A rare fresco of the Most Holy Theotokos dating from before the 8th-9th century Iconoclastic controversy was recently discovered in a church on the Greek island of Naxos.

The fresco was uncovered from behind layers lime by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, reports the Mystagogy Resource Center.

Ephorate director Demetrios Athanasoulis wrote on Facebook: "Naxos has the privilege of preserving frescoes of unique importance, which were created before the great period of Iconoclasm. A typical example of this rare and moving art is the Virgin Mary in the photograph that has just been brought to light by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, behind the layers of lime that covered her."

According to Mystagogy, the fresco is of a larger set of pre-Iconoclastic frescoes that were discovered at the Monastery of Panagia Drosiani, which dates back to the 6th century.

Archaeologist Angeliki Kottaridi notes the newly discovered fresco’s similarity to the famous fresco of the Theotokos with the Christ Child, flanked by Sts. Theodore and St. George, which is housed in the museum at St. Catherin’s Monastery on Mt. Sinai. (Quelle: www.orthochristian.com, 21. August 2024)