Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon with 22k Gold Leaf
Stunning gold leaf framed icon set featuring Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This beautiful icon highlights the power of Our Lady's powerful intercessory role as the Mother of God and our mother and where she points us to her Son Jesus as the Saviour of all. It will undoubtedly make a beautiful addition to any home or devotional area. Comes packaged with 'Made in Greece certification'. Base material: Traditional timber with 22k gold leaf. Size: 18 x 14cm.
The image depicts the following symbols: The Blessed Virgin Mary — wearing a dress of dark red, in Byzantine iconography the color of the Empress. The subject shows Mary looking towards the faithful while pointing at the Child Jesus, frightened by the instruments of crucifixion and is depicted with a fallen sandal. The left side is Saint Michael Archangel — carrying the lance and sponge of the crucifixion of Jesus. On the right side is Saint Gabriel Archangel carrying a 3-bar cross and nails. The Virgin Mary has a star on her forehead signifying her role as Star of the Sea while the cross on the side has been claimed as referring to the Greek monastery which produced the icon. Byzantine depictions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this style are called Hodegetria, where Mary is pointing to her Son, known as a Theotokos of the Passion. Mary is depicted with a long slender nose, thin lips, and smoothly arched eyebrows, evidence of being made by a Greek artist. The veil and her face itself are rounded, indicating holiness. The size of the Mother is also out of proportion to her son, a deliberate intent by the artist to show Mary as larger than life. The Greek inscriptions read MP-ΘΥ (Μήτηρ Θεοῦ, Mother of God), ΟΑΜ (Ὁ Ἀρχάγγελος Μιχαήλ, Michael the Archangel), ΟΑΓ (Ὁ Ἀρχάγγελος Γαβριήλ, Gabriel the Archangel) and IC-XC (Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Jesus Christ), respectively.