Antique Icon of John the Baptist

Antique icon of John the Baptist, or John the Forerunner, which was painted in Yaroslavl in the second half of the 16th century (c. 1560-1570). Such icons became widespread in Russia during the reign of Ivan IV the Terrible. This particular image is distinguished by the depiction of the so-called “Blooming Cross” in the left hand of John the Baptist. The “Blooming Cross” symbolizes Christ whose death on the Cross made it the source of life and immortality.