A beloved icon of Venice, the Black Madonna adorns the high altar of a 17th century church, Santa Maria della Salute. Previously housed in Crete, known as the Madonna Mesopanditissa, or peacemaker, the icon was thought to maintain peace between Latin and Greek churches. Brought to Venice in 1670 in hopes of protection from the plague.

In traditional Orthodox fashion, the Mother of Jesus is highly honored, as demonstrated by the ornate sculpture that surrounds the Madonna Mesopanditissa icon.
Mary is thought to mediate in several ways on behalf of the people: for health, for peace, and for mercy. However, this icon is primarily a hodegetria, an iconographic depiction of the Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, holding the child Jesus while pointing to Him as the source of salvation. Mary's head and her hand direct the viewer's gaze to the child that holds her soul; a soul that would be pierced by His death...a soul that would be saved by His death (Luke 2:35).