The Icon of the Resurrection presents Jesus destroying Hades and building His Church. He stands triumphantly upon a figure lying prone in the darkness – the personification of Death, conquered, bound and defeated. He is building His Church by raising Adam from the dead. Death is defeated and the gates of Hades have not prevailed, but are now shattered by His descent and have fallen in the form of a cross. Trampling down death by His death, Jesus leaves Hades in utter chaos, littering it with broken locks and chains. Jesus pulls the first man, Adam, from the tomb by his wrist, not by his hand, because Adam cannot help pull himself out of this prison of death. Eve, to the left of Adam, holds her hands out in supplication, waiting for Jesus to raise her too. Various kings, prophets and righteous men who immediately recognize the Risen One look on from the right. Here is pictured the restoration of Adam and of all humanity into communion with God. “To earth hast Thou come down, O Master, to save Adam: and not finding him on earth, Thou hast descended into Hades, seeking him there" (from Paschal Matin of the Orthodox Church). Christ’s descent into Hades is the utter extreme end of His kenosis that in turn makes way for our Theosis.
Also see Church Year, Hades, Kenosis and Theosis.