Mid-17th century

Copy

According to the monastery inventories, this icon appeared in the Local tier of the iconostasis of the Dormition Cathedral in 1668 and was located on the right from the Royal Doors. It was probably created by a Moscow’s painter and was donated to the moansetry. The gilded silver covering executed at the same time has come down to us.

The iconography of this image is known in Russia since the early 16th century. According to the legend, in 1514 when the Russian troops captured Smolensk, Grand Prince Vasily III ordered to place a full-length image of the Saviour on the Spassky Gate of the Moscow Kremlin. In 1521, it was replaced with a new icon depicting Saints Sergius of Radonezh and Barlaam of Khutyn kneeling in prayer at Jesus Christ’s feet. These saints were especially venerated in the Moscow land.

St. Sergey Radonezhsky and St. Kirill Belozersky are depicted in the icon painted for the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery because St. Kirill was the founder and patron saint of this cloister and St. Sergey was the patron saint and protector of the whole Russian land. Besides, St. Kirill was his disciple.

The icon was restored by A.N. Agarkov in the All-Union Research Institute for Restoration in 1992.