dear ms. collard,
with regard to the icon of the virgin with three arms, a mid-fourteenth
century example is found in the chilandar monastery on mount athos.
according to legend, st. john damascene is behind this curious image. it
seems that his right hand was chopped off by a group of iconoclasts, but
a miraculous icon caused the hand to grow back. in gratitude, he donated
a silver hand to the icon of the virgin, thus giving it three hands. the
icon is referred to as 'the miracle-working theotokos tricherousa'. i
hope that this helps you and your student.
sincerely, t. allan smith
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