Theotokos Vrefokratousa Icon – Corfu

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 Vrefokratousa (Greek: Βρεφοκρατούσα, meaning “She Who Holds the Infant”) is one of the tender and beloved Marian depictions. This particular icon is connected with Corfu, where it is venerated as a protector of the island and its people. The Virgin Mary is shown holding the Christ Child lovingly in her arms, affirming her role as Mother of God and intercessor for the faithful.

Above her 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.” His halo bears the cross inscribed with Ω Ο Ν (Omega, Omicron, Nu) – “He Who Is,” proclaiming His eternal divinity.

This type of Marian icon emphasizes the humanity of Christ and the maternal love of the Virgin, serving as a reminder that God became man for the salvation of the world.

Feast Day
While the Vrefokratousa type is honored during all Marian feasts, the Corfu icon is particularly celebrated by the faithful of the island during the great Marian festivals, especially the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15).

Suitable Gift For:

• Mothers, expectant mothers, and families

• Newlyweds and couples seeking blessing in marriage

• Baptisms and name days

• New homes and prayer corners, as a sign of divine protection

• Orthodox Christians with devotion to Marian icons of Corfu