The Life of the Virgin Mary in the shape of a Cross – Excavated Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Engraved Lithograph with the Life of the Virgin Mary

Assumption

According to ecclesiastical tradition, after the Crucifixion of Jesus, the Virgin Mary lived in the house of John the Evangelist. In fact, she was informed of her imminent death by an angel of the Lord, probably the archangel Gabriel, three days before it happened, and after praying on the Mount of Olives, she distributed her possessions to two widowed neighbors.

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary happened in the house of John the Evangelist, while a cloud grabbed the Apostles and brought them all in front of the bed where the Virgin Mary was lying. The only one absent from her funeral was Apostle Thomas, who when he returned asked for the tomb to be opened so that he could worship as well. So, after three days, they opened the tomb and were surprised to find that the Virgin Mary was resurrected and ascended to heaven.

In Greece, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated with great pomp on August 15, while it is also called “Easter of Summer”.

Birth of Christ

A wonderful icon with strong Byzantine elements, depicting the Virgin Mary holding the newborn Jesus. Joseph, along with the Virgin Mary, set off for Bethlehem to be recorded there. Indeed, after an arduous journey, they reached their destination where, because a crowd of people had gathered, they could not find accommodation, only a poor cave. There the Virgin Mary gave birth to the Lord Jesus Christ and then placed Him in the manger. The lithograph depicts the angels flying over the cave, but also the three magicians with gifts. The celebration of Christmas was first established on December 25, 397 AD during the patriarchate of Ag. John Chrysostom.

Annunciation

The Annunciation is essentially the joyful news that the Virgin Mary received from the Archangel Gabriel that she will bring Jesus Christ into the world in a miraculous way. According to Luke the Evangelist, the event of the Annunciation took place in Nazareth. In the sixth month after the arrest of the Baptist, the Archangel Gabriel, sent by God, meets Mary at the place where she was staying and greets her: “Rejoice, graceful the Lord with you.”

Engraved Lithography: Features

The work is crafted entirely by hand, without machinery, in carved natural wood. It is the work of hagiographer Athanasios, a student of the Athonite Ecclesiastical Academy, who remains faithful to Byzantine art as he was taught it on Mount Athos. His works are covered with pure beeswax so that they remain unchanged over time.

In this particular icon, the hagiographer monk used the technique of lithography to create a work of unique beauty. Specifically, using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk created this work following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the hagiography workshops of the Athonite State. In fact, the artificial aging of hagiography is handmade, a process to which the monks of Mount Athos pay particular attention.

As the image is handmade and the wood is processed entirely by hand, there may be slight variations in the dimensions of each image.

Image available upon request.

Origin: Mount Athos