Theotokos Eleftherotria

This icon is modeled after the hodigitria (guide) genre of icons which features Christ sitting on Our Lady's lap and was originally found in the Hagia Sophia! You can see that Mother Mary's "hands point to her Son in a gesture of humility, guiding the viewer to look to Him".

"Theotokos Eleftherotria (“Liberator” in Greek) is the name of this specific icon because the Mother of God liberated the human race and was designated as its Champion Leader. Her aim is the freedom of all human beings from visible as well as invisible enemies. The Theotokos is the liberator (Eleftherotria) of our souls first, our bodies second."