The Mother of God Hodigitria

The Greek word Hodigitria is a composite of two words: way and to lead, i.e. leading the way. According to one legend the icon was given this name after restoring sight to two blind men. Another legend relates that the icon was a talisman for the Greek emperors during their military campaigns. And the third legend states that originally the icon was in a church near a port where departing sailors used to pray before the icon asking the Mother of God to lead the way so they did not get lost in the seas.