Church holiday on April 4: The Day of the Izborsk Icon of the Mother of God — what is the image known for, who does it help

On April 4, the Church celebrates the Day of the Icon of the Mother of God "Izborskaya", one of the miraculous images that is especially revered in the Pskov region. In 2025, the date falls on Thursday. Izvestia tells us what the shrine is known for and who it helps.

Day of the Izborsk Icon of the Mother of God — iconography

The icon is often called a pichnichnaya, since the width of the image is equal to the ancient Russian measure — a span, or four peaks. The Mother of God appears slightly bent towards the infant Jesus, who clasps Her by the neck with His right hand. His left hand extends to the shoulder of the Mother of God.

The image is distinguished by the freshness of colors, clarity and distinctness of the image. This gives the impression that it was written very recently. However, church documents do not contain information about the painting being updated.

Many lists have been made of the icon. But, according to the researchers, no one has been able to reproduce an exact copy, and all known copies are more "dry" compared to the original.

What is the famous image of the Izborsk Icon of the Mother of God?

The icon became famous in the second half of the 17th century. Pskov land, which for centuries remained the guardian of the north-western borders of the country, was again attacked by foreigners. The enemies set fire to the cemetery in the Pechersk Monastery and intended to besiege the Izborsk fortress.

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After learning about this, Evdokia, a resident of Izborsk, and her daughter Fotinia prayed all night in front of the icon that was in their house. And they had a sign — tears flowed from the eyes of the Virgin. The woman told the minister of St. Nicholas Church about it. He also witnessed the miracle and reported it to Archbishop Makariy of Pskov and Izborsk.

By order of Macarius, the icon was moved to St. Nicholas Cathedral on the territory of the Izborsk fortress. The inhabitants prayed to the Mother of God for 40 days. All this time, the holy image was streaming myrrh. The parishioners saw this as a good sign. Indeed, after a forty-day prayer service, Izborsk was spared from the enemy invasion.

A few years later, with the blessing of the new Archbishop of Pskov and Izborsk, Arseny, a celebration in honor of the icon was established on April 4. The local celebration takes place annually at St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Who does the Izborsk Icon of the Mother of God help?

They pray at the icon of the Mother of God "Izborskaya" in difficult life situations, asking to be delivered from all evil, to protect from enemies. They ask for health and well-being for themselves and their loved ones.

The image also helps in healing the sick in body and soul. The miraculous power of the icon has been repeatedly confirmed in real life. There is information that at the beginning of the twentieth century, the wife of the former naval officer and merchant Kostenko-Radzievsky, who suffered from an incurable disease, was cured with the help of the image.

The woman and her family moved to Izborsk to spend the last years of her life here. When she learned that there was an icon in one of the temples that had saved the city and its inhabitants more than once, she prayed a lot in front of the image, and soon the disease receded.

Shocked by the miracle, the husband built a chapel in honor of this event. It was built in 1929 near the Talava Tower of the Izborsk fortress. Today it is another attraction of the city.

Where is the Izborsk Icon of the Mother of God?

The image of the Mother of God has been in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Izborsk for the entire time. He was abducted in the 80s. Now there is a copy in its place. You can see it in the iconostasis of the main chapel on the left side of the royal gates.

Earlier, Izvestia told how the feast of the Vilna Icon of the Mother of God is celebrated and who the image helps.