Icon of the Mother of God of the Passion

Icon of the Mother of God of the Passion

How our icons are made

The icon of the Mother of God gets its title "of the Passion" from depiction of the two angels on either side.

The Holy Mother of God and the Christ-Child contemplate the symbols of sufferings carried by the two angels, who hold the instruments of Christ's Holy Passion in the upper left and right corners.

Arch-angel Gabriel, who is on the right, carries the cross on which Christ was crucified. While, the Arch-angel Michael (on the left), holds a spear, the instrument by which Christ's side was pierced ("one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.") and a stalk of hyssop, with a sponge of vinegar: "Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop and put it to His mouth."

The Christ child is portrayed as looking at them in astonishment, in fear he seeks refuge with His Mother. He clasps the right hand of His Mother, with both His hands. The Mother of God expresses a look of mournful resignation. The pain She experiences at the thought of her Son's future suffering, is portrayed by the solemn expression on her face, as the Prophet Simeon had foretold, "a sword shall pierce through your own soul … that the thoughts of many hearts maybe revealed." Luke 2:35

The icon's feast day is commemorated on August 13^th (August 26^th).