An antique Russian Theotokos icon of the Seven Arrows. The mixed media icon with egg tempera, gesso, and levkas on a wood panel with gold leaf background. Inscribed in Church Slavonic in the upper and low parts. The image of the Mother of God, depicting her without the Christ Child, with arrows piercing her. According to legend, the creation of the image was inspired by the words of St. Simeon, spoken by him in the Jerusalem temple 40 days after the Birth of Christ: Yes, and a sword will pierce your soul so that the thoughts of many hearts will open. Russian Christian Religious Items and Collectibles.