abraham is shown receiving the blessing of Saint Sergius of Radonezh before departing for the remote wilderness.

This rare and valuable icon with its gilded silver riza is an excellent example of the Russian school of the early 1860s. The silver cover was made by the Moscow master Vasily Semyonov, whose workshop was founded in 1852. The icon bears authentic hallmarks on both the silver riza and the saint’s halo. The riza is in excellent condition, and its original gilding has been exceptionally well preserved.