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Virgin Gorgoepikoos – Engraved Lithograph – Mount Athos

20,00 85,00 

A unique engraved lithograph of the Virgin Gorgoepikoos, created with care on engraved natural wood, naturally aged over time.

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

The icon is available upon order.

Origin: Mount Athos

Estimated Delivery: 3-10 working days SKU: EIK.ENS.SKS.006 Categories: , ,

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Description

Engraved Lithograph of the Virgin Gorgoepikoos
The miraculous icon of the Virgin Gorgoepikoos has been kept at the Holy Monastery of Dochiariou on Mount Athos since 1646. It protects the monks from all harm and influence, as well as those who come to it in faith, asking for her intercession.

As noted by the holy Nikodemos in the Synaxarion, on the right side of the monastery’s altar there was an old icon of the Virgin, painted in the 11th century, during the time of the monastery’s founder, Neophytos. In 1646, the monastery faced a difficult year, as it lacked the necessary funds to pay the tax to the Turkish rulers. The monastery’s treasurer would often pass by the icon holding burning torches in his hands.

One evening, as he passed by the icon, he heard a voice coming from it saying, “Do not pass by here and blacken the place with smoke.” The monk thought someone was calling out to him and paid no attention. A few days later, while continuing to pass with burning torches, he again heard a voice say, “O monk, how long will you continue to smoke my image and dishonor me?”

At that moment, the monk lost his sight. Realizing his mistake, he made a kneeling stand in front of the icon and prayed fervently for forgiveness, asking the Virgin to restore his sight. The Virgin, as a compassionate mother, heard his prayer and said, “Behold, from today I give you sight. Be careful not to pass with burning torches again, for I am the Lady of this Monastery, and I swiftly obey those who call upon me and grant them their requests for salvation, for I am called Gorgoepikoos.”

Since then, the icon has been known as Gorgoepikoos because the Virgin, through her wondrous deeds, continually demonstrates that she listens and responds quickly to those who call upon her with faith and reverence. Her grace works miracles within Mount Athos, her Garden, and throughout the world.

Engraved Lithograph: Characteristics
The artwork is entirely handcrafted, without the use of machinery, on engraved natural wood. It is the work of the iconographer Athanasios, a student of the Athoniada Ecclesiastical Academy, who remains faithful to Byzantine art as taught to him on Mount Athos. His works are coated with pure beeswax to ensure they remain unaltered over time.

For this particular icon, the monk iconographer used the technique of lithography to create a work of exceptional beauty. Specifically, using a lithographed reproduction of Byzantine art, the monk created this work by following the traditional method of artificial aging, as he learned in the iconography workshops of the Athonite State. The artificial aging process of the icon is handmade, a procedure that the monks of Mount Athos give special attention to.

Note:
As the icon is handmade and the wood processing is entirely done by hand, slight variations in the dimensions of each image may occur.

The icon is available upon order.

Origin: Mount Athos

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