The miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, called «Hodegetria-Smolensk», has been known in Rus' since ancient times. Hodegetria (from Greek — guide) — is one of the most common images of the Blessed Mother of God with a baby.
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God — is one of the most important shrines of the Russian land. Believers have received and are receiving abundant gracious help from her.
The Greek Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh (Porphyrogen), passing off his daughter, Princess Anna, as the Chernigov prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich in 1046, blessed her on her journey with the miraculous icon Hodegetria.
After the death of Prince Vsevolod, his son Vladimir Monomakh moved the icon from Chernigov to Smolensk. Since 1111, the icon has been kept in the Smolensk Cathedral Church, where the modern name of the icon comes from. With the help of the icon of the Mother of God, the pious Prince Vladimir Monomakh humbled the rebellious appanage princes and, having become the Grand Duke of Kyiv, established peace and tranquility in Rus' with his strong right hand.
Residents of the city, seeing the inevitable death and unable to repel the formidable enemy, turned to the Mother of God with fervent prayer. Our Lady heard their prayers and granted salvation to the city for the sake of Her icon «Hodegetria» through Her faithful servant, the pious warrior Mercury, who, having entered the camp of Batu at night and killed many enemies, including their strongest warrior, protected the inhabitants of the city.