Icons

The Virgin of Tenderness — "Sweet Kissing" (Glykophilousa)

"The Sweet Kissing" (Glykophilousa) is one of the most touching and beloved iconographic types of the Mother of God in the Orthodox tradition. This image conveys the utmost sincere, human tenderness of motherhood, while simultaneously reflecting the profound sacred bond between the Blessed Virgin and the Christ Child. Faithful pray before this icon for the protection of children, for family well-being, for the gift of maternal comfort, and for the strengthening of love within the home. It is believed that the "Sweet Kissing" icon is particularly helpful in raising children and maintaining peace in the family. This image makes an ideal gift for weddings, the birth of a child, or baptisms. It also serves as a central adornment for a home iconostasis, bringing an atmosphere of warmth, tranquility, and unconditional love into the house.