The Virgin Hagiosoritissa, of the holy reliquary
The Virgin Hagiosoritissa, meaning “Virgin of the Holy Soros (shrine),” is an image and iconographic type where the Virgin is depicted nearly in profile, with her hands extended outward from her chest in prayer or entreaty. Another common name for this Marian style is Madonna Advocate, symbolizing Mary’s intercession through her prayerful gesture. The Virgin Hagiosoritissa is associated with either the Church of the Theotokos of the Chalkoprateia in Constantinople that housed the relic of the Virgin’s belt in a reliquary casket (called “soros” in greek, hence the name), or with the church of the Blachernai, also in the Byzantine capital, that kept the relic of the maphorion, the mantle of the Virgin. Both relics were held in a reliquary casket, called “soros” in greek, hence the name of the image.
The Virgin may be depicted in full length or, more commonly, as a bust in icons. In some representations, a bust of Christ or the hand of God appears in the upper part of the composition. Alternatively, Christ may occupy a separate panel, such as when the two figures adorn the piers flanking the templon. The Virgin is often shown looking at the viewer and wearing a mantle adorned with stars, a symbol of virginity influenced by Syriac tradition.
In Deesis compositions, where Christ enthroned is flanked by his mother on one side and John the Baptist on the other, the Virgin holds the same pose as the Hagiosoritissa.
The image first appears with the name Hagiosoritissa on seals from the 1040s and on coins minted during the reign of Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–1180). Thereafter, its representation on seals became quite common, with at least 37 examples documented in major published collections of Byzantine seals.
The Hagiosoritissa type was widespread in the Byzantine empire and in the Balkans, but less in Russia where it was called Khalkopratiskaya, refering to the Chalkoprateia Church and district.
It is closely related to the Virgin Paraklesis, except that the Virgin here does not carry a scroll. Images of this type also may be labeled as Virgin Paraklesis, Kecharitomene, or Episkepsis.
maybe 6th century
