Panagia Glykophilousa Icon

This icon of Panagia Glykophilousa is hand-painted in egg tempera on solid gessoed wood. Oak braces set into the back guard against warping. 24 karat gold leaf is applied by hand, polished, and hand-engraved in the halo. The panel is finished with a matte varnish and arrives with a certificate of authenticity, gift-ready for a home icon corner.

Iconography and Symbolism

The Theotokos presses her cheek tenderly against the Christ Child’s, embracing Him close — the composition explicitly named in the inscription “Η ΓΛΥΚΟΦΙΛΟΥΣΑ,” “the Sweetly Kissing One,” a Greek title for the Eleousa type. The inscription “ΜΡ ΘΥ” abbreviates the Greek for Mother of God, while “IC XC” identifies the Child as Jesus Christ.
This type is among the most beloved Marian icons in Orthodox tradition, its most renowned example being the Theotokos of Vladimir.

Feast Day
Venerated throughout the year on the feasts of the Theotokos, especially the Dormition (August 15 / August 28).

Gift Suggestions

-A meaningful gift for mothers, godparents, and expectant families
-A comforting icon for those seeking the Theotokos’s intercession
-A fitting gift for baptism, chrismation, or a name day honoring the Theotokos
-A dignified addition to a home icon corner