This rare iconography is based on the Marian hymn from the Liturgy of St Basil, which begins with the words:
“In Thee rejoiceth all Creation rejoices, O full of grace
the angels in heaven and the race of men…”
In the centre we see the Mother of God enthroned, the infant Christ sitting on her lap. Angels are gathered around the throne. Below, prophets, apostles, church fathers and other saints pay homage to the Mother of God.
The hymn is attributed to the Church Father John of Damascus (676-749), who is depicted directly below the enthroned Mother of God on the left with a scroll of text in his hand and his distinctive white headscarf.