“The Virgin Mary Holding the Child (Panagia Vrefokratousa) – Silk Screen Print on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos”

Description

Icon of the Virgin Mary Holding the Child (Panagia Vrefokratousa) on Naturally Aged Wood

A collectible icon featuring the Virgin Mary Holding the Child on canvas, which is placed on naturally aged wood.

The Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus in her arms is surrounded by saints, and the wood has cracks and a textured finish, elements that add charm to the Byzantine style of the icon.

The name “Vrefokratousa” comes from the affection and care shown by the Theotokos as she holds the infant Jesus in her arms. It is one of many epithets given to the Virgin Mary, which arise either from the way she is depicted in icons, like in this Vrefokratousa image, or from areas where churches are dedicated in her name, or even from hymns and traditions.

This is a unique icon on naturally aged wood that originates from Mount Athos, specifically from a monk’s cell that needed to be renovated due to damage sustained over time. Each piece of wood was worked separately and with patience by monks with exceptional woodcraft skills, it was preserved, and ultimately became the foundation for this icon.

The icon has dual value, not only because it depicts the most beloved sacred figure of Christianity, the Virgin Mary, but also because the wood comes from the very Garden of the Theotokos. The cracks that run across the surface of the wood are a clear testament to its age, revealing that it was used by the Athonite monks in their daily life in the monastic community.

Since 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.

The icon is available upon request.

Dimensions: 26 x 31 x 2.5 cm