The religious faithful in Moscow are flocking to a Kremlin cathedral for a homecoming of sorts -- the return of a beloved icon, or holy picture.

The Our Lady of Kazan icon has returned to Russia from the Vatican, where is had been hanging in Pope John Paul's private chapel.

The 32 by 26 centimetre icon depicts the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus.

"It is dear to us because our great grandfathers and fathers prayed to it," seminary student Pyotr Kasatkin told CTV News in Russian.

The original 1579 icon was revered by Russian believers for its purported ability to work miracles, including the rout of Polish invaders from Russia in the early 17th century.

The icon at the Vatican was a replica made in the 18th century. It was taken to the West after the 1917 Russian Revolution, and presented to the Pope by a Roman Catholic group in 1993.

When the icon left the Vatican to return home, the message was of hope. It is said one of the Pope's greatest unfulfilled dreams is to visit Russia. So far, the orthodox church has not allowed it.

"The Pope loves symbolic gestures," Professor Andrea Riccari told CTV News through a translator. "And this return of the icon symbolizes a desire for friendship, a desire for understanding, a desire for unity."

John Paul wanted to bring it to Russia himself. But Russian Patriarch Alexy II insisted that since the icon was a copy, there was no need for the pope to bring it personally. It was viewed by some as a snub.

At the heart of the issue, the Orthodox Church blames Catholic missionaries for proselytizing on Russian soil. Some feel that led to Catholics, in essence, poaching souls from the Orthodox flock.

But the Catholic Church hopes this small symbol of tenderness between mother and child will be a first step toward reconciliation.

Calling it one of "numerous treasures of the Russian Church," Father Igor Vyzhanov, secretary of the Moscow Patriarch's department for external relations, said the Russian Orthodox Church is "thankful to the Vatican for this act of good will" in returning it.

With files from Ellen Pinchuk of CTV News, Moscow and from The Associated Press