Icon, Mother of God Hodegetria of Smolensk - Wood - Early 19th century

“Odigitria” in Greek means “guide”. Therefore the Mother of God becomes the guide of the Christian people to her Son. The icon is called “Smolenskaja” because this miraculous icon was venerated in the city of Smolensk. The Odigitria icon is a frontal representation of Our Lady indicating her Son seated on her left arm. The Child is depicted in the gesture of a Merciful Judge holding the scroll of the law in his left hand, blessing with his right hand. The Mother of God wears a blue tunic, which is sign of her human nature, and the purple mantle, as a sign of regality. The three stars near the head and on the shoulders are a symbol of Our Lady’s virginity. Jesus Christ is depicted as a God and a man, in his gestures and his serious and mature expression. The legible inscriptions on the golden background are the initials that distinguish the Mother of God, emphasizing that she is the only intermediary between the human race and God. The image is framed by four figures, two for each side, respectively male and female.