The Virgin Nativity Cathedral
Cupola, drum and pendentives

Forefather Abel

Dionisy's frescoes. Forefather Abel

The second son of Adam and Eve. According to the Bible, Abel was a shepherd and his elder brother was a farmer. When both brothers made an offering to God, Abel’s pleased him more and Cain was jealous of his brother and killed him (Genesis 4:2-8). John Chrysostom saw in Abel a prototype of Christ; Abel was a shepherd, he sacrificed a lamb and suffered a violent death at the hand of his brother.