Holy Mother of God

The Blessed Virgin Mary holds a special place in the Orthodox tradition. Her image, imprinted in countless icons, is not only evidence of deep reverence, but also a key to understanding the most important dogmas of Christianity. The iconography of the Virgin is surprisingly diverse, but all this diversity goes back to three main types: "Oranta", "Hodegetria" and "Tenderness". Each of them reveals a certain facet of Her relationship with the Divine Son.

Oranta — The Praying Intercessor

The name of this type comes from the Latin orans – "praying". On such icons, the Virgin is depicted in full height or waist-high, with her arms raised and spread apart, palms facing the viewer. This is the oldest pose of intercessory prayer, known even in the catacombs of the first Christians. In Russia, one of the most famous images of this type is the mosaic icon "Indestructible Wall" in St. Sophia of Kiev. And the most revered icon, close in iconography to "Oranta", was the Novgorod icon "The Sign", where in the center, on the chest of the Virgin, there is a medallion with the image of the Infant Christ. According to legend, it was this icon that saved Veliky Novgorod from the invasion of enemies in 1170.

Odigitria — Travel Guide

"Odigitria" means "Guide book" in Greek. In icons of this type, the Mother of God is depicted with the Christ Child sitting on Her left arm. With her right hand, She points at her Son, as if addressing the worshippers.: "This is the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (cf. John 14:6). Christ himself blesses with his right hand, and often holds a scroll or a Gospel in his left. This iconographic torture was one of the most widespread in Russia. Such venerated images as the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, the Tikhvin and Iveron icons, as well as the symbolic and allegorical (akathist) iconographic image "The Burning Bush" go back to him.

"Emotion" — Love and Compassion

The third main type is "Tenderness". In these icons, the Mother of God is depicted bending over the Baby, and Christ touches Her cheek with His cheek. This is the most touching and lyrical image, expressing boundless maternal love and at the same time a premonition of future suffering. In ancient times, similar scenes were found in the paintings of Roman catacombs.

Images of the Virgin in the collection of Vladimir Mikhailov

In the work of the jeweler Vladimir Mikhailov, these ancient images take on a new, precious incarnation. Following the canons of Novgorod and Pskov icon painting, the master creates miniature body icons in which the filigree elaboration of details is combined with deep spiritual expressiveness. In his works, both majestic "Orants" and touching images of "Tenderness" come to life, becoming not just jewelry, but personal shrines that can be worn near the heart and passed on from generation to generation.