Icon; 19th century.

Icon; 19th century.
“Our Lady of Amparo, Patroness of the Church.”
Painting on wood panel.
Measurements: 36 x 31 x 4 cm.
Depiction of the Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrov), one of the most characteristic Marian compositions in the Russian Orthodox tradition. The Virgin appears at the center of a large assembly of saints, angels, and apostles, spreading her omophorion or protective veil over the faithful. In the lower central part, Saint Andrew of Constantinople is depicted, accompanied by his disciple Epiphanius, who, according to tradition, witnessed the Virgin’s apparition at the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople. Also depicted is Saint Romanos the Melodist, a prominent hymnographer of the Eastern Church. In the background is depicted the architecture of the church of Blancherna, the traditional setting of the miracle. Although the story originated in Constantinople, the feast day gained extraordinary importance in the Slavic world, especially in Russia.