Our Lady of Kazan Old Russian Style Icon Egg in Gold

The Mother of God of Kazan is one of the most popular depictions of Maria, the Holy Protectress of Russia, in Russia, was known since 1579. This icon is detailed and universal in its concept at the same time. The golden, yellow, crimson and noble dark brown colors are prevailing in the depiction of the Saint family. This deep multi-color palette makes faces and eyes glow from the inside, spiritually expanding the eternal mission of Maria and Her Son to the viewer of the icon. Many legends surrounded the history of this amazing icon. Most of them tell that the image of Mother of God and Her Son was found in the city of the Kazan, completely ruined because the merciless fire in the late XVII century. After a fire destroyed Kazan in 1579, the Virgin appeared in a prophetic dream to a 10-year-old girl named Matrona and told her where to find the precious image again. As instructed, Matrona told the archbishop about her dream, but he would not take her seriously. After two more such dreams, on July 8, 1579, the girl and her mother themselves dug up the image, buried under the ashes of a house, where it had been hidden long before to save it from the Tatars. The unearthed icon looked as bright and beautiful as if it were new. The archbishop repented of his unbelief and took the icon to the Church of St. Nicholas, where a blind man was cured that very day. Hermogen, the priest at this church, later became Metropolitan of Kazan. He brought the icon to Kazan’s Cathedral of the Annunciation and established July 8 as a feast in honor of the Theotokos of Kazan. It is from Hermogen’s chronicle, written at the request of the tsar in 1595 that we know of these events. This gorgeous souvenir egg, which depicts the modern artist`s interpretation of the word-famous icon, is a hand-painted and unique item. This authentic Russian piece of art is made of genuine wood and covered with several lacquer layers to prevent any damages.