The author writes about “Blachernae. The Veil Of Our Lady” :

“This piece was written in late 2011. It is a reflection and echo of my encounter with the icon of St. Mother of God of Blachernae. The word reflection is too weak to describe my intoxication and numbness at the sight of the icon hanging on the wall of a small modest church in Istanbul. 

This icon is considered to be the first Hodegetria (Showing the Way) and according to some traditions it was personally painted by the hand of the St. Luke – the Apostle, Evangelist, Physician and Icon Painter himself. Other traditions hold that the icon was made in the 7^th century. The Mother of God is depicted using encaustic painting, a rare and specific type of painting technique. According to sacred traditions, the pigments and wax in this icon are mixed with the ashes of fallen Christian martyrs.

I created Blachernae as a contemplation of that sacred space in which, on October 1, 910 – according to the testimony of St. Andrew the Fool – among the gathered and already desperate of the Saracen siege believers , the Holy Virgin descended from heaven. Surrounded by Angels and Saints, She knelt in the midst of the Church before the icon and, weeping, prayed for hours for the salvation of the whole world, and then spread over all Her majestic and fearful veil.

Contemplation and immersion in the light of a space that instantly gives rise to hymns, gives rise to powerful layers of colors and sounds, merging with the shed tears.

They can still be heard in the drops of the sacred spring on the south side of the temple. Tears that seem to continue to pray for our salvation.”