The icon is placed in the Katholikon of the Holy New Skete. Iconographically, it follows the very popular type of Theotokos Glykofilousa (The Sweetly Kissing), in which the face of the Virgin touches the cheek of the Divine Child, in a moment of deep warmth and tenderness.
The Virgin Mary holds Jesus tightly in her arms. Her gaze, gentle and loving, looks at the faithful with sympathy. Her garment is purple, while a golden strip of cloth, with brown decorative details, stretches around her face.
Jesus, seated in her arms, has His head and eyes turned to His Mother. He touches Her cheek, as a child who needs the care and support of the woman who brought him into the world. Thus, the incarnation of the Lord is emphasized, the miracle performed thanks to the holiness of the Virgin Mary, who gave flesh and bones to God Himself, is glorified. Furthermore, Jesus touches the Virgin Mary’s face with his left hand. The sweetness of the representation contains all the essence of offering oneself and loving one another, as well as the ontological transcendence of the face of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The halos of the figures, as well as their hands, are covered by silver relief frames, decorated with plumb lines. To the right and to the left of the Virgin Mary there are standing the two Archangels Michael and Gabriel, holding in their hands an open scroll with the inscription " Rejoice, for you are a throne for the King. Rejoice, for you hold the One who holds everything." On the icon there are also the inscriptions "Mother of God", "The Sweetly Kissing" and "Jesus Christ".
The love of the faithful for the icon of Theotokos Glykofilousa is demonstrated by the number of offerings placed in her shrine. The grace of the Blessed Mother of God covers and guards the Athonite monasteries and all the faithful who pray to her.
