Theotokos of Kholm 1125

The Theotokos of Kholm, of uncertain date, was created by Orthodox iconographers and presents the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child. As an object of veneration and national symbol this artwork represents the spiritual and cultural identity of the Ukrainian people. Icons like the Theotokos weren’t just paintings, they were seen as windows into the divine. The gaze of the Virgin, though softened by the wear of time, retains its power to connect the viewer to the sacred, inviting a deeply personal and emotional experience. The history of this piece is also the history of the region. It is thought to have been brought to Kholm, now Chełm, Poland from Kyiv around the 11th century, and later, in the Medieval Period, it was taken to Ukraine. This icon invites us to reflect on how images shape our understanding of faith, identity, and history. It asks us to consider the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, and how these stories are embodied in the art we create and cherish.