The icon of the Sign is one of the most revered images of the Mother of God in the Russian Orthodox Church. In this role, the Virgin Mary is considered the intercessor of all believers, the protector of sinners, who prays for them to Christ. Jesus is traditionally depicted in a separate round or oval medallion not as a boy and not as a baby in her arms.
Old Believers often used the image of the ‘Sign’ as part of folding icons — metal icons that consisted of several boards fastened together. Miniature images of this type were worn around the neck together with a body cross, while larger ones people usually took with them when they traveled. When the folding icon was opened, it was similar to an entire iconostasis appearing in front of the owner. Usually, Christ, the Virgin Mary, Nicholas the Wonderworker, or another saint, especially the one revered in that area or family, were depicted.
The collection of the Bishop’s House includes a wooden icon with a metal folding icon and the image of the “Sign” embedded in its center. It is located in a small recession called the “arc”. The faces of Mother of God and Jesus can hardly be discerned — probably they faded over time. Several saints are depicted on the left part of the folding icon, while the right one has been lost.
In the upper margin above the folding, there is the image of the Lord Almighty, dressed in a red chiton and a blue himation. Following the tradition, the icon painter depicted him in the clouds. In one hand, the God Almighty holds the Gospel; the other one is raised in the Christian gesture of blessing.
Four figures are painted on the side margins of the icon. At the top left, there is a guardian angel in long white robes, with wings folded behind his back and an eight-pointed cross in his hands. Opposite of him, there is Tikhon, the miracle worker, and Christian educator, in full bishop’s vestment. Below the figure of the angel, the icon painter depicted John the Theologian as an old man, holding the Gospel with one hand and pointing to it with the other. In the lower right corner is St. Catherine. The Great Martyr belonged to the royal family, so she was traditionally depicted in royal robes and with a crown on her head.
Old Believers often used the image of the ‘Sign’ as part of folding icons — metal icons that consisted of several boards fastened together. Miniature images of this type were worn around the neck together with a body cross, while larger ones people usually took with them when they traveled. When the folding icon was opened, it was similar to an entire iconostasis appearing in front of the owner. Usually, Christ, the Virgin Mary, Nicholas the Wonderworker, or another saint, especially the one revered in that area or family, were depicted.
The collection of the Bishop’s House includes a wooden icon with a metal folding icon and the image of the “Sign” embedded in its center. It is located in a small recession called the “arc”. The faces of Mother of God and Jesus can hardly be discerned — probably they faded over time. Several saints are depicted on the left part of the folding icon, while the right one has been lost.
In the upper margin above the folding, there is the image of the Lord Almighty, dressed in a red chiton and a blue himation. Following the tradition, the icon painter depicted him in the clouds. In one hand, the God Almighty holds the Gospel; the other one is raised in the Christian gesture of blessing.
Four figures are painted on the side margins of the icon. At the top left, there is a guardian angel in long white robes, with wings folded behind his back and an eight-pointed cross in his hands. Opposite of him, there is Tikhon, the miracle worker, and Christian educator, in full bishop’s vestment. Below the figure of the angel, the icon painter depicted John the Theologian as an old man, holding the Gospel with one hand and pointing to it with the other. In the lower right corner is St. Catherine. The Great Martyr belonged to the royal family, so she was traditionally depicted in royal robes and with a crown on her head.
