Silver icon with appearance of the Virgin Mary to Saint Sergius of Radonezh. 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.
Dimensions: 31 x 35 cm.
Around the year 1338, four years before the death of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, a wondrous event took place. Saint Sergius used to stand in prayer before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. One night, after completing his prayer, he warned his disciple Micah that a miraculous visitation was about to occur. Then the Mother of God appeared, accompanied by the Apostle Peter and the Evangelist John, amid a radiance more dazzling than the sun. Saint Sergius fell to the ground, but the Theotokos raised him up and strengthened him, assuring him that she would protect his monastery during his lifetime and after his repose. Shocked by the appearance of the Virgin Mary, Saint Sergius sent his disciple Micah to call the fathers of the monastery and inform them about the vision. Filled with joy and awe, they all chanted a supplication to the Theotokos, while Saint Sergius remained awake throughout the night, contemplating the wonder.
