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Mar 25th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2001
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This is one of the most unique looking icons of the Mother of God that I have ever seen: [ Linked Image] It is titled the Mother of God "Stand for Christ with the Martyr’s Cross". Does anyone know the history of this icon? Is this of relatively recent origin?
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I never saw that before either. I too am interested in learning more about it.
Ray
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Is that an "everyman" in the place of the Theotokos in the icon?
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I can only find it on this blog [02varvara.wordpress.com]. Perhaps an inquiry to the blogger would reveal more. Many years, Neil
"One day all our ethnic traits ... will have disappeared. Time itself is seeing to this. And so we can not think of our communities as ethnic parishes, ... unless we wish to assure the death of our community."
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A truly unusual icon! I wonder if this icon of the Theotokos could have been inspired by an icon of St. Christopher, who is sometimes depicted as a solider?
Dave
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The armor and helm seem to be Byzantine. I have known a person who took an interest in the development in armory, such a specialist might pin a date on the armor if it is consistent with a historical usage.
So this is a depiction of the Theotokos? Was this icon painted during a time of war?
Terry
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Why is she holding a cross? Only martyrs are depicted in this manner.
If anyone has information, I'm most interested.
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I have followed it some online and it seems to have to do with the killings of the Tsar and his family. so in a way Terry's statement may not be too far off - 'everyman' The icon of the Mother of God, “Stand for Christ with the Martyr’s Cross” Where would one find loyalty today to equal that of the four Companion-Martyrs? You would not find it at CNN. You would not find it in contemporary academe. You would not find it either in the White House or in the halls of Congress. You would not find it at the country club. Nonetheless, it is still alive; one can find in scores of seemingly-humble homes amongst deceptively ordinary people. After all, that is what the four Companion-Martyrs were, very ordinary sorts who did not flinch when the end came. Their blood mingled together, their blood is an indictment of all of us. How many of us possess their loyalty and dedication unto death, literally? I shall not claim such… that would be presumptuous, I think. They are icons for all ordinary folks in ways that the Royal Martyrs, great as they are, and as important as they are, cannot equal. Saintliness is not just for the high and mighty… it can be ours as well, if we only but play our assigned parts as we ought. True, not all of us are called to be high and mighty, but, we are all called to sainthood, and the Companion-Martyrs show us the way. Pray for us, O all Holy New Martyrs of Russia! Forgive us… http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30596&cid=115&p=26.07.2008
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Dear Pani,
Yes, this icon is a modern rendering of the miraculous icon of the Filermskaya Mother of God which is celebrated on October 12th NC, Oct. 25th, OC.
It was adapted to the idea of defending Orthodox Christianity against the onslaught of the atheist communists and the taking of the Cross was a deliberate adaptation of the Crusaders' "taking up" of the Cross to defend it in battles with infidels in the Holy Land. The icon is celebrated on July 17th, the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Royal Martyrs of Russia.
The Filerm Mother of God depicted her wearing a medieval helmet and was translated, along with the relics of St John the Baptist and Forerunner, to Gatchina. October 12th, NC, therefore became the seventh annual feast-day in honour of St John the Baptist. The Knights of St John of Malta not only took the Forerunner and his white Maltese Cross as their patron, but also the Mother of God of Filerm. It was highly honoured by the Bl. Emperor Paul I of Russia who, as we know, became the protector of the Knights (something which they today disavow) and took the Maltese Cross on his imperial robes and crown.
In this icon, the Theotokos wears the full battle dress of the Varangian warriors of Kyivan Rus'.
Alex
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