The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos on the iconostasion, at the beginning of Mesonyktikon, the Midnight Office. She is seated on a throne, and holds the Christ Child before her. He raises His right hand in blessing.
At the four corners of the throne are Prophets whose writings foreshadowed the Virgin Mary and the Incarnation. Solomon holds the house that Wisdom built (Proverbs 9:1), while Daniel holds the stone cut out from a mountain without hands (Daniel 2:34). Isaiah has the tongs that held the live coal taken from off the altar of God (Isaiah 6:6), while David holds a building and a scroll with the verse from the Psalms, Αὕτη ἡ κατάπαυσίς μου εἰς αἰῶνα αἰῶνος, ᾧδε κατοικήσω, ὅτι ᾑρετισάμην αὐτήν. ’This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have chosen her’ (Psalm 131:14 LXX).
The icon was created by Ieremias Palladas in 1612.
Dear Father Justin, We are home in Chicago after our very special visit to the monastery. We will never forget our time there. Sending you our very best regards, Susan