Icons are painted as windows into Heaven, and therefore to show the
Heavenly, rather than earthly, reality. Nevertheless, Icons are made of
the people we love: of the heroes of the faith who are remembered and
whose earthly lives are considered instructive and worthy of imitation.
Therefore it is natural that, as well as depicting them in a stylized
“spiritual” way, the Saints are also depicted as recognizable people,
with distinct features. This guide is just a brief description of how
the Holy Apostles are depicted in Icons, so that they can be more easily
recognized when encountered in churches, monasteries, or wherever else
an icon is found.
St. Peter
The fiery and impulsive Leader of the Twelve, Peter is easily
recognizable by his white, short, curly hair and beard. He is often
shown holding a scroll, which may have words taken from one of his
Epistles written upon it. In some icons he may also be shown with keys
hanging from his belt, a reference to the words Jesus said to him: “And
I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever
thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou
shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” He is often found
in Icons with St. Paul, who were both martyred in Rome, holding together
the Church, and showing their shared pre-eminence among the Apostles.
St. Paul
