Icons of the Mother of God
The Vladimir Mother of God
Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
Θεοτόκος του Βλαντιμίρ · Влади́мїрскаѧ ꙶ҆кѡ́на Бж҃їѧ Ма́тере · Владимирская икона Божией Матери
The Vladimir Mother of God is remembered on 26 August (8 September on the Old Calendar). Orthodox Christians pray to the Vladimir Mother of God for the protection of the country from invasion and enemies, peace for one's land and the strengthening of faith.
Feast days
- Feast
- Meeting of the icon in Moscow; deliverance from Tamerlane (1395)
- Kept on
- 26 August (8 September on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
- Feast
- Deliverance from Khan Akhmat (Standing on the Ugra, 1480)
- Kept on
- 23 June (6 July on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
- Feast
- Deliverance of Moscow from Khan Makhmet-Girey (1521)
- Kept on
- 21 May (3 June 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
By tradition the Vladimir icon was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Saviour, His Mother and Joseph ate. It came from Constantinople to Kiev in the twelfth century, was brought to Vladimir by St Andrew Bogoliubsky, and gave the icon its name. In 1395, when Tamerlane marched on Moscow, the icon was carried to the city while the people knelt along the road crying, "Mother of God, save the land of Russia!" That same hour Tamerlane saw the Mother of God in a dream and turned back. Twice more, in 1480 and 1521, Moscow was spared before this icon, and three feasts keep the memory. The tender image of the Child pressing His cheek to His Mother's is the archetype of the Eleousa icons. Orthodox Christians pray before it for the protection of their homeland, for peace and for deliverance from enemies.
What the faithful ask of the Vladimir Mother of God
The faithful pray for
- the protection of the country from invasion and enemies
- peace for one's land
- the strengthening of faith
- deliverance from danger and calamity
- the safety of soldiers defending their homeland
- the unity of one's people
- the tender love between mother and child, after the 'Eleousa' (Tenderness) type of the icon
The Vladimir Mother of God protects
- Moscow and Russia from invasion
- from foreign conquerors
- from war and devastation
- the faithful who flee to her protection
Patron of
- Moscow
- Russia
- the defenders of the homeland
Miracles
In 1395 Tamerlane, advancing on Moscow, saw in a dream a radiant Woman command him to leave Russia, on the very day Moscow met the Vladimir icon, and turned his armies back.
Source: OCA: Commemoration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
In 1480 the hordes of Khan Akhmat withdrew from the Ugra River without battle, through prayer before the Vladimir icon.
Where the traditions differ
Primarily a Russian feast; the Greek Church honors the icon type (Eleousa) but does not keep the three Moscow feasts.
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Related saints
Questions
When is the feast day of the Vladimir Mother of God?
Meeting of the icon in Moscow; deliverance from Tamerlane (1395): 26 August (8 September on the Old Calendar); Deliverance from Khan Akhmat (Standing on the Ugra, 1480): 23 June (6 July on the Old Calendar); Deliverance of Moscow from Khan Makhmet-Girey (1521): 21 May (3 June on the Old Calendar).
What do Orthodox Christians pray to the Vladimir Mother of God for?
Orthodox Christians pray to the Vladimir Mother of God for the protection of the country from invasion and enemies, peace for one's land, the strengthening of faith, deliverance from danger and calamity, the safety of soldiers defending their homeland and the unity of one's people.
What is the Vladimir Mother of God the patron of?
The Vladimir Mother of God is the patron of Moscow, Russia and the defenders of the homeland.
What does the Vladimir Mother of God protect from?
The Vladimir Mother of God protects Moscow and Russia from invasion, from foreign conquerors, from war and devastation and the faithful who flee to her protection.
Sources
- OCA: Commemoration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God (read 14 October 2026)
- Азбука веры: Владимирская икона Божией Матери (read 14 October 2026)