Orthodox icon | “Don’t cry for me, Mother” | 24940

The Orthodox icon “Don’t cry for me Mother” finds its roots in the liturgy of Holy Saturday. It depicts Christ standing semi-immersed in an open coffin, with a cross soaring in the backdrop. Turning his head towards the Blessed Mother, he receives her support as she holds him at chest height with both arms.

The iconography of the icon “Don’t cry for me. Mother”, characterised by the crossed arms and downcast eyes, evokes reminders of the Man of Sorrows or the Vesper image, widely recognised in the West.

Lining the margin of the icon are two figures of reverence: a Holy Guardian Angel and the Holy Martyr Glykeria of Traianopolis, whose feast day falls on May 13.

Saint Glykeria, a revered figure in the Christian faith, was born in Traianopolis (Loutra Traianoupoleos near Alexandroupoli, Greece). She met her martyrdom around 177 in Heraclea in Thrace, now recognized as Marmara Ereğlisi situated by the Sea of Marmara in Turkey. As per traditional beliefs, she was the progeny of the thrice-appointed consul, Macarius.

Around 105, during a pagan sacrificial festival in Traianopolis, Glykeria courageously declared her Christian faith. She marked her forehead with a cross as a sign of her unyielding devotion to Christianity. This open act of faith and defiance led to her martyrdom, cementing her place in the annals of Christian history.

Source: Orthodox icon | “Don’t cry for me, Mother” | 24940 © Ikonen Mautner. Typing errors, other errors or changes reserved. For more information: “Das Synaxarion. Die Leben der Heiligen der Orthodoxen Kirche.” (http://www.prodromos-verlag.de/buecher.html) and Joachim Schäfer: Das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon – https://www.heiligenlexikon.de