Orthodox icon | Birth of the Mother of God | Bronze | 24613

Orthodox icon | Birth of the Mother of God | Bronze | 24613.

This small bronze/brass/yellow metal icon portrays the birth of the Mother of God.

The birth of the Mother of God is celebrated on September 8th. Its origins go back to the 6th or 7th century. The Eastern church included it in their calendar in the 9th century. The Gospels state Mary was from David’s house. However, non-canonical accounts offer detailed stories about Mary’s birth.

These stories highlight Joachim and Anna’s answered prayers. They were a childless couple. The stories describe many miraculous events from the future Mother of God’s childhood and youth.

The icon shows St. Anne in bed, following the traditional style of birth scenes. Neighborhood women surround her, bringing refreshments. Midwives are bathing the child. In some icons, Saint Joachim watches the scene from a doorway.

The backdrop consists of abstract architecture, indicating an indoor setting. Later periods introduced contemporary rooms with furniture. This helped viewers connect the events to their own home life. The birth of the Mother of God is a joyous and solemn start to Christ’s divine salvation event.

Source: Orthodox icon | Birth of the Mother of God | Bronze | 24613 © Ikonen Mautner. Typing errors, other errors or changes reserved. For more information: “Das Synaxarion. Die Leben der Heiligen der Orthodoxen Kirche.” (http://www.prodromos-verlag.de/buecher.html) and Joachim Schäfer: Das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon – https://www.heiligenlexikon.de