Savior of Smolensk R2009.16

The city of Smolenks was part of 16th century border disputes between Russia and Lithuania. In 1514, Lithuanian troops occupied the city, forcing Grand Duke Vasili II of Russia to raise an army and lay siege. Prior to battle, Vasili II blessed his soldiers, using an icon of Christ Pantocrator standing full length and holding a bible. The Russian soldiers were successful in regaining the city and the victory was attributed to the icon. The icon was renamed 'Christ, Savior of Smolensk' and bacame a prototype or template for this specific subject.

Here Christ is depicted full length delivering a blessing with His right hand and with His left hand holding the Gospels open to reveal Matthew 11:28: 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' A pair of angels hover near Him. Their cloth-covered hands hold the implements of the passion: cross, spear, and sponge on reed. Prostrated at the feet of Christ are St. Sergei of Radonezh (left) and St. Varlam Khutuinskiy (right).