[Kolokotronis]

"Icons of Mary always include Jesus (unlike Roman statuary where Mary is sometimes by herself)"

Oh? The Icon of the Visitation almost never shows Christ. For example:

There are others, for example, virtually all Annunciation icons:

I trust your spiritual father didn't teach you that, s. God Bless you in catechumenate.

[annalex]

Oranta, St. Sophia Cathedral, Kiev