Orthodox Icon of Kazan 27×31

Orthodox Icon of Kazan 27×31 is a hand-painted Kazan icon of the Mother of God in the 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) home format. The Kazan image is among the most widely loved icons of the Theotokos in Orthodox life. It is kept in homes, given as a family blessing, placed in icon corners, and approached in prayer for protection, peace, healing, and help for children.

This icon is made in the traditions of Mstyora icon painting. It is not a printed reproduction or a decorative souvenir, but a painted Orthodox icon on a prepared wooden board. The calm scale of 27×31 cm gives the image enough presence for prayer while remaining practical for a home iconostasis, bedroom, living room, or small chapel.

Orthodox Icon of Kazan 27×31 – Meaning and Prayer

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is honored as a merciful image of the Theotokos, the protectress of families and children, and a helper in grief and danger. In Orthodox homes it is often chosen as one of the central icons of family prayer. Before this icon people ask the Mother of God for intercession, peace in the home, strengthening of faith, healing, and help in difficult decisions.

The Kazan icon is also connected with blessing and family continuity. It is a fitting icon for parents praying for their children, for a newly married couple, for a new home, or for a person who wants to arrange a serious Orthodox prayer corner rather than a merely decorative religious object.

Iconography of the Kazan Mother of God

In this 27×31 cm icon the Mother of God is shown half-length with Christ Child in the classic Kazan iconographic type. The composition is restrained and immediately recognizable: the Theotokos turns toward the viewer with quiet maternal sorrow and tenderness, while Christ appears beside her as the divine Child and Lord.

The Mother of God wears a brown maphorion with an ornamental border and the traditional stars on her forehead and shoulders, symbols of her ever-virginity before, during, and after the Nativity of Christ. Beneath the maphorion a green cap is visible, enriched with decorative detail. Christ Child is painted in golden-orange garments and blesses with His right hand, revealing His divine authority even in the tender intimacy of the image.

The size allows the iconographer to work carefully with the faces, the soft modeling of light, the ornaments on the garments, and the noble transitions of color. Warm ocher tones, cinnabar accents, deep green, and luminous gold give the icon a calm and solemn character without making it visually heavy.

History of the Kazan Icon

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was found in Kazan in 1579 after a vision given to the young girl Matrona. The icon was discovered in the ashes after a fire, and from the beginning it became known through healings and answered prayers. In later Russian history the Kazan image became closely connected with deliverance, protection, and the spiritual courage of the faithful.

In Orthodox tradition the feast of the Kazan Icon is celebrated on July 21 and November 4. The icon is especially loved as a protector of families and children, a helper in affliction, and an image before which believers pray for healing, including healing of eye ailments, and for the blessing of marriage and home life.

Materials and Technique

Name	Orthodox Icon of Kazan 27×31
Iconographic type	Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Available size	27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in)
Board	Linden board with inserted braces and kovcheg
Ground	Linen cloth and chalk gesso
Painting	Egg tempera with mineral pigments
Gold	23K gold leaf (960 purity)
Finish	Protective varnish
Purpose	Family prayer, home icon corner, wedding blessing, Orthodox gift

The icon is painted on a linden board prepared for traditional icon painting. A kovcheg gives the image a liturgical depth and frames the painted field. Linen cloth and chalk gesso create a stable ground for egg tempera, while 23K gold leaf gives the halos a real luminous quality rather than a printed imitation.

The painting is made by hand, with special attention to the faces, the blessing hand of Christ, the ornamental edging of the maphorion, and the balance between gold, warm earth tones, and the quieter green detail beneath the veil. The final varnish protects the painted surface while preserving the sober matte beauty of egg tempera.

Why Choose the 27×31 cm Format?

The 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) size is a classic home format for a hand-painted Orthodox icon. It is large enough for the iconographer to paint the faces, hands, halos, garment folds, and ornament with care, but it does not require the space of a large church or iconostasis icon.

