Disclaimer and Endorsement:
The Icons posted on this web site are for spiritual inspiration only. There are no claims for ownership of the Icons listed. This Icon Directory is intended as an Orthodox Christian medium for Spiritual education.
If an Icon listed is an infringement of copywright, I will gladly remove it.
For those authors who kindly allow the spiritual, educational, and memorial display of their beautiful work, thank you for your blessed ministry.
Many Miracle-Working Icons can be found on the Orthodox Church in America web site.
For purchasing information please visit the web site of The Icon Studio of the Convent of St. Elizabeth which produce Icons in all sizes of Jesus, the Theotokos, traditional Saints and Festal Ocasions.
They are in strict Byzantine or traditional Russian style.
For full or partial Church Iconography, large Icons can be produced on canvas by the studio and permanently applied to Church walls and ceilings.
Their Icon studio has a well-known reputation for the beauty and refined artistic quality of its work, and has the lowest prices available.
They also provide Icon prints of all Icon productions.
It is a pleasure to list and give the appropiate credit for all authorship listed.
Gilbert-Joseph
GGallant2@Tampabay.rr.com
Synaxarion or Legend:
Icons of Mary holding her Son Jesus have been popular since the Council of Ephesus which in 431 solemnly declared Mary to be the Theotokos or Mother of God.
St. Luke was the first one who painted the "Theotokos", "Mother of God", while she was still alive. He is credited with three icons of the "Panagia", in one case using the wooden table where Mary and St. John ate their meals.
Throughout history, many Icons of the Most Holy Mother of God have had miracles attributed to them.
In addition, there are those Icons which may not have been miracle working, but still been venerated with the hope of intercession from the Mother of God.
The Icons posted on this web site are for spiritual inspiration only. There are no claims for ownership of the Icons listed. This Icon Directory is intended as an Orthodox Christian medium for Spiritual education.
If an Icon listed is an infringement of copywright, I will gladly remove it.
For those authors who kindly allow the spiritual, educational, and memorial display of their beautiful work, thank you for your blessed ministry.
Many Miracle-Working Icons can be found on the Orthodox Church in America web site.
For purchasing information please visit the web site of The Icon Studio of the Convent of St. Elizabeth which produce Icons in all sizes of Jesus, the Theotokos, traditional Saints and Festal Ocasions.
They are in strict Byzantine or traditional Russian style.
For full or partial Church Iconography, large Icons can be produced on canvas by the studio and permanently applied to Church walls and ceilings.
Their Icon studio has a well-known reputation for the beauty and refined artistic quality of its work, and has the lowest prices available.
They also provide Icon prints of all Icon productions.
It is a pleasure to list and give the appropiate credit for all authorship listed.
Gilbert-Joseph
GGallant2@Tampabay.rr.com
Synaxarion or Legend:
Icons of Mary holding her Son Jesus have been popular since the Council of Ephesus which in 431 solemnly declared Mary to be the Theotokos or Mother of God.
St. Luke was the first one who painted the "Theotokos", "Mother of God", while she was still alive. He is credited with three icons of the "Panagia", in one case using the wooden table where Mary and St. John ate their meals.
Throughout history, many Icons of the Most Holy Mother of God have had miracles attributed to them.
In addition, there are those Icons which may not have been miracle working, but still been venerated with the hope of intercession from the Mother of God.
Icon of the Mother of God Economissa
The Economissa (or Stewardess) Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos depicts the Mother of God seated on a throne, with Her Son on her left knee. St Athanasius of Mt Athos (July 5) stands on her right, holding a model of the Great Lavra. On her left is St Michael of Synnada (May 23). Two angels hold a crown above her head.
The Mother of God has been considered the Stewardess of the Holy Mountain ever since the tenth century when the Great Lavra was being built. St Athanasius of Mt Athos was abandoned by his monks because there was a shortage of food and money. He also left the half-built Lavra, and began walking toward Karyes, intending to ask for advice about whether or not to beg the emperor for the funds needed to complete the building. After about two hours, he saw a beautiful woman standing before him wearing a long blue veil.
"I know your sorrow," She said, "and I would like to help. Where are you going?"
St Athanasius explained everything that had happened, and She asked, "Have you deserted your monastery for a morsel of bread? Go back! You will have everything you need in abundance, if you do not abandon your monastery."
"Who are you?" the astonished saint inquired.
"I am the Mother of your Lord," She replied.
St Athanasius hesitated to believe Her, afraid of being deceived by the Evil One. Then he asked Her how he could be sure that Her words were true.
"Do you see this rock?" she asked, pointing to the side of the path. "Strike it with your staff in the name of the Holy Trinity, and you will know who is speaking to you. Do not appoint a steward at any time, for from this time forward, I shall be the Stewardess of your monastery."
St Athanasius did as he was told, and the rock split open. A stream of water began to flow out of the crack. When he turned to face the Mother of God and to ask forgiveness for his doubt, She had disappeared.
Returning to the monastery, St Athanasius fournd all the storerooms filled to capacity with food, wine, and oil. The building was completed, and soon the Lavra was filled with monks once again.
To this day, the Lavra does not have a steward. There is, however, a monk who serves as an assistant steward to the Mother of God. The Economissa Icon rests on a throne in the narthex of the main church, and She remains the Stewardess of the Lavra. Pilgrims venerate the Icon before entering the side chapel with the saint's tomb.
The spring of St Athanasius still flows with healing water.