From ancient times in Russia they were very revered Holy Mother of God. To the Mother of God we raise daily prayers asking Her for help and salvation. The Church puts the Queen of Heaven above all the saints and all the angels, because the closest to God is His Mother.
With acceptance Orthodox faith from Byzantium, the Russian people also accepted faith in the Mother of God and Her imminent intercession. The holy image of the Mother of God among the Russian people has always been and, of course, remains in a special place. The Mother of God is the protector and patroness of the Russian land.
Yu. P. Pontyukhin. "Dmitry Donskoy and Sergius of Radonezh"
At divine services, a large number of prayers addressed to the Queen of Heaven are read, temples are dedicated to Her, and the veneration of Her numerous icons is widespread.
The calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church mentions about 260 revered and miraculous icons of the Mother of God, in general, they can be counted more than 860 . For most icons, days of celebration are set, prayers and akathists are written to them.
The history of the first icons of the Mother of God
There is a legend that he painted the very first icon Apostle Luke. Historians have doubts about this, but Tradition did not arise from scratch. From the New Testament we know that the apostle Luke was a doctor and a highly educated man of his time, but the Scripture does not say that he was an artist. However, it is in the Gospel of Luke that the Mother of God is spoken of most of all, and it was the Apostle Luke who created and described for us the image of the Mother of God. The gospel was sometimes called a verbal icon, and we can call the apostle-evangelist Luke the first icon painter, although, most likely, he “wrote” not with paints on canvas, but with a word.
V.L. Borovikovsky. "Evangelist Luke"
There is another legend about the first image: when the saints Apostles Peter and John the Theologian preached in Lydda(near Jerusalem), a temple was built there for the new believers. The apostles asked the Mother of God to consecrate and bless the temple with her presence. The Blessed Virgin replied that she would be there with them. Arriving at the temple, the apostles saw on one of the supporting pillars of the temple a miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos. The list from this image, called Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda
, is still revered.
Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda
In the scientific community, genre scenes from the painting of the catacombs are considered the earliest images of the Virgin. These are the scenes Annunciation(catacombs of Priscila II century) and scenes Christmas(catacombs of St. Sebestian III - IV centuries).
Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome
But all these are rather proto-icons, the very first icons in literally these words appear only after Ephesus Cathedral 431 years, where the veneration of the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God was approved.
Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus
Elements of the iconography of the Virgin
The appearance of the Mother of God is known not only from the most ancient images, but also from the descriptions of church historians (Nicephorus Callistus, monk Epiphanius).
The Mother of God is traditionally depicted in maphoria(a traditional veil for a married Jewish woman covering her head and shoulders), and tunic(long dress). Maforium is usually written in red (symbol royal origin but also suffering). The lower garments are usually written in blue-blue (a sign of heavenly purity).
Maphorium decorate three stars- on the head and shoulders (a symbol of the purity of the Ever-Virgin "before Christmas, at Christmas and after Christmas", as well as the symbol of the Holy Trinity). The inscription on the icon is given according to tradition in Greek abbreviation ΜΡ ΘΥ (Mother of God).
The Mother of God on Russian icons is always somewhat sad, this sadness is sometimes mournful, sometimes bright. However, the image of the Mother of God is always full of wisdom and spiritual strength. Holy Virgin she can solemnly “reveal” the Infant to the world, she can gently press the Son to Herself or easily support Him - She is always full of reverence, worships her Divine Infant and meekly resigns herself to the inevitability of sacrifice.
Types of Orthodox iconography of the Mother of God
Of course, initially there were no types of icons of the Mother of God, and only later, for classification and detailed study, they were identified based on the nature of the writing.
In Orthodox iconography, it is customary to highlight 5 types of images of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
1. "Oranta" (Greek "Prayer") and "Omen"
2."Hodegetria" (Greek "Guidebook")
3. "Eleusa" (Greek "tenderness")
4."Panahranta" (Greek "All Immaculate")
5." Agiosoritissa" (Greek: from the name of the chapel "Agia Soros" in Constantinople).
"Oranta" ("Prayer"), "Omen"
This is one of the main types of the image of the Mother of God, representing Her in front, with her hands raised to the level of her head, palms open outward, that is, in the traditional gesture of intercessory prayer. AT Orthodox churches images of this type are sometimes placed at the top of the altar.
