Archdiocese defends ‘androgynous’ Virgin Mary on historic festival banner– www.lifesitenews.com
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EXCERPT:
SIENA, Italy (LifeSiteNews) — A centuries-old Marian tradition at the heart of Siena’s Palio horse race has become the center of controversy after the city’s official devotional banner depicted the Virgin Mary with “androgynous” features.
The local archdiocese came out in defense of the image against widespread criticism among the faithful.
On August 10, the Municipality of Siena unveiled the painted silk banner, or “Drappelone,” of the Virgin Mary to be awarded to the winning district, or “contrada,” of the August race. Commissioned by the city and created by Romanian artist Teodora Axente, the banner shows the city and its districts in its lower section, topped by a large image of the Virgin Mary with markedly masculine features.
A few days later, on August 14, the banner was taken to Siena Cathedral to be blessed by the archbishop ahead of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the patron of the city of Siena.
#Palio di #Siena, come è stata raffigurata la Madonna: polemica sul drappellonehttps://t.co/G11LobTOPr
— IL TEMPO (@tempoweb) August 16, 2026
