Byzantine Hand Painted Icon of Panagia Hodegetria or "Directress".
The miraculous Icon of Panagia Hodegetria is historically the first icon of our Church as mentioned in the Magalynario of the Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos:
"Speechless be the lips of the impious who refuse to reverence thy revered icon which is known by the name Directress, and which hath been depicted for us by the Apostle Luke the Evangelist."
According to tradition, the Icon derives its name from a miracle performed by the Virgin Mary. Specifically, she appeared to two blind people and led them to the Monastery of Panagia Hodegetria in Constantinople where she restored their sight.
The Icon of Panagia Hodegetria was for many years in the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos until 1730, when, miraculously, it appearead in the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos. The Icon was taken by the monks back to its place, but it was again mysteriously found in the Holy Monastery of Xenophon.
Ever since, the icon can be found and worshiped in the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos, where it was placed by the monks who respected the will of Panagia.
Hand-Painted Icons occupy a valuable place in ecclesiastical art because, beyond their obvious artistic value, a hand-painted icon unites man with the holiness of the depicted person.
For the Hand-Painted Icon of Panagia Hodegetria, our experienced painters use traditional techniques and high-quality materials that offer excellent depiction and durability over time.
All our Hand-Painted Icons are painted with egg tempera, while you can choose the size of the icon, the decoration of the background, the language of the inscriptions as well as the type of wood you wish to use.
Note: The final Icon may slightly differ from the catalog photo.
Feast: June 20
Iconographer: Monk Chrysostom's Attendance, Holy New Skete, Mount Athos
Availability: Made to order, usually ships within 14 to 21 days.
