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The icon composition belongs to the so-called “Novgorod” iconographic type. It is distinguished with angels holding the intercession above the Holy Virgin Oranta; above her is a half-length figure of the blessing Jesus Christ; to the right and to the left are the faces of the saints and angels; below, in the center are closed Holy Gates, flanked by John the Baptist, John the Theologian and the apostles, with St. Andrew the Fool for Christ, St. Epithanius and the martyrs to the right. -
In the center of the icon is the figure of the Mother of God standing on a red cloud against the red ciborium on green columns. In her hands spread apart she holds a white shroud with a red band on the edges, which the angels are holding by the ends. Behind the Theokotos is an image of the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae: in the center stands a basilica with two sloping surfaces and a cinnabar velum; to the right is a tower and a building with a flat roof and entrance, covered with a cinnabar curtain. On either side of the Theotokos are three rows of the saints: John the Baptist, John the Theologian, other apostles and angels. -
In the centre of the icon against the background of the Church of Blachemae is the Virgin Mary Orant standing on the cloud. In her thrown up hands she holds a white veil.On both sides the Mother of God is flanked by two rows of angels and saints- St.John the Precurser, St.John the Theologian, the Disciples and holy hierarchs. In the lower part of the icon against the background of the closed Sanctuary Doors on the amvon is the deacon Romanus the melodist with the opened scroll.In the right-hand section the holy fool Andrew draws the attention of his pupil Epiphanius to the Mother of God. In the left-hand section are equal-to-the Apostles Tsar St.Constantine and St. Helen, his mother. -
In the centre of the icon against the background of the Church of Blachemae is the Virgin Mary Orant standing on the cloud. In Her thrown up hands She holds a white veil. On both sides the Mother of God is flanked by two rows of angels and saints - St.John the Precurser, St.John the Theologian, the Disciples and holy hierarchs. In the lower part of the icon against the background of the closed Sanctuary Doors on the amvon is the deacon Romanus the melodist with the scroll. In the right-hand section the holy fool Andrew draws the attention of his pupil Epiphanius to the Mother of God. In the left-hand section are equal-to-the Apostles Tsar St.Constantine and Helen, his mother. -
In the centre of the icon against the background of the Church of Blachemae is Virgin Mary Oranta standing on the cloud. In her thrown up hands she holds a white veil. On both sides the Mother of God is flanked by two rows of angels and saints - St.John the Precurser, St.John the Theologian, the Disciples and holy hierarchs. In the lower part of the icon against the background of the closed Sanctuary Doors on the amvon is the deacon Romanus the melodist with the scroll. In the right-hand section the holy fool Andrew draws the attention of his pupil Epiphanius to the Mother of God. In the left-hand section are Equal-to-the Apostles Tsar St.Constantine and St.Helen, his mother. -
The center of the icon shows the Mother of God under the ciborium holding a shroud. She stands against the architectural background showing the church of Blachernae (basilica with the tower) and the imperial palace. To the right and to the left of the Holy Virgin are two groups of the angels and the saints. In the right group are depicted John the Baptist and John the Theologian who appeared in the church of Blachernae together with the Mother of God. In the center of the lower part of the icon on the amvon is depicted renowned Byzantine hymnographer of the 6th century, reverend Romanus the Melodist with the unfolded scroll. The amvon is surrounded by young men in the deacon sticharions. To the right are represented the witnesses of the wonder – Andrew the Fool-for-Christ and his disciple Epiphaneus and to the left are conventionalized figures of the emperor, the deacon and the monk. -
In the center is the figure of the Virgin Mary Orant with angels holding a cloth above her. Above the head of the Mother of God is the half-figure of Jesus Christ blessing with both hands. To either side of the Holy Virgin’s figure are the faces of hierarchs and angels. Below are closed Holy Gates, flanked by John the Baptist, John the Theologian and apostles; to the right is the figure of Andrew the Fool in Christ, St. Epiphanius and martyrs. -
In the center of the icon, the Mother of God is portrayed against the multi-dome Church of Blachernae standing on a fiery cloud with uplifted hands above which angels hold a scarlet veil. Above is the half-figure of Jesus Christ blessing with both hands. On either side of the Mother of God are the figures of saints in three rows – John the Baptist, John the Theologian, other apostles and angels. In the lower part of the icon, against the closed holy gates, in the center, on the amvon, is deacon Romanus the Melodist with an unfolded scroll. To his right St. Andrew the Fool of Christ is showing the Mother of God to his disciple Epiphanius by pointing up his finger. To the left is a group of praying people amongst which are generalized images of the emperor and the patriarch. -
Savior Not Made by Hands, with festivals and the Miracle of Florus and Laurus
In the center is an image the Savior Not Made by Hands occupies the entire. Border scenes: -
The scene is set against the Blachernae Temple. The Mother of God is represented in a three-quarter turn to Christ standing on the clouds. She holds an omophorion and an unfolded scroll. Chirst is depicted in a segment of heaven, in his right hand he is blessing and in his left holds an unfolded scroll. Behind the figure of the Theotokos, in five rows, are angels, apostles and saints. In the bottom part of the icon, against the closed Holy Gates at the pulpit is the figure of deacon Romanus the Melodist holding an unfolded scroll. To his right Andrew the Fool of Christ is pointing up to the image of the Theotokos to his disciple Epithany. To the left is a group of worshippers, among which are generalized images of the Emperor and Patriarch. On the margins are the figures of a guardian-angel and the saint. -
Patronage of the Mother of God
The Mother of God holding a white cloth is shown standing on a fiery cloud against the the milti-domed church of Blachernae. On either side of the Mother of God are Sts. Basil the Great, James the Brother of God, the Apostle Peter, Matthew the Evangelist, John the Baptist, the Archangel Michael, the Archangel Gabriel, John the Theologian, Mark the Evangelist, the Apostle Paul, Luke the Evangelist, Nicholas the Wonderworker.
