Are The Gates of Hell Locked From The Inside?

[The Liturgist]

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[The Liturgist]

This icon is a great depiction of the gates of Hell and I would agree they are unlocked from the outside as others have stated per scripture. Although when locked either way the occupants are not able to free themselves.

I believe that is also a depiction of the Harrowing of Hell, assuming it is an icon of Orthodox provenance. But to get the best possible sense as to what that icon might mean from an Eastern Orthodox perspective, which is relevant because it is obviously an icon in the Byzantine style of iconographics (as opposed to a Coptic or Western or other style of icon, where the rules and traditions can be different), I would like to call in our resident experts:

@prodromos and @HTacianas - what do you think about that icon? Is it canonical?

 

[Tigger45]

I believe that is also a depiction of the Harrowing of Hell, assuming it is an icon of Orthodox provenance. But to get the best possible sense as to what that icon might mean from an Eastern Orthodox perspective, which is relevant because it is obviously an icon in the Byzantine style of iconographics (as opposed to a Coptic or Western or other style of icon, where the rules and traditions can be different), I would like to call in our resident experts:

@prodromos and @HTacianas - what do you think about that icon? Is it canonical?

Suddenly I developed a knot in my stomach as if on Jeopardy waiting for Alex to reveal the correct answer.

 

[The Liturgist]

Suddenly I developed a knot in my stomach as if on Jeopardy waiting for Alex to reveal the correct answer.

I’ll take Theopaschitism for a thousand, Alex.