<![CDATA[Abstrak: Keberadaan Gereja Ortodoks Rusia Santo Thomas Rasul di Jakarta Selatan menyajikan fenomena antropologis yang unik di tengah dominasi tradisi Kristen Barat di Indonesia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkap simbol dan makna teologis-kultural di balik ikon-ikon Kristen Ortodoks, serta melihat struktur dan fungsinya dalam merawat keyakinan jemaat. Menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif-analitis, data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi naskah sejarah perkembangan tradisi ikon gereja tersebut. Analisis data dipertajam secara rigid menggunakan teori antropologi interpretatif simbolik Clifford Geertz yang memandang kebudayaan sebagai sistem simbol objektif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ikon-ikon teologis ini bukan sekadar elemen dekoratif, melainkan sebuah teks kebudayaan hidup yang menyimpan, mengajarkan, dan mentransmisikan nilainilai iman Ortodoks Rusia secara visual kepada komunitasnya di Jakarta. Kata kunci: antropologi simbolik, Clifford Geertz, Gereja Ortodoks, ikonografi Kristen, sistem makna Abstract: The existence of the St. Thomas the Apostle Russian Orthodox Church in South Jakarta presents a unique anthropological phenomenon amidst the dominance of Western Christian traditions in Indonesia. This study aims to uncover the symbolic and cultural-theological meanings behind Orthodox Christian icons, examining their structure and function in preserving the congregation's faith. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive-analytical method, data were gathered through observation, interviews, and documentation of the historical development of the church's icon tradition. The data analysis is rigidly sharpened by applying Clifford Geertz’s interpretive symbolic anthropology theory, which conceptualizes culture as an objective system of symbols. The findings reveal that these theological icons are not merely decorative elements; instead, they function as a living cultural text that visually stores, teaches, and transmits Russian Orthodox faith values to its community in Jakarta. Keywords: Christian iconography, Clifford Geertz, Orthodox Church, symbolic anthropology, system of meaning]]>
