Aged-Wooden Byzantine Icon of the Birth of the Virgin Mary. The Icon depicts Joachim and Anna immediately after the birth, with the Virgin Mary in front of them in the cradle.
The Birth of the Virgin Mary is described in the Gospel of James. The Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of the Virgin as an exception, since it usually honors its Saints and Fathers on the day of their death, due to her special mission in the salvation of humanity.
The Birth of Panagia was joyful news for her parents, Joachim and Anna, as they were unable to have a child. After much prayer, and after they had decided that if they have blessed with a child the will dedicate it to God, they received a divine message that their wish would come true.
Thus, at the age of three, she was taken to the Temple of Jerusalem, as described in the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, to dedicate herself to God.
Apolytikion
Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.
Kontakion
In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
The aging technique is meticulously applied to the icon by hand and gives it the look of time while the depiction retains its artistic details.
Around the perimeter, the aging becomes more apparent with frayed edges that give the Icon a distinctive appearance.
During the final processing, the Aged-Wooden Icon of the Birth of the Virgin Mary is polished with a special varnish to withstand time.
Note: The final Icon may slightly differ from the catalog photo.
Feast: September 8
Iconographer: Father Gregorios
Availability: Made to order, usually ships within 5 to 10 days.
