Reviving a Sacred Tradition: The First Icon of Our Lady of Victories Commissioned for the Modern Soldier
A Marian icon, Our Lady of Victories, was recently smuggled out of Ukraine and transported to London. The icon is intended to serve as a source of inspiration and grace for modern military personnel and their families. The history of Our Lady of Victory dates back to the 16th century, associated with Pope St. Pius V and Christian forces battling the Ottoman Empire in 1571. The commissioning and transit of this specific icon involved significant international effort by various Catholics.
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Our Lady of Victories traces back to the 1571 Battle of Lepanto, where Pope St. Pius V entrusted Christian forces to Mary through the Rosary.1
Following the victory, Pius established the feast of Our Lady of Victory, also known as Our Lady of the Rosary, honoring her role in spiritual and temporal battles.1
She serves as patroness for the Catholic Military Association of Our Lady of Victories (CMA-UK), with sister groups in the US and Canada.1
Plans are underway for a Ukrainian chapter amid ongoing conflict, supporting Eastern Catholic soldiers.1
CMA-UK addresses spiritual needs in British forces, where Catholic overrepresentation contrasts with limited sacramental access due to ecumenical chaplain reforms.1
CMA-UK, aided by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), commissioned the first known icon from Olga Zhuravska at St. Anthony’s Iconography Studio in Lviv, Ukraine.1
Funds came from the Catenians; an intermediary "Greg" facilitated amid war, but was injured and called to duty, extending the project from one to 18 months.1
The icon, painted during the Ukraine war, was smuggled out secretly and completed en route to the UK.1
Icons hold deep reverence in Catholic and Orthodox traditions as tools for prayer and divine communication.1
Blessed on October 7, 2025—feast of Our Lady of the Rosary—at Sts. Michael and George Cathedral by Bishops Kenneth Nowakowski and Paul Mason.1
It now travels as a source of grace for UK service members, fostering prayer, solidarity with Ukraine, and hopes for peace.1
ACN's John Pontifex hailed it as a renewed focus for prayer amid Ukraine's scars.1
Examine Catholic iconography’s role in contemporary military morale
Catholic iconography has long served as a potent symbol of divine protection and victory within military contexts, bridging the spiritual and temporal realms to bolster soldiers' resolve. From the ancient labarum of Constantine to modern Marian devotions in armed forces, these sacred images remind the faithful of Christ's triumph over evil, fostering morale through a sense of heavenly solidarity amid the perils of service. This tradition persists today, as evidenced by papal endorsements of spiritual aids like banners, the Rosary, and images of the Virgin Mary, which equip military personnel for their duties as ministers of peace.
The integration of Catholic iconography into military life traces back to Emperor Constantine's adoption of the labarum following his vision of the cross. This military standard—a long spear forming a cross, topped with a wreath enclosing the Chi-Rho monogram (the first two letters of "Christos" in Greek)—bore the inscription Touo ni ka ("In this [sign], conquer"). It replaced pagan emblems on Roman cavalry standards, symbolizing Christian victory; similar standards with the monogram were distributed to legions, engraved on shields, and featured on coins, instilling confidence in troops through the Savior's name.
This practice echoed earlier Byzantine traditions where icons proliferated in military settings. Images of Christ, Mary, and saints adorned banners marched at army heads, protected journeys, and were invoked against disasters like fires or floods. Icons were crowned, incensed, and kissed, acting as channels for graces and miracles, with "not made with hands" images (acheiropoietai) receiving heightened reverence. Eastern Catholic sources affirm banners as "Christian insignia," embroidered or painted with icons, recalling Constantine's Cross-led triumph and used in processions to profess Christ's victory over evil. Such symbols transformed warfare into a sacred endeavor, elevating morale by aligning soldiers under divine banners.
A profound evolution occurred with Marian devotion, particularly the Rosary, portrayed as a banner rallying the Church's "army of prayer" under Mary, conqueror of evil. Pope Leo XIII described Rosary sodalities as troops "enrolled by St. Dominic under the banner of the Mother of God," forming a host to repel enemies through public prayer's superior efficacy. Historical victories, like Lepanto (1571), where Rosary processions coincided with the defeat of Turkish forces, led to feasts of Our Lady of Victory (later the Rosary), perpetuating her image as Help of Christians.
Pius XII invoked the Rosary as a sling against modern evils, urging the Church to confront the "infernal enemy" not with arms but divine aid, echoing David's trust in God over sword and spear. Leo XIII noted its revival in crises, restoring honor to altars amid "troublous times," attributing global fervor to divine direction. Butler's Lives links the Rosary feast to Lepanto's "direct answer" to Roman confraternities' prayers, emphasizing meditation on Christ's mysteries to mold soldiers' spirits. These elements—Mary's image, Rosary beads as counters—function as portable iconography, sustaining morale by promising heavenly intercession.
Papal addresses to modern military chaplains underscore iconography's ongoing role. John Paul II highlighted the Church's tradition of care for armed forces personnel, citing Gaudium et Spes (79): soldiers rightly serving contribute to peace, with chaplains providing parish-like assistance in barracks. Benedict XVI stressed Military Ordinariates' mission to evangelize the "military world," forming deep-faith Christians via sacraments and Gospel proclamation, addressing soldiers' unique trials. Priests must offer solid formation, dialogue, and support, where icons and devotions aid consistent witness.
Recent examples illustrate this. John Paul II praised Polish forces' Jubilee preparations, including pilgrimages of Our Lady "Protectress of the Polish Soldier" image through barracks, academies, and training grounds, entrusting service to her for faith-strengthened millennium entry. Leo XIV, in 2025, honored Carabinieri at Castel Gandolfo, commending Salvo D'Acquisto and invoking Virgo fidelis (Faithful Virgin) to accompany missions, families, and work—echoing protective iconography. Paul VI and John Paul II similarly greeted military under the Cross as "glorious standard," urging faith-lived service.
In contemporary settings, Catholic iconography enhances morale by infusing duty with transcendent purpose. Banners and images recall Constantine's victories, countering fear with Christ's monogram. Marian icons, as in barracks processions, provide maternal protection, vital for those facing isolation or danger. The Rosary, a "spiritual weapon," unites personnel in communal prayer, fostering fraternity and resilience against moral threats.
This veneration arouses faith, love, and miracles without idolatry, as icons channel graces. For military faithful, they affirm service as ministerium pacis inter arma (service of peace amid arms), aligning love of God and neighbor with defense. Challenges like secularism demand chaplains integrate these symbols to nurture holiness.
In summary, Catholic iconography remains a morale cornerstone, from historical labarums to modern Marian images, symbolizing divine victory and protection. Rooted in tradition and papal encouragement , it equips contemporary forces for just service, promising triumph through Christ under Mary's banner.