The Cross Holy Mandylion of Edessa. The Kazan icon of the Mother of God

The cross is dedicated to the city of St. Petersburg, so it is made according to all Russian traditions. One of these traditions is the addition of the image of the Savior with icons of various saints. On the reverse side of the cross, Christ is depicted together with Alexander Nevsky, Xenia of St. Petersburg, Ignatius Bryanchaninov, John of Kronstadt and the Mother of God, and on the front – with Tikhon of Zadonsk, Peter and Andrew the First-Called. The icon was very revered in the capital. In 1693, the famous iconographer, F. F. Ukhtomsky, painted a Non-Hand-made Image, which is located in St. Isaac's Cathedral. The legend says that the image of Christ God was imprinted on one of the pieces of canvas that served the Lord as a towel.

Description of the cross and icon

The Prepared Throne is depicted above the Holy Mandylion of Edessa. This is the Throne on which Christ will ascend, having passed through pain, torment and suffering Many patrons and saints of St. Petersburg are depicted around Jesus. They are located in circles that symbolize Heaven and eternity. In the lower part you can see Tikhon of Zadonsk. Tikhon of Zadonsk – Bishop of Kexholm and Ladoga, who lived for a long time at the court of Elizabeth Petrovna and was her mentor. Many people associate it with such values as:

• love;
• wisdom;
• humility;
• pure mind.

On both sides of the Savior are icons of the apostle Peter, after whom the city is named, and St. Andrew the First-Called. An integral part is an oblique cross, which symbolizes the Russian Navy. Usually, all crosses in Russia were dedicated to the Mother of God, the St. Petersburg Cross is no exception. On it there is a Kazan icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. The Kazan Cathedral was also built in her honor in 1811. Above the Virgin is the prince and patron saint-Alexander Nevsky. His relics still rest in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Even lower is the image of Xenia of St. Petersburg, who chose foolishness in the name of the Savior, for which she was awarded unusual strength and skill. Her grave is located in the Smolensk cemetery, and her icons can be seen in every church. The "All-Russian priest", John of Kronstadt, is located to the right of the Mother of God. I went through life with the view that you need to live in the name of other people. On the right you can see Ignatius Bryanchaninov, who is the founder of the Trinity-Sergius Desert. He left behind many volumes of doctrinal works.