Hand-Painted Kazan Mother of God Icon 13×16 cm

Hand-Painted Kazan Mother of God Icon 13×16 cm is a compact Orthodox icon of one of the most beloved images of the Theotokos. This small but spiritually meaningful icon is well suited for a home icon corner, a child’s room, a bedside place of prayer, or travel.

The Kazan Mother of God is venerated as an image of maternal intercession, protection of the family, blessing of children, and help in difficult circumstances. In this 13×16 cm (5.1×6.3 in) format, the icon remains intimate and easy to place while preserving the essential Kazan iconography.

The icon is painted by hand in the Mstyora tradition on a linden board with inset oak braces and a traditional kovcheg. It is prepared with linen pavoloka and polished chalk levkas, painted with egg tempera on egg yolk, gilded with 23K gold leaf, and protected with varnish.

What the 13×16 cm Kazan Icon Shows

On this icon, the Most Holy Theotokos is shown with the Christ Child in the classical Kazan composition. The Mother of God wears a brown maphorion with an elegant ornamental border in blue and pink tones. The Christ Child is clothed in rose-white garments and blesses with His right hand.

A special feature of this image is the tender closeness of the faces. They are slightly inclined toward one another, giving the icon a feeling of maternal love, protection, and quiet trust.

Despite its compact size, the face painting is executed with the care characteristic of the Mstyora school: soft ocher tones, fine light transitions, calm expressions, and delicate modeling. The halos are gilded with 23K gold leaf, while the blue background creates a feeling of heavenly purity and peace.

The inscriptions are written in Church Slavonic lettering: “MP OU” for the Mother of God, “IC XC” for Jesus Christ, and below, “Kazan Most Holy Theotokos.”

Why the Compact Size Is Useful

The 13×16 cm (5.1×6.3 in) format makes this icon especially practical for modern life. It can be placed in a small apartment, on a shelf, on a desk, beside a bed, or in a temporary prayer corner without requiring much space.

The compact size also makes the icon suitable for travel. It can accompany a person on trips, in a student room, in a hospital room, or anywhere a small personal icon is needed for daily prayer.

History and Meaning of the Kazan Image

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was discovered in 1579 in Kazan after a vision given to a young girl named Matrona. The icon was found in the earth on the ashes after a fire and soon became known through accounts of healing and prayerful help.

During the Time of Troubles, a copy of the Kazan icon inspired the Russian militia during the liberation of Moscow. In memory of this event, the feast of the Kazan Icon is celebrated on November 4, or October 22 according to the old calendar. The icon is also commemorated on July 21, in memory of its discovery.

In Orthodox tradition, the Kazan icon is venerated as a protectress of families and children, a helper in sorrow, and one of the principal icons for home prayer and wedding blessing.

Prayer Traditions

Before the Kazan icon, the faithful read prayers, the troparion and kontakion of the feast, and the akathist to the Kazan Mother of God. On the feast days, molebens and canons may be served before the image.

In family prayer, the Kazan icon is especially loved as an image of protection for children. Parents pray before it for health, help in study, protection from danger, and spiritual growth. The icon may also be used to bless children before important moments in life.

Who This Small Icon Is For

• For a child’s room: as a small icon of blessing and protection.
• For newlyweds: as a compact image for a first family icon corner.
• For students: suitable for a dormitory, rented room, or desk.
• For travelers: as a small travel icon for prayer during journeys.
• For a workplace: a discreet icon for an office desk or study.
• For elderly relatives: convenient for prayer near a bed or armchair.
• For baptism, name day, or feast day: a personal devotional gift.

Materials and Hand-Painting Technique

The foundation is a linden board with inset oak braces and a traditional kovcheg, adapted to the compact format. This gives the small icon a stable and dignified structure.

Linen pavoloka is applied to the board, followed by multi-layer chalk levkas. After polishing, the levkas creates a smooth and stable ground for tempera painting.

The icon is painted with tempera on egg yolk, using mineral pigments. Special attention is given to the face painting, so even in a small format the features remain clear, soft, and prayerful.

The halos are gilded with genuine 23K gold leaf, giving the icon a warm sacred brightness. The small ornaments and inscriptions are painted carefully, with the precision needed for a 13×16 cm image.

Ordering, Placement, and Care

This icon may be made in the standard Kazan colors shown here, or discussed with variations in gilding, background color, kiot, and personal inscription on the reverse. Possible background options include blue, gold, or white, depending on the chosen execution.

In the home, the icon may be placed on a bedside table, desk, shelf, prayer corner, child’s room, or travel setting. If it is kept in a car, it should be placed securely and protected from strong heat and direct sun.

For long-term care, keep the icon away from direct sunlight, moisture, overheating, and sudden temperature changes. Dust it gently with a soft dry cloth or brush. Do not use water, household cleaners, or abrasive materials. A small glass-front kiot gives additional protection for the paint and gilding.

Icon Characteristics

Name	Hand-Painted Kazan Mother of God Icon 13×16 cm
Traditional title	Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Our Lady of Kazan
Iconographic type	Kazan Mother of God, compact hand-painted version
Main meaning	Maternal intercession, family blessing, protection of children, and prayer in travel
Size	13×16 cm (5.1×6.3 in)
Board	Linden wood board with inset oak braces and kovcheg
Preparation	Linen pavoloka and polished chalk levkas
Painting	Egg tempera on egg yolk
Gold	23K gold leaf on halos
Visual details	Brown maphorion, blue-pink border, rose-white garments of Christ, blue background, Slavonic inscriptions
Purpose	Home icon corner, child’s room, travel icon, desk icon, baptism or name day gift
Shipping	Free international shipping is included; payment is due upon delivery.

Questions and Answers

What is the size of this Kazan Mother of God icon?

This icon is 13×16 cm (5.1×6.3 in). It is a compact hand-painted format suitable for a small home icon corner, bedside table, child’s room, desk, or travel prayer setting.

What does the Kazan Mother of God icon mean?

The Kazan Mother of God is one of the most venerated Orthodox icons of the Theotokos. The faithful pray before it for maternal intercession, family protection, help for children, peace in the home, and strengthening in faith.

What is shown on this small Kazan icon?

The Mother of God is shown with the Christ Child in the Kazan form. She wears a brown maphorion with blue-pink ornamental edging, and Christ is shown in rose-white garments, blessing with His right hand.

Is the 13×16 cm size good for travel?

Yes. The compact size makes the icon easy to place in a travel bag, temporary prayer corner, student room, hospital room, or small living space.

Can this icon be placed in a child’s room?

Yes. This compact format is suitable for a child’s room, where the Kazan Mother of God may be kept as an icon of blessing and protection.

What materials are used for the icon?

The icon is painted on a linden board with inset oak braces and kovcheg, linen pavoloka, polished chalk levkas, egg tempera on egg yolk, 23K gold leaf, and protective varnish.

What is special about the painting in a small format?

Even at 13×16 cm, the icon keeps careful Mstyora-style face painting, soft ocher tones, fine light transitions, gold halos, and readable Church Slavonic inscriptions.

Is this icon suitable as a gift?

Yes. It is suitable for baptism, name day, a child, a student, newlyweds starting a first home icon corner, travelers, elderly relatives, or anyone who needs a small personal icon.

How should this small hand-painted icon be cared for?

Keep it away from direct sunlight, moisture, overheating, and sudden temperature changes. Dust gently with a soft dry cloth or brush, without water or chemical cleaners.

Is free international shipping included?

Yes. Free international shipping is included; payment is due upon delivery. The compact icon is packed carefully to protect the gilding and painted surface.