Our Lady of the Sign (Novgorod)

The Znamenie, also known as Our Lady of the Sign, is an iconic piece of religious art dating back to the first half of the 12th century. Created in medieval Novgorod, it holds a special place in the Russian Orthodox Church and the North-West region of Russia. This icon became a symbol of Novgorod's independence and republican spirit, due in part to a legendary event that elevated its status.

The icon depicts the Virgin Mary with her hands raised in prayer, with the holy infant enclosed within a circular frame on her chest. It is a double-sided piece, featuring Saints Joachim and Anne on the reverse. In the 17th century, Macarius, the Metropolitan of Moscow, restored the icon. Although some of the original paint has faded, traces remain visible on parts of the Virgin's dress and the circle surrounding Jesus.

The origins of the Znamenie icon are somewhat mysterious. Its miraculous reputation is said to have been cemented during the siege of Novgorod in 1170 by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky's army. This dramatic event has become a key part of the icon's history. Over the centuries, the icon has been housed in various churches, and it currently resides in the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Novgorod.

Many copies of the Znamenie icon exist across Russia, with some also believed to possess miraculous qualities. The story of Novgorod's miraculous deliverance has been passed down through generations, ensuring the icon's enduring significance in Russian religious and cultural history.