Icon "Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos"

The icon is a particular type of the Orans Mother of God (from the Latin orans — "one who prays"), shown with the Lord Jesus Christ upon her breast.

The icon has the "flesh" areas of the Mother of God and Christ painted, set in a relief metal riza covering everything else.

The icon shows a three-quarter-length, frontal image of the Mother of God in a bordered tunic and a maphorion with applied stars set with red glass beads; around her head is an applied radiant halo. Both of the Mother of God's hands, palms open, are bent at the elbow and raised in a gesture of adoration (prayer). On her breast is a three-quarter-length, frontal image of the Infant Christ in a chiton and himation, his right hand raised in blessing, a scroll in his left. Christ's figure is illumined by rays, with a halo around his head.

At the top of the icon, to the left and right of the Mother of God's halo, are the Church Slavonic inscriptions "MR" / "ΘU" and "SIGN / OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD."

The icon's frame is a lavish relief floral ornament of leaves and scrollwork.

The icon panel is reinforced with two inset battens (now lost).

The icon was seized at the Boryspil customs post. It entered the museum by decision of the State Customs Committee of Ukraine and the National Committee for the Return of Cultural Property to Ukraine under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in 1995.

Legend: the "Sign" Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most venerated icons in Orthodoxy; this image is among the oldest and is considered a source of special grace. Prayer before it is said to bring calm, spiritual strength, and help in difficult life situations. It is an unseen support for everyone who seeks intercession and turns to the Mother of God with faith and sincerity.