Description

Aged Lithograph of the Virgin of Paraclete

The Virgin of Paraclete is the one who comforts. With the gentle expression on her face, she rests and calms those who look at her image and venerate it.

The historic icon of the Virgin of Paraclete is located at the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos. The original expression of the Theotokos and Jesus in this icon was different. However, it changed after the following miracle occurred.

In 807 AD, pirates landed on the shore of the monastery and hid, waiting for the gates of the monastery to open so they could attack. After the conclusion 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 away the pirates.”

Turning his face towards the image of the Virgin, he saw the Divine Child stretch out His hand and cover His mother’s lips, saying, “No, my mother, let them be punished as they deserve.” The Virgin, however, taking her Son’s hand in hers and slightly tilting her head to free her lips, repeated the same words. The abbot then realized that the first voice he had heard was also that of the Virgin.

This final expression on the faces of the Virgin and Jesus remained permanently on the icon. The monks were saved from the pirates thanks to the Virgin’s warning, and they thanked her warmly for her miraculous intervention. From this miracle, the icon was named the Virgin of Paraclete. The Virgin of Paraclete at Vatopedi is a fresco and is located in the chapel of the same name at the monastery.

Aged Lithograph: Characteristics

The image of the Virgin of Paraclete is hand-finished. It then undergoes the technique of artificial aging, which adds charm to it. The intricate designs on the halos of the Virgin and Jesus give the icon a Byzantine grandeur.