Icon of Virgin Mary Mesonesiotissa from Agiou Pavlou Monastery

Origin & History

The Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God is located in the altar part of the main church of the Agiou Pavlou Monastery.

The name "Mesonisiotissa" or "Nisiotissa" is associated with the icon's origin from the now non-existent Monastery of the Mother of God Mesonisiotissa, situated at a place named "Nision", between Edessa and Arnissa. This monastery, established by the Serbian ruler named Radoslav Hlapen around 1351-1360, was transferred to the Monastery of St. Paul in 1385.

Description & Imagery

The Virgin is depicted with a slightly turned body to the right, her two hands holding Christ. Her head is inclined in such a way that her face touches the face of the Infant. Her purple robes are adorned with golden stars.

The portrayal of the Virgin Mary and Christ is executed with smooth lines, switching and complementing each other, bestowing an unearthly calmness, characterized by the embracing gesture and the melancholic expression on the face of the Virgin.

From the original inscriptions accompanying the Virgin on the golden background of the icon, only "Mother of God", written in red letters, and next to Christ's halo, "Jesus Christ", have been preserved.

Iconography & Symbolism

In terms of characteristics, from an iconographic perspective, this icon pertains to a modified type of the Virgin Eleousa, closely related to the theological content of the Passionate Virgin, which became widespread from the second half of the 14th century.

The sorrowful expression on the Virgin's face points to Christ's Passion awaiting the Child in the future, symbolically represented by Jesus's bare feet. From an iconographic perspective, the depiction of little Christ on the icon is related to the concept of the Lamb and Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

Christ's tunic, with a belt and two vertical fabric stripes starting from his shoulders and descending down his back, also links this iconography with the "Anapeson" or "Sleepless Eye" iconography.

Date & Artistic Connection

The icon's origin from the Byzantine monastery around the region of Edessa (circa 1351-1360), coupled with its stylistic features, allows its dating to the third quarter of the 14th century. The particular artistic connection of this icon with the works of Macedonian masters from the second half of the 14th century suggests it to be the work of a workshop located in Veroia or Kastoria.