Antique Russian Icon Mother of God Iverskaya 19th century 31x26 cm Russia

Antique Russian icon depicting the Mother of God Iverskaya. In the 8th-9th century, a strong iconoclastic movement arose, and under the reign of Theophilos, the king's emissaries entered houses to destroy icons. During his reign, a miraculous event related to this icon occurred: soldiers entered the home of a devout widow near the city of Nicaea. One of them saw the holy image and, drawing his sword, struck a vigorous blow at the Virgin Mary's cheek, from which blood came out. Astonished, the soldier converted and became a monk. The woman placed the icon on a boat and set it free in the sea. The holy image crossed the sea on its own and miraculously arrived at the slopes of Mount Athos in front of the Iveron Monastery. Monks saw the icon and placed it on the monastery church's altar. This happened on May 31, 999. A year later, before the praises, the monks realized the icon had disappeared, but the next morning, to their surprise, they found it hanging above the monastery's doors. The monks took it back to the altar, but the following day, the icon had returned above the doors. After a couple of times, the monks understood it was a miraculous event and left it above the doors. The monastery was attacked many times by enemies and pirates, but the icon always defended the gate and the entire monastery. A church was later built in its honor at this location, becoming one of Mount Athos' most important relics, hence its name. Many miracles and healings have been documented, attributed to the icon. During the patriarch Nikon's time, two copies of the icon written by the monks of Mount Athos were brought to Russia, one in 1648, the other in 1655. Today, there are several copies that have been involved in miraculous events. The icon corresponds to the iconographic type "Odigitria." The Mother of God is depicted frontally with her head slightly bent towards the Child. The robe's flaps open in two on the chest, showing the "chiton." The Child is supported by the Virgin's left hand, while the right hand points to the Son inviting to his veneration. The orthodox icon is delivered with a blue velvet box and accompanied by an evaluation by a specialized expert. Origin: Northern Russia. Technique: egg tempera. Materials: wood, levkas, bronze. Actual measurements: 31.3x26 cm. Period: 19th century.