The icon “Intercession of Our Lady” is dedicated to the eponymous feast that is celebrated by Russian Orthodox Christians on October 14. The central image is the veil that the Virgin Mary uses to cover people, protecting them from trouble, misfortune, and loss of faith.

This is a two-part composition. In the upper part, the Blessed Virgin Mary is shown standing in a cloud against the backdrop of the Church of Blachernae. She is surrounded by angels and apostles. In the top left corner, there is an image of Christ Pantocrator, and below is the 11th-century Byzantine queen Zoya. In the bottom part, there is the Byzantine king Leo on the left, St. Romanus the Melodist in the center, and Saints Andrew and Epiphanius on the right.

The feast is based on the legend that the Mother of God appeared to St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ and his disciple, Blessed Epiphanius, during a liturgical service in the Church of Blachernae (Constantinople). This was where the robe of the Virgin Mary was kept after having been brought from Jerusalem.

According to the hagiography, the Virgin Mary entered the church through the holy gates, moving in the air, flanked by John the Baptist and John the Apostle. She was surrounded by many saints in white robes. After entering the church, the Virgin went to the ambo and prayed. Then She went to the altar, took off Her omophorion, and extended it over the faithful. This legend is reflected in the Life of Andrew, fool-for-Christ, which is included in the Great Menaion Reader without the indication of the number. Legend has it that the miracle took place at 3 a.m., during the All-Night Vigil.

The iconography combines two areas — internal and external. The interior of the church and the altar are depicted in general outlines. The five domes at the top of the church indicate that part of the scene takes place outside. The dominant figure of the Virgin Mary is considered a symbol of merciful protection of humanity before God. The Intercession is a Russian iconographic motif. The iconography, regardless of the variant, depicts the triumph of the Church and the joy of Christians in having an intercessor — the Mother of God. She covers the faithful with her omophorion and protects them from evil. The church, which is usually depicted in Intercession icons symbolizes the entire universe that becomes a temple for the glory of God.