“Tenderness” Icon of the Mother of God

Commemorated on October 7.

The “Tenderness” Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God was found in the monastery of the caves in 1521, and was transferred to the city of Pskov by the pious Christians Basil and Theodore. The Icon is particularly renowned for the deliverance of Pskov and the Pskov Caves monastery from the army of Stephen Bathory (1533-1586) in 1581. It is commemorated on May 21, June 23, August 26, October 7, and on the Seventh Sunday of Pascha.

The Tenderness Icon of the Mother of God is of the Eleousa (Umilenie) type, and is regarded as the patroness of the city of Pskov.

The October 7 commemoration was established in thanksgiving for the deliverance of Pskov from the invading army of Napoleon in 1812.

Troparion

Let all of us, who are burdened with sins, fall on our knees before the Theotokos,
bowing before her wonderworking Icon of Tenderness,
kissing it and crying aloud with tears:
“O Sovereign Lady, accept the prayer of your unworthy servants,
and grant to us who ask, your great mercy.”

Kontakion

We have no other help, we have no other hope but you, O Lady.
Help us, for in you do we hope,
and of you do we boast, for we are your servants.
Let us not be put to shame.