Conventionally, the whole variety of types of icons of the Mother of God with the Child can be divided into four groups, each of which represents the disclosure of one of the facets of the image of the Mother of God. The iconographic scheme is an expression of a theological idea.
The first group is the type of iconography "Sign" (abbreviated and truncated version - Oranta, from Latin orans - praying). This is the most theologically rich iconographic type and is associated with the theme of the Incarnation. The iconographic scheme is based on two texts: from the Old Testament - the prophecy of Isaiah: "So the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, the Virgin in the womb will take and give birth to a Son, and they will call His name: Emmanuel" (Is. 7.14) and from the New Testament - the words of the Angel in the Annunciation: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, therefore the Holy One who is being born will be called the Son of God" (Luke 1.35). These words reveal to us the mystery of the Incarnation, the birth of the Savior from the Virgin, the birth of the Son of God from an earthly woman.
This finds its expression in the iconographic scheme: Mary is represented in the pose of Oranta, that is, praying, with her hands raised to the sky; at the level of Her chest there is a medallion (or sphere) with the image of the Savior Emmanuel, who is in the womb of the Mother. The Mother of God can be represented full-length, as in the Yaroslavl Oranta, Great Panagia icon, or waist-length, as in the Kursk Root or the Novgorod Sign, this is not so significant. More important is the combination of the figures of the Mother of God and the (half-figure) of Christ, which conveys one of the deepest revelations: the birth of God in the flesh, Mary becomes the Mother of God through the incarnation of the Logos. At the moment of contemplation of the icon, the holy of holies, the inner Mary, in the bowels of which the God-man is conceived by the Holy Spirit, is revealed to the praying one. "Your womb is more spacious" - this is how the Mother of God is called in the Akathist. We see her at the moment of standing before God: "Behold the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to thy word" (Luke 1.38). Her hands are raised in prayer (this gesture is described in Exodus 17.11). In the Yaroslavl "Oranta" this gesture is repeated in the figure of the Child, only Her palms are open, and the position of Emmanuel's fingers is different - they are folded in blessing. In other versions of the Sign, the Child holds a scroll in one hand - a symbol of teaching, and blesses with the other. The clothes of the Mother of God are traditional - a red maforium and a blue undergarment. These are the clothes of the Mother of God on all icons (with rare exceptions), and, we recall, their colors symbolize the union in Her of Virginity and Motherhood, Her earthly nature and Her heavenly calling. In the Yaroslavl "Oranta" the clothes of the Virgin are flooded with golden light (depicted as a large assist), which is an expression of the streams of grace of the Holy Spirit, which poured out on the Blessed Virgin at the moment of conception. On both sides of Mary, heavenly forces are depicted - either archangels with mirrors in their hands (Yaroslavl "Oranta"), or a blue cherub and a fiery red seraphim. The presence of angelic and celestial forces in the composition means that the Mother of God, by her humble consent to participate in the act of the Incarnation, raises humanity a step higher than angels and archangels, for God, according to St. fathers, did not take on the angelic form, but put on human flesh. In the hymn glorifying the Mother of God, it is sung like this: "The most honest cherub and the most glorious seraphim without comparison."
The iconographic scheme of the "Sign" can be very simple, as in the Novgorod version, or it can be developed and complicated, as in the case of the Yaroslavl "Oranta". The composition of the latter, for example, includes a rarely seen detail that reveals the liturgical aspect of this image. This is an eagle - a rug under Mary's feet, such are used in bishops' worship. In this case, the eagle symbolizes the cosmic service of the Mother of God, which is before God for the entire human race. The Mother of God stands on an eagle as if on a cloud in the midst of the golden radiance of God's glory - the Mother of God is a new creature, a transfigured creation, a new man. The scheme of the Kursk Root Icon is supplemented by the image of the prophets, interconnected by the likeness of a flourishing vine. The prophets have the scrolls of their prophecies in their hands. All this symbolizes that the Mother of God and the Son of God, born of Her, is the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies and aspirations. So, in different iconographic variants, in the presence of a common iconographic core, the same theme of the Incarnation is revealed, therefore the iconographic type "Sign" is sometimes called "Incarnation".
One of the variants of the iconography of the "Sign" is "Oranta". In this case, the Mother of God is presented without the Child in the same position, with her hands raised. An example of such a variant is the image "Our Lady - the Indestructible Wall" from St. Sophia of Kiev (mosaic, 10th century). Here the Mother of God is presented as a symbol of the Church. For the first time Augustine saw in the Mother of God - the Church. This association has received a wide range of interpretations in the history of theological thought.
