Icon "Sign of the Mother of God"

The icon is a particular type of the Orans Mother of God (from the Latin orans — "one who prays"), shown with the Lord Jesus Christ upon her breast.

The icon shows a three-quarter-length, frontal image of the Mother of God in a blue tunic with a gold border and a red maphorion; around her head is a faint glow and a round halo in the form of a thin circle. Both of the Mother of God's hands, palms open, are bent at the elbow and raised in a gesture of adoration (prayer). On her breast is a three-quarter-length, frontal image of the Infant Christ in a white chiton and a brown himation draped over his left shoulder; around Christ's head is a translucent cruciform halo; his right hand is raised in blessing, his left pressed to his chest.

The icon was made in the early 20th century and acquired by the museum in 1993 from Volodymyr Stavriiovych Suslov, a resident of Kharkiv, born in Donetsk region.

Legend: the "Sign" Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most venerated icons in Orthodoxy; this image is among the oldest and is considered a source of special grace. Prayer before it is said to bring calm, spiritual strength, and help in difficult life situations. It is an unseen support for everyone who seeks intercession and turns to the Mother of God with faith and sincerity.