The church holiday on May 17 is the day of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God: what is the image known for, who does it help

On May 17, the Orthodox Church honors the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God, one of the ancient images of the Virgin Mary, especially revered in Russia. In 2025, the date falls on a Saturday. Izvestia tells us what the shrine is known for, who it helps, and where it is located now.

What is the famous image of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God?

The origin of the miraculous icon is shrouded in mystery, as well as many other holy images. There is evidence that in 1470 it was moved from the Greek city of Olviopolis. That year, the city was attacked by Turks and Crimean Tatars. Wanting to save the shrine from being desecrated by the Gentiles, they decided to send it to Rus (now Staraya Russa in the Novgorod region). The icon was placed in the main church of the Transfiguration Monastery, the oldest in the city.

Later, the image was moved to the city of Tikhvin, which was located at the crossroads of trade routes connecting the Volga with Ladoga and the Baltic Sea (now it is the administrative center of the Tikhvin district of the Leningrad Region). A separate legend is connected with this event. According to the chronicles, in 1570, a plague occurred in Tikhvin. To get rid of the epidemic, residents asked their neighbors to send them a miraculous icon in exchange for a copy of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God.

The request of the spiritual brothers was fulfilled. The icon was taken to Tikhvin and carried around the city in a procession. After that, the plague stopped. But when the disaster receded, the Tikhvin residents, filled with gratitude for the miraculous healing, refused to return the shrine home. For a long time it remained unreturned.

It was only in the 18th century that Tikhvin residents were allowed to make a copy of the miraculous image. He was delivered to Staraya Russa on May 17 (May 4, Old style), 1768. In honor of this event, the first celebration was established, which will be celebrated on Saturday.

The original was returned to the Transfiguration Monastery almost a century later, on October 1 (May 17, Old style), 1888, with the assistance of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich— the youngest son of Emperor Alexander II. Later, a second holiday date appeared on this occasion.

The Day of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God in 2025 — iconography

The ancient image of the Old Russian Mother of God belongs to the iconographic type of Hodegetria, which means "Guide Book" in Greek. It depicts the Mother of God and the baby Jesus sitting on her left arm. His gaze is turned to the Blessed Virgin. The canvas, as well as the copies made from it, has rather large dimensions — more than 2.5 m in height and about 2 m in width.

However, today the miraculous list of the icon, made presumably at the end of the XVIII century, is especially revered. It is noticeably different from the ancient image found in Staraya Russa. On it, Jesus sits on a kind of throne, which is formed by the hands of the Virgin, and supports his head with his left hand. At the same time, his gaze is turned in the other direction. The composition is more reminiscent of another well—known image - The Unsleeping Eye was Saved.

The researchers believe that this discrepancy may be due to careless storage of the original. Over time, the icon darkened and the holy faces became difficult to distinguish, so it was not possible to make an exact copy. In addition, later Tikhvin residents updated the icon, which made the differences even more pronounced.

Who is helped by the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God

In earlier times, the icon protected the Russian lands from deadly diseases and invaders. But they turn to her not only with a request for healing of ailments and protection from enemies. Turning their prayers to the Mother of God, believers ask for help in spiritual and everyday matters — in overcoming temptations, strengthening faith, getting rid of fear and resentment, help in difficult situations, family well-being and happiness.

However, due to the extraordinary history of the icon, which was actually stolen from its rightful owners for many years, it is believed that it protects from this disaster today. Therefore, they also pray before the image to return stolen property, to capture criminals, and to protect the house from thieves and kidnappers.

Where is the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God?

After returning from Tikhvin, the icon was in Staraya Russa, where it was brought by the Greeks. A copy of the icon with equivalent decorations was kept in Tikhvin. After the revolution of 1917, both images lost their precious robes and salaries and were transferred to the Museum of Local Lore, where they remained until the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War.

During the Nazi-German occupation, the original disappeared without a trace. Presumably, along with other valuables, he was taken to Germany, where he may still be. There is also a version that the icon was saved and hidden somewhere in the Novgorod or Pskov region. To this day, the location of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God is unknown.

But several lists have been preserved, including the Tikhvin list, which are kept in different parts of Russia. One of them, dating from 1788, is located in the Church of St. George in Staraya Russa and is revered as miraculous, the other is in the Tikhvin Assumption Monastery. Another copy of the 19th century was made especially for the Church of St. Philip the Apostle in Nizhny Novgorod.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the celebration of the Izborsk Icon of the Mother of God and how the image became famous.