The Theotokos “of the Sign”: the Meaning of the Image and Its Name
This is the icon
most likely to confront any visitor to an Orthodox church or cathedral, as it
is usually present in the upper part of the altar, the focal point of any
church. It is also one of the most ancient Christian icons, being found in the
first-century catacombs where the early Church worshiped secretly. What does
this image show, and what is behind its name?
The icon shows the
Mother of God from the waist up, facing us, with her hands lifted up to the
level of her head, elbows bent. From time immemorial this gesture has signified
a prayerful appeal to God. The Christ-child, Emmanuel, is depicted in a circle
of light at her bosom. Icons of this type were, and still are sometimes, called
Oranta (Latin for praying). Her
prayerful stance also gives the impression of presenting us with Christ, and
our attention is drawn – as always with icons of the Theotokos – to her Son,
our Saviour.
In the Russian
land, this image acquired the name Our Lady “of the Sign” (Znamenie – Знамение). It is sometimes thought – quite understandably,
given the Icon’s composition – that this name refers to the prophecy of Isaiah:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
And shall call His name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
However, the origin
of the name in Russia can also be traced to a specific historical event, when
through the Oranta icon, God wrought a miracle. On November 27, 1165 in the
midst of the assault on the city of Novgorod by the forces of Prince Andrew of
Bogolubovo, the citizens of the besieged town brought the Icon to the city
wall. One of the arrows pierced the icon and the Most Holy Mother of God turned
her face to the city and shed tears. The tears dropped on the phelonion of
Bishop John of Novgorod, who exclaimed: “O
wonder of wonders! How can tears be streaming from dry wood! O Queen! You are
giving us a sign that you are entreating your Son that the city be spared.”
Inspired by the
wonderful sign, the people of Novgorod repelled the attacks of the Suzdal
forces. To this day, the whole of the Russian Church celebrates the Feast of
the Icon “Znamenie” on this day, December 10, which is November 27 in the Old
Julian Calendar.
The Theotokos of the Sign above the Altar
As for the use of
this image, or variants of it, above altars in church, this is related to the
New Covenant, Christian, church being a renewed version of the Old Covenant,
Jewish, Temple. In the Jewish Temple, as described in the Bible, there was the
Mercy Seat. Flanked by cherubim, above the altar, and inside the sanctuary, it
is within the Mercy Seat that the presence of God was manifest every year to
the priests. Now, of course, God is manifest to us all in the person of Jesus
Christ, and so Mary – within whom the glory of God was manifest – becomes the
“new” Mercy Seat. Indeed, in the first Icon at the top of this post, she is
even flanked by Cherubim, as the Mercy Seat was. But unlike the Mercy Seat of
the “Old” religion, the Mother of God, and her Son, are clearly visible and
manifest to everyone who enters an Orthodox church.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shined.
For unto us a Child is born; to us a Son is given.
And the government shall be upon His shoulder, and of
His peace there will be no end.
And His name shall be called the Messenger of Great
Counsel, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince
of Peace, the Father of the World to Come.
God is with us! Understand this, O nations, and submit
yourselves! For God is with us!
(from the Song of
the Holy Prophet Isaiah)
Source: https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/the-theotokos-of-the-sign-icon/