This size works well as the main icon of the Mother of God in a family icon corner. It may also be placed in a bedroom, living room, child’s room, study, or small prayer space. A kiot can be selected for additional protection and a more solemn presentation.

For Whom This Icon Is Appropriate

• For an Orthodox family arranging a home icon corner.
• For parents praying for children and family peace.
• For a wedding or marriage blessing.
• For a house blessing or new home gift.
• For a godchild, child, or close relative as a lifelong prayerful gift.
• For those who especially venerate the Kazan Mother of God.

A dedicatory inscription on the back, a kiot, or a larger custom size may be discussed before the icon is made. The image may also be adapted for a chapel, analogion, church setting, or iconostasis when a different format is required.

Hand-Painted Icon, Not a Print

A hand-painted Kazan icon differs from a printed reproduction in both material and spiritual presence. Every layer is made by hand: the prepared board, the gesso, the drawing, the egg tempera painting, the gold leaf, and the final finishing. The living surface of tempera, the individual work on the faces, and the real gold in the halos give the icon depth and seriousness.

The purpose of such an icon is prayer and veneration. It is created to remain in the home for many years, to accompany family prayer, and to become a meaningful Orthodox heirloom rather than a temporary decorative item.

Shipping, Payment, and Care

Free international shipping is included. The icon is packed carefully to protect the painted and gilded surface during transport, and payment is due upon delivery. Each icon may be discussed before production if you need a different size, kiot, inscription, or level of decorative detail.

To preserve the icon, keep it away from direct sunlight, high humidity, strong heat, and sudden temperature changes. Dust may be removed with a soft dry cloth or brush. Do not use water, cleaning sprays, household chemicals, or abrasive materials, and avoid touching the gold leaf with your hands.

Questions and Answers

What does the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God mean?

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most venerated Orthodox icons of the Theotokos. It is associated with maternal intercession, protection of the family, help in sorrow, peace in the home, and spiritual support in important moments of life.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before the Kazan icon?

Before the Kazan icon people pray for family well-being, healing, protection from misfortune, help for children, blessing of marriage, reconciliation, and guidance on the right path.

Is this Kazan icon suitable for a home icon corner?

Yes. The 27×31 cm format is a classic home size. It is large enough to show the faces, garments, gold halos, and ornament clearly, while still fitting naturally into a home icon corner or family prayer space.

Can the Kazan icon be given as a wedding gift?

Yes. The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is often chosen as a blessing for marriage and family life. It is a meaningful Orthodox wedding gift and a prayerful image for a newly formed Christian home.

What is shown on this Kazan icon?

The Mother of God is shown with Christ Child in the traditional Kazan iconographic type. The Theotokos wears a brown maphorion with ornamental edging and stars, while Christ is shown in golden-orange garments and blesses with His right hand.

What materials are used for this hand-painted icon?

This icon is painted on a prepared linden board with kovcheg, linen cloth, chalk gesso, egg tempera, and 23K gold leaf. The materials follow traditional Orthodox icon-painting practice.

How is a hand-painted Kazan icon different from a printed icon?

A hand-painted icon is created by an iconographer as an individual work of sacred art. The living surface of egg tempera, the hand-painted faces, the ornament, and real gold leaf cannot be reproduced in the same way by printing.

Where can the icon be placed?

The icon may be placed in a home icon corner, bedroom, living room, child’s room, study, or small chapel. It should be kept in a clean, calm place suitable for prayer, away from direct sunlight, humidity, and strong heat.

Can this icon be made in another size or with a kiot?

Yes. The listed icon is 27×31 cm, but larger formats, a classic or carved kiot, a dedicatory inscription, and other custom details may be discussed before the icon is painted.

How should the icon be cared for?

Keep the icon away from direct sun, moisture, overheating, and sudden temperature changes. Remove dust with a soft dry cloth or brush, and do not use water, household chemicals, or abrasive materials on the painted or gilded surface.