Ancient Russian icon Madonna 3 Hands 19th century 43x37.5cm restored

Ancient Russian icon Madonna 3 Hands 19th century 43x37.5cm restored. This orthodox Russian icon tells the story of John Damaskin, who, after being accused of a crime and at the behest of the caliph, had his right hand cut off. Although innocent, he was still forced to pay and the limb was hung in the town square as a warning to all the inhabitants. In the throes of suffering, John asked for its return and after obtaining it, he placed the limb in its place and began to pray in front of an image of the Virgin Mother. It was at that point that the Madonna appeared to him and told him that he had been healed. After some time, the man was ordained a monk and, to pay homage to the miraculous event of his recovery, he built and attached a silver hand under the sacred image of the Virgin. Later, the monastery where he had become a monk gave the icon to Saul, the archbishop of Serbia. Some time later, during the siege of the Turks, the monks, to save the image, decided to entrust it to a donkey, in the hope that it would escape away from the enemy. And so it was. The donkey wandered alone until it reached Mount Athos and then stopped in front of the Hilendarsij monastery. Here, the monks took the icon and during a discussion about who should become parish priest, the Mother of God made it clear with a sign that it was She who should become one. Since then, only vicars have been elected in the Hilendarsij monastery and the monks receive their blessing directly from the icon.Subject: Madonna of the Three HandsOrigin: Choluy-RussiaTechnique: egg temperaMaterials: wood-levkasPeriod: 19th centuryRestoration date: 21st centuryMeasurements: 43x37.5x2 cm.The icon is shipped with a protective case and an expert's report.