An icon is not just a graphic depiction of a saint. This is a sacred object, filled with special meaning from the point of view of a Christian. Many traditions are associated with the icons, which I want to believe in - they say that they appeared somewhere miraculously, that the sick were healed near them, and the sinners comprehended the joy of repentance.
One of the most revered and beloved by the people saints in Russia has always been the Mother of God, therefore there are especially many Virgin Mary icons, and they are diverse: Kazan icon, Fedorov icon, Vladimir, Unexpected joy, Softening of evil hearts
.one of these icons is called the Unbreakable Wall.
Image history
The peculiarity of this icon is that the Mother of God is depicted here without a baby in her arms. Here, in her image, it is emphasized not so much the maternal principle as the intercession of the holy virgin, which she promises to Christians. The Mother of God on this icon stands in full growth on a quadrangular golden stone, raising his hands, as if praying for all Christians. Such an image is called Our Lady of Orant (from the Latin word orans - "praying").
The original icon is in Kiev, in St. Sophia Cathedral. It is a large mosaic image located in the vaulted part of the central apse of the cathedral.
Laid down during the time of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, the Sophia Cathedral in Kiev for eight centuries of its existence could not remain unscathed. Its various parts were repeatedly destroyed, restored - but this does not apply to the central apse, where the mosaic image of the Virgin is located. Such safety can already be considered a miracle! That is why the image received the epithet “Unbreakable Wall” and gained fame as miraculous. In Kiev, they believe that the city will not perish as long as the icon exists.
Such a name also has an association with an excerpt from the song of the 9th Canon of the Prayer to the Mother of God: "The refuge and intercession of the recruiting buddies to You, Virgo, and the wall is unbreakable, the refuge is also cover and merriment."
