Description

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 Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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