Dormition of the Theotokos – Antique Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Antique Lithograph of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

An image of the Dormition of the Theotokos created using the technique of antique lithography.

According to ecclesiastical tradition, after the Crucifixion of Jesus, the Theotokos (Mother of God) resided in the home of the Evangelist John. She was informed by an angel of the Lord, most likely the Archangel Gabriel, of her impending death three days before it occurred. After praying on the Mount of Olives, she distributed her belongings to two widowed neighbors.

The Dormition of the Theotokos took place in the home of the Evangelist John, and a cloud took the Apostles and brought them before the bed where the Theotokos lay. The only one absent from her funeral was the Apostle Thomas. When he returned, he asked for the tomb to be opened so that he could venerate her. After three days, the tomb was opened, and to their amazement, they discovered that the Virgin Mary had risen and ascended into the heavens.

In Greece, the Dormition of the Theotokos is celebrated with special splendor on August 15th, and it is also known as the “Pascha of Summer.”

Antique Lithograph: Features

This particular image was created using the technique of lithography, which is taught in the iconography workshops of Mount Athos and is also used by several monks to create exceptional works of art. In this case, the monk used a lithographed copy of Byzantine art and crafted the piece following the traditional method of artificial aging. The lithography technique in iconography is essentially a printing technique.

Origin: Mount Athos