Description

Lithograph with the Virgin Mary Paramythia

The Virgin Mary Paramythia is she who consoles. With the gentle expression on her face, she comforts and calms those who look at her image and venerate it.

The historical image of the Virgin Mary Paramythia is located at the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos. The initial expression of the Theotokos and Jesus in this specific image was different. However, it changed after the following miracle occurred.

In 807 AD, pirates landed on the beach of the monastery and waited hidden for the monastery gates to open so they could attack. After the completion of matins, the abbot remained alone to continue his prayers. Suddenly, he heard the following words, coming from a female voice: “Do not open the gates of the monastery today, but go up to the walls and drive out the pirates.”

Turning his face toward the image of the Virgin Mary, he saw the Divine Infant stretch out His hand and cover His mother’s lips, saying, “No, my mother, let them be punished as they deserve.” However, the Virgin Mary, taking her Son’s hand in hers and turning her head slightly to free her lips, repeated the same words. The abbot was now certain that the first voice he had heard had also been the Virgin Mary’s.

This final formation of the faces and the expression of the Virgin Mary and Jesus remained permanently in the image. The monks were saved from the pirates thanks to the warning of the Virgin Mary, for which they thanked her warmly for her miraculous intervention. Following this miracle, they named this specific image of the Virgin Mary “Paramythia.” The Virgin Mary Paramythia of Vatopedi is a fresco and is located in the chapel of the same name in the monastery.

Lithograph of Virgin Mary Paramythia: Features

Using a lithographed replica of Byzantine art, the monk iconographer created this work following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught on Mount Athos. The image is adorned with gold finishing in the four corners, integrated into the engravings of the artificial aging.