Theotokos of the Sign

November 27th
Troparion (Tone 4)
Thou art an impregnable wall and a source of miracles enabling us to subdue enemy attacks, O Mother of God. Wherefore we pray thee grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion (Tone 8)
We celebrate the venerable Icon of the Sign, most holy Mother of God, whereby thou didst grant thy city a wonderful victory over its enemies. Wherefore we cry to thee with faith: Rejoice, O Virgin, thou boast of Christians.

The first icon of this type was a marble relief in Blachernae Church in Constantinople. In 1170, as Novgorod was under siege, Archbishop John heard a voice tell him to put an icon of this type on the city wall. A Suzdal arrow struck it and it began to shed tears and Mary turned her face toward the city as a "sign" that she was interceding for the city. The invasion was repelled. Christ is portrayed as enthroned in Mary's womb.  The following saints are around the frame, clockwise from the top right: St. Tatiana, St. Anastasia of Rome, St. Nicholas, St. Alexander of Kharkhov the New Martyr, and St. Paul the New of Constantinople. 

This Icon is by the hand of Paul Drozdowski of Mt. Laurel, NJ.  This icon is in the collection of Protodeacon Paul Bilibin, of Seattle, WA.  The saints placed around the frame of this icon are the patron saints of the Bilibin family.  

Order # drz-07

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