Panagia Platytera

Panagia Platytera (Gr. the 'Wide wings of Heaven') is an icon of the Theotokos, facing the viewer directly, usually depicted full length with her hands in the orans position, and with the image of Christ as a child in front of her chest. This type of icon is called Platytera (Greek: Πλατυτέρα), literally wider or more spacious); poetically, by containing the Creator of the Universe in her womb, Mary has become Platytera ton ouranon, which means: "More spacious than the heavens". This type is sometimes called the "Virgin of the Sign" or "Our Lady of the Sign", a reference to Isaiah 7:14 ("Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel"). Such an image is often placed in the apse of the sanctuary of an Orthodox church above the altar.

External Link

Panagia Platytera fresco in Mani (Greece)

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