Holy Icons of the Mother of God Commemorated on April 13
As you know, there are many holy icons of the Mother of God venerated by Orthodox Christian believers throughout the world, and three of the most important of them are commemorated this year today, on April 13. We are now talking about antique icons of the Iver Mother of God, the Mother of God of Pochaev, and the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring. Let’s take a closer look at each of these beautiful holy icons!
Icon of the Iver Mother of God
Among all holy icons of the Mother of God, the icon of the Iver Mother of God (see photo above) is one of the most significant. According to the Christian belief, the first antique icon of this type, which is also called Panagia Portaitissa, was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist in the 1st century. It is currently preserved in the Monastery of Iviron on Mount Athos, though the copies of this important Orthodox icon can be found worldwide.
Icon of the Mother of God of Pochaev
The miracle-working icon of the Mother of God of Pochaev is one of the most revered holy icons of the Theotokos in the world. Over the past 400 years, it has been kept in the Pochaev Monastery, the second largest men’s monastery in Ukraine, hence its name. It is also worth noting that this antique icon, which was painted in the late Byzantine style, is venerated not only by Orthodox Christian believers but by Catholics too.
Icon of the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring
The Orthodox icon of the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring represents a highly venerated image of the Theotokos with Christ Child, sitting in the miracle-working spring that is often depicted in the shape of the Cross. According to the legend, this spring was discovered by the future-emperor Leo Marcellus in the 5th century outside the Golden Gate of Constantinople, and it still survives today, with one of the best icons of the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring placed above it.
In addition to these three holy icons of the Mother of God, the Eastern Orthodox Church also commemorates today St. Innokentiy (Veniaminov), Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, St. Jonah, Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, Hieromartyr Hypatius, Bishop of Gangra, and several other saints. It is needless to say that there are Eastern Orthodox icons depicting each of them, and they all are highly venerated by Christian believers.