The Seven Arrows Icon.
How the Seven Arrows Icon was found
In traditional iconography, the Blessed Virgin is always depicted with her Son. However, there are some images where she is painted alone. One of them is the Seven Arrows Icon – the painting with a powerful meaning.
No one knows when and by who this artwork has been created. There’s a belief that it was found accidentally by a sick peasant. He heard a mysterious voice telling him to check the bell tower of a local church. Much to everyone’s surprise, one of the wooden steps of the tower’s staircase turned out to have the Theotokos painted on it.
The acquired treasure was taken to the small church of St John the Evangelist. The sick man who found it asked the Virgin Mary for health. And so he received it. This was the first wonder of this icon. Later, it saved the entire city and its citizens from the infectious disease. Sadly, the original painting has been stolen many years later.
What does this painting represent?
The Seven Arrows Icon is a rare portrait of the Blessed Virgin. On it, she is stabbed by swords (or sometimes, arrows). We can notice endless sadness on her beautiful face. This is the look of the mother who has seen her child suffering and equally shared his pain.
This depiction looks like another Orthodox artwork – the Softener of the Evil Hearts. The distinctive feature is in the position of the weapons. The “Seven Arrows” is painted with 4 swords on Mary’s right side and 3 swords – on the left.
For Christians, this painting is a representation of self-sacrifice, acceptance of fate, and strong mental agony. The Mother of God grieves for her Child but also for all mankind. People seek refuge and consolation in her because only she understands the depth’s of heartache and loss.
Although the authentic painting has been lost for more than a century, it’s still possible to turn to Mary with all sorts of requests: to ease the pain, defend warriors and soldiers, and save your family from foes and jealous people. For example, when praying in front of the reproduction of the wonder-working image or just having it at home.
About the reproduction
What can be more powerful than an intimate act of talking with the Almighty, saints, and other heavenly beings? In minute of doubt and despair, we can always turn to the kind Virgin Mary. She is always here to listen.
Lighting 7 candles in front of the Seven Arrows icon and saying sincere prayer can help resolve numerous difficulties:
- mothers that are worried about their children;
- to secure the house from scammers and thieves;
- good health and well-being;
- mothers of soldiers who want their sons to come back safe and sound.
It’s not always possible to find this rare image in the nearest church. That’s why you can buy the Seven Arrows icon in the Andcross https://andcross.eu religious store and turn to Mary whenever you want. The size of the item: 5.12” (width) x 7.10” (length) – or 13 x 18 cm. The painting is covered with a thin layer of 999 fine silver.
Buy the Seven Arrows Icon online
A sacred corner is an inseparable part of the faithful Christian’s house. The holy image of Theotokos can be a great addition to a child’s bedroom or the shelf with other sacred images.
The Seven Arrows Icon is a meaningful gift for your family members or brothers in faith. At Andcross, https://andcross.eu we put every product into a beautiful gift box so you don’t need any extra wrapping. Buy the consecrated image of the Blessed Virgin online and let her holy aura protect your house and loved ones.
Pilgrim Ecclesiastic Educational Centre Andcross