The second iconographic type was named " Hodegetria"which means in Greek" guidebook". That name contains the concept of the Virgin icons as a whole, for the Mother of God leads us to Christ. The life of a Christian is a path from darkness to God's wonderful light, from sin to salvation, from death to life. And on this difficult path we have a helper - the Most Holy Theotokos She was the bridge for the Savior to come into the world, now She is the bridge for us on the way to Him.
So, the iconographic scheme of Hodegetria is built as follows: the figure of the Mother of God is presented frontally (sometimes with a slight inclination of the head), on one of Her hands, as if on a throne, the Infant Christ sits, with the other hand the Mother of God points to Him, thereby directing the attention of those who are standing and praying. The Infant Christ blesses the Mother with one hand, and in Her face also us (often the gesture of blessing is directed directly at the viewer), in the other hand He holds a folded scroll (there are options when the Infant holds a scepter and an orb, a book, an unfolded scroll).
In the gesture of the Virgin, pointing to Christ, the key to this image - the Mother of God orients us spiritually, directing us to Christ, for He is the Way, Truth and Life. She carries our prayers to Him, She intercedes for us before Him, she keeps us on the path to Him. Having become the Mother of the One Who adopted us to the Heavenly Father, the Mother of God becomes the mother of each of us. This type of icons of the Theotokos was unusually widespread throughout the Christian world, and especially in Byzantium and Russia. Many venerated icons of this type were not accidentally attributed to the brushes of the Apostle Luke.
The most famous variants of Hodegetria include: "Smolenskaya", "Iverskaya" (Goalkeeper), "Tikhvinskaya", "Georgian", "Jerusalem", "Three-handed", "Passionate", "Czestokhovskaya", "Cyprus", "Abalatskaya", "The guarantor of sinners" and many others.
Small iconographic differences in detail are associated with the details of the history of the origin of each particular image. So the third hand at the icon "Three-handed" was added to St. John of Damascus, when the Mother of God restored his severed hand by his olive. The bleeding wound on the cheek of the "Iverskaya" brings us back to the days of iconoclasm, when this image was attacked by those who rejected the icon: the icon bled from a spear, which plunged the witnesses into indescribable horror. On the icon of the Holy Mother of God, two angels are usually depicted flying to the Child with instruments of passion, thereby foreshadowing His suffering for us. As a result of this plot twist, the position of the Infant Christ is somewhat changed - He is depicted half-turned, looking at the angels, His hands are holding Mary's hand. Each of these details is worthy of careful consideration, but in the absence of such an opportunity in this case, we will leave it for solitary contemplation.
As a rule, in the "Hodegetria" the Mother of God is represented in a half-length image, but there are also shoulder compositions of the Virgin icons; these include "Kazanskaya", "Petrovskaya", "Igorevskaya". Here the same theme is developed, but in some abbreviated version.
The third type of the Mother of God icons in Russia received the name " tenderness"which is not quite an accurate translation of the Greek word" Eleusa"(έλεουσα), i.e. "Merciful". In Byzantium, the Mother of God herself and many of Her icons were called this epithet, but over time, in Russian iconography, the name "Tenderness" began to be associated with a certain iconographic scheme. In the Greek version, this type The icon was called "Glycofilus" (γλυκυφιλουσα) - "Sweet Kiss". This is the most lyrical of all types of iconography, revealing the intimate side of the communication of the Mother of God with Her Son. The iconographic scheme includes two figures - the Mother of God and the Infant Christ, clinging to each other faces. Head Mary is inclined to the Son, and He hugs the Mother by the neck.This touching composition contains a deep theological idea: here the Mother of God is revealed to us not only as the Mother caressing the Son, but also as a symbol of the soul, which is in close communion with God. God is the mystical theme of many writings of the Holy Fathers.The Mother of God Tenderness is one of the most mystical types of the Mother of God icons.
This type was also widespread in Russia. Icons of the "Tenderness" type include: "Vladimirskaya", "Volokolamskaya", "Donskaya", "Fedorovskaya", "Zhirovitskaya", "Grebnevskaya", "Akhrenskaya", "Yaroslavskaya", "Search for the dead", "Pochaevskaya", etc. .d. In all these icons, the Mother of God is presented in a waist composition, in rare cases there is a shoulder composition, as, for example, in the Korsunskaya icon.
