Handmade in Portugal • Free worldwide shipping • Ships to USA in 5–7 business days
Icon of the Mother of God "Blessed Womb" (The Nursing Mother)
First Half of the 19th Century
With Saints Nicholas the Wonderworker, Samon, Gurias, and Abibus
Museum-Quality Reproduction | Rare Italian-Influenced Iconography
The Icon of the Mother of God "Blessed Womb" (also known as "Womb of Birth," Bargradskaya, Barlovskaya, or Barbarskaya — referring to its origin from the city of Bari, Italy) is a rare and beloved miracle-working image venerated in the Russian Orthodox Church. This icon belongs to the "Mlekopitatelnitsa" (Milk-Giver) iconographic type, depicting the Most Holy Theotokos nursing the Christ Child.
Unique Iconography
The icon shows a distinctive and intimate scene: the Mother of God is seated on the ground upon a cushion, in a posture of maternal tenderness and humility. The Christ Child is pressed close to Her breast, and with His right hand He gently holds it while nursing. This unusual composition reflects Italian Renaissance influence blended with Orthodox tradition. According to art historians Nikodim Kondakov and Nikolai Likhachev, the icon bears features of Italian painting, and its ornamental details suggest it is a copy of an Italian or Dalmatian original from the first third of the 14th century.
On the margins of this 19th-century icon are depicted the attending saints: Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker (protector of children and families), and the Holy Martyrs Samon, Gurias, and Abibus (known as protectors of marriage and family life).
Spiritual Significance and Prayers
The "Blessed Womb" icon is especially venerated by mothers and families, as it represents the Theotokos in her most tender maternal role — nourishing the Divine Child who came to nourish the world with the Bread of Life.
Orthodox Christians pray before this icon for:
-
Safe childbirth and healthy pregnancy — protection during labor and delivery
-
Health of newborn children — the Theotokos's blessing upon infants
-
Help with infertility — seeking the Mother of God's intercession for the gift of children
-
Successful breastfeeding — nursing mothers seeking blessing and sufficient milk for their babies
-
Healing of breast diseases — protection from mastitis and other ailments
-
Gynecological health — women's reproductive and maternal health
-
Family harmony and peace — the icon is said to grant "spiritual milk" — nourishment for the soul
-
Mutual understanding between spouses — resolving family conflicts with gentleness
The icon emphasizes that mothers and infants always receive the strongest protection and shelter from the Virgin Mary, who understands the joys and struggles of motherhood intimately.
A Blessing for Mothers and Families
This icon, reproduced from a precious first-half 19th-century original, is an essential image for:
- Expectant mothers and families awaiting children
- New mothers and nursing mothers
- Women struggling with infertility or maternal health issues
- Families seeking peace, love, and understanding
- Nurseries, maternity hospitals, and homes with young children
Feast Days: December 26 (December 13 Old Style) and on the Sunday of All Saints
May the Most Holy Theotokos "Blessed Womb," who nourished the Savior of the world, bless and protect all mothers and children with her maternal love and heavenly care.
🖼 Product Features
Each icon in our workshop is made to last a lifetime and beyond. The image is printed with rich, fade-resistant pigment inks on a premium solid-core wood panel — then hand-finished with a natural beeswax coating that deepens the colors, protects the surface, and gives each piece the warm, reverent quality of a traditionally crafted sacred object. A metal hanging hook is included on the back, so your icon is ready to display the moment it arrives.
- Crafted on a premium wood panel — 1.6 cm (0.6") thick, sturdy yet lightweight
- Fade-resistant pigment print — rich, true-to-life colors that last for generations
- Natural beeswax finish — hand-applied for depth, protection, and a traditional feel
- Ready to hang — metal hook pre-attached on the reverse
- Hand-finished by Orthodox Christian artisans in Portugal
📏 Available Sizes
• Small – 12 x 15 cm (5” x 6”)
• Medium – 23 x 30 cm (9” x 12”)
• Large – 30 x 39 cm (12” x 15”)
🎁 Perfect For
• Meaningful Orthodox Christian gifts
• Housewarming and family blessings
• Prayer corners and devotional spaces
• Baptisms, name days, weddings, and feast days
🌍 Worldwide Delivery
Securely packed and shipped worldwide from Portugal with tracking.
✨ Crafted with Tradition
Each icon is carefully made by Orthodox Christian artisans in Portugal — created to become a lasting blessing for your home or a treasured gift for someone you love.
The name of this icon in different languages⬅️
- Chinese (Simplified): “蒙福之胎”圣母像（哺乳者）
- Czech: Ikona Matky Boží „Požehnané lůno“ (Kojící Matka)
- Danish: Ikon af Guds Moder "Velsignet moderliv" (Den ammende Moder)
- Dutch: Icoon van de Moeder Gods "Gezegende Schoot" (De voedende Moeder)
- English: Icon of the Mother of God "Blessed Womb" (The Nursing Mother Milk-Giver)
- Estonian: Jumalaema ikoon „Õnnistatud ihu“ (Imetav Ema)
- Finnish: Jumalanäidin ikoni "Siunattu kohtu" (Imettävä Äiti)
- French: Icône de la Mère de Dieu « Sein béni » (La Mère allaitante)
- German: Ikone der Gottesmutter „Gesegneter Schoß“ (Die stillende Mutter)
- Greek: Εικόνα της Θεοτόκου «Ευλογημένη Κοιλία» (Η Γαλακτοτροφούσα)
- Italian: Icona della Madre di Dio "Grembo benedetto" (Madre che allatta)
- Japanese: 生神女のイコン「祝福された胎」（授乳する母）
- Latvian: Dievmātes ikona „Svētīts klēpis“ (Barojošā Māte)
- Lithuanian: Dievo Motinos ikona „Palaimintas įsčios“ (Žindanti Motina)
- Norwegian: Ikon av Guds Mor "Velsignet liv" (Den ammende mor)
- Polish: Ikona Matki Bożej „Błogosławione łono” (Karmiąca Matka)
- Portuguese: Ícone da Mãe de Deus "Ventre Abençoado" (Mãe que amamenta)
- Romanian: Icoana Maicii Domnului „Pântece binecuvântat” (Maica care alăptează)
- Russian: Икона Божией Матери «Благословенное Чрево» (Млекопитательница)
- Serbian: Икона Богородице „Благословена утроба“ (Млекопитатељица)
- Slovak: Ikona Bohorodičky „Požehnané lono“ (Dojčiaca Matka)
- Slovenian: Ikona Božje Matere »Blagoslovljena maternica« (Doječa Mati)
- Spanish: Icono de la Madre de Dios "Vientre Bendito" (Madre lactante)
- Swedish: Ikon av Guds Moder "Välsignad livmoder" (Den ammande modern)
- Ukrainian: Ікона Божої Матері «Благословенне Лоно» (Млекопитательниця)
