Nativity of Christ

Inside the Bethlehem cavern where Jesus was born are depicted both the manger with Child Jesus and the Mother of God in a reclining position on the bed. The images and the scenes usual for the Nativity iconography are not linked and are located contrary to the tradition. Joseph seated on a stone is represented to the right of the Bethlehem cavern. By tradition he is represented in the lower left corner of the centerpiece where in this case instead of this scene is represented the episode of the angel announcing the Nativity of the Divine Child to Joseph. To the left of the cavern are depicted the three riders. These are the Magi being led by the star of Bethlehem who arrived from the East to welcome the King of the Jews. The icon has a specific feature: their names are inscribed on it: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. In the lower right corner of the composition is depicted the Adoration of the Magi of the Holy Virgin on the throne holding the Divine Child. In the centre of the lower part of the icon is shown the scene of washing the Divine Child. Christ is sitting in the hands of midwife Salome and the maid servant (in the inscription she is referred to as a “slave”) pours the water into the bowl. Two shepherds are depicted behind the riding Magi and seated Joseph. The figure of the third one is shown in the upper part of the icon to the right of the host of angels glorifying the miracle. In the lower part of the icon are represented half-figures of saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, priest-martyr St. Clement of Rome, prophet Elijah (all depicted frontally) and also Sts. Cosmas and Damian (in a three-quarter turn).

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