Holy Archangels – Aged Lithograph with Gold Leaf – Mount Athos

Description

Aged Lithograph of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel

In the Holy Scriptures, angels are frequently mentioned as creations of God—immaterial and incorporeal beings, free from the passions of human nature. In Orthodox tradition, angels are depicted with wings, symbolizing their heavenly nature.

They are portrayed with reverence, resembling a celestial army. Angels are classified into different orders, each with a distinct name: Angels, Archangels, Principalities, Powers, Authorities, Dominions, Cherubim, and Seraphim. At the head of the heavenly hosts stand the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The name Michael is interpreted as “Who is like God?” and Gabriel as “Man of God.”

The Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel is celebrated on November 8th. On this day, the Church commemorates the gathering of Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the heavenly powers, recalling the rebellion of Satan. When Archangel Michael saw Satan fall, he called the heavenly hosts to attention, shouting “Let us attend,” and praised God with the other angels. This assembly is known as the “Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers,” symbolizing the unity and harmony of the good angels.

Aged Lithograph: Features

In this lithograph, the monk-iconographer used the technique of lithography to create a work of unique beauty, framed with gold leaf. The monk created the artwork using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, adhering to the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of the Athonite Monastic State. The artificial aging process is handcrafted, a procedure that the monks of Mount Athos take great care in perfecting.

Origin: Mount Athos