Theotokos Hodegetria Icon

This is a silkscreen reproduction with gold leaf and hand-painted details, crafted according to tradition. It depicts the Theotokos Hodegetria (also known as She Who Shows the Way), one of the most ancient and authoritative types of the Mother of God icons. In this image, the Virgin Mary gestures toward Christ with her right hand, directing the faithful to Him as the only Way, Truth, and Life.

Above the Virgin’s head appear the Greek letters MP ΘΥ (Meter Theou), meaning “Mother of God.” Next to Christ are the letters IC XC, the abbreviation for “Jesus Christ.” Inside His halo is the cross with the Greek letters Ω Ο Ν (Omega, Omicron, Nu), meaning “He Who Is,” affirming His divinity.

Tradition connects the original Hodegetria icon to Constantinople, where it was believed to have been painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist. For centuries it was kept at the Hodegon Monastery and became the model for countless other Marian icons across the Orthodox world.

In the Orthodox calendar, the Hodegetria is honored on July 28 and during many Marian feasts, including the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8) and the Dormition (August 15).

The Theotokos Hodegetria icon is a meaningful gift for families, mothers, weddings, and baptisms, symbolizing guidance, intercession, and the Virgin’s role in leading the faithful to Christ. It is especially suitable for new homes and prayer corners, reminding believers to follow the path of Christ through the prayers of His Mother.