ANTIQUE c.19th CENT. UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX MEDAL MOTHER OF GOD and SAINTS OF KYIV

Antique medium-sized (approx. 1" tall with bale) two-sided Orthodox medal pendant featuring a Hodegetria icon of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus (obverse) and two venerated Orthodox Saints, Anthony and Theodosius of Kyiv who were founders of Kyiv Monastery of the Caves (reverse). Origin likely c. late 19th century Kiev of the Russian Empire (now Kyiv of Ukraine). The medal appears to have been made from a historical copper alloy. It shows visible signs of wear and age including deformations, reduced quality of images and inscriptions, superficial cracks or scratches, dents, and patches of patina/oxidation. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using a complex procedure of cleaning and polishing. The size of the pendant is shown on the photographs for this listing.      

One side bears a reproduction  of the icon of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus known as  "Hodegetria", which translates from Greek as "She who shows the Way". This is an ancient iconographic depiction of Mary as the Mother of God holding the Child Jesus at Her side while pointing to Him as the Way to salvation for humankind.  The image is marked with  the traditional four-letter Greek abbreviation "MP ΘY" meaning "Mother of God". 

The other side shows an icon  of the two venerated Orthodox Saints ("Venerables" in the Orthodox tradition), St. Anthony and St. Theodosius, the 11th-century Orthodox monks and founders of the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves (now Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine). Their initials are displayed next to the images as "П.А." (for "Venerable Anthony") and "П.Ф." (for "Venerable Theodosius").

Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The decorative stone and measuring meter are not for sale, and are photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered.  Shipping and handling is free for the continental US.  International shipping is handled by Ebay. International buyers, please ask your shipping questions, if any, prior to buying.  Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.