Our Lady of Vladimir

The icon of Our Lady of Vladimir is considered to be an 11th century Byzantine work and was brought to Russia in the 12th century, a present from the Patriarch of Constantinople.

 

Because Kiev was exposed to nomadic attacks in the 12th century, the capital was moved to Vladimir and the icon was placed in the Assumption Cathedral there.

 

In the 13th century the Mongols attacked Russia and burnt Vladimir. The Russian army carried the icon and proclaimed their hymn: 'He who places his trust in you, Mother of God, will never perish'. Although the Cathedral was sacked, the icon was miraculously saved.

 

By the 14th century Moscow had ousted Vladimir as the capital of Russia. The Mongol domination continued, however, and in 1395 Grand Duke Basil carried the icon from Vladimir to the Assumption Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin. The Mongols were defeated, and from then until the final victory by Ivan the Great in 1480, Our Lady of Vladimir was repeatedly invoked by the Russian defenders.

 

Revival of the devotion in the West began in 1957 when a teacher discovered the icon in a book of Eastern Christian art. The eyes of the Virgin seemed to reflect the world's sorrows, and it is this feature that brought forth a great idea: Our Lady of Vladimir could be used as a focal point for prayers for Russia, for unity among Christians, and for world peace.

 

Since 1957 devotion to Our Lady of Vladimir has spread rapidly. The Vladimir story has been translated into many languages and millions are now reciting the Vladimir prayer.

 

When praying to Our Lady of Vladimir, we are reminded we are praying in common with millions of fellow Christians throughout the world, including millions of Russians.

 

 

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF VLADIMIR

 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, we honour Your icon before which the Russian people pray. We beg You to look with favour and motherly care on that great country and to lead it to faith and friendship with us all. We are blessed to have Your Russian image in a place of honour, to pray to You and to work with You for the conversion of Russia and the peace of the world.

(Richard Cardinal Cushing, Archbishop of Boston)