An orthodox christian icon. This icon is not just a religious object in our family, it is a piece of our history. My mom was always interested in our family tree and in learning about the past generations. She would often sit with her grandmother and ask her questions about where we came from and who our ancestors were.

The story behind the icon, as told by my grand-grand-grandmother, goes back many generations. Her grandmother was getting married, and before the wedding, her mother gave her a blessing. As part of this important tradition, she made an icon from wood and painted it herself. In Orthodox culture, it was very meaningful for parents to bless their child before marriage, and this icon became a symbol of love, faith, and protection for the new family.

After many years, and after the passing of my mother’s grand-grand-mothers, the icon was passed down again. When my mother turned twenty years old, she received the icon as a gift. It was not just a gift, but a responsibility and a connection to all the women before her.

When we immigrated to the United States from a small city in Ukraine, my mother brought the icon with her. She believed it would protect us from bad spirits and keep us safe in a new and unknown country. Today, this icon is the only physical proof of our family history. It reminds of where we came from and that we come from strong people and that we truly had, and still have, a great family.

– NB

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant