Mother of God Icons

Of the approximately 400 different portraits of the Mother of God, only around 25 have pan-Orthodox significance.  The large number of "variants" can be traced back to four basic types. In addition there are some special topics rarely encountered. Thus many of the Mother of God icons combine both genres, namely the guiding or representative (hodigitria) and the motherly or pitying (eleusa) genre.  Some of the special topics are linked to old fountain sanctuaries and to places of pilgrimage. Others describe miracles or incorporate heathen themes.  Others again were developed from hymns to the Mother of God. 

The four basic types are:                                 1. the Praying Mother of God
                                                                            2. the formal Mother of God
                                                                            3. the maternal Mother of God
                                                                            4. the enthroned Mother of God
1. The Praying Mother of God    (blachernitassa = Mother of God of the Sign Mary may be portrayed as a complete figure or only         half a figure or may be represented  a medallion (6^th century). 
2. The representing (hodigitria = Guide to the Path).  The Madonna is portrayed as a queen. dignified, sanctified, impersonal,               gazing straight ahead.  With a superior gesture she presents her son to the world.  Jesus Christ is not portrayed as an infant,          rather, his countenance is serious and mature. (5^th century, Syria)
3. The motherly Madonna (eleusa = she who shows mercy) .  Characteristic for this type is that the Mother of God has placed her       cheek against that of her child.  The child is usually shown embracing his mother.  This type of portrayal of the Mother of God is      considered the advocate of Christianity (6^th century, Coptic region, antique Mothers of God. This genre is very popular as a             home icon. 
4. The Enthroned (platyera = greater than the heavens).  The Mother of God is seated upon a throne and is holding the infant child        on her lap in front of her.  This genre is well  represented in the 6^th century (for instance by a masterpiece in ivory, a fresco, an        encaustic

Prayer for blessing and consecration of a Mother of God icon:

"Lord, our God, who with your Son, created in your image since eternity, hast made Your Word become flesh through the pure, eternal Virgin Mary, and whom you, through His pure exalted birth, hast crowned this Mother of God keeper, helper, and advocate of all those who believe in You, look down upon us now, who humbly pray and call this Mother of God veritable, and in our prayers to You call on Her truly, and suffer our pleas and entreaties to be heard through Her prayers.
Bestow the benefaction of Your Holy Spirit upon this icon, created by your servants in Her honour and remembrance.  Bless and sanctify her through your heavenly grace and give her tstrength and steadfastness with miraculous effects, make her a healer and the source of cure for all who come to her in sickness and for the sake of the Mother of God seek Your healing. 
Grant deliverance to all who in their prayers to You before this icon call on the exalted and virtuous Mother of Your beloved son Jesus Christ, ambassador of all Christians, in their misfortunes and needs.  Give them relief, representation and swift succour, grant them liberation from their sins, and grant them the benefaction beseeched of Your benevolence and share in Your Kingdom, through the loving kindness of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who through it became flesh. 
To whom be all honour, glory, and worship, by Your sacred, life-bestowing spirit, now and forever, in all eternity.  Amen”.

From an old-Russian Trbnik (breviary)