The icon of the Mother of God `Sign` Kursk-Root.

 Handmade. Wood, canvas, gesso, patina, varnish.

The icon is 30*24 cm in size

About the icon: 

The icon of the Mother of God, called "Sign", depicts the Most Holy Theotokos, sitting and prayerfully raising her hands; on her chest, against the background of a round shield (or sphere), is the blessing Divine Child - the Savior Emmanuel.

This image of the Mother of God is one of the very first of her iconographic images. In the tomb of Saint Agnes in Rome there is an image of the Mother of God with her hands outstretched in prayer and with the Child sitting on her lap. This image dates back to the 4th century. In addition, there is an ancient Byzantine image of the Mother of God "Nikopea", 6th century, where the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted sitting on a throne and holding an oval shield with the image of the Savior-Emmanuel in both hands in front of her.

The Kursk icon "The Sign" of the Mother of God is one of the most remarkable and ancient icons of Orthodox Russia. The history of this icon is very instructive and is filled with such a multitude of grace-filled signs and miracles that it evokes an involuntary reverence for the wondrous shrine.