Iconography of "Pantocrator" with icon from Chelyabinsk museum of art taken as an example

Russian icon painting traditions are root in ancient time: the accepted Byzantian canon was changing and developing in Russian territory after Russia accepted Christianity in 988. Old Believers' icon painting tradition was oriented towards ancient "pre-icon" images; it preserved and copied them, though it was not still either. The icon painters used ancient samples selectively in accordance with peculiarities of their own world outlook, liturgic cult, grace and hierarchy.