Icon of the Mother of God of the Passion. Egg tempera and gold leaf on birchwood panel, 16″ x 14″. Written for Monsignor Bojnowksi Manor, New Britain CT.
Based on a well-known Cretan prototype, this icon shows Mary the Mother of God, cradling the Christ Child. He turns to see the archangels Michael and Gabriel, who show him the tools of his imminent passion and death. Agitated by this vision, he clings to his mother’s hands as a sandal falls off his foot. Mary stares out at us, mindful of the prophecy of Simeon at the presentation in the temple (Luke 2:25 “…a sword of sorrow shall pierce your heart…”).
The famous Catholic icon, “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, is similar to this version, but shows the Mother of God dressed in blue and gold garments, with crowns on both figures.