Icon of the Mother of God Merciful

Wooden Icon of the Mother of God Merciful (“It is worthy”)

The inscription below: “This image is written from the miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos “It is Worthy” which is on Mount Athos.”


The first icon of the Mother of God “It is worthy” is located on the high place of the altar of the cathedral church of the Kareya monastery on Athos. The time of her appearance is determined in 980, her glorification - in 1864.

One Sunday, an elder who lived not far from Kareya went to the monastery for an all-night vigil. The novice remained in the cell. When night fell, an unknown monk knocked on his door. During the all-night vigil, when it was necessary to sing “Most Honest Cherub...”, both stood before the icon of the Mother of God, called “Merciful,” and the guest noticed that they first sang “It is worthy, as truly, to bless Thee Mother of God, Ever-Blessed and Immaculate and Mother of our God..." While singing this hitherto unheard song, the icon of the Mother of God shone with heavenly light, and the novice cried with emotion. At his request, this wonderful song, for lack of paper, was written down on a stone, which softened like wax under the hand of the wonderful singer. Calling himself Gabriel, the wanderer became invisible. The icon of the Mother of God, in front of which the song “It is worthy” was first sung, was transferred to the cathedral church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kareia (the administrative center of Athos). The slab with the song inscribed on it by the Archangel Gabriel was transferred to Constantinople during the patriarchate of St. Nicholas Chrysovergo († 995, commemorated December 16). Numerous copies of the “It Is Worthy” (“Merciful”) icon are sacredly revered in churches.

It is worthy that they truly bless the Mother of God, the bloodless and unblemished and mother of our God. The most honorable of the Cherubim and the most glorious incomparably of the Seraphim, the incorruptible God of the Word, truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

The icon is made by printing on a wooden board. Paints are mineral, do not fade with time. The thickness of the board is 2 cm. The board is covered with soil by hand. The image is covered with wax. Each icon has a metal mount on the back side so that you can hang the icon on the wall.

Our icons are made by Orthodox craftsmen. You can read more about the technology here: https://iconsofsaints.com/pages/how-is-the-icon-made

We hope it will be a good gift for you and your loved ones.

The products on our site are not intended to denigrate any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. The icon is not an object for the fulfillment of desires or healing.