. It is one of the most venerated Orthodox icons and a fine and early example of the iconography of the "Eleusa" (tenderness) type, with the Christ child snuggling up to his mother's cheek. The "Theotokos" (Greek for Virgin Mary, literally meaning "Birth-Giver of God") is regarded as the holy protectress of Russia. The icon is displayed in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow in a functioning church in the grounds of the museum. Her feast day is June 23rd o.s. / July 6th n.s