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The center of this icon is a joyful Mother of God, who presents her son to the world. She sits on a throne with her son on her laps. Cherubim surround her as a reminder that she is greater than the angels. The throne is the symbol of the anticipated second coming of Christ. Her inner blue garment symbolizes her purity and the outer red garment symbolizes the Meat and the Blood of her son.
The Greek letters is an abbreviation for Mother of God. Mary is painted with three stars on her veil, one on the forehead and one on each shoulder. The three stars are a symbol of eternal virginity. In Iconography, the fingers are often elongated to suggest elegance and dematerialized beauty. The hands of Mary suggesting presentation and they also express praise.
Christ sits upright; he looks straight ahead with penetrating gaze. In his left hand he holds the scroll, symbol of divine wisdom, teaching and power of the Gospel. This tell us that this figure is the Word and wisdom of God, With the right hand Christ blesses those who gaze at the icon. His fingers form the symbol of his two natures and the Trinity. Christ is wearing the gold vestments of a priest and a king. Gold is a symbol of divinity and divine energy.
St. Christopher, the Christ bearer and patron of the church, is on her left side. He is symbolic of the message of Christ and represents the people of St. Christopher's church who themselves, are the Christ bearers, and those who come to bear the Christ. He promises safe passage.
St. Francis of Assisi is to her right. He finds joy in all of creation. He celebrates life. He is the promise of new life. The icon image is full of hope. It is the promise of joy, safe passage and new life for all those who come to Christ.
According to Vikk Simmons, this is a joyous
icon; one that will touch people and fill them with happiness when they
gaze upon it.
Any reproduction of the icon without the artist authorization is prohibited
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