Anne is depicted holding the Virgin Mary because Orthodox tradition names her as Mary's mother, making Anne the familial grandmother of Jesus. Next to her stands Mary, holding the Christ Child. To the right is Thecla, depicted here holding a Byzantine style cross. All three women are crowned with a circular nimbus, a symbol used in Christian art to depict holiness or spiritual power. Christ is also crowned with a nimbus, and His right hand makes the traditional symbol of His human and divine nature and the unity of the Holy Trinity (two fingers together, with the other fingers touching the thumb to form a circle). In His left hand, Jesus is holding a scroll, which often represents wisdom and knowledge in religious iconography. While Anne and Mary supported and nurtured the Christ Child, this Child holds the authority of Heaven and Earth (Matthew 28:18). Thecla stands as witness to Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection for the salvation of the world.

This post is not in a child category of Gallery.