Detail of a Sinai icon of the Enthroned Virgin and Christ Child surrounded by Prophets and Saints, dated to ca. 1080-1130.
Christ grasps the veil of the Theotokos, eager to accomplish that for which he came into the world. But the Virgin’s pensive gaze is directed to the Elder Symeon and the words he holds on his scroll, ‘Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ (Luke 2:35).
For the garment of Christ, the iconographer laid down a sheet of gold leaf, and then painted over it with glazes, depicting the garment, while retaining the luminosity of the gold.
Dear Father Justin,
It is a magnificent icon. Where was it made and what is in Christ’s and the Theotokos’ right hand?
I appreciate your beautiful photographs.
Richard
The icon is representative of icons from Constantinople at that time, but it could have been made on Sinai by an iconographer who was trained in Constantinople. In many icons, the Christ Child holds a scroll. This points back to verses from the Law and the Prophets that foretold his coming into the world.
Mary Virgin‘s pensive gaze and the words : ‘Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ , are of Great Importance !
Dear Father Justin , it’s a magnificent Icon .
A unique gaze !
I am grateful to you for all the divine photographs, and of course the wisdom and holy νοήματα you express in words .