Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria”

“The Guide” (Hodegetria) is one of the most ancient and most widespread iconographic depictions of the Most Holy Theotokos with the Christ Child in the Christian world, especially in the Balkans and in Russia. Some of the most venerated icons of this type are traditionally attributed to the hand of the Holy Apostle Luke.

Images of the Hodegetria type (Guide, She Who Shows the Way) are among the most common iconographic representations of the Mother of God with the Child.

The Theotokos looks at us frontally or with a slightly inclined head and points with her hand toward the Child Jesus, directing our attention to Christ, for He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” the Source of humanity’s salvation. Her expression is solemn and contemplative; in the icon she seems to repeat the words spoken at Cana: “Whatever He tells you, do it.” The veil of the Mother of God bears three stars — one on the forehead and one on each shoulder.

Seated like on a throne in the arms of His Most Pure Mother, the Christ Child is shown small in stature, yet as a mature and self-possessed Person. He blesses His Mother, and through her, all of us (in many icons, the gesture of blessing is directed toward the one praying). In His other hand He holds a scroll (or sometimes a scepter or a book, as in the iconographic type Christ Pantocrator).

Above the face of the Most Holy Virgin are usually inscribed the words “Mary, Mother of God,” confirming our faith in Her as the One who bore in Her womb and gave birth to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.