Description
The Panagia Glykophilousa Icon
Theย Panagia Glykophilousa, โSweet-kissingโ or โLoving Kindnessโย iconย depicts theย Virgin Maryย caressing herย son, so that they appear to be kissing. In the Byzantine representations, the Child caresses her cheek while she appears sad, seemingly contemplating his coming Passion. The representation from the Cretan School of the 17th Century shows very pronounced characteristics of the Virgin Mother. A similar icon to compare to theย Glykophilousaย is theย Eleousaย (the Virgin of Tenderness), where the Mother is accepting the affection demonstrated by the Child Christ. The icon is remembered by the Church onย March 27.
