The icon of the “Virgin Galaktotrophousa” is a rare and unique depiction of the Mother of God and is also called “the Virgin Lactans”, “the Milk-Feeder”, “Milk-nursing” or she who feeds milk.
The history of the holy icon of Virgin Mary spans the centuries, enduring to the present day.
What the icon of the Virgin Galaktotrophousa depicts
The iconographic type of the Virgin Milk-Feeder is rooted in the Gospel narrative of Jesus Christ's birth (Matthew 2) and the verse: «Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!» (Luke 11:27).
This holy icon of the Virgin Mary Milk-nursing portrays the Blessed Mother of God in a moment of maternal tenderness, holding and nursing the infant Jesus Christ. Due to this particular depiction, the Virgin Galaktotrophousa is associated with the feast of Christmas and is considered unique in the tradition of Mount Athos.
Where was the icon of Galaktotrophousa originally located
Initially, the icon of the Virgin Galaktotrofousa was kept at the Holy Monastery of the Great Lavra, founded by Saint Sabbas the Sanctified. According to tradition, Saint Sabbas, shortly before his repose, prophesied that a Serbian noble named Sabbas one day would visit the monastery.
He informed those gathered around him that, when that time came, the holy icon of the Virgin Galaktotrophousa should be given to the Serbian noble as a blessing.
Find here: Orthodox icon with the Virgin Mary Galaktotrophousa
Where is the icon of the Virgin Lactans
In the 13th century, this prophecy was fulfilled when Saint Sabbas, Archbishop of Serbia, visited the Holy Monastery of the Great Lavra, where the holy icon was entrusted to him. As the founder of the Hilandar Monastery, he brought the icon of the Virgin Galaktotrophousa there.
Today, the icon of the Virgin Galaktotrophousa is dedicated to the Serbian cell of Karyes, known as the “Typikario” (Типикарницей in Serbian) where Saint Sabbas, the Serbian founder, once resided.
This miraculous icon is preserved in the church of Karyes, under the guardianship of Hilandar Monastery, and is placed on the iconostasis to the right of the Holy Gate. This arrangement, of course, stands in contrast to the prevailing custom, where the icon of Jesus Christ is placed to the right. In this way, the unique position of the Virgin Mary the Milk-nursing.
Find here: Silver Icon with Virgin Mary Galaktotrophousa
When is the feast of the Virgin Galaktotrofousa
Our Church celebrates the Synaxis of the Virgin Galaktotrophousa each year on July 3rd.
Find here the article: Holy Monastery of Hilandar: the Serbian Monastery of Mount Athos with Panagia Tricherousa and Galaktotrofousa
