---
title: "The “Trinity” of Andrei Rublev — Church history"
description: "History, theology and composition of the most famous Russian icon. The Orthodox Church calendar, icons, prayers, lives of saints and Church history on…"
url: "https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/history/icon-rublev-trinity"
language: "en"
---

Icons

# The “Trinity” of Andrei Rublev

History, theology and composition of the most famous Russian icon.

## Contents

1. [History](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/history/icon-rublev-trinity#s1)
2. [Theology](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/history/icon-rublev-trinity#s2)
3. [Composition](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/history/icon-rublev-trinity#s3)

## History

The icon was painted by St Andrei Rublev for the Trinity Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery “in praise” of St Sergius; its date (1411 or 1425–1427) is debated by scholars. It was uncovered from later overpainting in 1904–1905 and 1918–1919. From 1929 it was kept in the Tretyakov Gallery; in 2023–2024 it was handed to the Church and placed in the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra.

## Theology

The three angels are the appearance of the Trinity to Abraham (Genesis 18). Rublev removes everyday details, leaving the cup with the calf's head — an image of Christ's sacrifice. The unity of the three figures within a circle expresses the consubstantiality and love of the Persons of the Trinity. The Stoglav Council of 1551 directed that the Trinity be painted “as Andrei Rublev painted it”.

## Composition

The central angel is most often interpreted as the Son (tunic with a clavus), the left as the Father, the right as the Spirit; other interpretations exist. The angels incline their heads to one another in silent converse.

[St Andrei Rublev, Iconographer](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/history/saints/rublev)

## Related

- [The Trinity by Andrei Rublev](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/icons/trinity-andrei-rublev)
- [St Andrei Rublev, Iconographer](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/history/saints/rublev)
- [Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Sergiev Posad](https://spas.life/en/orthodoxy/places/trinity-lavra)