Virgin Mary Enthroned Silk Screen Icon – Aged Edge Wood

Description

The icon of the Virgin Mary Enthroned, or Panagia Enthroned, is a Byzantine style icon depicting the Virgin Mary sitting upon a throne. On her lap she holds the infant Jesus, as is common for Byzantine style icons of the Virgin Mary. Both the Virgin Mary and Jesus have halos, representing their Holy status within Christianity. The throne upon which the Virgin Mary and Jesus are sitting signifies the fact that they are royalty – the Queen Mother and the King of Kings.

In the top corners are the letters ‘MP θΥ’ meaning Mother of God – or Theotokos – in Greek. The infant Christ is holding His right hand up in blessing, similar to the manner in which priests and bishops raise their right hands up to bless the faithful.  Furthermore, His hand gesture symbolizes the letters ‘IC XC’, which means Jesus Christ in Greek, as well as symbolizing the Holy Trinity.