A variation of the iconographic type "Tenderness" is the type "Jumping". Icons of this kind were distributed mainly in the Balkans, but such images are occasionally found in Russian art. The iconographic scheme here is very close to "Tenderness", with the only difference that the Infant is presented in a more free pose, as if played out. An example of this type of icons is "Yakhromskaya". In this composition, there is always a characteristic gesture - the Infant Christ touches the face of the Virgin with a pen. In this small detail, an abyss of tenderness and trust is hidden, which open up to an attentive contemplative gaze.
Another type of iconography "Tenderness" - "Mammary". From the name it is clear that the distinctive feature of this iconographic scheme is the image of the Mother of God breastfeeding the Infant Christ. Such a detail is not only an intimate detail of this iconographic variant, but it reveals a new mystical aspect in reading the image of the Virgin. The Mother nurses the Son, just as She nourishes our souls, just as God feeds us with the “pure verbal milk” of the Word of God (1 Pet. 2.2), so that, as we grow, we pass from milk food to solid food (Heb. 5.12).
So, the three iconographic types we have named - "Sign", "Hodegetria" and "Tenderness" are the main, leading ones in the iconography of the Virgin, since they are based on entire directions in the theological understanding of the image of the Mother of God. Each of them presents us with some one of the aspects of Her ministry, Her role in the saving mission of Christ, in the history of our salvation.
The fourth type does not have the same theological content as the first three. It is rather collective, it should include all those iconographic variants that, for one reason or another, were not included in the first three. The name of the fourth type is conventional - " Akathist", since the iconographic schemes here are mainly built not on the principle of a theological text, but on the principle of illustrating one or another epithet by which the Mother of God is magnified in Akathist and other hymnographic works. The main meaning of icons of this type is the glorification of the Mother of God. These should include the already mentioned images of the Mother of God with the Child on the throne. The main focus of these images is to show the Mother of God as the Queen of Heaven. In this form, this image entered the Byzantine iconography - especially often such compositions were placed in the conch of the apse. In this version, the Mother of God is also present in St. Sophia of Constantinople. In Russian iconography, the fresco of Dionysius in the apse of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin of the Ferapontov Monastery can serve as an example of such an image.
But most of the icons of this type are a combination of the central scheme of the previous types with additional elements. So, for example, the iconographic scheme of the "Burning Bush" consists of the image of the Mother of God Hodegetria, surrounded by symbolic figures of glory and the powers of heaven (similar to how the image of heavenly glory is depicted in the iconography "The Savior is in strength"). The iconographic scheme of the icon "Our Lady - the Life-Giving Spring" includes the image of the Virgin with the Child sitting on a throne, which looks like a kind of font inside a reservoir, and around are angels and people who have come to drink from this source. The composition of the icon "The Mother of God - Mount Unhandled" is also built on the principle of mechanical superposition of symbols - the Mother of God with the Infant Christ (similar to Hodegetria) sit on the throne, against the background of the figures and around them various symbols are depicted, directly illustrating akathist epithets: the irrigated fleece, Jacob's ladder, burning bush, light-receiving candle, unhandled mountain, etc. And, finally, the icon "Unexpected Joy" is built on the principle of "an icon in an icon", that is, the plot inclusion of the image of the icon inside the ongoing action. Here, a kneeling person is usually depicted, praying before the image of the Mother of God Hodegetria, who gave him moral insight and healing.
The pinnacle of akathist iconography should be recognized as the image "All creation rejoices over Thee." This is an interesting iconography in its own way, based on the idea of the cosmic glorification of the Mother of God. In the center is depicted the Mother of God with the Infant Christ on the throne in the radiance of glory and surrounded by the powers of heaven. The image of the universe is presented in the form of a many-domed temple surrounded by flowering trees - this is at the same time the image of Heavenly Jerusalem. In the lower part of the icon, at the foot of the throne, people are depicted - prophets, kings, saints of various ranks, simply the people of God. We see - the Icon represents the new earth and the new heaven (Rev. 21.1), - the image of the transfigured creature, the beginning of which was laid in the mystery of the Incarnation (here the central image partly resembles the scheme of the Sign).
