Description

Behold the Panagia Hodegetria, the "Directress," a sacred icon that elevates the spirit and directs the soul. In this venerable image, the Virgin Mary, in her boundless grace, cradles the Christ Child upon her left arm. With a gesture both tender and profound, her right hand points toward her Son, proclaiming Him as "The Way," the sole path to salvation.

The Majesty of the Christ Child

Though depicted upon the Virgin's arm, the Christ Child's presence is not that of a mere infant, but of the Eternal Lord, conveying a dignity befitting His divine nature. His right hand is raised in a solemn gesture of blessing. Within this sacred sign:

The index and middle fingers are joined, symbolizing the two natures of Christ: the fully human and the fully divine.
The thumb locks over the other fingers, forming a silent witness to the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

This icon's very name, Hodegetria, is derived from the Greek, meaning "the One who Shows the Way." While the Mother of God is the larger figure, the principal and paramount image remains the Divine Christ, the focus of all reverence.

Marks of Sanctity and Sovereignty

The Hodegetria type is adorned with distinctive and holy features:

Starbursts frequently grace the Virgin's shoulders and the blue mantle covering her forehead—a celestial signature.
The fringe upon her mantle suggests an imperial status, a sovereignty occasionally emphasized by the inclusion of a throne within the composition.
The frontal gaze of the Virgin Mary is unwavering, meeting the viewer with solemnity and spiritual intensity.

Finally, near the Mother of God's crown, one may observe letters that reverently adapt the sacred inscription: "MP $θ$ Y" (Mother of God, the first and last Greek letters of $M η ˊ τ η ρ$ and $Θ ε o v ~$ ). This holy icon further sanctifies its name by its connection to the Hodegon Monastery in Constantinople, which housed a version of this miraculous image.

This beautiful and finely detailed icon is the work of our own Kyriakos Kosova.

Kyriakos Kosova is a master iconographer who spent much of his life in Albania, Greece and Italy. He is now in the US to continue his work in Orthodox Churches to the glory of God. Contact us, if you would like to hire him for your parishes iconographic needs.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel & can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.

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