The Mother of God "Of the Sign"

The image of the Virgin with hands raised in prayer is one of the oldest in Christian art as it symbolically relates to her position as an intercessor in prayer for all; examples are found dating from 3rd century sarcophagi. The Latin term is 'orans' or 'orants'-literally meaning 'praying'-and was common to both Jews and Christians in Roman times. The Mother of God "Of the Sign" is a popular icon image in Eastern Orthodox Christianity of the Virgin Mary in an Orants pose, with hands reaching upward and a medallion of the Christ Child on her breast. The depiction of the Virgin Mary with her hands upraised in prayer is of very ancient origin in Christian art.

Saint Basil the Great, writing in the 4th century, gave the Greek term Platytera -'Wider than Heaven'- to the image of the Virgin in the 'orants' posture many times with a medallion of Christ on her breast. The term, 'The Mother of God "Of the Sign"' was also used throughout Byzantium time and the Orthodox religions still use it today. In the mausoleum of St Agnes in Rome is a depiction dating to the fourth century which depicts the Theotokos (Greek title for the Virgin) with hands raised in prayer and the infant Jesus sitting upon her knees. The Christ child sitting on his mother’s lap is indicative of Christ sitting on a throne. There is also an ancient Byzantine icon of the Mother of God "Nikopea" from the sixth century, where the Virgin Mary is depicted seated upon a throne and holding in her hands an oval shield with the image of "Emmanuel".

Icons of the Virgin, known as "The Sign", appeared in Russia during the eleventh to twelfth centuries. The icon became highly-venerated in Russia because of what Orthodox Christians believe to be the miraculous deliverance from an invasion in the year 1170.

Many believe the icon of 'the Mother of God “Of the Sign”' depicts the mystery of the Nativity of Christ. The seventh chapter of the Prophet Isaiah tells how Jerusalem was besieged from all sides. There was no longer any hope of salvation, however, the prophet urged the king to appeal to the Lord and ask for His protection, and ask the Lord to give a sign that this will be fulfilled. King Ahaz refuses: “I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.” Then the prophet said: “The Lord Himself shall give you a sign: behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel,” Isaiah 7:14, which means “God is with us.”

Although for some, this scripture is essentially how this particular type of icon of the Virgin Mary received its name, 'the Mother of God "Of the Sign"' yet in light of LDS Temple theology the symbolism of the orant pose and the name are clearly striking. As Nibley liked to say, there are “scattered fragments” of the temple endowment that keep showing up throughout Christian history.


Also See:
The Mother of God "of the Sign"