Virgin Mary

This historic icon depicts the Theotokos (or Blessed Virgin Mary) in one of her most renowned images in the West. Known as “the Black Madonna,” this icon has inspired pilgrimages from across the...

The eleusa (tenderness) genre of icons has Christ embracing His Mother tenderly in a gesture of love. Her hand points to her Son in a gesture of humility and deference to Him as God. This icon is...

Christ is at the center, with His right hand raised in a gesture of priestly blessing. He holds a scroll in His left hand. He is robed in gold and bright red, symbolizing divinity. He is depicted as...

This famous 15th century Russian icon portrays the Dormition (falling asleep) of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Virgin Mary. Christ takes her pure soul from her body as the Apostles gather from...

The hodigitria (guide) genre of icons features Christ sitting on the Virgin's lap. Her hands point to her Son in a gesture of humility, guiding the viewer to look to Him. This particular icon is...

This icon is one of the great treasures of the New Valaam Monastery in Finland. The wonderworking icon features the Theotokos standing on a cloud, holding Christ, in the Hodegetria ("she who shows...

This icon depicts the arrival of Mary at the temple, as she is received by the High Priest and the other temple virgins. Her elderly parents, Joachim and Anna, are seen in the background. In the...

This beautiful icon of the Theotokos holding the infant Christ is a moving reminder of love and salvation. In her status as “God-bearer,” the Theotokos points the viewer to her Son, inviting worship...

According to detailed analysis, the original 12th century Theotokos of Vladimir icon has been restored at least seven times; the last restoration was in the 19th century. Only the faces of Christ...

This 14th-century icon is from the Church of St. Clement in Ohrid, Macedonia. "Today is the beginning of our salvation," proclaims the Orthodox Church's troparion (hymn) for the Annunciation...

The Kursk Root Icon is one of the most ancient icons of the Russian Church, dating to the 13th century. It is an icon of the Theotokos "of the Sign" and features around the border nine prophets who...

The Theotokos of the Passion is one of the most recognized Byzantine icons of the Mother of God (Theotokos) by both Eastern Orthodox Christians as well as Western Roman Catholics, who know it as...

The Church has received the tradition of the Nativity (birth) of the Mother of God from the ancient Fathers of the Church. The Virgin Mary was born to her parents about 16 or 17 years before the...

This beautiful icon depicts the Theotokos as the Burning Bush of Moses, who is seen removing his sandals as the account in Exodus describes. In the words of the Akathist Canon, " The great mystery...

In icons of this type, Our Lady appears directly facing the viewer with her hands raised in the orans (prayer) position. This is the moment of her conception of Christ at the Annunciation, as He is...

The hodigitria (guide) genre of icons features Christ sitting on the Virgin's lap. Her hands point to her Son in a gesture of humility, guiding the viewer to look to Him. This icon always appears...

This deësis (supplication) icon of the Theotokos was painted in the 12th century at Saint Catherine's Monastery at Mount Sinai. Icons of this type usually appear in a row on either side of an...

This historic Byzantine icon of the Theotokos and Christ child is a moving portrayal of their love for each other and the Church. Depicted wearing rich robes of red, blue, and gold, Christ and His...

Joachim and Anna were the parents of the holy Virgin Mary. They were childless, and for this they were derided by their fellow Jews, who believed they must have been cursed. They both devoted...

This beautiful fresco depicts the Protection (Pokrov or Skepi) of the Theotokos at Blachernae in the 10th century, when she appeared and spread her veil over the church, saving the city from...

The Hodigitria (Guide or Directress) genre of icons features Christ sitting on the Virgin's lap. Her hands point to her Son in a gesture of humility, guiding the viewer to look to Him. This icon...

The eleusa (tenderness) genre of icons has Christ embracing His Mother tenderly in a gesture of love.

In icons of the "Sign" type, the Theotokos directly faces the viewer with her hands raised in the orans (prayer) position. This is the moment of her conception of Christ at the Annunciation, as He...

This stunning Hagia Sophia mosaic from the church's apse overshadowed the altar when it was a church. Completed in the 9th century, the deep blue of the Theotokos' robe contrasts beautifully with...

The original icon of the Theotokos the "Multiplier of Wheat" was painted in the 19th century at the blessing of St. Ambrose of Optina. He established October 15 as a day of celebration and prayer for...

This historic Russian icon depicts the three Marys–Mary Magdalene, Mary of Clopas, and Mary the Theotokos–renowned for their worship of and service to Christ after His death. The Gospel ell us that...

This icon features the Theotokos enthroned, wearing the royal regalia of the Queen Mother. She holds a scepter and orb, symbols of authority. The Lord Jesus blesses the orb, a symbol of the world...

This exquisite set of two Russian Old Believer style icons portrays the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) and the infant Christ in one and Jesus Christ in His glorified state in the second. The vivid...

This icon is from the iconostasis at Saint Nicholas Cathedral. In this beautiful masterwork, the Most Holy Theotokos sits on a beautiful jeweled throne. As the Birthgiver of God, the Theotokos holds...

The detail and richness of this early 20th century icon must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. It features 22 scenes from the Great Feasts and Holy Week. This is truly a one-of-a-kind icon...

This beautiful icon from Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai is a depiction of the Theotokos as the Burning Bush seen by Moses—as she held within herself the Fire of Divinity, Christ,...

This icon depicts a young Christ, seated in the center, with the Theotokos and Saint Joseph standing in prayer on either side. At the top we see the Annunciation to the Theotokos, and to Saint...

This matching set of icons is found on the back side of the iconostasis at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, overlooking the holy altar. The holy faces of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos...

This stunning Russian icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Assumption) captures the beauty and glory of Christ receiving the repose of his mother.  The Church has received the tradition of the...

This incredible icon features well over 100 icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, which are commemorated throughout the Church Year, named for various cities, regions, monasteries, and feast days which...

This colorful, early 20th century Russian icon features Christ Pantocrator ("Almighty") enthroned, with the Virgin and John the Baptist making supplication at his throne.

This incredible icon from Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai is a depiction of the Theotokos as the "flower of Jesse's Tree". The Prophets are seen among the branches growing from Jesse,...

This beautiful icon was painted in Constantinople in the mid-to-late 13th century. As in the famous Theotokos of Vladimir icon, the Theotokos here has a very soft face with a tender expression,...

According to Church tradition, after the bodily death of Mary the Theotokos, she was buried by the Apostles. But Thomas was delayed, and he desired to look upon her face one last time. When the...