Icon of the mother of God

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eelpis said:
What’s the significance of this holy icon?

Mother of God, stone broke loose from the mountain.

College of Arts and Sciences | Creighton University
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The uncut mountina refers to the Virginity of the Mother of God.

It’s from the Prophet Habbakuk,

The Prophet continues: “God shall come out of Thaeman [Teman]” (vs. 3). How precisely the Spirit opened the Prophet’s eyes! Teman is a name applied to the southern region of greater Israel, and broadly may include southern Judah where Bethlehem is located, the city of Christ’s birth. This mention of God coming from Teman is exactly how St. Irenaeus perceived these words of the Prophet: “thus [Habakkuk] indicates in clear terms that He is God, and that His advent was to take place in Bethlehem…which is toward the south of the inheritance.”
What is more, the Church understands the “mountain overshadowed and densely wooded” to refer to the Theotokos. Our hymnody sings: “Habakkuk foresaw as an uncut mountain Thine undefiled womb, O pure One, and so he cried out: ‘The holy God shall go forth from Teman and from a wooded and uncut mountain.’” How prophetic! Recall: the Virgin was told: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, therefore, also that Holy One Who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Lk. 1:35).

Hope this helps…
 
Thanks Patchunky, I love the references to the prophecies of Christ from the OT.
 
Икона гора нерукосечная

This icon is also showing in this case other Old Covenant symbols of incarnatin - here the stair case of Isaak, sometimes also the ark of covenant. The faces of Mother of God are like stars on shoulders and head - these symbolize virginity of Mother of God before, during and after birth of Savior. This is typical of this ikona. Here is 19th century ikon
Богоматерь Гора Нерукосечная

*19 век. Гуслицкие села *

bibliotekar.ru/rusIcon/82.files/image001.jpg
 
John_Augustine said:
Does anyone know the meaning of the three faces on the Blessed Lady’s mantle?
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From a video by a Orthodox British ikonographer, he says they represent Shadrak, Meshak and Abendigo, the 3 youths in the firery furnace.

I have to check in another book about the ikons of Mary and see what they have to say…
 
Does anyone know the meaning of the three faces on the Blessed Lady’s mantle?

I’ve seen three stars in these positions (cf the image of OL of Mt. Carmel, where only one is visible on the shoulder), but never faces before.
 
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