Economissa Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary
$2000
Economissa Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary is an Athonite image known as the Stewardess of the Great Lavra, prayed to for home, work, business, and household needs.
Available size: 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Mount Athos landscape, Archangels, enamel margins, 23K gold leaf (960 purity) kovcheg, hand-chased ornament, egg tempera, and gold assist. Free international shipping, with payment after delivery.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
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Economissa Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary, also called the Mother of God Economissa or Stewardess, is a hand-painted Orthodox icon connected with Mount Athos and the Great Lavra of Saint Athanasius. This is an icon of trust in the Mother of God not only in spiritual sorrow, but also in the daily cares of home, work, food, shelter, and family life.
The listed size is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). This version is richly finished with multicolored enamel ornament, 23K gold leaf (960 purity), hand-chased plant relief, egg tempera painting, and gold assist. It is a solemn icon for a home, office, family prayer corner, or meaningful gift.
The Athonite Story of the Economissa
The history of the Economissa icon is inseparable from Mount Athos, the earthly garden of the Mother of God. In the tenth century, Saint Athanasius of Athos founded the Great Lavra. During a long famine, the monastery’s stores were exhausted, and the brethren began to leave.
Finally Saint Athanasius himself, burdened by hunger and despair, set out from the monastery. On the road he met a majestic Woman under a veil. She asked why he was abandoning his monastery. When he told her of the famine, she commanded him to return and promised: from that day she herself would be the Economissa, the Stewardess, of the Lavra.
The Spring of Agiasma
Saint Athanasius asked how he could know that the promise was true. By the command of the Mother of God, he struck a cross-shaped rock with his iron staff. Water burst from the stone, forming the spring known as Agiasma, Holy Water.
When Athanasius returned to the Lavra, the storerooms were filled with wheat, oil, wine, and other provisions. In memory of this event, the Great Lavra traditionally has no ordinary monk-economos; the Mother of God herself is honored as the true Economissa.
Iconography of the Mother of God as Stewardess
The Theotokos is shown enthroned as the Lady of the monastery and heavenly caretaker of earthly needs. Christ Child sits on her lap, blessing the faithful with His right hand and holding a scroll in His left hand, a sign of divine teaching.
Behind the throne is a detailed Athonite landscape: mountains, evergreen forests, the blue Aegean Sea, and the architectural silhouette of the Great Lavra. This background is not decorative scenery only; it points to the exact place of the miracle.
Archangels, Throne, and Paradise Meadow
Archangels Michael and Gabriel appear in the opened heavens, holding palm branches as signs of victory, peace, and good news. Beneath the throne, a fragrant meadow of grasses and flowers suggests paradise, renewal, and the blessing of life.
The face of the Mother of God is calm and compassionate. Her gaze turns toward the person praying, as if receiving the anxieties of daily life: work, debts, food, household needs, and the uncertainty of tomorrow.
Prayer Before the Economissa Icon
Orthodox Christians pray before the Economissa icon for help in honest work, wise stewardship, business difficulties, employment, debts, buying or building a home, repairs, harvest, and the care of land or household.
The icon also speaks to family life. Material hardship often becomes a cause of conflict, fear, and division. Prayer before the Mother of God Economissa asks not only for provision, but for peace, trust, and order in the home.
Enamel, Gold, and Chased Ornament
The margins are decorated by hand with multicolored cold enamel: soft pink flowers, azure-blue blossoms, and emerald leaves over a gold ground. This gives the icon a festive and precious appearance.
The inner kovcheg is covered with 23K gold leaf (960 purity) and worked with hand-chased plant relief. Gold assist enriches the garments of the Mother of God and Christ, the wings of the angels, and the details of the carved throne.
Icon Characteristics
| Name | Economissa Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary |
| Other name | Mother of God Economissa, Stewardess or Housekeeper |
| Iconographic subject | Economissa with Christ Child, Archangels, Mount Athos, and the Great Lavra |
| Available size | 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) |
| Margins | Multicolored cold enamel floral ornament over gold |
| Kovcheg | 23K gold leaf (960 purity) with hand-chased plant relief |
| Painting | Hand-painted egg tempera with natural mineral pigments |
| Board | Solid linden board with linen, chalk gesso, and oak splines |
| Gold detail | Gold assist on garments, angels, and throne details |
| Purpose | New home, wedding, anniversary, business opening, office, home iconostasis, or family prayer corner |
Materials and Mstyora Technique
The icon is painted on a solid linden board prepared with linen and 10 to 15 layers of chalk gesso. Oak splines are inserted on the back to help protect the panel from warping.
The painting is made in egg tempera with mineral pigments. The gold, enamel, and chased ornament are applied by hand, so the icon can serve as both a prayerful image and a long-lasting family relic.
Care and Preservation
An icon with enamel, gold leaf, and chased relief should not be washed, polished, or wiped with damp cloths. Household cleaners must not be used.
Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. A glazed wooden icon case is recommended, especially for an icon kept in a home prayer corner or office.
Ordering, Shipping, and Payment
The listed size is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
Questions and Answers
What does Economissa mean?
Economissa means Stewardess or Housekeeper. The title refers to the Mother of God as the heavenly caretaker of the Great Lavra on Mount Athos.
What is the story behind this icon?
According to Athonite tradition, the Mother of God appeared to Saint Athanasius of Athos during famine and promised to be the Economissa of his monastery.
What is the Great Lavra?
The Great Lavra is the monastery founded by Saint Athanasius on Mount Athos, where the promise of the Mother of God is especially remembered.
What is shown in the background?
The background shows Mount Athos, the Aegean Sea, forests, and the Great Lavra, connecting the icon to the place of the miracle.
What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?
They pray for help with household needs, honest work, business, debts, building or buying a home, harvest, and peace in the family.
What is the listed size?
The listed size is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), a format chosen to show the complex composition and fine decorative work clearly.
What is special about the decoration?
The icon has multicolored enamel ornament on the margins, 23K gold leaf (960 purity), hand-chased plant relief, and gold assist on garments, angels, and throne details.
Why is this icon suitable as a gift?
It is a meaningful gift for a new home, wedding, anniversary, business opening, or someone responsible for a household or workplace.
How should an icon with enamel and chased gold be cared for?
It should not be washed or wiped with damp cloths. Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush.
How are shipping and payment arranged?
Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
| Name | Mary |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in) |
