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1668. Simon Ushakov. From the church of St. Gregory of Neocaesarea
at Bolshaya Polyanka, Moscow.
The Simon Ushakov's icon was a copy from the ancient miracle-working
Our Lady Eleousa of Kykkos, the best-worshipped icon of Cyprus. According
to the Byzantine legend, composed in 1422, the icon appeared in the reign
of Alexius I Comnenus (1081-1118). Tradition traces it to St. Luke and
Egyptian Early Christian communities. The icon was renown with the miraculous
healing of the Emperor and his daughter. Alexius Comnenus sent the icon
to Cyprus, keeping a precise copy to himself, and made lavish donations
to monk Isaiah, who accepted the holy image and founded a monastery of
Our Lady Eleousa on Mount Kykkos. Known for numerous miracles, the icon
was worshipped not only by Christians but Muslims. The Ottoman Empire
exempted the monastery from taxes for its sake. Up to present time the
image is preserved at its church in a special case.  A
precious veil has half-concealed the image, and no hand may lift it. Our
Lady Kykkotissa was commemorated on November 12, December 26 and January
15. Its Russian worship started at early 17th century, and acquired the
greatest scope in the south of the country.
The iconography of the image is close to Our Lady of the Passions. The
type of Kykkotissa made an impact on the Ducento iconography of the Madonna.
Unlike its protograph, the Tretyakov Gallery icon has the Child left of
the Virgin, resting on Her left arm. The background is inscribed in Greek
and Russian; the scroll, in Greek, «The Holy Ghost hath come upon
Me, and the power of the Highest overshadowed Me». Another
inscription bears the name of the Virgin in Greek, Eleousa Kykkotissa. |
