The composition of the Akathist to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Kontakion 5) is presented on the fresco: ‘Having sighted the divinely-moving star, the Magi followed its radiance; and holding it as a lamp, by it they sought a powerful King; and having reached the Unreachable One, they rejoiced, shouting to Him: Alleluia! ’ Wisemen or Magi (young man, middle-aged elder) galloping on horses bring gifts to the newborn Christ. An angel with a star of Bethlehem in the hands shows them the way.

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 title: Akathist to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Kontakion 5
Time of creation: 1641
Technique: Fresco, tempera
Location: South face of the north-west pillar