Our Lady of Kazan, is a holy icon of the highest stature within the Russian Orthodox Church and considered a palladium of Russia for centuries, until its theft and likely destruction in 1904. The icon represents the Virgin Mary as the protector and patroness of the city of Kazan. It is a close-up variant of the Hodegetria (Directress) style, it is noted mainly for the Child standing, with the Virgin chest-length. The Kazan icons are traditionally small, following the original. The Kazan icon was very popular in Russia, especially as a wedding gift, and many copies were made in the design of the original. Two major Kazan Cathedrals, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, are consecrated to Our Lady of Kazan, as are numerous churches throughout the land. Her feast days are July 21 and November 4.
A small figure on the left is St. Mary of Egypt.
Saint Mary of Egypt (ca. 344 – ca. 421) lived an extremely dissolute life but was struck with remorse, and upon seeing an icon of the Virgin Mary in Jerusalem gave up the world to become an ascetic. She is revered as the patron saint of penitents, most particularly in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic churches, as well as in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. Patronage: Chastity (warfare against the flesh; deliverance from carnal passions); deliverance from Demons; Fever; Skin diseases; Temptations of the flesh. Her feast day is commemorated by the Church on April 1.
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