Description

Our Lady of Seven Swords: The History of the Icon

In this most unusual image, the Virgin appears with her heart pierced by seven swords. In the most common pictorial type we see four swords to her left and three to her right.

Because Catholics have adopted the cult of the “heart of the Virgin”, many believe that the icon of the Virgin of Seven Swords is of Catholic origin. In reality, however, the image is related to the prophecy of Saint Simeon the Theodosius, recorded by the evangelist Luke “and a sword will go through her soul…” (Luk. 2.35).

The passage in question refers to the pain that the Virgin would feel at the moment of separation from her beloved Son, when before her eyes He would be led to death on the cross.

The Virgin Mary of Seven Swords is also known as “the prophecy of Simeon the Righteous”. He is honored by the Church on August 13.

Dimensions: 19.5X14.5

Origin: Mount Athos