Panagia Ierosolymitissa (of Jerusalem)
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The Story Behind This Icon
"The Theotokos looks a lot like the icon of the Panagia Ierosolymitissa. She is exactly the same. I have seen her many times and I don't know of any other icon resembling her so much." -Saint Paisios the Athonite
According to tradition, the miraculous icon of Panagia of Jerusalem ("Ierosolymitissa" in Greek) was created miraculously in 1870 as follows. There was an iconographer nun named Tatiani in the Russian Monastery of the Holy Myrrh-Bearer Mary Magdalene, lying opposite the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Sister Tatiani saw a vision while asleep of an unknown nun entering her cell and asking Tatiani to draw her.
Tatiani responded that she was an iconographer not an artist. The visitor then responded, "in that case, paint an icon of me." Tatiani was taken aback by the boldness of this unknown nun and began her work. As Tatiani painted, she saw the nun's vestments become gold and her face shine brightly, and heard her say "O blessed Tatiani, after the Apostle and Evangelist Luke, you will paint an icon of me again." Realizing that it was the Theotokos to whom she spoke, Tatiani awoke from her sleep, fearful, and ran to her Abbess to relate the story.
Returning to her cell, Tatiani could see light under the door and entered to a heavenly fragrance and the Icon from the vision in the middle of the room. The Theotokos presented Herself again to Tatiani, telling her "Take me down to my house in Gethsemane."
Since then, the Holy Icon made-without-hands of the Panagia of Jerusalem can be found at the Tomb of the Mother of God of Gethsemane where it continues to work miracles to this day.
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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 consists of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. Subtle connecting lines and brush strokes may be visible on the gold leaves and are a testament to the artisan's hand, making each piece entirely unique.
