Virgin Holy Protection (Skepe)

    The image of the Virgin Mary with the Seven Spades, four on the left and three on the right, relates to the prophecy of Saint Simeon the Theodochus, recorded by the Evangelist Luke: \"...and the pain, go through your heart, as a stabbing sword...\" (Luke. 2.35). These words refer to the pain that Virgin Mary would have experienced at the time of her separation from her beloved Son when he was crucified in front of her eyes.
    This icon was in the bell tower of a church near the River Tossen. However, without knowing the reason, the image was face down and served as a simple board. God, of course, did not let that happen for a long time. A resident of the region, Kadickof, who suffered from many illnesses, saw in his sleep that he had to look for an image in the bell tower and pray to the Image to be cured. Indeed, he went to the church, but the people who were there did not pay much attention to him. The man, however, did not leave them and continued to visit the church until the third time the people gave him the permission to search for the icon. Kadickof found the image, cleansed it, worshiped it and he was healed.

Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, You became man and died on the cross for our salvation. You healed people of sickness and affliction through Your love and compassion. Visit me, Lord and grant me strength to bear this sickness with which I am afflicted, with patience, submission to Your will and trust in Your loving care. I pray that You will bless the means used for my recovery and those who administer them. Grant that my sickness may be to my spiritual benefit and that I may live the rest of my life more faithfully according to Your will. For You are the source of life and healing and to You I give praise and glory, now and forever. Amen.

In this article you will read about the symbolism of various objects in Byzantine Iconography, such as the cross and the Church held by the Saints, the open palms, the Gospel, the scrolls, the rod, medical objects, as well as the choices of colors. Orthodox hagiography reveals to Christians the unearthly, which transcends the boundaries of our physical world. It functions as a way of communication and seeks to highlight the new world that will come with the Kingdom of God. This can be expressed through the icons of the Saints, where characteristics such as schematization, simplicity and differentiation prevail.