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Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is perhaps the oldest actual image of the Blessed Virgin herself. According to legend, St. Luke painted a picture of Our Lady while she was still living in Jerusalem. When she saw the beautiful picture of herself holding the Child Jesus in her arms, she blessed both the artist and his work proclaiming, "My grace will accompany this picture." The passage of centuries has proven that Mary did not forget this promise. So numerous were the miracles and favors granted by means of this picture that Pope Innocent III in 1207 stated that Mary's soul seemed to have entered into this picture since it was so beautiful and so miraculous. When St. Luke completed the image, legend tells us he gave it to his personal friend and patron, Theophilus.
In the middle of the Fifth Century, St. Pulcheria erected a shrine in its honor in Constantinople. The picture remained there for a thousand years where it was venerated by countless Christians - kings and emperors, saints and sinners, rich and poor; and where it was the source of many miracles. The original picture is believed to have perished during the siege of Constantinople in 1453 but many copies that existed at that time have been preserved to this day. The spirit and miraculous power of the image still live in the present day image. Mary still lives among us, anticipating needs, saving, ministering, mothering - leading us along the way to heaven.
The Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is an authentic expression of Byzantine art from ancient times. The gold background represents the Kingdom of God and the gold shining through the clothing reflects the joy and glory of the Kingdom. The icon invites us to become sharers in this glory. The persons portrayed are: the Mother of God, Jesus Christ, the Archangel Michael, and the Archangel Gabriel. Mary's head is tilted with maternal affection toward the Christ child on her left arm. Mary's eyes are not fixed on her Child or on the instruments of the Passion which the two angels hold out to Christ. Rather, she gazes toward those who are looking at the picture. With eyes and attitude of sorrow and love she invites all to place their confidence in her. The Christ Child has the appearance of a teacher or master. In His mother, he finds the greatest comfort and tenderness. In His haste to run into her protective arms, He almost loses one of His tiny sandals thereby signifying to us that we should hasten to seek her loving assistance in our troubles. Christ's fingers hold his Mother's right hand, yet they rest quite loosely there. In this lies another lesson. Though Mary is His Mother, He is our God. To Him she owes all her graces. The image inspires the onlooker to exclaim: "Surely, this is the Son of God and His glorious Mother."
THEOTOKION - Our Lady of Perpetual Help
O gentle protectress of Christians, unfailing mediatrix before the Creator, do not despise the prayerful voices of sinners, but in your goodness hasten to assist us trustfully cry out to you: "Inspire us to prayer, and hasten to hear our supplication. O Mother of God, intercede always in behalf of those who honor you."
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