Christ in Limbo Bringing Forth Adam

Unlike Western Christian imagery, Orthodox iconography does not include scenes of Christ emerging from the sepulcher (while the Raising of Lazarus was a miracle, which could be perceived, the Resurrection of Christ was an ineffable mystery inaccessible to any perception); instead, Christ is shown already resurrected, breaking down the gates of hell, which come unhinged at his feet. Flanked by John the Baptist, Moses and Abel on the right and King David on the left, Christ touches Adam’s hand to pull him out and free his soul, along with Eve (kneeling opposite Adam) and all the kings, prophets, and the righteous souls who had been kept in limbo after death. In true Old Believer fashion Christ’s monogram reads IC XC, and the good thief, depicted in the upper center facing the prophets Enoch and Elijah, is holding an eight-ended cross.