Description
Central Icon: The Virgin Mary Perpetual Help, or Our Lady of Perpetual Help, is a common Byzantine-era icon of the Theotokos, popularized by the Roman Catholic Church. According to tradition, the icon is from the Keira Kardiotissas Monastery, but has been housed in Rome since 1499. Today, the icon can be found in the Church of Saint Alphonse of Liguori, where a weekly prayer to the Virgin Mary Perpetual Help is held. Over the centuries, numerous miracles have been linked to the icon, such as the healing of illness and ailments.
The icon depicts the Theotokos holding the infant Jesus. In the upper corners are the Archangels Michale and Gabriel, both holding items related to the Crucifixion of Christ. Archangel Michale is seen holding a spear, the crown of thorns, and a sponge soaked in wine, while Archangel Gabriel holds a cross and nails. The infant Christ is looking out, indicating His contemplation of His future crucifixion. He is depicted holding onto the Virgin Mary in fear of His future, as the Theotokos offers Him comfort. The Virgin Mary is depicted with a star on the hood of her cloak, indicating that she is the Star of the Sea. She is further depicted with a crown on her head and in a dark red dress, both of which symbolize her being the Queen Mother of the King of Kings (Jesus Christ).
Left Panel: Icon of Archangel Gabriel
Right Panel: Icon of Archangel Michael
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