www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Mary (the Theotokos) Nursing the Child Jesus

Does the Eastern Church(es) have any devotions to or icons of Mary Nursing the Child Jesus? It is known as "Maria Lactans" in the Western Church.

What an interesting concept. I had never heard of this before. For some reason, Mary's fully exposed breast, nipple in detail, with Jesus going toward it doesn't strike me as the material of an icon.

Ironically, this [fisheaters.com] page discussing this devotion lauds "discreet" breastfeeding while linking to images of the Virgin Mary uncovered and unclothed with her breast hanging out of her garment, such as this [fisheaters.com] (Rembrandt, A.D. 1630s), this [fisheaters.com] (El Greco, ca. A.D. 1600), this [fisheaters.com] (Gerard David, ca. A.D. 1490), and this [fisheaters.com] (Adriaen van der Werf, 1714).

Yes, there is an icon of the Theotokos breastfeeding Christ. It is known as the "Nurturing Mother of God" icon. An example of it can be seen at the following link:

Nurturing Mother of God [therussianshop.com]


~Isaac

Are any specific devotions attached to this Icon, any prayers?

Not a lot too add except that this icon is commemorated on January 12th. Also known as the "milk-giver" icon, it is an ancient one - first appearing in the 6th century. The event written of in this icon is also memorialized in the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete as follows:

"Without seed you gave birth in time to the timeless Son of the Father, O Theotokos, and, O strange wonder, you nourished Him at your breast while remaining a virgin!"

How very interesting! I learn something new every day!

According to the site I linked to earlier, the devotion became popular in the West during the 13th and 14th centuries (if the artistic depictions of it are any indication). Did this originate in the east?

This icon originally comes from the 6th century Lavra of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified which was located not far from Jerusalem. A good history of the icon, along with a scan of the original icon, can be found at:

The "Milk-Giver" Icon [stjohndc.org]


~Isaac