The traditional iconographic depiction of the “Intercession of the Theotokos” was based on “The Life of St. Andrew the Blessed Fool-for-Christ”, written in the late 9th — early 10thcentury by Presbyter Nicephorus. Among other things, the hagiography narrates the appearance of the Mother of God to Saint Andrew and his disciple Epiphanius, which happened in the church of the Theotokos of Blachernae. The church was full of worshippers, during the all-night vigil, St. Andrew and Epiphanius saw the Mother of God and John the Baptist, John the Apostle and other saints accompanying Her. The Mother of God knelt down and prayed for a long time, after which She stood up and spread Her veil (maphorion) over the people:

Saint Romanos the Melodist is depicted at the bottom of the icon. In his left hand he holds a scroll with the words of the festive hymn composed by him — the kontakion of the Nativity of Christ:

What does Saint Romanos have to do with the Feast of the Intercession? The answer is simple: the appearance of the Virgin to St. Andrew occurred on the day the Church commemorates Saint Romanos. The saint also served in the Blachernae Church and performed his kontakion in it for the first time during the divine service.

The priests and choristers of the church are depicted behind St. Romanos. The entire plot is depicted against the background of the Blachernae Church, in which the Mother of God appeared. The master added typical Russian architectural features to the famous Constantinople church with — kokoshniks (the keel-like exterior decorative elements) and onion domes.

Due to the predominance of dark shades of ocher, the icon looks rather dark, dim, non-festive, and even gloomy. This impression is enhanced by the drying oil that darkened over time. This icon was kept in one’s home, judging by its small size — 31 centimeters in height.