Icons

Orthodox icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Tenderness" "Kardiotissa" (of the Heart).

This icon is the type of the icon of Theotokos the "Sweet Kiss" but is another version of it. In this type of iconography, Christ is totally turned on the side of His Mother, His cheek is touching the cheek of Theotokos and He embraces Her with both arms

Orthodox icon of Theotokos "Tenderness" (18),  9th century, Filotheou Monastery Mountain Athos.

This icon belonged to a noble lady of Constantinople, named Victoria. During the last period of Iconoclast, Victoria to save the icon, throw it in to the sea. The icon traveled miraculously and came to Mountain Athos. The monks saw the icon traveling upright on the waves and they went and picked it from the water and placed it in the Katholiko (main church) of Filotheou Monastery.

Orthodox icon of Theotokos the "Tenderness", "Sweet Kiss" in Silver Plated (SP-1).

Silver-plated icons are made with the latest and very specific technique. The icon is a copy of a hand painted icon and the background is silver 958.

This icon miraculously came to Mount Athos where the original of this type is kept at theMonastery of Philotheou.In this icon Panagia is holding the Christ Child on her right arm, while with her other arm she presents him to the viewer, beseeching him to save mankind. The Christ Child is tenderly embracing his mother, resting his cheek on hers.

This type of in where the two faces are touching, cheek to cheek, is known as the Glykophilousa. It presents the The Theotokos in her capacity as mother while also symbolizing that as the mother of God. We know she is listened to by her Son and is an intercessor and protector for all mankind.