The iconographic variants depicting the Mother of God without the Christ Child are not numerous; it is not possible to combine them into a separate group, since the iconographic scheme in each of them is determined by its own independent theological idea. But to one degree or another, they adjoin the four types already named by us earlier. For example, "The Mother of God of Ostrobramskaya-Vilna" is a variant gravitating towards the type of "Sign", since the image of the Mother of God is revealed here at the moment of Her acceptance of the Good News ("Behold the servant of the Lord, let it be to Me according to Your word." Luke 1.38). The position of the arms crossed on the chest (a gesture of humble prayerful worship) is semantically close to the gesture of Oranta. Therefore, this iconographic variant can be attributed to the type "Omen". In addition to Ostrobramskaya, this type corresponds to the icon "The Unbrided Bride" (it is erroneously called "Tenderness"), which was the cell icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov.
The famous ancient Russian icon "Our Lady of Bogolyubskaya" also depicts the Mother of God without the Child, but standing before God with a petition for those who pray to Her (a group of worshipers is sometimes depicted at the feet of the Mother of God). Since the Mother of God is depicted here as an intercessor and as showing the way to those who pray, this icon can conditionally be attributed to the Hodegetria type. In her hand, the Mother of God holds a scroll with a prayer, and with the other hand she points to the image of Christ, written on the left in the segment of the sky. Thus, the same gesture is preserved as in the Hodegetria: Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
But for the most part, the icons of the Theotokos, in which the Mother of God is represented without the Child, belong to the fourth type - akathist icons, since they were painted for the glorification of the Mother of God. So, for example, the iconography "Theotokos of Seven Shooters" or "Simeon's Prophecy" can be attributed to this type, this iconographic variant is also known under a different name - "Softener of Evil Hearts". Here the Mother of God is depicted with seven swords piercing Her heart. This image is taken from the prophecy of Simeon, who at the time of the Meeting uttered the following words: "Your own weapons will pierce the soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed" (Luke 2.35). Such iconography, as a rule, of late origin, most likely, came from the Western European tradition and is distinguished by its literary character. Nevertheless, they also have their own meaning, revealing to us the image of the Mother of God, which is so necessary for the growth of the Orthodox soul.
Iconographic variants that semantically correspond to the third type of the Mother of God icons, known as "Tenderness", are practically not found, since it is difficult to imagine how it is possible to depict the intimate relationship of the Mother of God and Her Son in the image of the Mother of God alone. Nevertheless, such a turn in iconography is possible. This is the so-called type of the Sorrowful Mother of God ("Mater Dolorosa"), when the Mother of God is represented as immersed in prayerful grief for the crucified Christ. Usually the Mother of God is depicted with her head bowed and her hands folded in prayer near her chin. This option has become widespread in the West, but it is also well known in Orthodox iconography. Some researchers believe that it was not originally independent, it was part of a diptych, on the second half of which the suffering Jesus Christ was depicted (in the crown of thorns, with signs of the Passion). We can see the same plot in the icon "Don't Cry Mene Mati", well known in Balkan art and less well known here in Russia. This icon usually depicts the Mother of God and Christ (sometimes standing in a coffin), the Mother mourns the death of the Son, embracing His dead body. In practice, this is a modification of the "Lamentation" plot, but the iconographic scheme is built on the principle of "Tenderness" - only on icons like "Do not cry for Me Mother" the Mother of God does not press Little Jesus to Herself, but an adult after being removed from the Cross. The tragedy of the plot reaches an unusual intensity - Mother's grief is inconsolable, but, like in any icon, there is a message about the resurrection, it is in the name of the icon, which is built on the text of a passionate chant: "Do not cry for Mene Mother in the coffin of seeing ...". The appeal to the Mother of God comes from the name of Christ, who conquered death.
Traditionally, it is customary to depict the Virgin in clothes of two colors: cherry maphoria (a modification of red), a blue tunic and a blue cap. On the maphoria, as a rule, three golden stars are depicted - as a sign of her purity ("I conceived without blemish, gave birth without blemish, died without blemish") and a border as a sign of her glorification. The plat itself - maforia - means Her Motherhood, the blue (blue) color of the dress covered by it - Virginity. But occasionally we can see the Mother of God dressed in blue maphoria. So She was sometimes depicted in Byzantium, in the Balkans. So the Mother of God was written by Theophanes the Greek in the Deesis rank of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. Apparently, in these cases, it is more important for the icon painter to emphasize Virginity, the virginity of the Mother of God, highlight the aspect of Her purity, focus our attention on this facet of the image of the Virgin and Mother.
The Orthodox tradition, in exceptional cases, allows the depiction of women with their heads uncovered. Usually Mary of Egypt is written in this way as a sign of her ascetic and penitent way of life, which replaced her former dissolute way of life. In all other cases, whether it is the image of martyrs, queens, saints and righteous wives, myrrh-bearing women and other numerous characters inhabiting the Orthodox icon world, it is customary to depict women with their heads covered. So the Apostle Paul writes that it is good for a woman to cover her head, for this is "a sign of power over her" (1 Cor. 11.5,10). But in some iconographic versions of the Mother of God icons, we see, quite unexpectedly, the image of the Mother of God with her head uncovered. For example, "Our Lady of Akhtyrskaya" and some others. In some cases, the boards are replaced by a crown (crown). The custom of depicting the Mother of God with an uncovered head is of Western origin, where it has come into use since the Renaissance, and is in principle non-canonical. The maforium on the head of the Virgin is not just a tribute to the Eastern Christian tradition, but a deep symbol - a sign of Her Motherhood and complete devotion to God. Even the crown on Her head cannot replace the maphoria, for the crown (crown) is a sign of the Kingdom, the Mother of God is the Queen of Heaven, but this royal dignity is based solely on Her Motherhood, on the fact that She became the Mother of the Savior and our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is correct to depict the crown on top of the board, as we see in such iconographic versions as "Our Lady of the Sovereign", "Novodvorskaya", "Abalatskaya", "Kholmovskaya" and others. The image of the crown (crown) on the head of the Virgin also came to the Eastern Christian iconographic tradition from Western Europe. In Byzantium, this was not accepted at all. Even when the Mother of God was depicted with the upcoming emperors (as can be seen in the mosaics of St. Sophia of Constantinople), which is an expression of the superiority of the Kingdom of Heaven over the kingdom of the earth, on Her head we see nothing but a maphoria. And this is very characteristic, since in the development of iconography, over time, a departure from laconism and pure semantics (sign structure) towards illustrativeness and external symbolism is observed.
15 MIRACLE-WORKING ICONS OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD DESIGNED ON THE TREE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD ICON. The icon of the Mother of God "The Tree of the Most Holy Theotokos" depicts 15 main miraculous icons (images) of the Most Holy Theotokos with the Divine Infant Jesus Christ, located on a branchy tree. In the center of the tree is the Bethlehem cave and the Mother of God with the Infant Jesus reclining in a manger. This Nativity of the Lord gave reason to depict the Ever-Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. That is why the icon of the Nativity is placed on the trunk of a symbolic tree and highlighted in a large size compared to other icons. The meaning of this icon is that it reflects the connection of all the icons of the Mother of God, as branches of one tree, which grew in the sacrament of the Nativity of the God-Man Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. You can pray before this icon to the Blessed Virgin and the Divine Infant. Since this icon is composite, i.e. consists of the image of 15 icons of the Virgin, then praying to her as one image is not good. You can pray to each depicted icon, or simply to the Mother of God herself.
1. IVERAN ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
Celebration in honor of the icon: February 12/25, October 13/26 and passing on Tuesday of Bright Week. According to legend, this image was miraculously found on Athos, where he himself sailed, launched into the sea during the persecution of icons. In the Iberian Athos monastery, it was placed above the gates, which is why it received the name “Goalkeeper”. More than once, the Mother of God gave through her Her miraculous help during the attack of the Persians, in famine years. In 1656, the list from the icon was transferred to Russia, and since then it has been giving abundant favors and is revered by the Orthodox people. Read more here: PRAYER: O Blessed Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! Listen to the painful sighing of our souls, look from the height of Thy saint on us, with faith and love bowing to Thy most pure and miraculous image. Behold, immersed in sin and overwhelmed with sorrow, looking at Your image, as if you live with us, we offer our humble prayers. No other help, no other intercession, no consolation, only to You, O Mother of all those who grieve and burdened! Help us who are weak, quench our sorrows, guide us astray on the right path, heal our painful hearts and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of the time of our life in peace and repentance, give us a Christian death and at the Last Judgment of Your Son appear to us, merciful intercessor, yes we always sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who please God, forever and ever. 2. KAZAN ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
