54. Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George

This image is an example of the common depiction of the Virgin (Theotokos) and Child in Eastern Orthodox art, which often features the Virgin holding the Christ Child, accompanied by two saints flanking them both on either side. In this particular image, the two saints are identified as Theodore and George. Saint Theodore was a 4th-century soldier-martyr, and Saint George was a famous martyr from the early 4th century. These saints, in particular, have symbolic meanings and play important roles in the regional and religious lives of people in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. St. Theodore defends the Mother of God and the Child while St. George symbolizes the martyrdom of Jesus Christ - both of whom held great value and importance in the Christian faith.