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This�Byzantine icon from my Greek village church, a treasured image of the�Virgin and Child (shown above) has been part of my life ever since I�can remember.

This late 19th century icon of The Theot�kos ("She Who�Gave Birth to the Lord"), is a wonderful example of the Byzantine�iconographic tradition.

I am delighted to share it�with you in the form of a special Christmas card in two variations.

Both feature the icon of the Mother of God on the inside, and the greeting, "May The Spirit Of Christmas Fill Your Heart," along with the timeless wish "Peace On Earth."

One version � the Uncut Window � requires no cutting, and features the "May The Spirit�" wish inside the golden, arched window that decorates the front of the card. All you need to with this version is download, print,�fold � and send to someone you love.

The�Cut-out Arched Window version requires the removal of the inside of the arched window (roll your mouse off and on the image at left, below, to see the two versions).�

A 1911 vintage greeting card featuring a gold arch and two candles�provides the arched front design for the Icon Card.�


Run your mouse on and off the image above to see the two versions of the Icon Card. The first version is printed and folded; in the second, the arched window is cut out.	�

Assembly:

Cut-out Arched Window Version:�1. Score along horizontal fold. 2. Cut out white area inside of gold�frame through pages one and two, creating an arched window. 3. Score�along vertical fold line and fold.

Uncut Window Version: Skip step 2 above.

The Icon of the Virgin
Created a time when most Orthodox were illiterate, an�icon didn't just serve as a holy object of veneration, but as a�catechism lesson. In this icon of the Virgin, The Christ Child is�shown as much older � foreshadowing His ministry � and holding the Gospel.

His�right hand is raised in blessing, with His fingers forming Greek
letters: His little finger an Iota (for Iesus, Jesus); His second and
third a Chi or �X,� (for Christ�s, Christ); while His thumb and fourth
finger form the cross � in blessing, and in allusion to His Passion,
Burial, and Resurection.

On Christ�s halo the Greek letters Omicron, Omega, and Nu spell out �O On,� He Who Is.

Almost rendered invisible by age, on the left and top right of the icon�the Greek letters Mu-Rho and Theta-Omicron-Ypsilon are found, shorthand�for M�ter Theo�, �Mother of God.�

I must confess that, as a child looking at this wondrous depiction of�The Panagia (The All-Holy One, as the Mother of God is called by the Greek Orthodox), I wondered: what those green apples were�doing there among all the gold?

They're not apples at all, of course, but stylized clouds � a�reminder of the Orthodox belief of Mary�s Assumption into Heaven.

Merry Christmas!