Description
Our Lady of Kazan in Russian Orthodox devotion
The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is among the best known Marian images in Russian Orthodoxy. Church tradition connects its public appearance with Kazan in 1579, after a fire, when a girl named Matrona indicated where the image was found. The icon later became closely associated with prayer for families and communities. Because several revered copies developed their own histories, a modern Kazan image should not be presented as the lost historic original.
Mary, the blessing Christ Child, and the scroll
This contemporary rendering shows Mary in a dark red maphorion edged with ornament and marked by a Marian star. She inclines her head toward Jesus while her open hand directs attention to him. Christ sits at her side in blue and gold garments, raises his right hand in blessing, and holds a rolled scroll in his left. The Greek abbreviations identify Mary as Mother of God and the Child as Jesus Christ. The scroll signifies Christ as teacher and incarnate Word.
For Marian prayer and the Christian home
The icon is appropriate for Orthodox and Eastern Christian prayer, especially meditation on the Incarnation and Mary's role in leading the faithful to her Son. It may be placed in a home icon corner, chapel, parish room, or given for a wedding, baptism, house blessing, or family milestone. Devotion to the Kazan image is a request for intercession, not a promise of automatic protection or healing.
Crafted on linden wood in Poland
Made to order in Poland on a double-primed linden wood panel, with direct printing and decorative gold-tone metal leaf. A certificate with the year of production and a wall hanger are included.