Hand-Painted Icon of the Iveron Mother of God

Hand-Painted Icon of the Iveron Mother of God is an Orthodox icon of the Theotokos, one of the most venerated images of the Mother of God in the Orthodox world. The Iveron icon is especially known for miracles of healing, protection, and maternal intercession.

This holy image brings consolation in sorrow, help in family needs, and prayerful protection for the home. It is often chosen for a home icon corner, a housewarming, a wedding or baptism gift, and for daily prayer before the Mother of God.

The listed size is 22×28 cm (8.7×11 in), a format large enough for the faces and details to be visible during prayer, while still compact for home placement. The icon is painted on a linden board with oak braces, pavoloka, chalk levkas, mineral egg tempera, genuine 960 gold leaf, and protective lacquer.

What the Iveron Mother of God Icon Shows

In the presented 22×28 cm (8.7×11 in) icon, the Most Holy Theotokos is shown half-length, holding the Christ Child on her left arm. She is clothed in a scarlet maphorion with gold stars on the forehead and shoulders, symbols of her ever-virginity. A crown is depicted above her head, emphasizing the royal dignity of the Mother of God.

The Iveron iconography is marked by a special closeness between Mother and Child. Their faces incline gently toward one another, creating a sense of tenderness and protection. The icon reminds the faithful that the Mother of God intercedes with her Son and receives human sorrow with maternal compassion.

Meaning and Veneration in Orthodoxy

The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God received its name from the Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos, where it has been venerated for centuries. According to tradition, the icon came by sea to the shores of Mount Athos and was received with reverence by the monks.

Since then, the Iveron Mother of God has been known as Portaitissa, the Gatekeeper. This title is not merely historical. In Orthodox devotion, the icon is venerated as a protector of entrances, homes, families, and the path of life. Many faithful place the image near the entrance of the home or in the family icon corner.

When This Icon Is a Meaningful Gift

• For newly married couples, as a wedding or church crowning blessing for Christian family life.
• For expectant and young mothers, with prayer for safe childbirth, healthy children, and wisdom in motherhood.
• For families with children, as a home icon for daily family prayer.
• For baptism, name day, or patronal feast day, as a sign of spiritual protection and heavenly care.
• For a housewarming, asking the Mother of God to protect the new home.
• For the sick or sorrowing, as prayer for consolation, healing, and strengthening of faith.
• For a church or chapel, as an analogion icon or permanent shrine for prayer.

Hand-Painted Technique and Materials

The icon is created according to Orthodox icon-painting technique. The linden board forms a strong and durable base. Pavoloka and natural multi-layer chalk levkas create a smooth and stable ground for tempera painting.

The image is painted in mineral pigments mixed with egg yolk. This egg-tempera technique gives the colors depth, restraint, and durability. The faces are painted with special attention, since every feature must serve prayer and not simply a portrait likeness.

High-purity gold leaf is used for the background, halos, and crown. Depending on the final execution, hand tooling of the halos or additional ornament may be discussed. A protective finish helps preserve the brightness of the colors and the radiance of the gold.

Hand-Painted Icon and Printed Reproduction

This is not a printed reproduction; it is a fully hand-painted Orthodox icon on wood. The living texture of tempera, individual work of the icon painter, and real gold leaf create depth and spiritual presence that a printed image cannot offer.

A hand-painted icon is made as a devotional image. Each layer of levkas, each line of the face, and each gold detail is part of the traditional craft of icon painting. The purpose is not decoration alone, but prayer.

Sizes, Kiot, and Personalization

The presented icon is made in 22×28 cm (8.7×11 in). This size is well suited to a home icon corner because it allows the details to be seen clearly while remaining practical for a living space.

Other formats may be discussed before painting: smaller or medium home icons, analogion icons for churches and chapels, large church icons for an iconostasis, and icons prepared for a specific kiot. A dedication on the reverse side, names of family members, memorable dates, special border ornament, halo tooling, or an individual color palette may also be discussed.

Where to Place the Iveron Icon

• In a home icon corner, as the primary icon of the Mother of God, placed near the icon of the Savior.
• In the bedroom of spouses, with prayer for family peace and blessing.
• In a child’s room, as a sign of maternal protection and blessing for children.
• Near the entrance, in the tradition of the Iveron Gatekeeper, asking protection for the home and all who enter.
• In a church, on an analogion for personal prayer or as part of an iconostasis.
• In a chapel or home prayer room, as a permanent icon for daily devotion.

Care and Preservation

To preserve a hand-painted icon, keep it away from direct sunlight, heat sources, high humidity, and sudden changes in temperature. Dust should be removed with a soft dry cloth or a very soft brush.

Do not use water, household cleaners, alcohol, polish, or abrasive materials. A kiot with glass can provide additional protection for the painted layer and gilded areas. With careful placement and proper care, the icon can remain a treasured family holy image for generations.

Icon Characteristics

Name	Hand-Painted Icon of the Iveron Mother of God
Traditional title	Iveron Mother of God, Portaitissa, the Gatekeeper
Composition	Half-length Theotokos holding the Christ Child on her left arm
Main meaning	Protection of the home, maternal intercession, consolation, healing, and family blessing
Board	Linden board with oak braces, pavoloka, and chalk levkas
Painting	Natural mineral egg tempera on egg yolk
Gilding	Genuine 960 gold leaf on background, halos, and crown
Available size	22×28 cm (8.7×11 in)
Other formats	Home, analogion, church, iconostasis, and kiot sizes may be discussed before painting
Shipping	Free international shipping is included; payment is due upon delivery.

Questions and Answers

Why is the Iveron Icon called the Gatekeeper?

The Iveron Icon is called Portaitissa, or Gatekeeper, because according to Athonite tradition it became the guardian of the gates of the Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos.

For what do people pray before the Iveron Mother of God?

The faithful pray before the Iveron Icon for protection of the home, healing, help in difficult circumstances, freedom from destructive habits, strengthening of faith, repentance, peace in the family, and the intercession of the Theotokos.

Where can the Iveron icon be placed in a home?

It may be placed in a home icon corner, prayer space, or entrance area. In pious Orthodox tradition the Gatekeeper image is often placed near the entrance, asking the Mother of God to protect the home and all who enter.

For whom is this icon suitable?

It is suitable for an Orthodox family, home icon corner, church, chapel, parents, spouses, godchildren, and loved ones, especially as an image of protection, consolation, and maternal care.

Can this icon be given for a housewarming?

Yes. The Iveron Icon is especially meaningful as a housewarming gift because it is connected with protection of the home, family, and path of life.

What size is listed for this icon?

The listed size is 22×28 cm, approximately 8.7×11 inches. Other home, analogion, church, and iconostasis sizes may be discussed before painting.

What materials are used for this hand-painted icon?

The icon is painted on a prepared wooden board with pavoloka and chalk levkas, using mineral egg tempera and genuine 960 gold leaf for gilded areas.

How is a hand-painted Iveron icon different from a print?

This is not a printed reproduction; it is painted by hand by an icon painter, with individual modeling of the faces, garments, gold, and details.

Can the icon be blessed?

There is a pious Orthodox tradition of bringing a new icon to church for blessing. The owner may do this after receiving the icon, or blessing may be discussed before shipment.

How should the Iveron icon be cared for?

Keep the icon away from direct sunlight, dampness, overheating, and sudden temperature changes. Dust should be removed with a soft dry cloth or brush, without water, cleaners, or abrasives.