Theotokos Odigitria – Silkscreen Print on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos

Description

Icon of the Theotokos Odigitria on Naturally Aged Wood

An amazing icon of the Theotokos Odigitria. The original icon of the Theotokos Odigitria was initially at the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, where it mysteriously disappeared. According to tradition, the icon of Odigitria disappeared twice during 1730. In both cases, there was no violation of the monastery, and the icon was eventually found at the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos. Eventually, the fathers of the Vatopedi Monastery realized that the icon disappeared miraculously and did not wish to oppose the decision of the Theotokos. Since then, the icon of the Theotokos Odigitria has been kept within the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos.

Many have compared Mount Athos to an earthly paradise. Mostly because its inhabitants, the monks, have taken on the “angelic form,” as the monastic tonsure is called, which gives them a new name for their new life. The same “technique” of new life was used in the creation of this icon. The old life of the wood, as a utilitarian object from a cell, came to an end when it was time for renovation. However, the living wood, with prayer and care, was carefully aged and transformed into an icon of the Theotokos. Its new life will now be among worldly people, bringing them closer to the remembrance of Paradise. The aging of the wood was done using methods that have been used on Mount Athos for many years for the restoration of iconostases. The icon of the Theotokos on canvas was placed and artificially aged to match the wood, providing the detail that composes the Byzantine style of a work that is authentically Athonite.

Since the icon is handmade and the wood processing is done by hand, there may be slight variations in the wood, but not in the depiction.

The icon is available upon request.

Dimensions: 25×31