Annunciation of the Theotokos – Serigraph on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos

Description

Icon of the Annunciation of the Theotokos on Naturally Aged Wood

A beautiful representation of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in serigraphy on naturally aged wood (March 25th).

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos is a major feast in the Orthodox Church. It is considered a “Despotico-Theotokian” feast, meaning it is Despotic because it refers to the Lord Christ, who was conceived in the womb of the Theotokos, and Theotokian because it commemorates the person who played a key role in the conception and incarnation of the Word of God—namely, the Virgin Mary. This is one of the most important feasts in Orthodoxy as it marks the beginning of humanity’s salvation.

The Annunciation of the Theotokos is essentially the joyful news that the Virgin Mary received from the Archangel Gabriel, announcing that she would bring the world Jesus Christ in a miraculous way. According to the Evangelist Luke, the event took place in Nazareth. Sent by God, the Archangel Gabriel met Mary in the place where she was staying and greeted her with the words: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you.” When the Archangel announced that she would conceive, the Virgin Mary was astonished and asked how this would happen, as she had no husband. The Archangel reassured her that the Holy Spirit would take care of everything. Mary’s response, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” shows her complete submission and trust in God’s will.

This particular icon is crafted on naturally aged wood, which comes from one of the many cells in the Garden of the Virgin Mary (Mount Athos). The passage of time and the elements of nature have caused significant wear and tear on several of these wooden surfaces, necessitating restoration work. The wood used for this is cut with special techniques employed by the monks for the conservation of wooden iconostasis in the monasteries. It then serves as the base for creating these unique icons. Wood that once supported the cells as beams, served as door panels, or was once part of a staircase, is transformed in this way into a one-of-a-kind religious icon.

As the icon is handmade and the wood processing is done by hand, there may be slight variations in the wood, but not in the depiction of the image.

The icon is available upon order.

Origin: Mount Athos

Dimensions: 26 x 32.5 x 2.5 cm