The feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was first celebrated in Russia in the 12th century and became the main subject matter of the Vladimir icon. It refers to the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God in the Blachernae Church in Constantinople in the middle of the 10th century, where several relics worshipped in Christianity including the Holy Virgin’s robe, part of her belt and a wide episcopal ribbon – omophorion – were kept.
The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Creation period
Late 19th century.
Dimensions
97,7x79,5 cm
97.7х79.5х3.7 cm
97.7х79.5х3.7 cm
Technique
Wood, tempera, gilding, painting
Collection
Exhibition
4
Open in app#6
Unknown Author
The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
#2
According to the legend, when the Arabs besieged Constantinople, Andrew the Fool-for-Christ and his disciple saw Our Lady accompanied by saints and angels in the church. The Most Holy Mother of God said a prayer, then removed the veil covering her head and spread it over those praying to protect them from the enemies. The Arab army retreated and Constantinople was saved.
#5
The most ancient images of the Intercession were found in Pskov Monastery murals and on early 13th century gates of the Nativity Cathedral in Suzdal. In the Russian icon painting tradition, two types of the “Blessed Virgin Mary” images were formed: the Novgorod one, where angels are holding the veil over the Mother of God, and the Suzdal one, where the Blessed Virgin Mary herself is holding the veil over those praying in the church.
#9
This particular Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was created by an unknown author in the late 19th century; the icon belongs to the Suzdal image type. Its composition is divided into two parts called “registers”. The upper register features the Mother of God amidst clouds with the veil thrown over her arms. Behind the Blessed Virgin are angels and saints. In the center of the lower register is Romanos the Melodist standing on a two-tier platform with a scroll in his hand. He was a Christian author of kontakia, poems celebrating holy days. The scroll symbolizes the poetic sermon on the Mother of God praising her heavenly grandeur.
To the right of Romanos the Melodist is St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ. He is looking at his disciple Epiphanius with his right hand pointing at the Blessed Virgin. To his left is Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise, who joined other people in the Blachernae Church to pray for the salvation of the city. The icon’s background schematically shows Blachernae buildings: the basilica and round-shaped domed church.
In more recent Blessed Virgin icons, the Novgorod and Suzdal types are often combined and other characters are added. Some of them feature Patriarch Tarasius, who defended the veneration of Mother of God icons. In others, the Virgin Mary is surrounded by saints separated by church columns. On the left and right sides of icons, there are martyrs and saints, prophets and apostles. Female characters often include Mary of Egypt and St. Martyr Julitta with her baby son.
The meaning of the feast of the Intercession changed in the public perception. It was associated with the first snow that covered the ground signaling the coming frosts. The first snow day of the year was the beginning of young girls’ get-togethers and the autumn wedding season.
This Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was one of the icons in the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary located in Bitki village, Suzun District. The church was built in the late 19th century. It functioned until the late 1920s, then it stayed empty for some time, and in 1954 the building was demolished. The icon was preserved for many years by a local resident Mrs. Hakhverdyan. In 1990, the icon was purchased by Iskitim Municipal Museum of Arts and History.
To the right of Romanos the Melodist is St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ. He is looking at his disciple Epiphanius with his right hand pointing at the Blessed Virgin. To his left is Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise, who joined other people in the Blachernae Church to pray for the salvation of the city. The icon’s background schematically shows Blachernae buildings: the basilica and round-shaped domed church.
In more recent Blessed Virgin icons, the Novgorod and Suzdal types are often combined and other characters are added. Some of them feature Patriarch Tarasius, who defended the veneration of Mother of God icons. In others, the Virgin Mary is surrounded by saints separated by church columns. On the left and right sides of icons, there are martyrs and saints, prophets and apostles. Female characters often include Mary of Egypt and St. Martyr Julitta with her baby son.
The meaning of the feast of the Intercession changed in the public perception. It was associated with the first snow that covered the ground signaling the coming frosts. The first snow day of the year was the beginning of young girls’ get-togethers and the autumn wedding season.
This Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was one of the icons in the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary located in Bitki village, Suzun District. The church was built in the late 19th century. It functioned until the late 1920s, then it stayed empty for some time, and in 1954 the building was demolished. The icon was preserved for many years by a local resident Mrs. Hakhverdyan. In 1990, the icon was purchased by Iskitim Municipal Museum of Arts and History.
#10
Iskitim Municipal Museum of Arts and History
read morehide
00:00
00:00
1x
The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Creation period
Late 19th century.
Dimensions
97,7x79,5 cm
97.7х79.5х3.7 cm
97.7х79.5х3.7 cm
Technique
Wood, tempera, gilding, painting
Collection
Exhibition
4
Point your smartphone camera to open in the appOpen in app
Share
