The icon of Christ and the Theotokos, the mother of God, surrounded by ten women saints of the Church is meant to emphasize the important role played by women saints of the Church from around the world and in all times. They range from saints equal to the apostles (Sts. Thekla and Helen) to patron saints of entire countries (St. Nina of Georgia) to changing the world through the holiness they modeled as mothers (Sts. Elizabeth and Sarah, mothers respectively of St. John the Baptist and St. Issac). This icon of the women saints also includes some of the first evangelists (St. Suzanna and St. Photini), women showing us holiness can be achieved through repentance (St. Mary of Egypt), and women who, after great tortures, died as martyrs for their faith in Christ (Sts. Barbara and Christina).