Brother Kassianos of Pantokrator, Virgin Orant

Brother Kassianos of Pantokrator, Virgin Orant, egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, late 20^th century

The Virgin Mary, inscribed “Mother of God” (Mater Theou), appears as an orant, a standing figure with both arms raised with palms facing the heavens indicating a moment of prayer. The Virgin Mary, as the Panagiea or All Holy Mother of God, has particular importance on the Athonite peninsula as the principle patron saint. Orant figures were adapted from Roman images of pietas (piety) by Early Christians in their catacombs in Rome as early as the second century CE.