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REDUCED FOR EXTRA SAVINGS

Our Mother of Perpetual Help is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after a 15th century Byzantine icon painted in gold. Enjoy this exquisitely detailed work of art right in your very own home for hours of enjoyment!

The earliest written account about the image is from a Latin and Italian plaque that was placed in the church of Saint Matthew where it was first venerated by the public in 1499. The painter of the icon is unknown, but according to legend, the icon was stolen by a merchant from Crete who was sailing to Rome. The merchant supposedly sailed and hid the icon and while traveling on sea, and a storm hit hard and the sailors prayed to the icon for help. When the merchant arrived in Rome, he fell ill and asked for another merchant friend to find a church where the icon would be venerated as his dying wish. The merchant then confided to his wife about the icon. Upon seeing the beautiful icon, the merchant's wife refused to give it to the church but instead hung it in her home.Later on, the Virgin Mary appeared to the merchant's daughter who asked that the icon be turned into a parish for veneration. The Virgin Mary indicated to the little girl that she be placed between the basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. The wife then went to the Augustinian Friars to whom she gave up the icon.

The icon depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary wearing a dress of dark red with blue mantle and veil. On the left is the archangel Michael, carrying the lance and sponge as instruments of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. On the right is the archangel Gabriel carrying the a 3-bar cross and nails. This type of icon is classified as hodegetria, where Mary is pointing to her son. The facial expression of the Virgin Mary is solemn and is looking directly at the person instead of her son. The Greek initials on top read Mother of God, Michael Archangel, Gabriel Archangel, and the Jesus Christ, respectively. Jesus is portrayed as if clinging to his mother with a falling sandal, indicating for help through the grace of his mother. The icon is painted with a golden background.

Have this wonder for your own decor or as part of an art collection!