Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Seven Arrows”

They also call this icon “The Prophecy of Simeon.” As the Evangelist Luke recounts, the Holy Spirit revealed to the elder Simeon the God-Receiver that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. When, on the fortieth day after the birth of the Infant, He was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem, Simeon came there by the Spirit’s prompting. He took the Infant into his arms (hence the title “God-Receiver”) and proclaimed the famous words that conclude every Vespers service and are known as the Prayer of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver:

“Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word…”

After this, he blessed Saint Joseph and the Most Pure Mother of the Savior, and then turned to Mary with what is known as Simeon’s prophecy:

“Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted—
and a sword (Slavonic: ‘weapon’) shall pierce through your own soul also—
that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Just as Christ would be pierced with nails and a spear, so too a “weapon” of sorrow and heartache would wound the soul of the Most Pure Mother when she beheld the sufferings of her Son. Through this, the hidden thoughts and intentions of people regarding the Messiah would be revealed, as they would have to choose—whether they are with Christ or against Him.

This interpretation of Simeon’s prophecy became the theme of several “symbolic” icons of the Most Holy Theotokos. All who turn to them in prayer feel that, as the heart softens, both spiritual and bodily sufferings lighten. When praying before these icons for their enemies, hostile feelings soften, giving way to mercy, and enmity and discord fade away.