Description

Lithograph of the Virgin Mary Pantanassa

The Virgin Mary Pantanassa is depicted enthroned on a wooden carved throne, holding Christ in her arms. The Theotokos is dressed in a greenish tunic and a purple mantle. She is surrounded by Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who bow in reverence to the Mother of God holding the Child.

The throne of the Virgin Mary is created with free perspective that does not adhere to natural laws. The space is symbolic. Since the law of the straight-line propagation of light does not apply, the depicted figures and objects do not cast shadows, and are portrayed without weight or volume. The composition is characterized by simple beauty.

The Miraculous Icon of the Virgin Mary Pantanassa

The original icon of the Virgin Mary Pantanassa is portable and dates back to the 17th century. It is located in the katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi and is considered particularly miraculous.

According to accounts from the monks of the monastery, the first sign that the icon has special grace occurred as follows: One day, a young man entered the church, and as he went to venerate the icon, the face of the Virgin Mary suddenly shone, and an invisible force knocked him to the ground. When he recovered, he confessed with tears to the monks that he had been living far from God and practicing magic. Thus, the miraculous intervention of the Theotokos convinced the young man to change his life and become a God-fearing person.

Lithograph Virgin Mary Pantanassa: Features

Using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk iconographer crafted this work following the traditional method of artificial aging, as he was taught in Mount Athos. The icon is adorned with gold finishing and features carvings from the technique of artificial aging.