Icon Mother of God Pokrow and the Roman legend

The icon presented (size 34.0cm x 28.0cm) depicts the Mother of God Pokrow and the Roman legend.

On the topic: The Maphorion of the Mother of God was kept in the Blachernen Church in Constantinople. The Maphorion of the Mother of God, which was venerated as a precious Marian relic in the Blachernen Church in Constantinople, is said to have saved the city from the attack of Slavic invaders in 860. Many other legends about Mary's veil are linked to this miracle. One of these stories, which was written in the 10th century, tells of an apparition that is said to have occurred to Saint Andrew (d. 936). Andreas attended the nightly service in the Blachernen Church, accompanied by his student Epiphanias.

He saw the Mother of God emerging from the Holy Door of the iconostasis with angels and saints. Mary takes her veil from her head, holds it and prays for the protection of the people.

In the upper left part of the picture there is Jesus Christ in an aureole with his hand raised in blessing.

In the lower right part of the icon is the vision of Saint Andrew, which forms the background of a festival that the Russian Church included in its liturgical calendar in the 13th century.
She celebrates this festival on October 1st under the name “Pokrov”.

On the same day, the Orthodox Church also celebrates the feast of Saint Romanos, a hymn writer from Constantinople 6th century lived.

It therefore became custom to include the image of this saint in the Pokrov icons, so this composition was created for a double festival.

In the center of the lower half of the picture we see Saint Romanos standing on a pedestal. On the right the fool Andreas is pictured with his student.

In the lower left part of the picture the patriarch, the clergy of Hagia Sophia, the emperor and the empress are depicted.

In the upper edge of the icon is the title in Church Slavonic script.

Assignment:
The icon presented is painted in egg tempera colors and comes from the hand of a Moscow iconographer from around 1800- 1820.
Except for a few color adjustments, original condition.

A high quality collector's item!