Yaroslavl icon of Virgin Mary

Yaroslavl icon of Virgin Mary is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Mother of God in the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type. It is one of the most lyrical and gentle images of the Theotokos in the Russian icon tradition. The cheek of the Christ Child touches the cheek of His Mother, and the whole composition speaks of love, compassion, and the hidden sorrow of the coming Cross.

This icon is painted in the Mstyora tradition on a linden board, with mineral egg tempera, a gilded background, and wide burgundy fields decorated with rich gold floral ornament. The image is both intimate and ceremonial: tender in its faces, solemn in its gold and ornament.

Yaroslavl Icon of Virgin Mary – History

The history of the Yaroslavl icon reaches back to the thirteenth century, a time of severe trials for Rus during the Mongol invasion. According to tradition, the icon was brought to Yaroslavl by the holy princes Vasily and Konstantin, who came to help restore the city after devastation.

From that time, the icon was venerated as a protector of the Yaroslavl land. During epidemics, conflicts, and war, the faithful prayed before this image and received consolation. Traditions connected with the icon speak of healings from blindness, paralysis, severe fevers, and other afflictions. The feast day of the Yaroslavl icon is celebrated on June 21, or June 8 according to the old calendar.

Eleusa: Tenderness and Foreknowledge

The Yaroslavl icon belongs to the Eleusa type, also called Tenderness. In this iconographic type, the faces of the Mother of God and Christ touch. The image reveals the deep bond between Mother and Son and, through that bond, the love of the Mother of God for the whole human race.

At the same time, the tenderness of the icon contains sorrow. The Theotokos holds the Child close, yet her gaze is directed toward the person praying, as if looking through time. She knows that the Child she holds will go to the Cross for the salvation of the world. The icon therefore joins maternal love with the foreknowledge of the Passion.

Iconography of the Presented Image

In this hand-painted icon, the composition is soft, flowing, and harmonious. The Mother of God gently presses the Christ Child to her cheek. Her face is calm, sorrowful, and full of inward depth. The Christ Child reaches toward her with His whole body, embracing her neck and chin with both hands. This gesture is one of the tender features that distinguishes the Yaroslavl image from other Eleusa icons.

The Mother of God wears a maphorion painted in deep ocher-brown tones with gold assist. These colors express royal dignity, earthliness, and maternal suffering. The edges of the maphorion are adorned with fine gold fringe and patterned borders, and the gold stars on the forehead and shoulder signify her ever-virginity: before, during, and after the Nativity of Christ.

The Christ Child is dressed in a light green, almost olive tunic, enriched with gold assist. The green tone points to life, spiritual flourishing, and the glory of Christ. A red belt visible beneath the tunic recalls the coming sacrifice and the redemption accomplished through His Passion.

Gold Background and Burgundy Fields

The icon has a fully gilded background made with 23K gold leaf (960 purity). The halo of Christ is marked with the traditional cross and Greek letters, while the halo of the Mother of God is a radiant gold field emphasizing her holiness.

The wide burgundy fields are a distinctive decorative element. They are covered with rich gold floral ornament painted with shell gold. The ornament recalls precious brocade, old Russian metalwork, and the image of the garden of paradise. It gives the icon a festive appearance without losing the intimacy of the faces.

Prayer Before the Yaroslavl Icon

People pray before the Yaroslavl icon of the Mother of God for family peace, reconciliation between spouses, understanding between parents and children, and the preservation of love in the home. Because it is an icon of Tenderness, it is also connected with prayers for the gift of children, pregnancy, and safe childbirth.

The icon is also associated with healing of bodily and spiritual illnesses. Orthodox tradition remembers healings connected with the Yaroslavl image, including help in diseases of the eyes, paralysis, fevers, depression, sorrow, and despondency.

Families may also pray before this icon for protection of the home from fire, disasters, and evil intentions, and for help during travel. It is a fitting image for a home icon corner, a wedding gift, the birth of a child, or a house blessing.

Materials and Technique

The icon is painted by hand on a seasoned linden board. Oak braces help protect the wood from warping. Linen cloth is applied to the front surface, followed by layers of natural chalk gesso, polished smooth for painting and gilding.

The image is painted with mineral egg tempera. Natural pigments are ground and mixed with an egg-based emulsion, giving the colors depth and stability. The gilding of the background and the gold ornament on the fields are made with 23K gold leaf and shell gold (960 purity). The completed icon is protected with traditional varnish or oil finish.

Size and Ordering

Available size: 22×28 cm (8.7×11 in). Larger formats, including 30×40 cm, 40×50 cm, and church or iconostasis sizes, may be discussed individually before the icon is made. Free international shipping is included, with payment due upon delivery.

Icon Characteristics

Name	Yaroslavl icon of Virgin Mary
Icon type	Eleusa / Tenderness
History	Associated with Yaroslavl and the holy princes Vasily and Konstantin in the thirteenth century
Composition	The Mother of God and Christ cheek to cheek; the Child embraces her neck and chin
Board	Linden wood, linen cloth, natural gesso, oak braces
Painting	Mineral egg tempera
Gold and decoration	23K gold leaf (960 purity), gilded background, burgundy fields with gold floral ornament
Available size	22×28 cm (8.7×11 in); larger sizes by agreement
Main prayer themes	Family peace, gift of children, safe childbirth, healing, protection of the home, help in travel

Questions and Answers

What type of icon is the Yaroslavl Mother of God?

It belongs to the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type, where the faces of the Mother of God and Christ touch, expressing maternal love and the mystery of Christ’s coming Passion.

How is the Yaroslavl icon different from the Vladimir icon?

Both are Eleusa icons, but the Yaroslavl image is especially soft and lyrical. The Christ Child often embraces the Mother of God with both hands around her neck and chin.

When is the feast day of the Yaroslavl icon?

The feast of the Yaroslavl icon of the Mother of God is celebrated on June 21, which corresponds to June 8 in the old calendar.

Who brought the icon to Yaroslavl?

According to tradition, the icon was brought to Yaroslavl in the thirteenth century by the holy princes Vasily and Konstantin during the restoration of the city after devastation.

What do people pray for before this icon?

People pray for family peace, the gift of children, safe childbirth, healing of body and soul, protection of the home, and help during travel.

What do the stars on the maphorion mean?

The stars on the maphorion of the Mother of God signify her ever-virginity: before, during, and after the Nativity of Christ.

What is special about the decoration of this icon?

The icon has a gilded background and wide burgundy fields decorated with rich gold floral ornament made with shell gold, giving the image a solemn and festive appearance.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is painted on a linden board prepared with linen cloth and gesso. The painting is made with mineral egg tempera, 23K gold leaf, and gold assist.

Is this icon suitable as a wedding gift?

Yes. As an Eleusa icon, it is a meaningful Orthodox wedding gift, connected with love, faithfulness, family blessing, and the hope of children.

Can this icon be ordered in a larger size?

The listed size is 22×28 cm. Larger 30×40 cm, 40×50 cm, and church or iconostasis formats may be discussed individually before the icon is made.