Panagia Agia Zoni - Embossed Wooden Icon on Canvas with Golden Background

Panagia Agia Zoni - Embossed Wooden Icon on Canvas with Golden Background

Icon's History

The unique sacred relic that is associated with the presence of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) during her lifetime, the Holy Girdle (Zoni), part of which is preserved  in the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos. The Holy Girdle was woven by the Theotokos herself using camel hair. After her departure, the Holy Girdle was diligently kept by two poor and devout women who took care of the Theotokos.

Emperor Arcadius (395-408 AD) transferred it to Constantinople and placed it in a reliquary called the "Holy Cincture." Empress Pulcheria, the daughter of Arcadius, built a church to safeguard the Girdle, which she adorned with golden thread. Over the course of time, the Girdle was fragmented, and parts of it were transferred to various churches in the city. After the fall of Constantinople, only a portion of the Girdle reached the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi, and we do not know who or how it was delivered. According to tradition, it was given by John VI Kantakouzenos in 1354, after he resigned from his office and became a monk.

 

Icon Materials

• The images are constructed from copper, silver-plated with 999/1000 silver, and gold-plated with Au 24-karat gold.
• The frames on the images with glass are made of synthetic material to avoid woodworm or other parasites. They do not require a pest control certificate.
• The rest are made from MDF, lined with high-quality veneer.
• The faces are silk-screen printed or, where this is not possible in order to accurately depict the face, digitally printed with UV colors that remain unchanged over time.