
Coin of Michael VIII Paleologus, depicting the Virgin Mary rising over the walls of Constantinople, in commemoration of the capture of the city over the Latins.

from wikipedia.
The cult of Virgin Mary was very strong during the 1000years Byzantine History and even after; after all the capital was dedicated to the Mother of God, her Icon was the City&amp;#8217;s Palladium and the &amp;#8220;Akathistos&amp;#8221; Hymn was written to her honour as the most supreme and invincible general.
Dated back to Byzantium&amp;#8217; s Greek heritage, it is normal for a city to have a patron saint, like Athena was the defender of Athens, an idea that grew and spread across the Christian world. The similarities between the Cult of the Virgin Goddess Athena and the Virgin Mary are notable, though Theotokos&amp;#8217; importance grew stronger and evolved due to her place in the Christian cosmos between the Deity and the World.