The miraculous icon of Theotokos Galaktotrofousa (Nursing) is located in the Cell of Saint Sava of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar in Karyes. Her name comes from the depiction of the Virgin Mary during the moment of breastfeeding. It constitutes a quite rare iconographic type that was mostly spread during the post-Byzantine era. The annual feast of the icon is on the 3rd of July.
According to tradition, the icon of Theotokos belonged to the Lavra of St. Sava in Jerusalem. The monks gave the icon to the Saint as a blessing. As an exception to the rule, it was placed by the founder of the cell in the place of the icon of Jesus Christ, to the right and not to the left side of the Beautiful Gate.
The Virgin Mary is depicted while breastfeeding. She holds the Divine Infant in her arms, she keeps her head near Him, but her eyes are set on the faithfull. Two angels fly above her holding a golden crown. To the right and left of the halo there is the inscription “Theotokos Galaktotrofousa”.
Some parts of the icon, such as the halos of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, as well as the hands of the figures, are adorned with a sparkling silver cover.
The depiction of Theotokos Galaktotrofousa might be rare, but it was known from the early Christian period. A similar icon was found in the catacombs of Rome. We also find similar representations on a 13th century icon of the Museum of Byzantine Art in Athens, on an icon of the church of Saints Cosmas and Damianos in Pisa, and on a fresco of the Serbian Patriarchate that dates back to 1330. It also appears in the works of the Cretan school from the 15th century onwards.
The icon of Theotokos Galaktotrofousa constitutes a great representation of the Virgin Mary as a woman. It is a symbol of motherhood, of love and caring. Meanwhile, it also symbolizes the human and divine nature that are united in the face of Jesus Christ, the one who was born as a human, lived as a human, was tortured and sacrificed.
