The Anastasis

2000 AD
Church of St. Sergy
Moscow

In this typical example of the Anastasis Christ stands on the doors of Hell that he has broken. The cross he carries follows the Orthodox tradition of picturing the placard ordered by Pilate as a second horizontal piece.

The man Christ is helping out of the sarcophagus is Adam. The sarcophagus of course symbolizes Hell. The white hair and beard are a reference to St. Paul's admonitions to "put off the old man" (e.g. Ephesians 4:22). Eve stands behind him. In the other sarcophagus are the kings David and Solomon. It is not clear who the other two figures are.

Also see the Harrowing of Hell.