|
 1759.
From the Trinity Chapel of the Dormition Church at Apukhtinka, Moscow.
The icon copies the miracle-working Our Lady of St. Theodore from the
Dormition Cathedral of Kostroma, currently in the Resurrection Church
at Debri, also in Kostroma. According to its Legend, compiled in the 17th
century at the earliest, holy martyr Theodore Stratilates carried the
image from the Tartar-ransacked Gorodets on the Volga to Kostroma in 1239
— hence its name. Prince Vassilii of Kostroma, surnamed Kvashnya (Trough),
saw the icon in a tree on a woodland hunt. Kostroma citizens
were reported to see it carried across the city by a warrior resembling
St. Theodore. The icon sent passing blindness  on
a Tartar host in the Battle of Holy Lake to grant victory to Prince Vassilii.
The icon was closely linked to the Romanov dynasty since the 17th century.
It played a part in the election of Mikhail Fedorovich to the throne in
Kostroma, 1613. Hence its full name, Our Lady of St. Theodore of Kostroma.
It is commemorated on March 14, the day when Mikhail conceded to accept
the crown, and August 15 and 16, when it was miraculously revealed. The
royal dynasty spread the icon worship nation-wide.
Iconographically close to Our Lady of Vladimir, it has one spectacular
feature — the Child's bare left leg. Possibly, Our Lady of Vladimir possessed
the same detail before it was repainted in the 15th century. |
