Icon of the Lamentation of the Mother of God – embroidered, framed, 25x31cm
The icon of the Lamentation of the Mother of God is one of the few icons in Orthodox Christianity where the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted alone, without the Infant Jesus in her arms.
Another noteworthy element is her expressive face. Both her tears and her gaze reflect the inner state of the Most Pure One with pain, compassion, humility, love, and hope. With deep sorrow in her heart and hands in prayer, the Virgin Mary bows before our Father.
In theology, Orthodox Christians regard the Mother of God as our own Mother, who feels our pain and intercedes for us, bringing our pain before her Son.
In a sign of gratitude, the most beautiful words spoken in human language have been addressed to her: "It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever blessed, and most pure, and the Mother of our God. Thou art more honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word. Truly the Theotokos, we magnify thee."
The holy icon "Lamentation of the Mother of God" was originally painted by the famous iconographer Ioan Protcenco, who took the name Irineu when he embraced the monastic life. He was brought by Father Cleopa to Sihastria Monastery in Neamț County with the intention of painting icons.
Irineu Protcenco was already famous for his talent in painting portraits, but not icons. He was endowed with the talent to paint the faces of the great saints only after he followed the advice he received from a nun: to fast, confess, and pray a lot.
He did just that, painting in fasting and silence until he succeeded in creating this religious masterpiece. Father Paisie of Sihastria and other fathers said that the Mother of God appeared to him and thanked him for the way he painted her.
