Archangel Gabriel in Prayer

The Ampelos is an iconic representation of the following verse from the Gospel of John: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit; for without me, you can do nothing." -John 15:5. All twelve of Christ's Disciples are seated in the branches of the vine around Christ, Who is in the center. Above Christ, you can also see the Holy Spirit and God the Father depicted, completing the Holy Trinity.

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

This Holy Icon is comprised of two individual icons: The Archangel Gabriel and the Theotokos. Each piece measures 5.9" x 11.8" (15 x 30 cm), with a recessed style border. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

This icon portrays the Annunciation of the Theotokos, a feast which is celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before the Nativity. This feast celebrates the day on which the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to ask her if she wanted to be the mother of God. Mary was selected by God as the most pure woman on the planet, but was not forced to give birth to Christ. She was given the option to decline, but chose to be the mother of God. On that day, the first cells of Christ appeared inside of Mary’s womb, but Mary remained a virgin, as no man ever touched her.

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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.  

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. 

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. 

The Story Behind This Icon:

This icon portrays the Annunciation of the Theotokos, a feast which is celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before the Nativity. This feast celebrates the day on which the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to ask her if she wanted to be the mother of God. Mary was selected by God as the most pure woman on the planet, but was not forced to give birth to Christ. She was given the option to decline, but chose to be the mother of God. On that day, the first cells of Christ appeared inside of Mary’s womb, but Mary remained a virgin, as no man ever touched her.

At the very top part of the icon, the half circle is the Kingdom of God with three rays representing the presence of the Holy Spirit directed to the Virgin Mary. The Archangel Gabriel holds a stick which is the symbol of a messenger. His feet are spread to show the movement of running. On the right side of the icon, the Virgin Mary is seated, but elevated, a sign that as the Mother of God she is “greater in honor than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word”. The movement of her right hand shows that she responds by accepting Gabriel’s message. In her left hand, the Virgin Mary holds a spindle of scarlet yarn, symbolizing the task of preparing the purple and scarlet material to be used in making the veil for the Temple in Jerusalem.  

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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.

The Holy Archangel Gabriel is called the Leader of the Heavenly Hosts. The name Gabriel comes from the Hebrew meaning “Man of God” or “God is mighty”. Archangel Gabriel has been intimately involved in the history of humanity announcing the good news from God of the salvation of mankind and is celebrated by the Orthodox Church for his role as messenger on many occasions: 

• announcing the future incarnation of the Son of God to those of the Old Testament; 
• inspiring the Prophet Moses to write the first five books of the Old Testament;
• announcing the coming tribulations of the Chosen People to the Prophet Daniel;
• appearing to Saint Anna with the joyous news that she would give birth to the Virgin Mary;
• appearing to Zachariah to inform him that his wife Elizabeth would bear the Forerunner John the Baptist;
• announcing to the Virgin Mary the incarnation of the Son of God from her (the Annunciation), to the great rejoicing of all mankind;
• proclaiming the good news of the Resurrection to the Myrrh-Bearing Women outside the Empty Tomb of Christ. 

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Archangel Gabriel’s efforts on behalf of humanity are celebrated on March 26, the day immediately following the Feast of the Annunciation. In Orthodox iconography Gabriel is usually portrayed with wings and holding the characteristic staff of the messenger in his right hand, consistent with his role in human history. He is also often portrayed holding a mirror with an “X” (the first letter of Christ in Greek). 

This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.

All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.

Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.