The first image of the Virgin "Orants" (Greek “Praying”) without the Child are already found in the Roman catacombs (II - IV centuries).
Sometimes on the bosom of the Virgin, against the background of a round sphere, is depicted Spas Emmanuel(Heb. "God is with us"). The medallion symbolizes both the sky, as the abode of God, and the bosom of the Mother of God, in which the Savior is embodied. Some icons of this type are called "Panagia" (Greek "All-Holy").
In the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv (XI century) there is one of the most famous mosaic images of Oranta (the height of the figure is 5 m 45 cm). One of the epithets assigned to this image is "Unbreakable Wall" . In icon painting, independent images of the Theotokos Oranta without the Child are used extremely rarely.
Icon "Indestructible Wall"
The half-length image of the Virgin-Oranta received the name on Russian soil "The Omen" and that's how it happened. November 27, 1169, during the assault on Veliky Novgorod by Suzdal, the inhabitants of the besieged city brought the icon of the Mother of God to the wall. One of the arrows pierced the image, and the Mother of God turned her face to the city, shedding tears. Inspired by this SIGN, the Novgorodians repulsed the Suzdal regiments...
Of the icons of this type, the most famous are,.
"Hodegetria" ("Guidebook")
On icons of this type, we see the Mother of God, Who points to the Divine Infant Christ, seated on Her hand.
The Mother of God, as it were, tells the entire human race that the true path is the path to Christ. On these icons, She appears as a guide to God and eternal salvation. Here, the center of the composition is Christ, Who blesses with his right hand, and holds a rolled scroll in his left hand - a symbol of the Gospel. Christ said of himself: "I am the way and the truth and the life"(John 14: 6), and the Mother of God, the one who helps to follow this path, is our intercessor. It is also one of the oldest types of images of the Virgin.
Of the icons of this type, the most famous are:,.
"Eleusa" ("Tenderness")
On icons like "Tenderness" we see the Christ Child, leaning his cheek against the cheek of the Mother of God. The head of the Virgin Mary is bowed to the Son, and He embraces the Mother by the neck. The images convey the tender communion of the Mother and the Son. Love unites the heavenly and the earthly, the divine and the human on the icon: this connection is expressed by the contact of faces and the conjugation of halos.
This touching composition contains a deep theological idea: here the Mother of God is presented not only as a Mother caressing her Son, but also as a symbol of a soul in close communion, in love with God.
The Mother of God thought, clutching her Son to Her: She, foreseeing way of the cross He knows what suffering awaits Him.
The type of image of the Mother of God "Tenderness" found a special response in the hearts Orthodox people, the idea of sacrificial service to one's people is close and understandable, and the sorrow of the Mother of God, bringing her son into the world of cruelty and suffering, is consonant with the feelings of all Orthodox Christians. Therefore, there are a lot of icons of this type.
Of the icons of this type in Russia, the most famous are Derzhavnaya and.
"Agiosoritissa" (as in Agia Soros), "Intercessor"
"Agia Soros"(which means “Holy Cancer”) is the name of the chapel in Constantinople, where the icon of the Mother of God turned to Christ in prayer is located. The name of the chapel gave its name to this iconographic type.
On icons of this type, the Mother of God is depicted in full growth, without the Child, facing the Savior, sometimes with a scroll in her hand.
Similar icons are part of deesis series iconostasis (that is, a row of icons, where the Savior is depicted in the center, and on the right and left hand are the icons of the praying Mother of God and John the Baptist).
In Russia, this type of icons is also called "Intercessor" .
Why are there so many icons of the Mother of God?
How could there be so many similar, yet very different icons? After all, each, while retaining all the features of its type, has an individuality. From the first icons, lists were made, which were distributed throughout the world and acquired their own characteristics. Through the prayers of believers, miracles and healings took place in front of these icons, which the following icon painters tried to capture when making new lists. Each creator wanted to make an icon tied to their area, and also to tell real story stay of this particular icon on their land.
That is why there are so many different icons of the Mother of God. Each of them has found a response in the hearts and souls of those who pray, and prayers are raised to them all over the Orthodox world.
In Russian Orthodox Church The Mother of God has always been especially revered - as the patroness of Russia. The number of icons of the Mother of God in dozens. Some of them are more famous, others are less - for example, a copy of the Vladimir or Kazan icon is in almost every church, and not every Christian knows about the Azov or Bar icon.
