Vladimir Virgin Mary Icon 27×31

Vladimir Virgin Mary Icon 27×31 is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Mother of God in the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type. The Theotokos holds the Christ Child close to her face, showing a quiet and deeply prayerful image of maternal love, mercy, and intercession. For many Orthodox families, the Vladimir icon becomes a central image in the home icon corner and a source of consolation in daily prayer.

This icon is painted by hand on a linden board with a kovcheg, using mineral egg tempera and 23K gold leaf. The 27×31 cm size is a classic and dignified format for a home altar, a family shrine, a wedding blessing, or a meaningful Orthodox gift.

Vladimir Virgin Mary Icon 27×31 – Meaning

The Vladimir icon belongs to the Eleusa type, often translated as Tenderness. In this type, the Mother of God and the Christ Child are shown in intimate closeness. Their faces touch, and the Child is held near the heart of His Mother. The icon reveals love, mercy, and the intercessory prayer of the Theotokos for the human race.

The Vladimir image is also one of the most revered icons in Russian Orthodox tradition. It is associated with protection, family blessing, comfort in sorrow, help for children, and the presence of the Mother of God in the daily prayer life of the home.

For Family Prayer and Blessing

The 27×31 cm format makes this icon suitable for a central place in a home icon corner. It is large enough to be visually clear and solemn, but still practical for a family prayer space, a bedroom, a living room, or a dedicated prayer shelf.

The Vladimir Mother of God is often chosen as a wedding icon, especially together with an icon of Christ Pantocrator. In that setting, the image becomes a blessing for family life, mutual faithfulness, peace between spouses, and the raising of children in the Christian faith.

The icon is also appropriate as a gift for parents, newlyweds, children, godchildren, or anyone who needs spiritual support. Its theme is not limited to one occasion; it belongs naturally to the life of the family.

Iconography of Tenderness

In the Vladimir icon, the Theotokos gently presses the Christ Child to her cheek. The image is tender, but it is not sentimental. It carries the quiet sorrow of the Mother who knows that her Son has come for the salvation of the world. Her love is full of mercy, but also full of obedience to God.

The Christ Child is shown close to His Mother, and the entire composition is built around their spiritual nearness. This closeness makes the icon especially suitable for prayer about family peace, reconciliation, protection of children, and healing of relationships.

Materials and Traditional Technique

This icon is painted on a linden board with a kovcheg. A kovcheg is the recessed central area of the board, a traditional form that frames the sacred image and creates the sense of a window into the holy world. The board is prepared with linen cloth and natural chalk gesso before painting begins.

The image is painted with mineral egg tempera. Natural pigments are ground and mixed with an egg-based emulsion, giving the icon depth, softness, and durability. The gilding is made with 23K gold leaf (960 purity), applied by hand. The work also includes careful hand detailing of the faces, garments, and sacred ornament.

Hand-Painted, Not Printed

A hand-painted Orthodox icon differs from a printed reproduction in both technique and presence. The iconographer builds the image layer by layer, giving individual attention to the face, hands, garments, background, and gold. This living brushwork gives the icon depth and a prayerful character that a printed copy cannot reproduce.

Prayer Before the Vladimir Icon

Before the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God, Orthodox Christians pray for protection of the family and home, peace between relatives, help for children, healing of bodily and spiritual illness, strengthening of faith, and guidance in difficult decisions.

The image is also connected with comfort in sorrow. Its quiet tenderness helps the faithful turn to the Mother of God with trust, asking her intercession before Christ.

Care and Placement

The icon should be kept in a clean, peaceful place suitable for prayer. It may be placed in a home icon corner, bedroom, living room, child’s room, or a dedicated prayer area. Avoid direct sunlight, moisture, strong heat, and sudden temperature changes. Dust should be removed gently with a soft dry cloth or brush, without water, household chemicals, or abrasive materials.

Size and Ordering

Available size: 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Larger home, church, or iconostasis formats may be discussed individually before the icon is made. Free international shipping is included, with payment due upon delivery.

Icon Characteristics

Name	Vladimir Virgin Mary Icon 27×31
Icon type	Eleusa / Tenderness
Composition	The Mother of God holding the Christ Child close to her cheek
Board	Linden wood with kovcheg, linen cloth, natural gesso
Painting	Mineral egg tempera
Gold	23K gold leaf (960 purity)
Available size	27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in); larger sizes by agreement
Main prayer themes	Family protection, peace at home, wedding blessing, help for children, healing, comfort in sorrow

Questions and Answers

What does the Vladimir Virgin Mary icon represent?

It represents the Mother of God in the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type, where the Christ Child is pressed close to her face. The image speaks of maternal love, mercy, and intercession.

What is the spiritual meaning of this icon?

The icon is a sign of the protection of the Mother of God, peace in the family, comfort in sorrow, and the prayerful nearness of the Theotokos to those who seek her help.

Is this icon suitable for a home icon corner?

Yes. The 27×31 cm format is a strong and balanced size for a home icon corner, a prayer shelf, or a central family shrine.

Can this icon be given as a wedding gift?

Yes. The Vladimir Mother of God is a traditional and meaningful Orthodox wedding icon, often chosen as part of a wedding icon pair with Christ Pantocrator.

What is a kovcheg on an icon board?

A kovcheg is a recessed central area of the icon board. It frames the sacred image and creates the sense of a window into the holy world.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is painted on a linden board with a kovcheg, linen cloth, chalk gesso, mineral egg tempera, and 23K gold leaf (960 purity).

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

A hand-painted icon is created by an iconographer with living brushwork, layered color, and individual attention to the faces, garments, and gilding. A printed icon is a reproduction of an image.

What do people pray for before the Vladimir icon?

People pray for protection of the family and home, peace between relatives, help for children, healing, strengthening of faith, and wise decisions.

Where can this icon be placed?

It may be placed in a home icon corner, bedroom, living room, child’s room, or another clean and peaceful place suitable for prayer.

How should this icon be cared for?

Keep the icon away from direct sun, moisture, heat, and sudden temperature changes. Dust should be removed gently with a soft dry cloth or brush, without water or household chemicals.