Annunciation of the Theotokos – Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Lithograph of the Annunciation of the Theotokos

A lithograph depicting the Annunciation of the Theotokos. The Annunciation of the Theotokos is essentially the joyful news that the Virgin Mary received from the Archangel Gabriel, telling her that she would bear Jesus Christ in the world in a miraculous way. According to the Evangelist Luke, the event of the Annunciation took place in Nazareth. In the sixth month after the conception of John the Baptist, the Archangel Gabriel, sent by God, met Mary in the place where she was staying and greeted her with the words: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you.”

This is one of the most important feasts of Orthodoxy, as it marks the beginning of salvation for humanity. Through the Annunciation, God’s plan to save the world through the incarnation of His Son is revealed to both angels and humans. Upon hearing the Archangel announce that she would bear a child, the Virgin Mary was astonished and asked how this could happen since she was not married. The Archangel Gabriel reassured her that the Holy Spirit would take care of everything.

Lithograph: Characteristics

In the image depicting the Annunciation of the Theotokos, the iconographer monk highlights this beautiful iconographic theme using the special technique of lithography. Specifically, by using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk created this work following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of the Athonite State. Moreover, the artificial aging of the icon is handmade, a process to which the monks of Mount Athos attach great importance.

Origin: Mount Athos