The whole variety of icons of the Virgin is divided into three types - Eleusa, Hodegetria and Oranta.
Eleusa
The Greek word "eleusa" is translated into Russian as "tenderness" or "merciful". On such icons, the Mother of God is represented in touching union with the Divine Child, whom she holds in her arms. The faces of the mother and the baby Jesus are touching, and the halos are connected.
Such an image symbolizes the inseparable unity of the Earthly and Heavenly, the Creator and Creation, the infinite love of God for man.
Hodegetria
On icons of the Hodegetria type, the Mother of God is also depicted waist-deep and with a baby in her arms, but the image differs from tenderness in greater severity.
The infant, sitting on the left hand of the Mother of God, does not press against her, but is somewhat removed from her. His left hand raised in a blessing gesture, and the right one rests on a scroll - the Law. Right hand The Mother of God is directed at the baby, as if showing the believers the way to Him. Hence the name of the icon - Hodegetria, translated from Greek - Guide.
Oranta
The Latin word "oranta" means "prayer". On such icons, the Mother of God is depicted in full growth, with her hands raised in prayer and most often without a baby. However, the image of the Divine Infant may be present in the bosom of the Mother of God, this is called the “Great Panagia (“All-Holy”). The half-length image of the Great Panagia is called the "Sign".
In this type of icons, the Mother of God appears as a holy intercessor, forever praying to God for indulgence towards people.
This classification is only a distant look at the huge variety of icons of the Theotokos. There are many images belonging to each of these types.
On some icons, the Mother of God is depicted surrounded by others. biblical heroes- "The Virgin with the Prophets", "The Virgin and the Blessed Virgins".
The names of certain icons refer to some cities, but it is not that the icons were painted there. For example, Vladimir icon, according to legend, was written by the Evangelist Luke, in 450 was transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople, in the 12th century its copy was sent to Kyiv to Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, and later the son of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky took her to the north of Russia. The Mother of God herself appeared to the prince in a dream and ordered to leave the icon in the city of Vladimir, after which the icon was named Vladimir.
The Fedorov icon is famous for the fact that it was with it that the Kostroma clergy went out to meet the embassy, which brought young Mikhail Romanov the news of his election to the kingdom. So, the icon became the patroness of the Romanov dynasty, and foreign princesses, marrying Russian tsars, received not only Orthodox names but Fedorovna.
Many of the Mother of God icons are dedicated to special prayers. Before some icons it is customary to pray in certain life situations, their names speak about this: “Joy of all who grieve”, “Recovery of the dead”, “In childbirth”.
It is impossible to tell about all the icons of the Mother of God - there are many of them, and behind each there is an important part of the Christian spiritual experience.
Icons of the Mother of God evoke a special feeling among Orthodox Christians. Photos with the names of the most famous images in Russia are presented on this page.
Through icons, believers turn to the Mother of God with prayers for the strengthening of faith, the healing of diseases, and the salvation of the soul.
How many icons of the Mother of God exist
No one knows exactly how many different images of the Mother of God are written. In the calendar published by the Moscow Patriarchate, 295 names are mentioned.
But according to iconography, the images of the Virgin are divided into only three types: Oranta (looks with arms raised up), Hodegetria (the baby blesses the Virgin), Eleusa (tenderness, clung to each other).
Icons of the Mother of God with photos and descriptions
Below is a list of Holy Faces, the most popular or, on the contrary, little known, whose history or description is very interesting.
"Kazan" Icon of the Mother of God
Celebrated on July 21 and November 4. The miraculous image saved the country in times of unrest, disasters and wars. Its meaning is in the preservation of the country under the shadow of the Virgin.
The most revered image in Russia. Found in 1579 in Kazan on fire during the persecution of Christians. Married couples bless them, they pray for the healing of eye diseases, for the reflection of a foreign invasion.
Icon of the Mother of God "Inexhaustible Chalice"
In 1878, a retired soldier suffering from hard drinking had a vision of St. Varlaam to go to the city of Serpukhov and pray there in front of a certain image. This icon turned out to be the now known “Inexhaustible Chalice”.
Icon of the Blessed Virgin "Feodorovskaya"
It is celebrated on March 27, and also on August 29. She is asked happy marriage and healthy children.
