The Virgin Hodeghetria (the Virgin of Kazan)

The icon follows the iconographical type of Our Lady of Kazan, a variation of the Virgin Hodeghetria. The prototype icon was miraculously discovered, according to tradition, in the Russian city of Kazan in 1579 and was considered a palladium of Russia for centuries. Our icon is mentioned in the archives as “an icon of the Virgin, decorated, from Muscovy”. The “crown” and the “tsata” (the hanging piece of metal in the shape of the crescent that faces opposite to the crown), the strong relief and the wonderful floral decoration are elements of the Kremlin workshops of the 17th century. Pearls have been sewn onto cloth around the head of the Virgin and on Christ' s neck, in the way that priestly vestments were decorated during this period. The gold cross hung on the icon is a votive offering, dated in the 16th century. It is decorated with Christ on the Cross in relief, coral and precious stones.