Virgin Mary

From the catacombs of Priscilla, dating to the second half of the 3rd century.

Also known as Amolyntos or Immaculate, this 17th century Greek icon features Christ raising his hand in blessing, while His Mother raises her hand in a pointing gesture to Her Son. This icon is similar to the icon known as Theotokos of the Passion...

This is a modern recreation of the historic icon known as "the Black Madonna." The famous original has a deep connection to Poland, which became known in the 15th century, but is likely far older.

The feast of the Protection celebrates the appearance of the Mother of God at Blachernae in the 10th century, when she appeared and spread her veil over the church, saving the city from invasion. The name of the feast in Greek (Skepi) and Russian...

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 always appears on the iconostasis in Orthodox...

The origins of this icon are unknown, but it is certainly ancient. Throughout the centuries, in the pain of childbirth women have found immense comfort in the intercessions of the Theotokos, who gave birth to Our Lord Jesus Christ. The icon is...

The first Great Feast of the ecclesiastical year, the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8) is also the first Great Feast of our salvation. The Mother of God is born to Saint Anna, after a miraculous conception following a lifetime of barrenness.

The feast of the Protection celebrates the appearance of the Mother of God at Blachernae in the 10th century, when she appeared and spread her veil over the church, saving the city from invasion. The name of the feast in Greek (Skepi) and Russian...

This is an iconographic representation of the Akathist Hymn. The Prophets surround the Virgin Mary with scrolls of praise, and on the outer border there are feasts and scenes from the Theotokos' life. The Akathist Hymn is chanted on the fifth Saturday...

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 part of the Comnenus mosaic at the Hagia Sophia in...

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 was painted in Greece about the year 1700.

This detail from the famous Hagia Sophia mosaic features the Theotokos in a Deesis (Supplication) pose. The mosaic was completed in the 13th century.  The Hagia Sophia iconography is some of the most beautiful in the world. Uncovered in the...

This icon depicts the Virgin holding Christ, Who holds her in a sweet embrace. Two angels offer their praise and worship. This icon dates from the 13th century.

This icon depicts the Virgin holding Christ, Who holds her in a sweet embrace. Archangels Michael and Gabriel offer their praise and worship. This Russian icon dates from the 18th century.

Also known as Iverskaya and Portaitissa, this 1880 Russian icon is based on an original from an iconoclastic period in the 10th century. The icon of the Theotokos was kept by a pious widow. When it was discovered by a group of soldiers, one of...

The Theotokos of Vladimir is one of the most well-known and popular Orthodox icons, the most famous example of the eleusa (tenderness) type. It is traditionally considered to be the first icon ever painted, by the Apostle Luke himself, the...

From the 10th century Bamberg Psalter.

O ye Apostles from afar, being now gathered together here in the vale of Gethsemane, give burial to my body; and Thou, O my Son and my God, receive Thou my spirit. — Doxasticon Hymn of the Dormition At the end of the Mother of God's life, 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 was painted by Russian master iconographer Saint...

The Mother of God has long been associated with Moses' burning bush, which held God but was not burned up. This icon is a symbolic representation of this idea. The Theotokos is surrounded by ranks of angels and archangels, as well as various biblical...

This popular icon tells the story of a certain young man who, despite his sinful way of life,  kept a prayerful devotion to the Mother of God. One day, he prayed before the icon of the Theotokos as he was leaving his house to commit a sin...

This icon depicts the Virgin holding Christ, Who holds her in a sweet embrace. Two angels offer their praise and worship. This icon dates from the late 13th century.

This beautiful illuminated manuscript is an incredible example of early Western iconography. It comes from the 9th century "Book of Kells," an illuminated Gospel book produced in Ireland. The iconography depicts the Theotokos and Christ, surrounded by...

This 19th century Russian icon features Christ Pantocrator (Almighty) in the center, with the Theotokos Virgin Mary and John the Baptist on either side. These holiest of saints are always nearest to our Lord Jesus, praying for the peace and salvation...

In the Eastern Christian tradition, each day of the week is dedicated to special remembrances. This unique 18th century Russian icon portrays each day's commemoration: Sunday: the Resurrection, with the Harrowing of Hades icon Monday: the Angels, with...

This 13th century icon known as the Suzdal Deësis is from the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow. It features a simple Deësis (supplication) row with Christ in the center and the Theotokos and Saint John the Forerunner turned towards Him.

This intricate 18th century icon features the 12 Great Feasts and the Resurrection in the center.

This deësis (supplication) icon was painted in the 13th century. Icons of this type usually appear in a row on either side of an iconostasis, with saints facing Christ, Who is enthroned above the holy doors.

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. The striking red background of this 15-century icon, sometimes...

The Mother of God has long been associated with Moses' burning bush, which held God but was not burned up. This icon is a symbolic representation of this idea. The Theotokos is surrounded by the faces of the Cherubim and Seraphim. In her hand is a...

Inspired by one of the hymns of the Great Compline service, this icon depicts the Mother of God making intercession before her Son on behalf of those who need help, in particular: the cold and naked, the elderly and crippled, those who are traveling,...

Inspired by one of the hymns of the Great Compline service, this icon depicts the Mother of God making intercession before her Son on behalf of those who need help, in particular: the cold and naked, the elderly and crippled, those who are traveling,...

This icon features the most Theotokos offering a rose to Christ. According to tradition, the rose represents the Virgin's purity, offered as a sacrifice in order to give birth to the Son of God. This icon is celebrated on April 3rd.

This icon is a famous and historic symbol of Moscow and its ancient kingdom. In the center is the Theotokos of Vladimir. She is surrounded by a "family tree" filled with saints from the Moscow region. Painted in 1668 by Simon Ushakov. On the left side:...

In this 16th century Cretan icon, the Theotokos is praised by Old Testament figures, from the Patriarch Jacob (holding the ladder), to Moses, the Prophets, and finally John the Forerunner, the last of the Old Testament prophets. The iconographer...

This 16th century Russian icon is known as the Unsleeping Eye (Nedremannoe Oko). It depicts Christ Emmanuel, as a youth, reclining on a bed in Paradise, represented in iconography as a white background filled with whimsical trees, plants, and birds. He...

This 17th century icon from Crete features Christ Pantocrator (Almighty) in the center, with the Theotokos Virgin Mary and John the Baptist on either side. These holiest of saints are always nearest to our Lord Jesus, praying for the peace and...