Possibly written by the apostle Luke. It was located in the XII century in the city of Gorodets. She miraculously moved to Kostroma: she was seen in the hands of St. warrior Theodore Stratilates, who walked with her through the city. Hence the name "Feodorovskaya".
"Sovereign" Mother of God
Celebrated March 15th. The meaning of the image lies in the fact that power over Russia passed from the king directly to the Virgin Mary.
Appeared in 1917 in the village of Kolomenskoye, in the Moscow region, on the very day on which Nicholas II abdicated. The Mother of God, as it were, received the state from the tsar.
"Vladimir" icon
Celebrated on June 3, July 6, September 8. The meaning of the image for Orthodox Christians is in the preservation of Russia from foreign warriors.
Written by the Apostle Luke on the tabletop of the Holy Family. Saved Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane. At Soviet power exhibited at the Tretyakov Gallery.
"Tikhvin" Mother of God
This image, according to legend, was written by the evangelist and apostle Luke. He miraculously appeared near the city of Tikhvin. Particularly remarkable among the many miracles revealed in the image was the salvation of the Tikhvin Monastery during the Great Northern War in 1613.
"Three-handed"
It is named after the miracle that happened to St. John of Damascus. His severed hand was rooted in place by prayer at the image of the Mother of God. In honor of this event, a silver hand was attached to the salary of the image.
"Unexpected Joy"
Celebrated on May 14 and December 22. The meaning of the image lies in the mercy of the Mother of God even to unrepentant sinners, leading them to repentance.
The icon is named in memory of the conversion of one lawless person who, with an Archangel greeting, asked for a blessing for his lawless deeds.
"Blessed Womb"
In the 14th century it was in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin. Glorified by many miracles.
"Annunciation"
The image is dedicated to the twelfth holiday of the same name.
"Blessed Sky"
Celebrated March 19th. The meaning of the image is that it is in this guise, according to the assumption, that the Blessed Virgin Mary will descend to earth, preparing people for the second coming of Christ.
The image was brought to Moscow by the Lithuanian princess Sofya Vitovtovna at the beginning of the 15th century.
"Joy of All Who Sorrow"
In 1688, the sick Euphemia, a relative of the patriarch, suffering from an incurable disease, was miraculously healed before this image.
"Upbringing"
Celebrated March 18th. The significance of the icon is associated with the education of the young generation in the Orthodox faith.
This is a Byzantine image known for many miracles. Helps parents and their children.
"Life-Giving Source"
It is celebrated on the fifth day after Easter. Pray for the preservation of prudence and a sinless life.
The icon is named in memory of the holy spring of water near Constantinople. In this place, the Virgin Mary appeared to Leo Marcellus and predicted that he would become emperor.
"Redeemer"
Celebrated October 30th. In 1841, in Greece, after a prayerful vigil in front of this image, the invasion of locusts was miraculously stopped.
The icon was with the family Alexander III when their train was wrecked. It was on this day that they began to celebrate the name day of the icon, in commemoration of the salvation of the emperor.
"Key of Intelligence"
Pray for children who have difficulty learning. The icon is locally venerated, located in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
Appeared in Russia in the 16th century, akin to the image "Addition of the mind."
"Mammal"
The icon was brought to Serbia from Jerusalem by St. Savva in the 6th century.
"Unfading Color"
Means the purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
"Joy"
Celebrated on February 3rd. It means the great mercy of the Mother of God to sinners, despite even her Son.
The miraculous deliverance from the robbers who attacked the Vatopedi Monastery on Athos is connected with the image.
"Birth Assistant"
Helps with difficult childbirth.
"Self-written"
Locally venerated on Athos. It miraculously manifested itself with a pious icon painter from the city of Iasi in 1863.
"Quick listener"
Athos icon. From her came a miraculous healing of the sight of a disobedient monk.
"Assuage my sorrows"
Celebrated on February 7th. Relieves mental anguish. Many healings have come from her.
Brought to Moscow in 1640 by the Cossacks. She streamed myrrh in 1760.
"Healer"
The meaning is the comfort of the sick. Often decorates hospital temples.
Conclusion
Turning to these icons has always helped Orthodox Christians in difficult moments of life. And now, in modern world, healings and miracles continue. New miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary appear.
The intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos will continue until the end of the history of the human race.
Hello dear readers. Arriving at the temple, it is important to know the icons and their meaning in order to immediately approach the image you need.
