A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL, 19TH CENTURY. Here Gabriel is depicted in a jeweled garment holding a lily, a symbol of Mary's purity as expressed in the image of the Annunciation, and holding a disc "sigil" upon which is inscribed the abbreviated word SVYAT-Holy. It refers to God and Christ as God – as "Pantocrator (Greek) – the Almighty. It comes from Revelation 4:8 "SVYAT? SVYAT? SVYAT? GOSPOD BOG VSEDERZHITEL, IZHE BYE I SUIY I GRADUIY." "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come." The large size of this icon suggests that it once formed part of an iconostasis either in the first tier or the diesis tier (left side). The elaborate abbreviated inscription above the head of Gabriel reads "The Holy Archangel Gabriel." 41 inches x 25.8 inches (104 cm x 65.5 cm).

The Archangel Gabriel has an interesting position as one of the few heavenly figures that plays an important role in all three monotheistic religions. He is referred to in the Old Testament as appearing to Daniel. In Christian tradition he appears to the Virgin and to Zachariah, and in Islamic tradition he is renowned for dictating the Holy Koran to the Prophet Mohammed.