Vladimir Mother of God Orthodox Icon

Vladimir Mother of God Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted icon of the Theotokos and Christ Child in the Eleusa, or Tenderness, iconographic type. The Mother of God holds Christ close to her, and their faces touch cheek to cheek. This intimate composition has long been loved by Orthodox Christians as an image of divine mercy, maternal love, and prayerful protection.

Iconography of the Vladimir Mother of God

The Vladimir icon belongs to the Eleusa type, where tenderness is expressed through the closeness of the Mother and Child. Christ embraces the Theotokos and presses his face to hers, while she receives him with quiet sorrow, love, and contemplation. Her gaze is turned outward, drawing the viewer into prayer.

The image is not sentimental in the ordinary sense. It joins love with the mystery of the Cross: the Theotokos holds the Child who is also the Savior of the world. The gentle contact of the faces reveals both human tenderness and the depth of the Incarnation.

Spiritual Meaning

Before the Vladimir Mother of God icon, Orthodox Christians pray for family peace, protection of children, help in motherhood, healing, reconciliation, wise decisions, and strengthening of faith. The icon is especially meaningful for mothers, families, and anyone seeking comfort in sorrow or uncertainty.

The Theotokos is shown not as distant or abstract, but as a mother who carries Christ and intercedes for the faithful. The Child reaches toward her with trust, and this closeness makes the image especially suitable for private prayer in the home.

History and Veneration

The Vladimir icon is one of the most revered images of the Mother of God in Orthodox tradition. Its history is connected with Byzantium, Kyiv, Vladimir, and Moscow, and the icon has been honored for centuries in moments of danger, prayer, and thanksgiving.

Its feast days are celebrated several times during the church year. For English-speaking Orthodox readers, the essential meaning of the image is clear beyond any local historical context: it is an icon of the Mother of God holding Christ close, asking mercy for the faithful, and teaching the soul to turn toward the Savior.

Hand-Painted Materials and Technique

This icon is painted on a linden wood board with inserted splines. The board has a kovcheg, a recessed central field traditional in Orthodox icon boards. It is strengthened with pavoloka and prepared with chalk levkas before painting begins.

The image is painted in egg tempera, the traditional icon-painting technique using pigments bound with egg yolk. The face, hands, garments, inscriptions, border, and highlights are completed by hand, and the finished icon is protected with varnish. This is a hand-painted Orthodox icon on wood, not a printed reproduction.

For Home, Chapel, and Family Prayer

The Vladimir Mother of God icon is suitable for a home icon corner, a chapel, a parish space, or as a prayerful Orthodox gift. It may be chosen for a family, for a mother, for a child, for a newly married couple, or for anyone who keeps a devotion to the Theotokos.

The icon should be placed in a clean, dry location, away from direct sun, excessive humidity, and sudden temperature changes. Dust may be removed gently with a soft dry cloth or brush.

Size and Ordering

The available size of this icon is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). This format preserves the close facial expression of the Theotokos and Christ Child, the inscriptions, the kovcheg, and the border while remaining practical for home veneration.

Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after receiving the icon. Other sizes can be discussed individually before work begins.

Icon Characteristics

Name	Vladimir Mother of God Orthodox Icon
Iconographic type	Eleusa, or Tenderness
Subject	The Theotokos with Christ Child
Main meaning	Motherly love, divine mercy, family prayer, protection, healing, and reconciliation
Size	27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in)
Materials	Linden board, inserted splines, kovcheg, pavoloka, chalk levkas, egg tempera, varnish
Technique	Hand-painted Orthodox icon on wood
Use	Home icon corner, family prayer, chapel, parish space, Orthodox gift

Questions and Answers

What is the Vladimir Mother of God icon?

The Vladimir Mother of God icon is a revered Orthodox image of the Theotokos and Christ Child in the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type.

What does the Eleusa iconographic type mean?

Eleusa means Tenderness. In this type, the Mother of God and Christ Child are shown cheek to cheek, expressing maternal love, divine compassion, and the mystery of the Incarnation.

What is shown in this version of the icon?

This version shows the Theotokos holding Christ close to her, while the Child embraces her neck and presses his face to hers.

Why is this icon important for family prayer?

The icon is often connected with prayer for family peace, motherhood, children, protection, healing, and reconciliation.

Is this icon suitable for a home icon corner?

Yes. The 27×31 cm format is suitable for a home icon corner, bedroom, family prayer space, chapel, or parish use.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is painted on a linden wood board with inserted splines, kovcheg, pavoloka, chalk levkas, egg tempera, and protective varnish.

Is this icon a printed reproduction?

No. This is a hand-painted Orthodox icon on wood, not a printed reproduction or mass-produced souvenir.

What is the standard size of this icon?

The standard size is 27×31 cm, which is approximately 10.6×12.2 inches.

Can another size be ordered?

Larger and smaller sizes can be discussed individually before the icon is painted.

Is international shipping included?

Yes. Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after receiving the icon.