How to pray in front of an icon
Many people think that it doesn’t matter which icon to pray before, because prayer comes from a pure heart. But we offer prayer not to the icon itself, but to the one whose image is depicted on it, because all saints have their own strengths.
- Stand in front of the shrine, cross yourself to attract God's blessing.
- After you have asked for help, that is, you have prayed, kiss the image. By doing so, you express your respect to the Lord.
- After the end of the prayer service, it is necessary to cross yourself three times.
Pray with bright thoughts, forgiving everyone who offended you.
Meaning of icons
This is one of the most powerful icons. The Most Holy Theotokos had to endure many torments, which are symbolized by seven arrows. When a person feels bad, he goes exactly to this image. "Seven-strelnaya" will help in protecting housing, protect against troubles, envious, evil people, from curses, damage, the evil eye of the person who wears her icon on his chest.
If it is necessary to reconcile the warring, to bring peace, tranquility, and harmony into the house, then one must kneel before this relic, prayerfully ask for help. They take it with them when they go on responsible business.
At home they put her opposite front door, above half of the wall so that she can "see" the eyes of the incoming person. Before installing the relic, it is necessary to read a prayer service. You may notice: a person with unkind thoughts will stop crossing the threshold of your home.
The Most Holy Theotokos will become a protector from criminals, thieves and any unkind people. Living in this house can be sure that their family is well protected.
Put it on your desktop, it will protect you from quarrels with superiors and work colleagues. If the soul of a person is embittered, then he can come to face, the Most Holy Theotokos will help to return to good thoughts again.
2. "INEXCEPTIONAL BOWL"
Icon of the Mother of God. The Mother of God comforts, prays for all who stumble, calls to touch the inexhaustible spring of spiritual joy. The purpose of this holy power is hard to overestimate.
The inexhaustible cup will help everyone who turns to it with faith. She proclaims that heavenly help and mercy is destined for all those who ask. It will help heal from drunkenness, drug addiction, those who are passionate about gambling.
The image of the Virgin should be installed at the head of the bed of a patient with alcoholism or drug addiction and pray every day.
There are many cases of healing from drunkenness and other addictions. There is evidence that the relic helped solve housing issues, facilitate the conclusion of transactions for the purchase and sale of apartments and houses.
Parents who let their children go adult life, are obliged to ask for help, saying prayers in front of the shrine every day.
3. Icon of the Mother of God "HEALER"
It will help to heal a person not only from physical illnesses, but also mental ones. The relic can be recognized by the image of the Mother of God standing at the bedside of a sick person.
4. "AN UNINTENDED JOY"
Our whole life consists of small joys that we often do not notice in pursuit of an ephemeral dream, forgetting about our loved ones, about words of gratitude. Therefore, many dreams, becoming obsessive, do not allow you to enjoy the new day, and therefore are not heard.
What to pray for Unexpected Joy
Prayer at the shrine grants:
- Get spiritual power;
- Get what you always dreamed of, but no longer believed to get it. It can be someone's forgiveness, repentance;
- Grants healing of ailments, especially with hearing loss, ear diseases;
- The Mother of God will help find and return the missing people;
- A pregnant woman will help endure and give birth healthy child;
- To parents whose children have gone the wrong way, the Mother of God will give them the opportunity to reason;
- Resolves conflicts, helps to come to a happy solution;
- At the relic they pray for the preservation of marriage, love and harmony.
5. "THREE-HANDED"
The miraculous image of the Mother of God grants healing from hand diseases. Prayers protect from fire, various diseases, sadness and grief.
6. "The Quick Listener"
The writing of the image dates back to the 10th century. If you need a fast urgent care, kneel just before the shrine. They are also asking:
- about the healing of mental illnesses;
- about healing from cancer, paralysis, blindness;
- prayerfully ask for the birth of healthy children;
- pray for the release of those who are languishing in captivity.
7. SERAPHIM SAROVSKII
Saint, especially revered in Russia. A prayer service to Seraphim of Sarov helps to heal from pain in the joints, arms, legs, and spine.
Moscow patron. He is prayed to by those whose work is related to weapons, risk to life, as well as athletes and entrepreneurs who open their own business.
