NEWEST ICON OF OUR LADY:

NATIVITY OF MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS

IN THIS ICON ST. ANNE IS SHOWN ON THE BED AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO MARY.  MARY IS SEEN TWICE.  ONCE PREPARING TO TAKE A BATH AND THE OTHER TAKING HER NAP.  ST. JOAHIM IS IN THE TOWER MEDITATING ON THIS HOLY EVENT.

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OUR LADY OF THE SIGN - ORANTA.

The red belt signifies that she is pregnant.  She raises her hands in prayer, giving God her fiat!  Let is be done unto me according to you Word.

The icon below is of the "Hodegitria" type.

Mother of God is seen holding her child and a Ladder.  This icon is named "Ladder of Divine Ascent".  The Ladder begins with Jesus and ascends to Heaven.  She is also holding the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Camel that the Carmelites wear as part of their habit.  Seen at the top are Cherubim, Seraphim and Thrones.  Mary is known to be more honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim..

In this icon Our Lady of Tenderness holds her child,

Emmanuel and also holds the brown scapular of the

order of Mount Carmel..

Icons of Mother of God (also called Theotokos) are of three types.  First type is Tenderness or Eleusa.  The Mother of God holds her child close to her cheek in a tender embrace.  The  second type is Hodegitria, where she holds her child on her lap and he is teaching.  The third type is Oranta where she has a mandorla (circle) and he is holding out His arms in blessing.  This icon is also called "Our Lady of the Sign".  In Isaiah 7:14.  "The Lord himself, therefore will give you a sign.  ... the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel."