Theotokos Hodegetria Icon (polished gold leaf)

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

Iconography and Symbolism

The Theotokos holds the Christ Child on her arm while gesturing toward Him with her other hand — the defining gesture of the Hodegetria, “She Who Shows the Way,” directing the faithful to her Son as the way of salvation. The inscription “ΜΡ ΘΥ” abbreviates the Greek for Mother of God, while “IC XC” identifies the Child as Jesus Christ.
The Hodegetria is among the oldest icon types in Orthodox tradition, its lineage traced by pious legend to an image painted by the Evangelist Luke and long enshrined in the Hodegon Monastery in Constantinople. Copied and venerated across every Orthodox nation, it remains one of the most beloved images of the Mother of God.

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 baptism, chrismation, or a name day honoring the Theotokos
-A central icon for a home icon corner, often paired with Christ Pantocrator
-A fitting gift for mothers, godparents, or expectant families
-A dignified gift for churching, weddings, or milestones of faith