9. NICHOLAS THE WONDER WORKER
Protector from need and poverty. If his face is in your house, then he makes sure that there is prosperity in the family, protects from need. He is worshiped by all travelers, pilots, drivers, sailors and all who revere this saint.
In Russia, a particularly revered image of the Most Holy Theotokos. Before this holy relic, the coronation of kings and the election of high hierarchs took place.
Prayers will help to pacify people who are at war with each other, soften evil hearts, to heal from bodily and spiritual infirmity and those who have been possessed by a demon.
People have always resorted to the help of the icon of the Holy Mother of God. In what cases it can help:
- She protects the house from fires.
- She is asked for help by doctors, military, firefighters, pilots.
- Miraculous fire helps to cleanse from committed sins and mental illnesses.
12. IVERSKAYA ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
Virgin Mary grants:
- healing the sick,
- Restocking,
- Getting rid of the raids of enemies.
13. UNFADING COLOR
She is the personification of purity, purity, therefore, she stands up for young girls, helping them to maintain their innocence and chastity.
Prayers at the image of the Unfading Color help to marry the person whom fate itself sent. married women may ask for a favorable family life.
The miraculous face protects and helps women to maintain purity, endurance, good disposition. If with faith you ask for support from the Virgin Mary, then she will surely fulfill your request. The Mother of God will surely help the girls to find a worthy life partner.
When a woman faces severe life trials or she experiences a spiritual shock, then she must kneel at the image of the Most Pure, then life will definitely get better.
15. KAZAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
Intercessor. She helps everyone who is in trouble or has difficulties at work, as well as in his personal life.
The guide will help you the right decision will save you from mistakes. Blessing the young before marriage, they also turn to Our Lady of Kazan. The life of the young will be very happy if the wedding takes place on the day of the celebration of the Holy Image.
Spouses can always turn to this image for help. Saint MARY will help anyone who turns to her with any pure request. If the request is negative, then it will not be heard.
How to ask for help
If you pray at home, then you need to pray in the morning:
- Before prayer, wash your face, cross your hands;
- Leave all annoying thoughts;
- Light candles, kneel down, read a prayer service;
- Say the request in your own words, coming from a pure heart.
16. OSTROBRAMSKAYA ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
A rare but extremely powerful image that protects the home from evil spirits, the family from outside interference, helps spouses find happiness and love, and everyone else gets rid of despondency and depression.
Place it at the entrance, then it will protect the home from all evil spirits, and from unfriendly guests. Many people confirm that after a solitary prayer in front of this Holy Face, the problems were solved by themselves.
17. Icon "INDESTROYABLE WALL"
Named in honor of its stamina, undamaged, no matter what disasters, elements and wars the image of the Mother of God, located in the Kiev monastery, has experienced.
A miracle beyond the control of human reason makes this icon a protector in all troubles, illnesses and misfortunes. The icon will avert troubles, fires, will not let dashing people into the house, will help strengthen family happiness.
Pray at the icon when leaving the house, as well as in solitude. The best place in the house for your Protector, the wall opposite the front door or above it.
18. Grieving
The icon of the Mother of God helps people:
- Gives the necessary benefits to those who need them;
- Brings comfort in sorrow, will help in difficult life situations;
- Heals physical and mental illness;
- Protects merchants on long journeys.
Pray to the face, and help will come to you in work, business and family life.
19. THE JOY OF ALL THE JOYS
The miraculous icon will help if you pray without fuss and anger in your heart:
- About the return of lost things;
- For salvation from slander and slander;
- On release from prison;
- On the successful completion of litigation;
- About assistance during a trip to a foreign country;
- About those who serve in "hot spots".
20. TRINITY
Prayer appeal to the Holy Trinity will help to cope with any trials, to find the right path. In front of the shrine, prayers must be read in order to be cleansed of those sins that torment you, do not allow you to live in peace. It is believed that the prayer said at the icon "Holy Trinity" is a direct conversation with God.
Icon(from gr. - image, image) - accepted by the Church and consecrated image of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, saints and various events from the Sacred and church history. According to strictly defined rules (canons), icons are painted with paints (usually tempera) on a wooden (linden or pine) board, covered with a special primer.
Asist- the composition used in icon painting for gluing sheets of gold and silver. It has the appearance of a thick, sticky mass of dark brown color, prepared from garlic or beer sludge by languishing in an oven to the desired state. When used, it is diluted with water so that they can draw the finest lines with a brush. On the asist, gold holds very well and does not lose its luster.
