Inseparable from the liturgical tradition, religious art is seen by Orthodox Christians as a form of pictorial confession of faith and a channel of religious experience. Because the icons provide a direct personal contact with the holy persons represented on them, these images should be objects of veneration, in either a public or private setting, and were even believed to have the ability to heal.

This icon represents Mary, with the infant Christ on her lap, seated upon a throne, surrounded by saints. Saint Zacharias stands on the left while Maria stands on the right, both hold out their hands as if presenting this scene. Unfortunately, the names of the other two main saints have worn off with time; however, they must be of great importance to be so close to the Madonna. An architectural illumination, consisting primarily of a crosshatched pattern, delineates the throne from the golden background. Stylistically, much is derived from earlier Byzantine paintings and mosaics, including the elongation of the human form, the linear, angular handling of drapery and the lack of any setting or environment. This is a holy scene; the surrounding saints look on with awe and reverence, as we too should.