25 March
Hand-painted icon of the Annunciation
«Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word» (Luke 1:38). The Annunciation icon shows the instant in which the Word becomes flesh: the archangel Gabriel brings the greeting, the Mother of God consents, and a ray of light descends from heaven upon her.
How to read the icon
- On the left the archangel Gabriel, striding, with the messenger's staff and his right hand stretched out in greeting.
- On the right the Mother of God, standing or seated on a throne, head bowed and hand open in acceptance.
- In many icons she holds a spindle with purple thread: according to the Protoevangelium of James she was spinning the veil of the Temple. It is an image of the flesh the Son receives from her.
- Above, a segment of heaven from which a ray descends, often with the dove of the Holy Spirit.
- In the background, buildings joined by a red cloth: the scene takes place indoors, in a space open to God's presence.
The meaning
The Byzantine liturgy calls the Annunciation «the beginning of our salvation». This is why its icon is painted on the Royal Doors of the iconostasis, through which the Gospel comes out: the archangel on one leaf, the Mother of God on the other. It is an icon for expecting parents, for a young couple, for those who must say their own «yes». Like every icon by Concetta Basile, it is fully gilded with 23¾ karat gold, with inscriptions in Greek or Latin, and is commissioned with an offering proportionate to the time and materials of the work.
Frequently asked questions
Can only the archangel or only the Mother of God be painted?
Yes: as on the Royal Doors, the Annunciation can be divided into two panels, one for the archangel Gabriel and one for the Mother of God, to hang side by side.
How do I commission a feast icon?
In the configurator choose «Liturgical feast» and enter the name of the feast; the number of figures can be changed. In the conversation with Concetta Basile you agree together on composition, size and inscriptions.