Icons of the Mother of God
The Feodorovskaya Mother of God
Feodorovskaya (St Theodore) Icon of the Mother of God
Θεοτόκος η Φεοντόροφσκαγια · Ѳеѡ́дѡровскаѧ ꙶ҆кѡ́на Бж҃їѧ Ма́тере · Феодоровская икона Божией Матери
The Feodorovskaya Mother of God is remembered on 14 March (27 March on the Old Calendar). Orthodox Christians pray to the Feodorovskaya Mother of God for a safe delivery in a difficult childbirth, a healthy pregnancy and the gift of children to childless couples.
Feast days
- Feast
- Election of Tsar Michael Romanov (1613)
- Kept on
- 14 March (27 March on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
- Feast
- Finding of the icon in Kostroma
- Kept on
- 16 August (29 August on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
The New Calendar is kept by the Greek, Antiochian, Romanian and Bulgarian churches, the OCA and most converts; the Old Calendar by the Russian, Serbian and Georgian churches, Jerusalem and Mount Athos, 13 days later on the civil calendar.
The story of the icon
The Feodorovskaya icon takes its name from the Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates, in whose church it was kept and in whose form it was revealed to Prince Vasily of Kostroma in the thirteenth century. Before this icon, on 14 March 1613, the nun Martha gave her son Michael Romanov her leave to accept the throne, and so it became the family icon of the Romanovs. Princesses who joined the Orthodox Church on marrying into the dynasty took the patronymic Feodorovna in its honor, and the Passion-bearer Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna loved it deeply. The icon remains in Kostroma. St Ambrose of Optina taught that by Orthodox tradition women facing a difficult birth turn to the Mother of God through this icon. Orthodox Christians pray before it for safe childbirth, for the gift of children and for the wellbeing of the family.
What the faithful ask of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God
The faithful pray for
- a safe delivery in a difficult childbirth
- a healthy pregnancy
- the gift of children to childless couples
- the wellbeing of the family
- the raising of children in faith
- healing from grave illness
- the protection of brides entering a new family
The Feodorovskaya Mother of God protects
- mothers and infants in childbirth
- the family hearth
- the city of Kostroma and its people
- from enemy invasion, as at the battle of the Holy Lake
Patron of
- expectant mothers
- women in childbirth
- families
- the house of Romanov
- the city of Kostroma
Miracles
On 14 March 1613 the nun Martha, before the Feodorovskaya icon, gave her young son Michael Romanov her leave to accept the throne, ending the Time of Troubles; the feast was set on that day.
St Ambrose of Optina advised a woman fearing a difficult birth that, by Orthodox tradition, one turns to the Mother of God through the Feodorovskaya icon.
Where the traditions differ
A Russian icon; the childbirth patronage is Russian Orthodox tradition (attested by St Ambrose of Optina), not known in Greek usage.
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Prayed to for
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Questions
When is the feast day of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God?
Election of Tsar Michael Romanov (1613): 14 March (27 March on the Old Calendar); Finding of the icon in Kostroma: 16 August (29 August on the Old Calendar).
What do Orthodox Christians pray to the Feodorovskaya Mother of God for?
Orthodox Christians pray to the Feodorovskaya Mother of God for a safe delivery in a difficult childbirth, a healthy pregnancy, the gift of children to childless couples, the wellbeing of the family, the raising of children in faith and healing from grave illness.
What is the Feodorovskaya Mother of God the patron of?
The Feodorovskaya Mother of God is the patron of expectant mothers, women in childbirth, families, the house of Romanov and the city of Kostroma.
What does the Feodorovskaya Mother of God protect from?
The Feodorovskaya Mother of God protects mothers and infants in childbirth, the family hearth, the city of Kostroma and its people and from enemy invasion, as at the battle of the Holy Lake.
Sources
- Азбука веры: Феодоровская икона Божией Матери (read 14 October 2026)
- Амвросий Оптинский: Советы супругам и родителям (read 14 October 2026)
- Zakon.kz: Feodorovskaya icon in Almaty (words of Metropolitan Alexander) (read 14 October 2026)