The Seven-Sworded Virgin Mary – Engraved Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Engraved Lithograph of the Seven-Sworded Virgin Mary

In this unusual icon, the Virgin Mary is depicted with her heart pierced by seven swords. In the more common iconographic style, we see four swords on her left and three on her right.

Because Catholics have adopted the devotion to the “Heart of the Virgin Mary,” many believe that the Seven-Sworded Virgin Mary icon originates from Catholic tradition. However, the icon actually relates to the prophecy of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver, as recorded by the Evangelist Luke: “And a sword will pierce your own soul also…” (Luke 2:35).

This passage refers to the sorrow that the Virgin Mary would feel at the moment of separation from her beloved Son, when He would be led to His crucifixion before her eyes.

The Seven-Sworded Virgin Mary is also known as “The Prophecy of the Righteous Simeon.” It is commemorated by the Church on August 13.

Engraved Lithograph: Features

The work is entirely hand-crafted, without the use of machines, 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 he was taught at Mount Athos. His works are coated with pure beeswax to preserve them over time.

In this particular icon, the monk iconographer used the technique of lithography to create a work of exceptional beauty. Specifically, using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk crafted this piece following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of the Athonite State. In fact, the artificial aging of the icon is hand-made, a process to which the monks of Mount Athos attach great importance.

Dimensions: 17×25

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

The icon is available upon request.

Origin: Mount Athos