The fresco illustrates the 11th ikos of the Akathist to the Holy Virgin, which starts with words: ‘We behold the holy Virgin, a shining lamp appearing to those in darkness; for, kindling the Immaterial Light…’. The Virgin with candles in her hands, surrounded by divine light, descends into the abyss of hell to praying sinners. Above Her head there is the image of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. On the edge of the abyss there are the archangel Gabriel the Old Testament prophets. In the upper left corner of the composition the opened heavens are depicted with the image of the blessing God the Father.

General information:
The Akathist Hymn is one of the most well-loved services of devotion in the Orthodox Church. The Akathist to the Holy Virgin is a praise hymn in Her honor, composed in Byzantium between the 5th and 7th centuries. In the Russian tradition of authorship is attributed to Venerable Roman the Melodist (6th century). The cycle of illustrations of Akathist is traditionally included in the decoration system of the Virgin temples and temples dedicated to other people and events. In ancient Russian monumental painting of the 16th–17th centuries, it is often adjacent to the cycle of the Protoevangelium of James. 

Full name: Akathist to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ikos 11
Time of creation: 1641, under the record 1838
Technique: fresco, tempera
Location: The Northern wall