OLPH Icon in Detail

Meaning of the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Look at the picture. Frightened by the vision of two angels showing Him the instruments of the Passion, the Christ Child has run to His Mother, almost losing, in his haste, one of the tiny sandals. Mary holds Him in Her arms reassuringly, lovingly. But notice Her eyes. They look not at Jesus, but as us. Is this not a touch of genius? How better to express Our Lady's plea to us to avoid sin and love Her Son?

Christ's little Hands, too, are pressed into Mary's as a reminder to us that, just as on earth, He placed Himself entirely in Her hands for protection, so now in Heaven He has given into Her hands all graces, to distribute to those who ask Her.

This is the principal message of the picture. A Byzantine icon, however, it is replete with other symbols.

Hover your mouse cursor over the following symbols to see the description.

GREEK INITIALS for Mother of God GOLDEN CROWN, placed on the original picture by order of the Holy See in 1867. It is the token of the many miracles wrought by Our Lady invoked under the title of GREEK INITIALS for Mother of God
GREEK INITIAL for Michael STAR on Our Lady's veil, She is the Star of the Sea...who brought the light of Christ to the darkened world...the star that leads us to the safe port of Heaven. GREEK INITIALS for Gabriel
St. Michael the Archangel MARY'S EYES are large for all our troubles. They are turned toward us always. St. Gabriel the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel MARY'S MOUTH is small for silent recollection. She speaks little. St. Gabriel the Archangel
RED TUNIC, the colour worn by virgins at the time of Christ. GREEK INITIALS for Christ
CHRIST'S HANDS turned palms down into His Mother's, indicate that the Graces of Redemption are in Her keeping.
DARK BLUE MANTLE, the colour worn by mothers in Palestine. Mary is both Virgin & Mother. MARY'S LEFT HAND supporting Christ possessively: She is His Mother. It is a comforting hand for everyone who calls on Her.
FALLING SANDAL. Perhaps, the symbol of a searching soul clinging to Christ by one last thread - devotion to Mary.
  • Golden Crown of Our Lady
  • Star on our Lady's veil
  • Greek initials (five locations)
  • Angels
  • Mary's Eyes
  • Mary's Mouth
  • Mary's Left Hand
  • Red Tunic
  • Christ's Hands
  • Falling Sandal

Mary's Mantle is dark blue, this is the colour worn by Mothers in Palestine, Mary is both Virgin and Mother. The entire background is golden, symbolic of Heaven, where Jesus and Mary are now enthroned.

The gold also shines through their clothing, showing the heavenly joy they can bring to tired human hearts.
 
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