Russia's Most Beloved Icon of the Mother of God
Moscow Kremlin Museums
‘Our Lady of Vladimir’ is one of the most beloved icons in Russia. Its copies and interpretations have spread throughout the country and millions of Orthodox believers pray in front of them. What’s so special about it?
Almost every Russian church has such a recognizable image. The Mother of God holds the infant Christ in her arms, who leans his cheek to her bowed head. Such an image is called the ‘Eleusa’ iconographic type or Virgin of Tenderness.
Although there are many such icons in Russia, it is believed that their original source is the ‘Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God’. According to tradition, the first such image was painted by the Evangelist Luke himself, and in the 5th century, it was taken from Jerusalem to Constantinople.
How did the icon appear in Russia?
Around the year 1130, a copy of Luke's icon of the Virgin was brought from Byzantium to Kievan Russia as a gift to the Russian prince Mstislav Monomakh. The first home of the icon was a monastery in Vyshgorod, not far from Kiev. There are traditions about the many miracles that happened with its appearance.
‘Vladimir Icon of Our Lady’. 12th century. — Tretyakov gallery
In 1149, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky (also known as the founder of Moscow) became the ruler of Kiev. And his son, Prince Andrew, was tasked with ruling Vyshgorod. He noted the miracles associated with the icon. And in 1155, against his father's will, Andrei went to rule in the north-eastern lands, in so-called Vladimir-Suzdal Russia. And he took the wonderworking icon with him.
According to tradition, the icon healed the sick and performed miracles during the long journey from Kiev to the north. And when there were only 10 kilometers left to go to the city of Vladimir, the horses stopped and did not want to go any further. Prince Andrei and his entourage had to spend the night right there, and at night, the Mother of God appeared to them. In honor of this sign, a monastery and the village of Bogolyubovo (literally “loving God”) were both founded on that spot, which subsequently became the residence of the prince. And the prince was nicknamed Andrei ‘Bogolyubsky’ (literally “one who loves God”).
Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir, Russia — Mike1979 Russia (CC BY-SA)
In the city of Vladimir, Andrei built the Dormition Cathedral, where he placed the miracle-working icon in the most honorable place. This is how it got its name ‘Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God'. The prince ordered a precious ‘riza’ (a metal cover) for the icon, prayed in front of it on especially important days, and even took it with him on military campaigns. After that, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality reached its highest economic and political position in Russia.
Defender of Russia
During the medieval Mongol invasion, the cathedral in Vladimir was plundered, but the icon was not damaged, further convincing the devotees of its sacredness. In 1395, Grand Prince Vasily I ordered the revered icon to be transported to Moscow to protect the city from Timur's invasion. And, indeed, for no apparent reason, the commander deployed his troops without reaching Moscow.
This event was perceived by the Muscovites as a sign of special intercession by the Mother of God, so as a result, from the middle of the 15th century on, the icon finally took its place in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin — Wikipedia/Shakko
Tsar Ivan IV prayed in front of the icon and most of the Russian monarchs were crowned with it nearby. The icon remained in the Moscow Kremlin until the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, when it was taken away for restoration and then transferred to a museum. After 1930, it was kept in the Tretyakov Gallery (and since the 1990s, in the gallery’s house church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi).
Spreading of the image
When the relic was transferred to Moscow, a highly artistic copy was painted for the Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir. The new icon was created around 1408 and its drawing is attributed to famous icon painter Andrei Rublev, who also painted the walls of the cathedral itself.
Our Lady of Vladimir. Early 15th century. Attributed to Andrei Rublev — Vladimir-Suzdal museum-reserve
Over time, a devoted following developed around the Vladimir icon. More than once, as a gesture of gratitude for the icon's intercession, rich people and Russian rulers presented new precious frames for the icon. One of the oldest surviving ones dates back to 1410-1411. Metropolitan Photios ordered the Greek masters to create a gold frame. They depicted 12 Gospel feasts on the margins.
Gold frame of 1410-1411 with Gospel feasts on the margins — Moscow Kremlin Museums
In 1514, Grand Prince Vasily III ordered a replica of the miracle-working icon. The new image accurately reproduces the size and pattern of the original 12th century one and the margins reproduce the subjects of feasts from the very same golden frame of Metropolitan Photius. This new icon was usually used for outdoor processions during bad weather instead of the ancient icon. And when the original relic was taken to the museum during the Soviet era, this new image took its place in the Kremlin Cathedral.
Our Lady of Vladimir with Gospel feasts on the margins, 1514 — Moscow Kremlin Museums
The image of Our Lady of Vladimir acquired a special historical importance. And it not only became a subject of copying, but an independent object of iconography. That is, the image of the icon itself began to appear on other religious paintings.
One of the most striking examples is a 17th-century icon, on the margins of which the legendary history of the icon is illustrated in detail, in the same manner as of a saint's life.
The iconographer reproduced how the icon was painted by the Apostle Luke himself, how the Mother of God herself blessed the image, how the icon was brought from Byzantium to Russia, the many miracles performed by the icon, the construction of the Dormition Cathedral, and how the icon saved Moscow from Timur's invasion.
Our Lady of Vladimir, with stamps of the Tales of the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir. Second quarter of the 17th century — Moscow Kremlin Museums
Most likely, this extraordinary icon was ordered by Patriarch Joseph in 1642 as a sign of gratitude that he was chosen to become a patriarch in front of the image of Our Lady of Vladimir.
Portions of icons, illustrating the protection from Timur’s invasion — Moscow Kremlin Museums
In fact, this icon symbolically unites not only the history of Our Lady of Vladimir, but also the 1,000-year history of Orthodox Russia.
This and other icons, including the ‘Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God’ by Andrei Rublev, can be seen at the joint exhibition of the Moscow Kremlin Museums and the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve called ‘Russian Phoenix. Suzdal Land’. It's on display in the Suzdal Kremlin until October 1, 2024.
Source: rtbh