THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS

" In the icon, the funeral bed with its opulent covers -on which rests the Holy Mother with her arms crossed- dominates the scene. Behind the funeral bed, exactly in the centre stands Christ with His body peculiarly turned towards the right, towards His mother's head. His hands are outstretched, and they are holding her soul, which is depicted as an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and its arms crossed. He is surrounded by glory. Gathered around the head and the foot of the funeral bed are the twelve apostles, with expressions, postures and gestures that indicate profound sorrow. Peter is swinging an incense-burner at the head of the Theotokos, while Paul is bent over her feet. At the top we can see the inscription THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS "