Hand-Painted Icon of Blessed Matrona of Moscow
$750
Available size: 22×28 cm (8.6×11 in).
Hand-Painted Icon of Blessed Matrona of Moscow is a warm prayerful image of the beloved twentieth-century Russian saint, a blind eldress known for spiritual insight, consolation, and help to those who came to her in sorrow. She is shown waist-length in simple clothing, with a green headscarf, brown garment, prayer rope, and a blessing hand.
The icon is painted by hand on a linden wood board with cloth, chalk gesso, egg tempera, 23K gold leaf (960 purity), and protective varnish. Orthodox Christians pray before Blessed Matrona for health, family peace, help for children, consolation in grief, work and housing needs, spiritual strength, and wisdom in everyday difficulties.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
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Hand-Painted Icon of Blessed Matrona of Moscow is a warm prayerful image of the twentieth-century Russian eldress who became a close intercessor for millions of Orthodox Christians. Blessed Matrona, lovingly called Matronushka by the faithful, lived in humility and prayer, helping people with counsel, consolation, and spiritually perceptive words. A hand-painted icon of her becomes a quiet source of hope, maternal intercession, and trust that heavenly help is near even in the hardest circumstances.
This icon is especially dear to women, mothers, families, and all who seek healing, peace in the home, and wisdom in everyday trials. It is painted for prayer and veneration, not as a printed decoration or souvenir.
Icon at a Glance
- Name: Hand-Painted Icon of Blessed Matrona of Moscow
- Saint: Blessed Matrona of Moscow
- Icon type: waist-length icon of the holy eldress
- Visible attributes: green headscarf, brown garment, prayer rope, blessing hand, closed eyes
- Available size: 22×28 cm (8.6×11 in)
- Use: home iconostasis, prayer corner, family space, hospital room, or Orthodox gift
What the Icon Shows
On this icon Blessed Matrona is shown waist-length in simple clothing: a brown garment and green headscarf, close to the way she is remembered by the faithful. Her left hand is raised in a blessing gesture, while her right hand holds a prayer rope, a sign of unceasing prayer for those who ask for her intercession.
The most recognizable feature of this iconography is the saint’s closed eyes. They recall her physical blindness from birth, but they also point to spiritual vision, inner light, and the gift of seeing the hidden sorrow and need of the human heart. The gold halo, made with 23K gold leaf (960 purity), surrounds her modest figure with the sign of heavenly light.
The face is painted with soft light and shade in the Mstyora tradition: warm ocher tones, gentle color transitions, and an expression of peace, humility, and prayerful concentration. The inscription identifies the saint in a churchly manner. The entire image gives a sense of simplicity, closeness, and motherly care.
Meaning of Blessed Matrona in Orthodox Life
Blessed Matrona of Moscow (1881-1952) is one of the most venerated Orthodox saints of modern times. Born blind in a poor peasant family, she was known from childhood for spiritual insight and help to people in need. Her life was marked by prayer, poverty, patience, and compassion.
During the years of persecution she strengthened believers, gave counsel, comforted the suffering, and helped many who came to her in distress. She had no home or family of her own in the ordinary sense, yet she became a spiritual mother to countless people. After her repose, the faithful continued to experience help through her prayers. Her relics at the Pokrovsky Monastery in Moscow remain a place of pilgrimage and thanksgiving.
Orthodox Christians turn to Blessed Matrona in many needs: health and healing, peace in the family, help in childbirth, work and housing difficulties, reconciliation, return of loved ones, protection on the road, and spiritual strengthening. Her image is especially close to women and mothers, because she is remembered as a compassionate intercessor for those who carry family burdens and daily worries.
Who This Icon Is For
- For Orthodox women of any age, as an image of a heavenly helper and spiritual guide.
- For the sick and grieving, as a source of prayerful consolation.
- For pregnant women, with prayers for safe childbirth and the health of the child.
- For families in difficulty, with prayers for peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding.
- For a house blessing or new home.
- For travelers, with prayers for protection on the road and safe return.
- For women named Matrona, and for the saint’s feast days, May 2 and March 8.
How the Icon Is Painted
The iconographers of the workshop create each icon according to traditional icon-painting technology. The foundation is a durable linden wood board. Cloth and natural multi-layer chalk gesso are applied to create a stable ground for tempera painting. The image is painted in mineral egg tempera, valued for its noble matte surface, depth, and long-lasting color.
Gold leaf is used for the halo and may also be used for the background or additional decorative elements, depending on the chosen version. Particular attention is given to the face: the gradual modeling of light and shade must convey the meekness, wisdom, and prayerful warmth of the saint. A protective varnish preserves the painted surface and gilding.
Hand-Painted Icon and Printed Reproduction
A hand-painted icon of Blessed Matrona is a living work created through the prayerful labor of an iconographer. Each brushstroke is individual, the tempera has depth and warmth, and the gold creates a real luminous surface. A printed reproduction cannot convey the texture of painting, the depth of mineral pigments, or the physical presence of hand-applied gold.
A painted icon can serve for decades and become a family shrine passed down with care, while a printed image does not have the same durability or artistic depth.
Size, Kiot, and Personalization
The listed size is 22×28 cm (8.6×11 in). Other formats may be discussed individually: a small home icon, a larger analogion size, a church icon, or an iconostasis format. The icon may also be made with different degrees of gilding, from a simple halo to a richer gilded background.
A kiot, or wooden icon case with glass, may be chosen separately. It protects the painted surface from dust, humidity, and accidental damage, and gives the icon a finished and reverent presentation. A dedication on the back or other personal details may also be discussed before work begins.
Where to Place the Icon
The icon of Blessed Matrona may be placed in a home iconostasis as an image of family intercession and prayer. It may also be appropriate in a bedroom, children’s room, hospital room, elder care space, chapel, church, or women’s monastery. Wherever it is placed, the icon should remain in a clean, prayerful, and respectful setting.
Icon Characteristics
| Full name | Hand-Painted Icon of Blessed Matrona of Moscow |
| Saint | Blessed Matrona of Moscow |
| Iconographic type | Waist-length icon with prayer rope and blessing hand |
| Visible features | Closed eyes, green headscarf, brown garment, gold halo, prayer rope |
| Materials | Linden wood board, cloth, chalk gesso, mineral egg tempera, 23K gold leaf, protective varnish |
| Available size | 22×28 cm (8.6×11 in) |
Care and Storage
To preserve the beauty of the icon for many years, keep it away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and excessive humidity. Remove dust gently with a dry soft cloth or brush, without water, alcohol, or household chemicals. A kiot with glass gives additional protection for the paint layer and gold.
Free international shipping is included. Payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.
Questions and Answers
Who is the Hand-Painted Icon of Blessed Matrona of Moscow dedicated to?
The icon is dedicated to Blessed Matrona of Moscow, one of the most beloved modern Orthodox saints, venerated for prayerful help in family, everyday, and spiritual needs.
What do people pray for before the icon of Matrona of Moscow?
People pray for health, family peace, help for children, support in grief, marriage, work, housing needs, and spiritual strengthening.
Why is Matrona of Moscow shown with closed eyes?
Her closed eyes recall that she was physically blind from birth, while also pointing to her deep spiritual insight and prayerful vision of people’s hearts.
Who can receive this icon as a gift?
It may be given to Orthodox women, families, people in need of comfort, and as a name-day, birthday, wedding, house blessing, or support gift during a difficult period.
Is this icon suitable for a home iconostasis?
Yes. The icon is suitable for a home iconostasis, prayer corner, bedroom, or family space where personal and common prayer is offered.
Can an icon of Matrona be ordered in another size?
Yes. The listed size is 22×28 cm, and other home, church, or iconostasis formats may be discussed individually.
What materials are used for this hand-painted icon?
The icon is painted on a prepared linden wood board with cloth, chalk gesso, mineral egg tempera, 23K gold leaf, and protective varnish.
Can the icon be placed in a kiot?
Yes. A kiot can be chosen or made separately. It protects the painted icon from dust, humidity, and accidental damage.
Where are the relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow?
The relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow are venerated at the Pokrovsky Monastery in Moscow, where many faithful come with prayers and thanksgiving.
How should a hand-painted icon of Matrona be cared for?
Keep the icon away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat. Remove dust with a soft dry cloth or brush, without water, alcohol, or household chemicals.
| Dimensions | 22x28cm (8.6×11 in) |
|---|---|
| Name | Matrona |
