Wood Plaque Premium - Mother of God, Our Refuge During Covid-19 Pandemic by R. Gerwing

The icon of the Virgin is of the glykophilousa type, which translates to "loving kindness" or "sweet kissing." The first prototype of this icon is ascribed to Saint Luke who tradition tells us was the first iconographer, as well as an evangelist and physician.  The glykophilousa type differs from other images of the Virgin inasmuch as the child is portrayed in proportions of a child rather than a small adult which we see in other icons of the mother and child.  This is to emphasize His humanity.