The miracle sign (Znamemie) can be traced back to an ancient gesture used in the catacombs:
Maria as the body of the Christian Church, arms raised in prayer, bearing before her breast an aureole showing Emanuel Jesus Christ, alive within the Church. Isaiah 7.14
states “Therefore the Lord himself shall give unto you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”. The Mother of God is
shown in half-figure representation. Her shawl, the maphorion, is easily recognizable. The child too has both its hands raised in blessing, though it is usually shown blessing with
its right hand only, the fingers forming the initials, while in its left hand it holds the scroll with the laws. This Mother of God icon is common in all of Russia and is often
looked upon as the defender of the suppressed. To it too, miracles are ascribed and holy days dedicated.
