Otchłań w ikonie. Analiza typu ikonograficznego Zstąpienia do otchłani

The abyss is most often discussed from the point of view of the Scripture or human existential experience. The purpose of this article is to show the abyss in the icon where these two aspects are present. Applying reference and comparison methods, one can see the victory of Jesus Christ, which takes place in sheol over Satan and his rebellious angels. The victory accomplished on the cross by the Savior has its continuation here because in the icon it becomes the gate to heaven for the righteous dating back to Adam and Eve, the first parents of humankind. Rich symbolism of the icon Descend into the Abyss from various icon schools allows us to make a broad theological interpretation which becomes an inspiration for further research and the discovery of its message and symbolism, in the dogmatic, spiritual, liturgical, homiletic, artistic and psychological dimensions.