Virgin Mary with Child

Mother of God was the patronness saint of Faras Cathedral, and consequently Her depictions played a prominent role in the painterly decoration of the church. The portrait presenting Her with Infant Christ held in Her hands theologically emphasized the role of Mary as Theotokos, that is, the Mother of God. The title was officially accepted in AD 431 during the Council of Ephesus which debated over the divine and human nature of Christ. The title of the Mother of God expressed the idea of the Incarnation of the Word of God who was truly born in human form. It also underlined the role of Mary in the history of salvation, because She agreed to become Mother of Christ and enabled the redemption of mankind. The humanity of Mary was demonstrated in Her special, motherly intimacy with Christ. Her humanity permitted Her to become a mighty protectress and intercessor, able to ask Her Son for grace and mercy for sinners. The painting was accompanied by a depiction of St John the Apostle and a portrait of an archangel, most probably Michael – now in the Museum in Khartoum.
The depiction referred to Egyptian representations of Mary with Child. However, in comparison to Egyptian prototypes, it reveals a tendency to humanize the original, hieratic model through exposing the human, intimate bond between Mother and Child. Mary, though She is looking straight, leans Her head slightly towards Her Son.
The partly damaged Greek inscription Saint Mary, visible on the left, next to Mary’s shoulder, characteristic mainly for Egyptian depictions of Mother of God, is Her original title, underlining the sanctity of a mortal woman who became Mother of the Son of God.