Virgin Elesousa Medium Wood Icon

The icon of the Mother of God Eleousa (Virgin Eleousa), is almost always equated with the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir (Virgin of Vladimir), the treasure of Russia and one of Russia’s most venerated icons. It is also referred to as the Mother of God of Tenderness (Virgin of Tenderness), or as Our Lady of Tenderness. However, «Tenderness» is not a strict translation of the Greek name «Eleousa», because «Eleousa» means «the Merciful». That’s why, in Russia, starting in the XVIth Century, icons of the Mother of God of Tenderness are named Oumilenie, i.e. «of affectionate Tenderness. Eleousa refers to the virtue of Mary, mercy, Oumilenie refers to the sentiment experienced by the Child, following the intervention of his Mother, of affectionate Tenderness. The name Eleousa pertains directly to the Mother, whereas the name Oumilenie pertains to the Child.