The Descent into Hell and the Resurrection.

Within the Byzantine canon of painting, the Descent into Hell remained one of the least constant compositions. However, after the 16th century, it became more usual to depict this Event simultaneously with the Resurrection.

In Orthodoxy this is the Festival Icon for Easter and is always found in the Festival Tier of an Iconostasis. Depicting Christ's triumph over death, through His descent into Hell and His redemption of man by the act of raising up Adam and Eve, the narrative elements are based on the Apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus. Nicodemus describes the broken gates of Hell trampled on by Christ and made of brass, which is why they are always painted an orange-yellow. The figure of the young shepherd behind Eve is her son, Abel, who was the first to encounter death.

The twelve Great Feasts of Orthodoxy depicted in miniature around the Resurrection comprise:-

1 The Nativity of the Mother of God
2 Presentation of the Mother of God into the Temple.
3 The Annunciation.
4 Nativity of Our Lord.
5 Presentation of Christ into the Temple.
6 Baptism of Christ.
7 Entry into Jerusalem.
8 The Transfiguration.
9 The Ascension.
10 Old Testament Trinity.
11 Dormition of the Mother of God.
12 Elevation of the True Cross.