Vladimir Theotokos Orthodox Icon
Price range: $500 through $1600
Vladimir Theotokos Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted Vladimir Mother of God icon in the Eleusa type, with the Theotokos and Christ Child touching cheek to cheek and the Child’s bare foot visible.
Available sizes: 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Linden board, linen, chalk gesso, egg tempera, mineral pigments, and 960 gold leaf. Free international shipping, with payment after delivery.
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Vladimir Theotokos Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, one of the most revered images of the Theotokos. It belongs to the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type, where the Christ Child draws close to His Mother and touches His cheek to hers.
This icon is painted in the tradition of the Mstyora school on a prepared linden board, using egg tempera, mineral pigments, and 960 gold leaf. It is intended for prayer, veneration, and long-term family use, not as a printed decoration.
Meaning of the Vladimir Theotokos Orthodox Icon
The Vladimir icon of the Mother of God is deeply connected with Orthodox prayer for protection, peace, family unity, healing, and spiritual consolation. It is a beloved image for the home iconostasis, a wedding blessing, a baptism gift, or a family prayer corner.
The Theotokos looks outward toward the person praying, while the Christ Child embraces her with trust and tenderness. Her expression is compassionate and serious, carrying both maternal love and the foreknowledge of Christ’s Passion.
Eleusa: The Tenderness Type
Eleusa means Tenderness. In this iconographic type, the Mother of God and Christ Child are shown in close contact, cheek to cheek. The composition expresses the nearness of Christ to humanity and the merciful intercession of the Theotokos.
A recognizable detail of the Vladimir image is the visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s foot. This detail emphasizes the true humanity of Christ, who became a real child and entered the world for our salvation.
History and Veneration
According to Orthodox tradition, the first image of the Mother of God was connected with the Apostle Luke and was blessed by the Theotokos. The Vladimir icon later became one of the most honored Orthodox images, associated with prayer for deliverance and protection.
The icon is commemorated especially in connection with historic deliverances and with the prayerful protection of the faithful. For Orthodox families, it remains a living image of maternal care, hope, and intercession.
Prayer Before the Vladimir Mother of God
Before this icon, Christians pray for peace in the family, reconciliation after quarrels, protection of the home, and healing of body and soul. Parents pray for children, their health, safety, education, and spiritual direction.
The Vladimir icon is also approached before difficult choices, travel, moving, medical treatment, marriage, or the beginning of important work. Its meaning is especially close to the life of the family and the protection of the home.
Mstyora School and Traditional Technique
The icon is created in the tradition of the Mstyora school of icon painting. The work is done by hand, with careful drawing, balanced color, and respect for the Orthodox canon.
The board is made from linden and strengthened with oak splines. Linen is applied to the surface, followed by natural chalk gesso. This traditional preparation creates a stable ground for gold leaf and egg tempera painting.
Gold Leaf and Egg Tempera
The halo and background are gilded with 960 gold leaf. In Orthodox iconography, gold does not represent ordinary luxury; it symbolizes divine light and the sacred world of the Kingdom of God.
The faces and garments are painted in egg tempera with natural mineral pigments. Tempera gives the icon a calm, layered depth and is valued for its durability when the icon is properly preserved.
Icon Characteristics
| Name | Vladimir Theotokos Orthodox Icon |
| Icon type | Vladimir Mother of God, Eleusa or Tenderness type |
| Iconographic feature | Cheek-to-cheek embrace of the Theotokos and Christ Child; visible bare sole of the Child’s foot |
| Available sizes | 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
| Board | Solid linden board with oak splines |
| Ground | Linen and natural chalk gesso |
| Painting | Hand-painted egg tempera with mineral pigments |
| Gilding | 960 gold leaf on the halo and background |
| Style | Traditional Orthodox icon painting in the Mstyora school |
| Estimated creation time | About 2 to 4 weeks, depending on size and details |
Choosing a Size
Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Smaller formats suit a compact prayer corner, while larger formats give more presence to the holy faces and gold background.
For a home iconostasis or wedding blessing, the 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) sizes are especially suitable.
A Family and Wedding Icon
The Vladimir Mother of God is often chosen for wedding blessings, baptisms, anniversaries, house blessings, and family gifts. In a wedding pair, it may be placed together with an icon of Christ.
In the home, this icon becomes a prayerful reminder of love, protection, mercy, and the Mother of God’s intercession for the family.
Care and Preservation
Keep the icon away from direct sunlight, dampness, smoke, and sudden temperature changes. Do not wash the surface, polish the gold, or use household cleaning products.
Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. For long-term preservation, especially in an active prayer corner, a glazed wooden icon case is recommended.
Ordering, Shipping, and Payment
The icon is available in several sizes. Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
Questions and Answers
What is the Vladimir Theotokos Orthodox Icon?
It is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, an Eleusa or Tenderness image of the Theotokos with Christ Child.
What does Eleusa mean?
Eleusa means Tenderness. The Mother of God and Christ Child are shown cheek to cheek in a close embrace of love and compassion.
What detail is distinctive in the Vladimir icon?
The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s foot is a distinctive feature of the Vladimir iconographic type.
What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?
They pray for peace, family reconciliation, protection of the home, healing, help in sorrow, and guidance in important decisions.
What materials are used?
The icon is painted on a linden board with linen, natural chalk gesso, egg tempera, mineral pigments, and 960 gold leaf.
Is this a printed icon?
No. It is a hand-painted icon made in traditional Orthodox technique, not a printed reproduction.
What sizes are available?
Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in).
Can this icon be used as a wedding icon?
Yes. The Vladimir Mother of God is often chosen for Orthodox wedding blessings and family prayer.
How should the icon be cared for?
Keep it away from dampness, direct sunlight, smoke, and sudden temperature changes. Dust only with a very soft dry brush.
How are shipping and payment arranged?
Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
| Dimensions | 17x21cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20x24cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30x40cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
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| Name | Mary |
