Orthodox icon | Mother of God of Tikhvin | Silver oklad | 24883

This is a traditional Mother-of-God icon, where the Mother of God is depicted indicating towards her incarnate Son. The Son of God is portrayed in a kingly posture, seated on a throne. He confers a blessing with one hand, while holding a scroll in the other.

The icon first made its miraculous appearance in 1383, emerging on a cloud over Lake Ladoga. Fishermen going about their routine task of casting nets were astounded to see an unusual light, within which the icon was floating above the water’s surface. Guided by angels, the holy icon journeyed through a few locations before finally coming to rest on the Tichvinka River near Tichvin city. In reverence to the occurrence, a church dedicated to the Dormition of Mary was erected at this exact site. Although the church was ravaged by fire three times, the icon housed within always remained remarkably unscathed.

The icon is held in deep reverence across Russia, with devotees particularly praying before it for the well-being of children and their healing from various illnesses. Its feast day is celebrated annually on June 26.

The icon is encased in a silver oklad, hallmarked with the number 84. It is crafted from silver and bears the initials EK, presumably of a yet unidentified master craftsman.