Orthodox icon | Mother of God of Bogolyubovo | 24302

Orthodox icon | Mother of God of Bogolyubovo.

About the icon:

The origin of this icon can be traced back to the apparition of the Mother of God to Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky in 1158. It is connected to the Prince’s transfer of the Vladimirskaya icon from Vyshhorod to Vladimir. The horses carrying the icon halted near Vladimir and refused to move any further.

A supplication service to honor the Mother of God took place, and the prince made a solemn promise to construct a church at that very location.

Later, the Mother of God appeared to him, holding a scroll in her right hand while raising her left hand in prayer to the Lord. She commanded the prince to bring the icon to Vladimir and to build a church and monastery where he stood.

The Saints:

Subsequent versions of this icon feature saints kneeling before her, including Saint Metropolitans Peter of Moscow, Jonah of Moscow, and Alexius of Moscow, along with Saint Nicholas of Myra, Saint Andrey Bogolyubsky, and the Saint Martyr Thecla of Iconium. Above them is the blessed Christ. On the edge, you can find Saint John of Moscow and Saint Martyr Xenia of Kalamata.

Saint Peter of Moscow (celebrated on December 21) served as the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia in the 14th century and was renowned for performing miracles. In 1326, he laid the foundation stone for the Cathedral of the Assumption in the Kremlin.

Saint Jonah of Moscow (celebrated on March 31 and June 15) became the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia in the 15th century. After a seven-year vacancy, he was unanimously elected metropolitan in 1448, becoming the first metropolitan without the consent of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Saint Alexius of Moscow (celebrated on February 12) served as the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia in the 14th century and was also recognized for performing miracles. He is revered as the patron saint of Moscow.

Saint Nicholas of Myra (memorialized on December 6, May 9, and July 29) was the Bishop of Myra, known for his miracles, and is considered one of the most renowned saints in both the Eastern and Latin Churches. Among his various attributes, he is revered as the patron saint of children.

Saint Andrey Bogolyubsky (celebrated on July 4) held the title of Prince of Vyshgorod near Kiev and became the Grand Duke of Vladimir and Suzdal from 1157. He was forcibly killed in 1174 and was canonized in 1702.

Saint Thecla of Iconium (remembered on September 24) was a faithful messenger and is believed to have been a disciple of the Apostle Paul.

Saint John of Moscow (celebrated on June 12 and July 3) lived as a holy fool for the sake of Christ and passed away in 1589.

Saint Xenia of Kalamata (celebrated on May 3) was unjustly accused and put to death in 318 for refusing to marry Judge Domitianos, based on false charges.

Source: Orthodox icon | Mother of God of Bogolyubovo | 24302 © Ikonen Mautner. Typing errors, other errors or changes reserved. For more information: “Das Synaxarion. Die Leben der Heiligen der Orthodoxen Kirche.” (http://www.prodromos-verlag.de/buecher.html) and Joachim Schäfer: Das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon – https://www.heiligenlexikon.de