- Virgin Orans
"Virgin Orans" (The Great
Panagia ) ( _uk. Оранта) is a famous Orthodox Christianicon ofVirgin Mary in prayer with extended arms that is stored inSaint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev inUkraine . The 6 meters high image of the Virgin Orans is located in the vault of the chancel. [ [http://travel.kyiv.org/old/churches/uach2_e.htm Kyiv Travel Catalog] ]The
mosaic icon of Virgin Orans was presented in the Cathedral from the very beginning of its foundation byYaroslav I the Wise in 12-th century. It is strongly influenced by theByzantine art , including the solemn and static posture, the folds of the garments and the pensive look on the face. [ [http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/panagia.html The Virgin Orans Great Panagia, Alexander Boguslawski] ]The image is considered as one of the greatest sacred symbols in Ukraine, which defends the people of the country. It is also being called "undestructible wall". [ [http://www.risu.org.ua/ukr/kaleidoscope/digest/article;18327/ Ukrainian RISU Portal, in Ukrainian] ] The legend says, that until
Theotokos is extending Her arms underKyiv , the city will stand undestructible.An embroidered handkerchief on the belt of the Mother of God by the popular view is for wiping away the tears of those who come before it with their problems and concerns. [ [http://www.unicorne.org/orthodoxy/articles/articles_b/weeping(sept24).htm Ukrainian Orthodoxy] ]
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Orans References
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