Virgin Mary Eleousa – Mercy Giving of Kykkos Silk Screen Icon – Gold, Engraved Wood

Description

The Virgin Mary Eleousa, or Eleusa, icon is also known as the Virgin of Tenderness as it depicts the Theotokos with the infant Jesus in her embrace. According to tradition, the icon of the Virgin Mary Eleousa of Kykkos was painted by the Evangelist Luke (or Saint Luke) and received its name after Mount Kykkos in Cyprus, where it was housed in an imperial monastery.

The miracle-working icon has travelled throughout the region, visiting Egypt’s Christian communities before travelling to Constantinople in 980 AD, where it stayed until the early 12th century. During the years where the icon was in Constantinople, Elder Isaiah had a divine revelation that he must transfer the icon back to Cyprus, where it would be used to perform miracles. Under the guidance of Elder Isaiah a church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built and the Virgin Mary Eleousa icon was placed inside. Since then, the church and icon have been visited by those suffering from illness and other ailments for healing purposes.

The icon is referred to as the Virgin Mary Eleousa, as it depicts the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus in a tender, loving embrace. In fact, Eleousa means “tenderness” or “showing mercy.” Depictions of the Virgin Mary Eleousa are popular in the Eastern Orthodox Church, especially in Russian Orthodox  iconography.