The Blessed Virgin Mary; The Helper in Childbirth

While there is only one Virgin Mary, scholars have catalogued more than 1,100 distinct icons of the Mother of God. Spread out in front of us, it is difficult to understand why there are so many. In their variety, we wonder if they all could possibly represent the same historical individual? Every icon represents a different part of Our Lady, emphasizing specific facets of her life, personality, and intercession. Despite the multiplicity of her icons, no single image has captured her fullness or proven adequate.

Some icons are named for shrines and places where miraculous events occurred, like the Virgin of Vladimir, a city in Russia. Some are titled with words of praise, like the icon called “Life-Giving Spring” or “All Creation Rejoices in Thee”. Other icons are titled after our own needs, and testify to Our Lady’s intercession. We know of icons called “The Mother of God, Confidence of Sinners”, or “She Who Soothes My Sorrows”, or the very beautiful and famous icon called “Perpetual Help”.

This icon of the Mother of God is called “The Helper in Childbirth“. The first prototypes of this icon appeared in Western Russia, in the early 19th century. It was made for a very practical and urgent need – the difficulties in conceiving and giving birth.

continue at Griswold Friars

Looks like photos of the icon are not for sale, only public veneration at the Friary in Connecticut.

HT LC