A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE RUSSIAN ICON OF SAINT JOHN THE FORERUNNER, 17TH CENTURY.

A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE RUSSIAN ICON OF SAINT JOHN THE FORERUNNER, 17TH CENTURY. Here John is depicted full length turned towards Christ in an attitude of prayer. Know in Western Christianity as John the Baptist, in Eastern Orthodoxy he is commonly called John the Forerunner as he was the forerunner of Christ?s earthly ministry. Here he is depicted wearing the typical hair shirt (vlasyanitsa). The inscription to the right of his head identifies him as ?????? ????? ???????? ? The Holy John the Forerunner. The large size of this icon and the configuration of John would suggest this icon was once part of the Diesis tier of an iconostasis, right side. 43.5 inches x 12.6 inches (110.5 x 32 cm).