In Orthodox iconography the Virgin is usually identified by the abbreviation
The first two letters usually appear on the left of her halo, and the second two letters on the right. In this case the
inscription is a
bit unusual for several reasons. First, the available space requires that
part of the
inscription appear at the top rather than on the left
side of the halo. Second, the order is reversed, with the
on the left and the
on the right. Third, the letters are reversed on the left (in this case top)
side. The letters at the top should be
but here they appear
. This is not unusual for this
type, and
DOC lists several similar examples.
