Description

Lithograph of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

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

Because the Catholics have adopted the worship of the “Heart of the Theotokos,” many believe that the image of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows is of Catholic origin. In reality, however, the image is related to the prophecy of Saint Simeon the Righteous, 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 before her eyes.

Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows is also known as “the prophecy of the Righteous Simeon.” It is honored by the Church on August 13th.

Lithograph: Characteristics

Using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk iconographer created this work following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught to him on Mount Athos. In the four corners, the image is adorned with a golden finish, between the carvings of the artificial aging.

The image is available upon request.

Origin: Mount Athos