Orthodox icon | Four Mother of God icons | 24908

Mother of God “Softening the Evil Heart”

This depiction, which was very popular in the 19th century, did not appear in Russia until around 1800 and can be traced back to Western iconography. The Mother of God stands alone, facing the viewer and portrayed as a half-length portrait, her head tilted to the left. She holds her hands in front of her chest. Seven swords (seven sins) always come out of her chest, three at the top and one at the bottom, symbolizing the seven sorrows of the Mother of God (not shown on this icon).

Mother of God “Assuage my Sorrow”

According to legend, it was brought to the Nikolaus Church in Moscow by the Cossacks during the reign of Tsar Alexej Michajlowitsch. The worship of the icon increased especially during the plague in 1771. The Christ child sits on the left arm of the Mother of God. The mirror-inverted drawing can often be found on icons of this representation. Christ holds in his hands an opened scroll with the inscription from the canon of the cross: “Judge just judgment”. She holds her right hand over the child’s legs, with her left hand she supports her head. Festivity day: January 25.

Mother of God “of Distress”

In this probably modern depiction, which was very popular in the 19th century, the child is sitting on the left arm of the Mother of God, who is holding his right bare foot (often between thumb and palm). She is crowned and wears a short white veil over her hair. Christ touches her neck with his left hand.

Mother of God “Seeker of the Perishing”- from the village of Bor near Kaluga

The icon was located in Moscow in the Church of the Nativity of Christ (na Palaschach), near Tversky Boulevard. This 17th century church was demolished after 1928. In honor of the icon, a church was built in Moscow in the Alexandrov Orphanage in 1835. The representation was very popular in the 19th century: The Christ child stands on the right (on almost all icons) upright on the lap of the Mother of God and hugs her. Festivity: February 5.

Poliment gilded, engraved and punched background with painted ornaments.