Korsun-Ephesus Icon of Virgin Mary

Korsun-Ephesus Icon of Virgin Mary is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Mother of God in the tender Eleusa type, known in Russian tradition as the Korsun icon. The image shows the Theotokos and Christ not as distant figures, but in a close embrace: the Child presses His cheek to the cheek of His Mother, and the whole composition speaks of mercy, love, and spiritual intimacy.

This particular icon is painted in a rare and joyful color scheme. The fresh pistachio-green background contrasts with the warm faces and the large gold halo, which is hand-chased and decorated with enamel details that imitate pearls, rubies, and sapphires. The result is a festive icon that remains deeply prayerful.

The listed size of this icon is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Larger church and iconostasis formats may be discussed individually.

The Ancient History of the Korsun Icon

Orthodox tradition connects the earliest image of the Korsun Mother of God with the holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, who is remembered as one of the first iconographers of the Mother of God. According to Orthodox tradition, when the Theotokos saw her image, she spoke words of blessing: the grace of the One born of her and her mercy would be with these icons.

The name Korsun is tied to the ancient city of Korsun, or Chersonesus, in Crimea. The Russian tradition remembers that on October 9, 988, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, after receiving baptism in Korsun, brought the icon to Kyiv.

From Kyiv the image was later connected with other sacred places of Rus’. It was brought to Novgorod the Great, then, under Saint Alexander Nevsky, to the Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir. Later, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, the Korsun image was transferred to Moscow and placed in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

Through the centuries, miracles of healing were associated with the image and with its revered copies. This is why the Korsun Mother of God became one of the cherished icons of Russian Orthodox devotion, especially for prayer in sorrow, family troubles, and illness.

Eleusa: Tender Mercy

The Korsun icon belongs to the Eleusa type, which is often translated as Tender Mercy. In Russian, this type is called Umilenie, a word that carries the sense of tenderness, compunction, and moved love.

The central sign of the Eleusa type is the contact of the faces. The Theotokos and Christ are turned toward one another, touching cheeks. This is not simply a natural scene of mother and child affection. In Orthodox iconography, it expresses the mystery of divine love: Christ, the Creator, draws near to His creation, and the Church is embraced by her Lord.

The image is therefore both tender and theological. It speaks of the Incarnation, of mercy, of the maternal intercession of the Theotokos, and of the nearness of Christ to human sorrow.

The Hands and the Scroll

The composition is close and shoulder-length. Christ gently holds the edge of His Mother’s maforion with His left hand, while the Theotokos carefully supports His hand with her own. This small gesture gives the image its living tenderness.

At the same time, the icon does not reduce Christ to a sentimental child. In His right hand, the Christ Child holds a small closed scroll. In Orthodox symbolism, the scroll points to divine teaching and to Christ as the pre-eternal Word of God.

The tenderness of the embrace and the solemn meaning of the scroll are held together. The icon shows both the human closeness of Mother and Son and the divine authority of Christ.

Prayer Before the Korsun Mother of God

Like other icons of the Eleusa type, the Korsun Mother of God is especially close to prayers of the heart. Orthodox Christians turn to this image when the soul needs comfort, tenderness, reconciliation, and hope.

Before this icon, the faithful pray for peace and love in the family, for an end to quarrels between spouses, for patience, mutual understanding, and the return of warmth to the home.

The icon is also approached by those who pray for children: for the gift of a child, for a safe pregnancy, for the health of children already born, and for their right upbringing.

Because the history of the image includes many accounts of healing, Christians also pray before the Korsun icon for relief from bodily illness and for healing from inner afflictions such as grief, despondency, anxiety, and spiritual exhaustion.

Pistachio-Green Background

One of the most visible features of this icon is its unusual green background. Instead of a fully gold field, the image is painted on a dense matte pistachio-green ground.

In Orthodox icon painting, green is associated with life, renewal, spiritual freshness, and the grace of the Holy Spirit. Here the green background makes the icon feel luminous, alive, and joyful, while still preserving a solemn prayerful tone.

The green also creates a striking contrast with the warm faces and the gold halo. This contrast helps the holy figures stand out clearly, giving the icon a sense of tenderness and festal brightness at the same time.

Gold Chased Halo and Enamel Inlay

The main decorative element is the broad halo uniting the figures. It is covered with genuine 23K gold leaf (960 purity) and worked by hand with a deep floral chased pattern. This technique is often called tsirovka: the master cuts, presses, or engraves the ornament into the gold surface with fine tools.

The chased gold catches the light and gives the halo depth and movement. It does not function merely as ornament; it visually expresses the radiance of divine light around the Theotokos and Christ.

The halo and the border of the maforion are richly decorated with large enamel details. These colored cold enamels form raised glossy drops that imitate pearls, red rubies, and blue faceted sapphires. The effect is jewel-like, but it remains within the tradition of hand-painted icon decoration.

Mineral Tempera and Traditional Board

The icon is painted with natural mineral egg tempera. Pigments are ground from minerals and mixed with egg medium, producing colors that have depth, softness, and long-lasting stability.

The base is a solid linden board with a traditional kovcheg. Linen is applied to the board, followed by chalk gesso. Oak splines are inserted into the back of the board to help preserve its shape and reduce the risk of warping.

The icon’s materials and technique are chosen for longevity. A hand-painted icon of this level is intended not as a temporary decoration, but as a family shrine and a work that may be preserved and passed on.

Icon Characteristics

Care and Preservation

Because the icon includes chased gold and raised enamel details, it should be handled carefully. Do not wash it with water, wipe it with damp cloths, use cleaning sprays, or polish the surface.

Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. For the best long-term preservation, especially in rooms with changing humidity or dust, a closed glazed kiot is recommended.

Ordering, Shipping, and Payment

The listed size is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Larger church and iconostasis formats may be discussed individually. Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.

Questions and Answers

What is the Korsun-Ephesus Icon of Virgin Mary?

It is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Mother of God in the Eleusa, or Tender Mercy, type, known in Russian tradition as the Korsun icon.

What does Eleusa mean?

Eleusa means Tender Mercy. The Mother of God and Christ turn toward one another and touch cheeks, expressing divine love, mercy, and spiritual union.

Why is this icon called Korsun?

The name is connected with the city of Korsun, or Chersonesus, from which the image is traditionally associated with the baptism of Saint Prince Vladimir.

What is shown in Christ’s hand?

Christ holds a small scroll, a sign that He is the pre-eternal Word of God and the bearer of divine teaching.

Why is the background green?

The pistachio-green background gives the icon a fresh and joyful character; in Orthodox icon painting green is associated with life, renewal, and the grace of the Holy Spirit.

What is special about the halo?

The wide halo is covered with 23K gold leaf (960 purity), hand-chased with a floral pattern, and decorated with enamel details imitating pearls, rubies, and sapphires.

What size is listed for this icon?

The listed size is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Larger church and iconostasis sizes may be discussed individually.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?

They pray for peace in the family, love between spouses, the gift and health of children, consolation in sorrow, and healing of bodily and spiritual afflictions.

How should this icon be cared for?

Do not wash, polish, or wipe the chased gold and enamel surface with damp cloths. Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush.

How are shipping and payment arranged?

Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.