Sinaxis of the nine orders
The Theory behind Sinaxis of the nine orders icon. The byzantine icon depicts the moment where Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God (and drew a part of the angels with him). At this moment Archangel Michael stood up and cried out before the faithful angels:
Let us attend! Let us stand aright! Let us stand with fear!” and all of the faithful angelic heavenly hosts cried out: “Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!’
(Στώμεν καλώς, στώμεν μετά φοβου Θεού!Άγιος, Άγιος, Άγιος Κύριος Σαβαώθ· πλήρης ο ουρανός και η γη της δόξης σου.)
That was actually: Calling all Angels. The inscription is in Greek: Synaxis ton ennea tagmaton. On the top a triangle and a circle – geometrically representing the Holy Trinity on the rest of the icons all the bodiless powers divided as follows (top to bottom, left to right):
- 1st rank Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones,
- 2nd, Dominions, Powers, Authorities/ Virtues,
- 3rd rank Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
The leader of all the angelic hosts is the Archangel Michael. (Bottom row, right in the middle) .
(For more on the rank of Angels please visit: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2013/11/08/103244-synaxis-of-the-archangel-michael-and-the-other-bodiless-powers)
The painting of Sinaxis of the nine orders was inspired icon of the 19th century. It was executed on a special type of gessoed canvas which was cracked and applied with a brownish plant dye that gives to the gold the so called “antique craquelure look”.
For some more theory behind the painting of another icon you may also cvisit: https://angelicon.gr/study-of-christ-pantocrator/