15 August
Icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God
The Mother of God lies on her bier, surrounded by the apostles; behind her Christ, standing in glory, holds her soul in his arms, depicted as a swaddled child. The Son she once held in her arms now holds her in his.
How to read the icon
- At the centre the bier with the Mother of God, eyes closed, hands crossed on her breast.
- Behind, Christ in a mandorla of light, surrounded by angels, holding his Mother's soul in his arms.
- The apostles, who according to tradition arrived on clouds from every corner of the world: Saint Peter with the censer at the head of the bier, Saint Paul bowing at the foot, Saint John leaning on the bier.
- The holy bishops and the women of Jerusalem weeping; in the background, the buildings of the city.
Dormition and Assumption
On 15 August the Eastern Church celebrates the Dormition, the «falling asleep» of the Mother of God; on the same day the Catholic Church celebrates the Assumption of Mary into heaven, body and soul. It is the same feast seen from two sides: the death of the Mother of God is a passage into life, the first fruit of her Son's Resurrection.
It is an icon of consolation in bereavement and for a family. 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
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.