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<p>[QUOTE="manny9655, post: 4985551, member: 112417"]In the OP and in the other posts, the Virgin is NOT holding the baby Jesus; the baby Jesus is depicted as being in her womb. Her hands are extended outward. If you understand Byzantine iconography and hymnography (I'm rather expert in the latter), this is a no-brainer. It is the icon of the Platytera (ΠΛΑΤΥΤΕΡΑ) which is commonly seen behind and above the altar of many Orthodox Churches. The inscription on these icons is "Η ΠΛΑΤΥΤΕΡΑ ΤΩΝ ΟΥΡΑΝΩΝ", "(She who is) wider than the heavens", which is a reference to the hymn chanted as the megalynarion when the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is served, and during Matins when the 8th tone is the tone of the day. It is a reference to Mary's womb; since it contained He who is uncontainable, her womb is sung of as being "wider than the heavens". "ΜΡ ΘΥ" is an abbreviation of "ΜΗΤΗΡ ΘΕΟΥ", "Mother of God".[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="manny9655, post: 4985551, member: 112417"]In the OP and in the other posts, the Virgin is NOT holding the baby Jesus; the baby Jesus is depicted as being in her womb. Her hands are extended outward. If you understand Byzantine iconography and hymnography (I'm rather expert in the latter), this is a no-brainer. It is the icon of the Platytera (ΠΛΑΤΥΤΕΡΑ) which is commonly seen behind and above the altar of many Orthodox Churches. The inscription on these icons is "Η ΠΛΑΤΥΤΕΡΑ ΤΩΝ ΟΥΡΑΝΩΝ", "(She who is) wider than the heavens", which is a reference to the hymn chanted as the megalynarion when the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is served, and during Matins when the 8th tone is the tone of the day. It is a reference to Mary's womb; since it contained He who is uncontainable, her womb is sung of as being "wider than the heavens". "ΜΡ ΘΥ" is an abbreviation of "ΜΗΤΗΡ ΘΕΟΥ", "Mother of God".[/QUOTE]
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