Icon board- a wood base for an icon, usually linden, less often pine, spruce, oak or cypress. Several boards are tightly connected with the sides into a single shield of the desired size, glued with animal glue (for example, casein glue) and additionally fastened with dowels from the back or from the ends (so as not to warp). On the front side, a flat recess is made - the ark.
Iconography(Greek - description of the image) - a description of the features and canons of the image of a certain person or plot on icons.
Kiot- a decorated frame for an icon or a glazed cabinet for several icons.
Levkas(Greek) - white primer for icon painting. Consists of crushed chalk (or plaster) and glue. It is applied gradually, multi-layered on the surface of the board intended for writing the icon. The surface of the gesso is carefully polished.
Nimbus- radiance around the head: a sign of God's grace in the form of a disk or light rays, depicted on icons as a symbol of spiritual glory.
Salary- an overlay decoration attached to the icon over the paint layer. It was made from non-ferrous metals, pearls, beads, gold embroidery, carved gilded wood. Sometimes decorated precious stones. Salaries cover individual parts of the painting or the entire surface, except for the face, arms and legs.
Skladen- the likeness of a small iconostasis of several, connected by hinges, folding wings with icons. Designed for travelers.
"Tenderness" Serafimo-Diveevskaya- the icon of the Mother of God, which belonged to Seraphim of Sarov. In front of her, he died in prayer. Celebration on August 10th.
"Assuage my sorrows" – miraculous icon Mother of God, brought to Moscow by the Cossacks in 1640. The Mother of God is depicted on the icon with her head slightly tilted to one side, to which she puts her left hand. Her general appearance, as it were, tells us that the Queen of Heaven listens to the tears and prayers of all believers who turn to Her with their sorrows, needs and sorrows. With her right hand, the Mother of God holds the feet of the Divine Infant. The Savior holds before Himself in His hands an unfolded scroll on which the words of the Divine exhortation are inscribed: "Judge righteous judgment, do mercy and bounty ..." Celebration on February 7.
- miraculous icon. According to legend, written by the Evangelist Luke. In Russia, it was originally located in the Feodorovsky Gorodetsky Monastery. During the invasion of Batu, both Gorodets and the monastery were devastated, the inhabitants fled, and they did not have time to take the icon with them. A few decades later, on August 16, 1239, she appeared to the younger brother of Alexander Nevsky, Prince Vasily Yaroslavich of Kostroma, in the forest, on a tree, while hunting. On the eve, many residents of Kostroma saw some kind of warrior walking through the streets of the city, and in his hands he held an icon. The face of this warrior reminded the inhabitants of the icon-painting image of the holy great martyr Theodore Stratilates. The found icon was placed in the church of St. Theodore Stratilates in Kostroma and was named Feodorovskaya. At the place where the icon was found, the prince founded a monastery in honor of the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands. In 1260 miraculous image saved Kostroma from the Tatar hordes. In 1613, the young Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, the first sovereign of the Romanov dynasty, was blessed with the Feodorovskaya Icon to reign. Currently, the icon is in the Assumption Cathedral in Kostroma. Before this icon, according to tradition, they pray for a safe birth. The icon is celebrated on March 27 and August 29.
"Healer"- an icon on which the Queen of Heaven is depicted standing at the patient's bed, a milk is visible on the patient's lips. The history of this image is as follows. One pious cleric fell seriously ill and turned to the Mother of God with a prayer, at the same moment he saw the Guardian Angel at his bedside, asking the Mother of God for the healing of the sick, and the Mother of God appeared, who exuded a saving drop of milk from Her breasts on the lips of the sick man and became invisible. The patient felt completely healthy and told everyone about the miracle that had happened. Before this icon they pray for the healing of the sick. Celebration of the icon - October 1.
- a miraculous icon, revered by both Orthodox and Catholics. Written, according to legend, the Evangelist Luke. In 326, the holy Empress Helen, having received this icon as a gift, brought it to Constantinople, where she stayed for almost five centuries. Then she was transferred to Russia, where she became famous for many miracles. Taken away by the Poles, it fell into the hands of the Tatars, who began to shoot it with bows, but when blood flowed from the icon, they fled in fright. Currently located in Poland in a monastery near the city of Czestochowa. Celebration March 19th.