Virgin Mary icon Panagia Glykophilousa, Handmade Greek Orthodox Icon, Mother of God Byzantine art, Theotokos wall hanging wood plaque

The icon depicting the Virgin Mary / Panagia Odigitria is historically the first icon of the Church. It has been crafted by Evangelist Luke himself.

According to tradition, Evangelist Luke created the icon of Theotokos as she was in life. Indeed, the Virgin Mary received it with great joy and blessed her by saying “the grace of me that is brought to her”.

The icon of Panagia Odigitria was rescued in Palestine. When Theodosius II was king, it was sent to Constantinople by Empress Evdokia as a gift to Theodosius ‘sister, Saint Pulcheria. Saint Pulcheria deposited it at the monastery she had built, the holy monastery of the Drivers. However, there is another version that says that the prototype has long been in the Monastery of Vatopedi.

Tradition says that in 1730 the icon suddenly disappeared from its place, although the gates of the Monastery were locked and was found at the Monastery of Xenophontos. Everyone thought that someone had stolen it, and so the icon was brought back to its old place. But a short while afterwards the same incident happened again. The monks from Vatopedi were now convinced that this was a miracle and decided to respect the will of Theotokos. From that day this icon is at the Monastery of Xenophontos.

Can be hung on a wall or placed on a flat surface.

The item is sold without the stand depicted.