Features:
Dimensions, mm: 18*12
Average weight: 2,5 grams
Materials: silver 925, gilding 999
Techniques: casting, gilding, blackening, handmade
The small icon shows one of the most beloved icons of all believers - the Mother of God "Seven Arrows". This icon was glorified by miracles in the XIX century. For a long time it was in oblivion and shame. It laid near the stares of the bell tower in St. John the Divine church (near Vologda). Icon laid face down, because it was mistaken for ordinary board. This went on until one paralytic in Kadnikov received a vision of it. Virgin came to him in a dream and proclaimed that he would be healed after praying before this icon. Under direction of the paralytic miraculous image was discovered and placed in the temple. After prayers were read, patient was healed. In 1830 this icon became particularly famous, when by the prayer before this icon cholera epidemic was stopped in Vologda, and many sick found healing.
On the icon "Seven Arrows" Holy Mother of God is depicted pierced with arrows, sometimes instead of arrows portray swords. Iconography was created from the prophecy of St. Simeon, who uttered in the temple of Jerusalem, where the Virgin and St. Joseph brought Jesus on the fortieth day after Christmas. Seven, arrows or swords piercing her body is a symbolic image of Holy Mother’s of God sorrow, when she witnessed the suffering of Her Son. According to the teaching of the Orthodox Church, the Lord was crucified for the sins of the people, and every day during the Liturgy he is crucified again for the sins of living people. Moreover seven arrows or swords are also a symbol of seven deadly sins, which bring endless suffering to the Virgin.
There are two more icons with the same iconography: "Softener of Evil Hearts" and "Simeon prophecy." They differ from each other by the location of arrows or swords. But there is no distinction between the three icons, because they relate to the same iconographic type. Believers often pray before the image for reconciliation of warring and for protection from cruelty.