Celebration in honor of the icon on October 22 / November 4 and July 8 / 21 Appeared in 1579 in Kazan on the ashes after a fire. A list from it was sent to Prince Pozharsky, who soon liberated Moscow. She provided assistance to the Russian army during the years of the Napoleonic invasion and in the Great Patriotic War. Before her they pray for the intercession of Russia, in various ailments, especially in diseases of the eyes. PRAYER: Oh, Most Holy Lady, Lady Mother of God! With fear, faith and love before your honest and miraculous icon, we bow down, we pray to you: do not turn your face away from those who run to you: implore, merciful Mother, your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, may we save our peaceful country, but your Church let him keep the unshakable saint and save him from unbelief, heresies and schism. Not imams of other help, not imams of other hope, unless you, Most Pure Virgin: You are the all-powerful helper and intercessor of Christians: save everyone who prays with faith to You from the falls of sin, from the calumny of evil people, from all temptations, sorrows, illnesses, troubles and from sudden death: grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of mind, correction of sinful lives and forgiveness of sins, so that all thanksgivingly glorify Your greatness and mercy, which are shown above us here on earth, we will be honored with the Kingdom of Heaven, and there with Let us glorify with all the saints the honorable and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. 3. A quick listener
The miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear" is one of the most ancient icons of the Mother of God. The prototype of the icon is located on Mount Athos, in the monastery of Dohiar. The history of this icon goes back over a thousand years. The legend of the icon. In the middle of the 17th century, the monk Nil labored in the Dohiar monastery, performing the obedience of a refectory. Every time he entered the refectory, he inadvertently smoked with a torch the image of the Mother of God, which hung at the entrance to the refectory. Once, as usual, passing by the icon with a flaming torch, the monk Nil heard the words: “For the future, do not approach here with a lit torch and do not smoke My image.” At first, Neil was frightened by the human voice, but decided that one of the brethren had said it and did not pay attention to the words. As before, he continued to walk past the icon with a lit torch. As time passed, the monk Nil again heard the words from the icon: “Monk, unworthy of this name! How long have you so carelessly and so shamelessly smoked My image? At these words, the trapezarium suddenly lost his sight. Deep repentance seized his soul, and he sincerely confessed his sin of reverent treatment of the image of the Mother of God, recognizing himself worthy of such punishment. Neil decided not to leave the icon until he received the forgiveness of his sins and healing from his blindness. In the morning the brethren found him lying on his back in front of the holy icon. After the monk told about what had happened to him, the monks lit an inextinguishable lamp in front of the icon. The delinquent himself prayed and wept day and night, turning to the Mother of God, so that soon his fervent prayer was heard. A familiar voice said to him: “Neil! Your prayer is heard, you are forgiven, and sight is given to your eyes again. To raise up to all the brethren that I am the cover, industry and protection of their monastery dedicated to the Archangels. Let them and Orthodox Christians turn to Me in their needs, and I will not leave anyone unheard: to all who reverently resort to Me, I will intercede, and the prayers of all will be fulfilled by the Son and My God for the sake of My intercession before Him. From now on, this icon of Mine will be called the “Quick Acolyte” because I will soon show mercy to all those who flow to it and will soon listen to their petitions. Following these joyful words, the sight returned to the monk Nilus. This happened on November 9, 1664. The rumor about the miracle that happened before the icon quickly spread throughout Athos, attracting many monks to worship the shrine. The brethren of the Dohiar monastery blocked the entrance to the refectory in order to protect the place where the icon was located. On the right side, a temple was added, consecrated in honor of the image of the "Quick Hearing". At the same time, a particularly reverent hieromonk (promonarius) was chosen to constantly stay at the icon and perform prayers before it. This obedience continues to this day. Also, on the evening of every Tuesday and Thursday, the entire brethren of the monastery sing before the icon the touching canon of the Mother of God (in Greek “paraklis”), the priest commemorates all Orthodox Christians at litanies and prays for the peace of the whole world. They pray before the icon when they need quick and urgent help, for the healing of mental and bodily ailments, including paralysis, blindness, cancer, and also ask for the birth of healthy children and the release of prisoners. PRAYER: Blessed to the Lady, Ever-Virgin Mother of God, God the Word more than any word for our salvation gave birth, and His grace more abundantly more than all received, a sea of Divine gifts and miracles, an ever-flowing river, pouring out goodness to all who with faith resort to You! Falling down to Your miraculous image, we pray to You, the all-generous Mother of the Human-loving Lord: surprise us with Your rich mercy, and speed up our petitions, brought to You, quick to hearken, to fulfill everything, for the benefit of consolation and salvation for anyone. Visit, Blessing, Thy servants of Thy grace, give the ailing healing and perfect health, overwhelmed silence, captive freedom and various images of the suffering consolation, deliver, all-merciful Lady, every city and country from gladness, ulcers, coward, flood, fire, sword and other temporal and eternal executions, with Your motherly boldness averting the wrath of God: and spiritual relaxation, overwhelmed by passions and falls, the freedom of Your servant, as if you lived without stumbling in all piety in this age, and in the future of eternal blessings we will be vouchsafed to the grace and philanthropy of Your Son and God, Him all glory, honor and worship is due, with His Beginningless Father and the Most Holy Spirit, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen. 4. INNERABLE BOWL.
