The Mother of God icon of Tobolsk is a copy of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God icon of the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet that was stored in Chernigov. Its replica was brought to Tobolsk in 1711 by priest Iwan Maksymowicz who was made the local Metropolitan. Later John of Tobolsk was canonized, and now he is considered one of the most revered saints in Siberia.
During the lifetime of Saint John, the icon was kept in his cell. After his death, the icon was transferred to the Cathedral of St. Sophia, to the side-chapel of Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev.
A copy of the icon that belonged to Metropolitan John, was made in 1882. It was intended as a gift to the Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich, the future Emperor Nicholas II. On December 6, 1882, the 300th anniversary of the accession of Siberia to Russia was celebrated in Omsk. This memorable date fell on the name-day of the successor to the throne. The icon was presented to him in honor of these two events.
The Mother of God icon of Tobolsk is painted on a board 92×61 centimeters in size. It was precoated with levkas — with a special composition of glue and chalk that created a smooth ground for subsequent oil painting.
During the lifetime of Saint John, the icon was kept in his cell. After his death, the icon was transferred to the Cathedral of St. Sophia, to the side-chapel of Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev.
A copy of the icon that belonged to Metropolitan John, was made in 1882. It was intended as a gift to the Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich, the future Emperor Nicholas II. On December 6, 1882, the 300th anniversary of the accession of Siberia to Russia was celebrated in Omsk. This memorable date fell on the name-day of the successor to the throne. The icon was presented to him in honor of these two events.
The Mother of God icon of Tobolsk is painted on a board 92×61 centimeters in size. It was precoated with levkas — with a special composition of glue and chalk that created a smooth ground for subsequent oil painting.
