Ukrainian Icon: Mother of God Oranta, Holy Sophia Kyiv (6.3x4 in Wood Reproduction)

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This wooden reproduction of the Kyiv Oranta, the icon of the Mother of God "Unbreakable Wall," will not only adorn your home iconostasis but will also fill you with firm faith and hope for the help of the Heavenly Intercessor.

The name of the mosaic icon “Unbreakable Wall” arose among the people due to the ancient belief that “as long as the Mother of God raises her hands to heaven, Kyiv will stand” (reminiscent of Moses standing with his hands raised during the battle with the Amalekites (Isaiah 17:1). Moreover, Prince Yaroslav the Wise built the Kiev Cathedral of Saint Sophia in honor of the victory over the Pechenegs on the very spot where the decisive battle took place.
The mosaic icon from 1037, which can be seen in the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, is called "The Unbreakable Wall" and is a perfect example of the Oranta iconographic type.

It was created by Byzantine masters. The tradition of placing a monumental image of the Mother of God in the conch of the apse (the dome above the altar) is borrowed from the churches of Constantinople.

The word "oranta" means "praying." Even during the Roman Empire, when the catacombs served as temples for the early Christians, figures with raised, open palms were depicted on the walls. This gesture is called "adoration" and symbolizes the process of prayer performed by the soul.

The painting is painted on wood with printing inks and varnish. Dimensions: 6.3 x 4 in (160 x 100 mm)