Marian Icons Survey
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Marian Icons Survey
Mary's Many Ways with God
In 1996, the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute conducted a survey of favorite Marian Icons. The following are the results:
The first-place choice of all votes for the icon survey:
Virgin of the Passion
An Italian Greek Icon, unknown artist
Private Collection of Beuron Arts
ca. 1700.
Both the child's gaze and Mary's gaze are directed to the future which holds hardship and suffering, and requires much strength and acceptance.
The icon received an equal number of responses for men and women entries.However, in the overall statistic, it was first choice of our men respondents and the second choice of our women respondents.
The second-place choice of all votes for the icon survey:
Virgin of the Great Panhagia
Spaski Monastery, Yaroslavl,
Tretyakow Gallery, Moscow
12th century.
Mary's all holiness (= Panhagia) is grounded in Jesus Christ whom she bore in her womb and whose dwelling has been forever in her heart.
The icon received its predominant numbers of votes from our women respondents. It was the first choice of our women respondents and third choice of our men respondents.
The third-place choice of all votes for the icon survey:
Virgin Eleousa
Sinai, Monastery of St. Katharine
Crete
16th century
Mary's gesture is that of a loving mother, graced with intimacy with God.
The number of men and women respondents differed minimally in the choice of this icon. It was the second choice of our men respondents and the third choice of our women respondents.
We asked you about two more icons:
St. Anne with Mary the Theotokos
With forged signature and date: Emmanuel Tzanes
Rethymnon, Crete
Benaki Museum, Athens
1637
Deisis
Mary and John the Baptist flank Christ. Christ is portrayed as Holy Wisdom; Mary is shown giving human flesh to the Divine Wisdom
Novgorod School
Coll. George R. Hann, Pittsburgh, USA
15th century.
Several respondents added commentary to their answers. Thank you for the love, respect, and devotion shown toward Mary, the Mother of God, and for the courtesies regarding the Mary Page.