Virgin Mary Glykofilousa – Sweet Kissing Silk Screen Icon – Gold Frame Engraved Wood

Description

The Virgin Mary Glykofilousa, also known as Panagia Glykofilousa and “Sweet-kissing” icon, is a popular Byzantine-era icon of the Virgin Mary tenderly embracing the infant Jesus. This style of icon is commonly associated with the Cretan School during the 17th century. Virgin Mary Glykofilousa is similar to icons of the Virgin Mary classified as Virgin Mary Eleousa. These icons all depict her lovingly embracing the Son, as seen in this icon.

The icon further depicts Mary wearing a crown, representing her status as Queen Mother to the King of Kings (Jesus Christ). The infant Jesus is depicted wearing red, which symbolizes love, life, and sacrifice; indicating the future sacrifice that Jesus will have to make on the cross. The letters seen at the top of the icon – ‘ΜΡ ΘΥ’ – are in reference to the Theotokos and mean Mother of God in Greek; while, the letters next to Jesus – ‘IC XC’- mean Jesus Christ in Greek.