Icon of The Life Giving Spring- 00FLG001

Feast Day/Commemorated: April 4

The Life-Giving Spring, also known as the Life-Giving Font of the Mother of God (Greek: Zoodochos Pigi; Russian: Zhivotnosny Istochnik), is an Orthodox Church feast day. It's linked to a historic church west of Constantinople in Valoukli and an icon of the Theotokos.

This feast is uniquely celebrated on Bright Friday—the Friday after Pascha—making it the only feast observed during Bright Week. The commemoration of the Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is observed separately on April 4.

The icon of the Virgin of the Spring is rich with symbolism, presenting the Virgin Mary in a posture of blessing and tenderly embracing the Christ Child. She is enthroned upon a raised basin, which visually represents the "living water" of Christ. Flanking her are two angels, emphasizing the divine nature of the scene. The water from this elevated source flows gracefully into a lower, larger marble basin, explicitly designed in the shape of a cross, further reinforcing its spiritual significance.

An intriguing rendition of this icon from Naxos Island, Greece, expands upon the traditional imagery. It shows the Emperor and his guard gathered around the cross-shaped basin, with the Patriarch and his bishops positioned on the right. The background subtly includes Emperor Leo I and the blind man, set against the backdrop of the city walls. Crucially, the icon illustrates the spring's miraculous efficacy, depicting a paralytic and a madman experiencing healing as they receive its waters.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard  mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel & can be cleaned with a damp cloth.  Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.