Panagia Eptáspathi – Aged Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Panagia Epta Spathia: The History of the Icon

In this particularly unique icon, the Virgin Mary is depicted with her heart pierced by seven swords. In the more common iconographic representation, four swords are shown on her left side and three on her right side.

While Catholics have adopted the devotion to the “Heart of the Theotokos,” many believe that the Panagia Epta Spathia icon has Catholic origins. In reality, however, the icon is connected to the prophecy of Saint Simeon the God-receiver, which is recorded by the Evangelist Luke: “and a sword will pierce your own soul also…” (Luke 2:35).

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

The Panagia Epta Spathia is also known as “The Prophecy of the Righteous Simeon.” It is celebrated by the Church on August 13.

Lithograph: Characteristics

This beautiful icon was created using the technique of lithography. The monk who painted this particular work studied in the iconography workshops of the monasteries of Mount Athos, where he learned both the technique of lithography and the process of handmade artificial aging, which is applied to the depiction of the Panagia Epta Spathia. It is noteworthy that lithography in iconography is a printing technique.

Origin: Mount Athos

Dimensions: 36 x 23 cm