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Icon: Tikvinskaya Mother of God

The Tikvinskaya is one of the four well-known miracle-working images of the Mother of God. Along with the Vladimir, Kazan and Smolensk, the Tikvin has a interesting history. According to tradition fisherman saw the icon moving in a circle of light over Lake Ladoga to the Tikvinka river in 1383.

The icon was placed in a wooden church and survived several fires. In the 16th century it was placed in a brick church dedicated to the Dormition. In 1613, after the vision of a blind widow, the icon was used to repel the invading Swedes. During World War II the icon was brought to safety in the USA. In 2004 the icon was returned to its home village Tikvin. The Tikvin Mother of God is the Patroness of families.

The upper corners display the standard abbreviated Greek title MP OY (Meter Theou) for the Mother of God. She bears a star upon each shoulder and on her head, signifying her perpetual virginity before, during and after the birth of Christ.

The head of Christ with the distinctive cross-halo is inscribed with the Greek words: O ΩN (‘the Being’or ‘He who is’), based on ‘I am that I am’from Exodus 3;13-14; Above the halo are the Greek letters : IC XC = Jesus Christ.

On the borders are the Guardian Angel and Saint Irina. Following the traditional old canons, the icon is very finely painted on a dark caramel ground with extensive chrysography.