Celebration in honor of the icon on May 5/18. The Mother of God prays for all sinners and calls to an inexhaustible source of spiritual joy and comfort, announces that the inexhaustible cup of heavenly help and mercy is prepared for all who ask in faith. It is for prosperity in the house, and also helps to heal from addictions, drunkenness, drug addiction, gambling. PRAYER: Oh, most merciful Lady! Now we resort to Your intercession, do not despise our prayers, but graciously hear us - wives, children, mothers and a serious illness of drunkenness of the obsessed, and for the sake of our mother - the Church of Christ and the salvation of those who fall away, heal our brothers and sisters and relatives. Oh, merciful Mother of God, touch their hearts and soon restore them from sinful falls, bring them to saving abstinence. Beg your Son, Christ our God, to forgive us our sins and not turn away His mercy from His people, but strengthen us in sobriety and chastity. Accept, Most Holy Theotokos, the prayers of mothers who shed tears for their children; wives weeping for their husbands; children, orphans and the wretched, left astray, and all of us, falling to Your icon. And may this cry of ours come, through Thy prayers, to the throne of the Most High. Cover and keep us from crafty trapping and all the machinations of the enemy, in the terrible hour of our exodus, help us to go through unswervingly air ordeals, with Your prayers deliver us eternal condemnation, may God's mercy cover us in endless ages of ages. Amen. 5. VLADIMIR ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
Celebration in honor of the icon on May 21 / June 3, June 23 / July 6, August 26 / September 8 According to legend, it goes back to the Evangelist Luke - the first icon painter. At the beginning of the XII century. arrived in Kiev, and then Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky transferred her to Vladimir. The most famous miracles revealed from this image are associated with the deliverance of Moscow from the hordes of Tamerlane, Edigey and Makhmet Giray, as well as help in the Time of Troubles. During the fire in the Moscow Kremlin in 1547, the Assumption Cathedral survived unharmed, which is also associated with the intercession of the Most Pure One, filed through Her miraculous image. Before “Vladimirskaya” they especially pray for the preservation of the Fatherland from foreign invasion. Read more about the icon here: PRAYER: To whom shall we cry, Lady? To whom shall we resort in our sorrow, if not to Thee, Queen of Heaven? Who will receive our weeping and sighing, if not You, immaculate, the hope of Christians and the refuge of us sinners? Who is more in mercy to You? Incline Your ear to us, Lady, Mother of Our God, and do not despise those who demand Your help: hear our groaning, strengthen us sinners, enlighten and teach us, Queen of Heaven, and do not depart from us, Your servant, Lady, for our murmuring, but wake up Mother and Intercessor to us, and entrust us to the gracious cover of Your Son: arrange for us, whatever Your will is holy, and bring us sinners to a quiet and serene life, let us cry for our sins, but we will rejoice with You always, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen. 6. ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD OF THE SIGN.
