Description

Commemorated on November 27

The Icon of the Mother of God “Of the Sign” is one of the most ancient iconographic images of the Theotokos, depicting the Most Holy Mother of God with Her hands prayerfully uplifted and the Divine Infant resting upon Her bosom within a mandorla or sphere. This pose is highly traditional; similar early prototypes include a fourth-century depiction in the mausoleum of Saint Agnes in Rome, showing the Mother of God with raised hands and Christ on Her knees. Another precursor is the sixth-century Byzantine icon, the Mother of God “Nikopea,” which shows the Theotokos seated on a throne and holding an oval shield containing the image of the Savior Emmanuel. The "Sign" iconography fundamentally represents the Mother of God as an intercessor and the fulfillment of the prophetic sign given to the prophet Isaiah.

This specific depiction became highly revered in Russia during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, taking its name “The Sign” from a miraculous event involving the Novgorod Icon in 1170. In that year, the city of Great Novgorod faced a devastating siege by the allied forces of appanage princes. With all hope lost, the people prayed to God for help. In response, Bishop Elias of Novgorod received a divine command to take the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos from the church of the Savior’s Transfiguration and carry it in a procession along the city walls. During the procession, the enemy fired a volley of arrows, and one arrow pierced the iconographic face of the Mother of God. This resulted in the icon weeping tears and turning its face towards the city, causing an immediate and inexplicable terror to fall upon the besieging army. The panicked invaders began striking one another, enabling the people of Novgorod to give battle and win a decisive victory.

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.

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