Theotokos Sweet Kissing Icon

This is a premium quality silkscreen icon, handmade with gold leaf on cotton canvas and mounted on solid natural carved wood. Halos, inscriptions, and ornaments are hand-painted, while the image is varnished for long-lasting protection. The icon is ready for hanging, featuring a leather strap on the back, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Iconography & Symbolism
The Theotokos Sweet Kissing (Greek: Glykophilousa, meaning “Sweet Kiss”) is one of the most tender Marian icon types. The Virgin Mary embraces the Christ Child with their cheeks pressed together in a gesture of profound intimacy and love. This type is closely related to the Eleusa (Tenderness) icons and emphasizes the mercy and compassion of God revealed through the Incarnation.

Above the Virgin appear the Greek letters MP ΘΥ (Meter Theou), meaning “Mother of God.” Beside Christ are the letters IC XC, an abbreviation of “Jesus Christ.” Within His halo is the cross inscribed with Ω Ο Ν (Omega, Omicron, Nu) – “He Who Is,” affirming His divine nature.

This icon type is deeply venerated across the Orthodox world, especially on Mount Athos, and is associated with comfort, protection, and maternal intercession.

Feast Day
The Panagia Glykophilousa is commemorated on March 27 in the Orthodox calendar.

Suitable Gift For:

• Mothers and families, as a blessing of tenderness and love

• Newlyweds and couples, symbolizing harmony in marriage

• Baptisms and name days

• New homes and prayer corners

• Anyone seeking the Virgin’s intercession for peace and mercy