Icon "Tikhvin Most Holy Mother of God"

The icon belongs to the Hodegetria type (from the Greek "She Who Shows the Way"). This is a variant in which Christ turns slightly toward the Mother of God, with his legs crossed so that the bare sole of his right foot is visible.

The Mother of God is shown half-length, inclining slightly toward the Child, who sits on her left arm. Her right hand points to the Child. Christ is shown full-length, in a three-quarter turn to the left, his right hand raised in blessing. The Mother of God wears a green chiton and a red maphorion with a gold border; Christ wears a white chiton and a blue himation. Around the perimeter of the icon, except for the lower portion, is a narrow border of yellow foil.

The icon belongs to the so-called "folk" type and was made in the early 20th century. It was in use in the village of Tsybivka, [Krasnokutsk district], Kharkiv region, and was donated to the museum in 1977.

Legend: the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God is one of the depictions of the Virgin Mary made during her lifetime, attributed to the hand of the Apostle Luke. After it was painted, the holy image was passed to Theophilus, a disciple of the Evangelist Luke, in Antioch. After his repose, the icon was transferred to Jerusalem. Later, in the 5th century, the image took an honored place in the Blachernae church built specially for it in Constantinople, where it remained until 1383, when it mysteriously disappeared from the church.

According to tradition, traces of the missing icon were found on the shores of Lake Ladoga near the town of Tikhvin. A church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos was built at the site of its appearance, and some time later a men's monastery was established nearby.

Many copies of the Tikhvin Icon exist.

This icon is said to help women, aiding conception, a healthy pregnancy, and easy childbirth. It is also invoked by those suffering from mental illness, seizures, and paralysis.