Silver icon with Theotokos Athonitissa, the Protector of Mount Athos. Handmade silver icon on natural wood, made with 925ο silver. The natural wood used for the synthesis of the icon is beech (fagus) from Mount Athos, a wood that is receptive to aging techniques that give the appearance of vintage to the wood, without altering the depicted image.
The depictions of faces, hands, halos or other representations are hand-painted on canvas by specialized iconographers, according to the traditional techniques of Byzantine Iconography. The silver frame of the icon is held by nails to resemble the original icons. On the back side, the icon has a small metal ring made of horseshoe nails so that it can be hung.
The Lady Theotokos was first revealed at Athos, to Saint Peter (655-681) and after four to five centuries, to the abbot of the Great Lavra, Nikolaos. On both hermits, Theotokos promised to look after and protect the monks, and help them avoiding temptations, dangers and distress. Μore about Virgin Mary of Mount Athos.
