Virgin of the Sweet Kiss – Antiqued Iconostasis – Mount Athos

Description

Antiqued Iconostasis with the Virgin of the Sweet Kiss and Archangels Michael & Gabriel

A beautiful iconostasis created as a triptych, with the central depiction of the Virgin of the Sweet Kiss and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel by her side. Each section features a different figure.

According to tradition, the original icon of the Virgin of the Sweet Kiss was preserved during the iconoclasm by a woman named Victoria, the wife of a senator. She kept the icon in her house and secretly venerated it despite the prohibition. During an iconoclast search, Victoria took the icon and descended to the sea. There, she venerated it one last time before casting it into the water, hoping that through some miracle, it would be saved. Indeed, the icon did not sink and began to float on the water until it reached Mount Athos.

On the two side panels of the iconostasis are depicted the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Archangel Michael is the commander of the heavenly hosts, appearing as the supreme general, with a key role in both the Old and New Testaments. He is also honored as the patron of the Air Force. The Archangel Gabriel is known for his numerous interventions and acts of kindness recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. It was Gabriel who announced to Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist, to Joachim and Anna the birth of the Virgin Mary, and the supreme Annunciation to the Virgin Mary regarding the birth of Jesus Christ.

The iconostasis is made from pieces of wood originating from a restored cell on Mount Athos. These are timbers that were preserved using the traditional techniques employed by monks for the wooden iconostases of the churches and were then repurposed.

These antiqued iconostases are new additions to the “Athonite Heritage” collection, and each one is unique, as the pieces of wood used to create them are also unique.

The iconostasis is available upon request.

Origin: Mount Athos
Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 2 cm