Mother of God “Graced of Heaven”
Blessed Sky (Russian: Благодатное Небо, romanized: Blagodatnoe Nebo) is an icon of the Virgin mary, a Marian apparition[1]
The "Graced of Heaven" icon is rare in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It is an akathist type icon. There are many versions with different names.[1]
Origin[edit]
The icon shows the Queen of Heaven. It is based on St. John the Apostle's vision in Revelation. The icon depicts a woman with the sun, moon, and stars. She is often seen as the symbol of the holy church. The icon is used for prayers about faith and heresy.[1]
The icon's style began in Germany in the 15th century. It spread in Western art. An older icon, "The Maid Shrouded in the Sun," may be related. The original "Graced of Heaven" icon is lost. Some copies are considered miraculous.[1]
Adoption in Russia[edit]
One of the oldest Russian icons is from the 1640s. It was made for the Holy Trinity Church in Nikitinki, Moscow. This icon is different. It does not have sun rays or a crescent. It shows St. George of Choziba and St. Andrew of Crete praying.[1]
The "What Name we Thee?" icon is another important version. It was made in the 1680s. Tsar Alexei Romanov placed it in the Archangel Cathedral in Moscow. Its name comes from a prayer to the Mother of God. This prayer is written on the icon.[1]
Metropolitan Philaret Drozdov declared the icon miraculous in 1853.[1]
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
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