The ancient Icon of the Madonna Lactans, kept in the Abbey Museum of San Pietro, will be transported to Rome and exhibited in the Vatican Basilica of St. Peter for the celebrations of December 31st and January 1st, presided over by Pope Francis. Montevergine (Mercogliano, Avellino). According to ancient tradition, it is believed to be the first Marian effigy venerated by Saint William of Vercelli, founder of the Virginian Abbey, whose ninth centenary is being celebrated.
It depicts the Mother of God in the recurrent late Byzantine iconography of the Galaktotrophousa, She-who-nourishes-with-milk, in the act of offering her uncovered breast to the Child for his nourishment. She is dressed in imperial attire and her head is crowned. At the feet of the Virgin is depicted a monk dressed in white: in him we recognize the long history of the Benedictine monastic community. The Virginian jubilee will end at Pentecost 2024.
Article published on 27 December 2023 - 20:50
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