The icon of Theotokos, the one who educated the Master of our Church, is placed in the northern part of the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar, at the entrance of the narthex to the main church. It took its name from a miracle. A monk was unable to light the candle in front of the icon, as a cool breeze kept passing by and put out the fire. After he stopped trying, he decided to leave the temple. At that point Virgin Mary intervened and the monk fell unconscious on the ground.
It is a double-sided icon. The front side depicts Virgin Mary holding Jesus in her arms. Her head is slightly turned to the left, while with her left hand she embraces Jesus and with her right she holds his left foot. The Virgin's garment, with the usual deep violet color, is covered by a purple cloak decorated with bright stars. Christ blesses the faithful with His right hand, while with His left He holds a closed scroll. He is clothed in a snow-white robe, girded by a deep green-colored sash, while an orange robe with gold embroidery is spread over Him. Two angels are depicted in the upper corners of the image.
As far as the iconographic type is concerned, the icon follows the established type of Theotokos Hodegetria. She is differentiated in her right hand, which is not placed near her chest blessing the faithful but holds the foot of the Divine Infant. The same detail is also noticed in other icons of the Palaiologan period. The position of Jesus Christ's left hand is also a detail often found in Palaiologan depictions.
The scene of the Crucifixion is depicted on the reverse of the icon and follows the type of the Orthodox iconography. The crucified Christ dominates the center, with Virgin Mary and Saint John on the left and right. Their faces reflect the sorrow and grief. Behind them we recognize the wall of the city of Jerusalem. Above the cross there are depicted two angels.
The icon of Theotokos of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar is considered to be a copy of the icon of Theotokos Ikosifinissa from the end of the 14th century. The latter is kept in the Monastery of Theotokos Ikosifinissa on the northern slope of Mount Pangaion.
