Theotokos of Compunction

[ronald j. brotzman]

My friends after reading the biography of St Seraphim of Sarov, I found that the Icon of the Theotokis of the Compunction was very important to this great Russian Saint. I have no history on this and found in the biography that this Icon is celebrated on my birthdate. Could someone in the Russian Church tell me about this wonder working icon, how it was written, where it came from and where it iis now. Is there a source to obtain a print of it? May all have a great Nativity.

[Fr Averky]

Dear in Christ Ronald,

The icon of the Mother of God "Umilenyie," before which St. Seraphim prayed and reposed is unusual in style in that the Theotokos is by herself, and not holding Christ. It is a "New Style" icon, rather than "Byzantine," and most likely painted in oil. Forgive me, but I am a diehard when it comes to how icons are produced. The term "writing" has appeared only in the last twenty years or so, and basically the only people who use it are converts. I have a friend who is an expert on icons, and says he gets so annoyed when he is giving a formal lecture on icon painting, and someone ( more often they are women who "write" icons for a hobby) raises her hand and smugly tells him that, begging his pardon, he is "wrong; "the word is "writing." That never goes over well with him. Part of what he says that icons are rendered with paint brushes and pigment, not with pen and ink on paper. One of our weakness as converts is that all too quickly we become self-proclaimed "experts," and begin to think that we "really have to teach those ethnics" all about Orthodoxy.

I found a site in Russia from which beautiful icons can be ordered. It is the Novo-Tikhon Monastery, and its e-mail address is skit@sestry.com. You will note that they speak of "painting" their icons. The term "writing" to me is simply an affectation. We have hand an icon studio here fro fifty years and we have never used that word. It actually sounds very strange.

The icon shows the Mother of God with her hands crossed as one does when going up to receive the Holy Mysteries. Her eyes are cast downwards. Her robe is a salmon pink, and her veil and cuffs are white. The halo around her head is made up of golden lines which cause the effect of "flashing" as opposed to a simple round halo. There are words formed by letters at the end of the points on the halo, and I cannot quite make them out on the icon at which I am looking, which is a very beautiful porcelain egg from Russia made in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the canonization of St. Seraphim of Sarov. at the end are the words "Bride Unwedded.I will find out and let you know. Umilenye is better translated "Tenderness." However, it could be called "Compunctionate," but we here do not use it.

When our Hierarchs went to Moscow recently and met with Patriarch Alexei II, at one point, His Holiness showed them his private chapel, which has many beautful ancient icons. Archbishop Hilarion of Syndey later told me that the chapel was rather dark, with the only light being that coming from the icon lamps. When they left the chapel, Archbishop Hilarion mentioned that the large main icon looked familiar, but in the darkness, he could not quite make it out. Smiling gently, the Patriarch then said that the icon is the original "Umileniye, and that people had risked their lives to preserve it thorought the Communist era, and when he was enthroned Patriarch twenty years ago, it was secretly given to him.


Do you have an Orthodox name? I would be happy to send you a small printed copy of the most holy icon. Contact me by Private Message, and I shall send it to you

In Christ,

Father Averky

[Nadine Thola]

Father Averky-
I was looking at the post where you mentioned the icon of Theotokos Compunction. What is the history or miracle or meaning of her pose? I'm an iconographer and I'd like to know more about this icon as well as the icon of Theotokos She who is Quick to Hear.
Also, Do you know anything more about St. Rachel, Schema Nun of Borodino Monastery? I've read the book by St. Xenia press.

Thanks!
Nadine