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Theotokos of Tender Mercy ("Eleusa")

The icons of the "Tender Mercy" or "Eleusa" type show Christ Child pressing his left cheek close to the right cheek of his Mother. Here the Theotokos again represents the Church of Christ, thereby displaying the fullness of love between God and man, a love that can only be achieved within the bosom of church, the Mother. Love here bridges heaven and earth, the things of God and the things of men; and this unity is expressed in the touching of the faces and the halos. The Theotokos is pensive, as she presses her Son to herself. She envisions His way of the cross, His life full of sufferings. Among the icons of this type, "Our Lady of Vladimir" is the one most widely known and loved by believers. It is not accidental, that this very icon has become one of the greatest of holy Russian objects. There are several reasons for this, including its ancient origin; again associated with the name of the Evangelist Luke, and the numerous events related to its transfer from Kiev to Vladimir and later to Moscow, as well as multiple occasions of the delivery of Moscow from the plundering raids of the Mongol hordes. However, the very character of the icon found a positive response in the hearts of the Russian people. The idea of sacrificial service for people has always been near and dear to Russians. The exalted grief of the Theotokos who has brought her Son into this world of cruelty and sufferings, and her pain are very much in keeping with the innermost feelings of the common Russian people.

Size 8"wide by 10" tall

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