Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church - Canton, Ohio

Question:   What do the 7 arrows, in the (Russian) icon of: The Virgin Mary, Theotokos of The Seven Arrows, mean?  Anonymous

Answer:   The seven arrows penetrating the Virgin Mary's heart, symbolize completeness in all things, and also the sadness, "grief and sickness of the heart", which she endured at the loss of Her Son.

The Seven Arrows =  the seven, Sorrows of The Virgin Mary:

1. The prophecy of Simeon.
2. The flight into Egypt.
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple.
4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
5. The Crucifixion.
6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
7. The burial of Jesus

(Taken from writings of the Tolgskiy Monastary, Russia)