The Theotokos of Vladimir

THE icon came originally from Constantinople, a gift from Emperor John II Komnenos to Yuri Dolgoruky, Grand Prince of Kiev. Yuri entrusted it to the Vyshgorod monastery in Kiev, but in 1169 his son and successor Andrey, Prince of Vladimir, ransacked Kiev and took the icon home. Vladimir subsequently survived an attack by the Horde in 1238, and though the icon was damaged all seemed providential after the Horde sacked Kiev two years later and Kiev’s clergy, leaders of Christian Rus’, found sanctuary in Vladimir.

The Bishops transferred to Moscow in 1325, bringing with them a deep-seated veneration of the icon. Kiprian’s thoughts turned to it when Tamerlane was at the gates; Grand Duke Vasily Ivanovich gathered Moscow’s people to pray before the icon when Mehmed I, Khan of Kazan, besieged the city in 1521. Mehmed too suddenly pulled out, and Kazan was defeated soon after. Ever since, the Vladimir icon has been venerated as a sign of God’s favour to all Christian Rus’.

by Clay Lane

With acknowledgements to ‘Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God’ at OrthoChristian.
Précis
The miraculous icon came to Vladimir in the twelfth century, from Constantinople by way of Kiev. It was brought to Moscow when the Golden Horde rose against the city in 1395 and 1480, and again when the Khanate of Kazan threatened in 1521. On every occasion, the enemy withdrew without pursuing their advantage.
Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Why is the miraculous icon known by the name ‘Vladimir’?

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Emperor John gave Yuri Dolgoruky an icon. Yuri’s son Andrey took it to Vladimir.

Tags

Lives of the Saints 187 History 957 Russian History 57 Russia 63 History of Icons 15 Bible and Saints 217

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