The Virgin Mary with the Holy Belt – Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Lithograph of the Holy Belt

An exceptional lithograph depicting the Honorable Belt (or Holy Belt) of the Virgin Mary. The Honorable or Holy Belt of the Theotokos is the only sacred relic associated with Her earthly life. It is a belt that the Virgin Mary herself made from camel hair. The Apostle Thomas was the only one of the Apostles who witnessed the miraculous Assumption of the Virgin. At that moment, he asked her to give him her belt as a blessing, which she handed to him.

The Holy Belt was kept by Christians in Jerusalem until Emperor Arcadius brought it to Constantinople. The reception was magnificent, and faithful from every corner of the Byzantine Empire attended with devotion. Today, the only surviving piece of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary is kept in the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos. The Church commemorates the deposition of the Holy Belt of the Theotokos on August 31st.

Lithograph of the Holy Belt: Characteristics

The iconographer monk used the lithography technique to create a work of unique beauty, which is further enhanced by the iconographic theme of the Holy Belt. Specifically, using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk created this work following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of the Athonite State. The artificial aging of the icon is handmade, a process to which the monks of Mount Athos give special importance.

Origin: Mount Athos