Celebration in honor of the icon on November 27 / December 10 This icon began to be revered as miraculous from the 12th century, when internecine strife broke out between the Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal princes. Novgorod was besieged by a huge army, however, when the icon was surrounded by the city walls, the attackers were seized with horror, and they hastily withdrew. Subsequently, the icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” became famous also for the fact that it stopped a great fire that threatened to destroy the whole of Novgorod. Many signs of miraculous power are performed from this grace-filled shrine. The Merciful Lady shows through this shrine the signs of Her protection and intercession both in public disasters and in the lives of ordinary people. Christian mothers who come to the realization of their impotence to give happiness to their children, to protect them from always close and inevitable danger, turn their eyes to this image and find support and help. Before the icon "The Sign" they pray for the pacification of the Fatherland, for deliverance from internecine strife, for deliverance from the fire. PRAYER: Oh, most holy and blessed Mother of our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ! We fall down and bow to You before Your holy miraculous icon, remembering the wondrous sign of Your intercession, manifested to the great Novugrad during the days of the military invasion. We humbly pray to Thee, the all-powerful kind of our intercessor: as if in ancient times, our father hastened to help then, so now we are weak and sinful of Your motherly intercession and well-being. Save and save, Mistress, under the shelter of Your mercy, the Holy Church, Your city, (Your abode) and our entire Orthodox country and all of us who fall to You with faith and love and tenderly ask with tears of Your intercession, have mercy and save. Hey, Lady All-Merciful! Have mercy on us, overwhelmed by many sins, stretch out Your God-receiving hands to Christ the Lord and intercede for us before His goodness, asking us for forgiveness of our sins, a pious peaceful life, a good Christian end and a good answer at His terrible judgment: yes, save Your almighty to Him with prayers, we will inherit heavenly bliss, and with all the saints we will sing the most honorable and magnificent name of the revered Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy to us forever and ever. Amen. 7. MAMMALIAN
Celebration in honor of the icon January 12/25 Located on Athos, where she arrived from the Holy Land from the Lavra of Savva the Sanctified according to the will of St. Savva. The Mother of God is depicted feeding the Divine Infant. A list from the Athos image was sent to Russia in 1860. Breastfeeding mothers especially pray before the “Mammary Feeder” in the cares of motherhood and during childbirth. PRAYER: Accept, Lady Mother of God, the tearful prayers of Your servants who flow to You. We see Thee on a holy icon in her arms, carrying and nourishing with milk Your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ. If and without pain you gave birth to Him, both the mother of grief, weight and weakness of the sons and daughters of men see. The same warmth falling to Your healing image and tenderly kissing this, we pray to Thee, the All-Merciful Lady: us sinners, condemned to give birth in illnesses and feed our children in sorrows, mercifully spare and compassionately intercede, our babies, who also gave birth to them, from a serious illness and deliver bitter sorrow. Grant us health and well-being, and nourishment from strength will increase in strength, and those who feed them will be filled with joy and consolation, as even now, by Your intercession from the lips of babies and pissing, the Lord will give His praise. O Mother of the Son of God! Have mercy on the mother of the sons of men and on Your weak people: soon heal the sicknesses that come upon us, quench the sorrows and sorrows that are upon us, and do not despise the tears and sighs of Your servants. Hear us on the day of sorrow before the icon of Your bow, and on the day of joy and deliverance, accept the grateful praise of our hearts. Offer up our prayers to the throne of Your Son and our God, may he be merciful to our sin and weakness and give His mercy to those who lead His name, as yes, we and our children will glorify Thee, the merciful Intercessor and the faithful hope of our kind forever and ever, amen . 8. DON ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
The Don Icon was painted by Feofan the Greek, the teacher of St. Andrei Rublev. A characteristic feature of this image is the legs of the Divine Infant placed on the left hand of the Mother of God. In the same hand, the Blessed Virgin holds a scarf that dries up tears and comforts those who cry. Before this image they pray in difficult times for Russia, for help to the Russian army, getting rid of the enemy. According to legend, the Cossacks found the icon floating on the waves of the Don. A moleben was served at the place where the icon was found, and then it was transferred to the temple. Soon the image of the icon became the regimental banner of the Don Cossacks. Under the Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, the Russian army fought against the overwhelming hordes of the Mongol-Tatars. The Grand Duke was a zealous Christian - only after asking for favor before the icon of the Blessed Virgin, the prince ordered to gather an army in defense. Having learned that the prince was heading to the battlefield, the inhabitants of the Don brought him their main shrine - the icon of the Mother of God. Prayers before the miraculous image were offered throughout the night. And during the battle, the icon was constantly in the camp of Russian soldiers. The historical battle on the Kulikovo field, which lasted a whole day and claimed, according to the chronicles, two hundred thousand human lives, is a clear miracle of the special intercession of the Mother of God. The Tatars fled, frightened by an amazing vision: in the midst of the battle, surrounded by flames and throwing arrows, the solar regiment marched on them under the leadership of the Heavenly Warrior. In 1591, for the granted victory and mercy shown through the Don Icon at the command of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich (at that time Russia was attacked from two sides at once - the Swedes went to Novgorod, the Crimean Tatars - to Moscow), the Donskoy Monastery was erected, where the list with miraculous icon. PRAYER: Oh, Blessed Lady, Virgin Mother of God, our good and quick Intercessor. We sing thanksgiving for Your wonderful deeds, we hymn from ancient years Your eternal intercession to the city of Moscow and our country forever. Regiments of aliens turn to flight, castles and villages are preserved unharmed from fire, while people get rid of fierce death. The weeping eyes are dried up, the groans of the faithful are silenced. Sorrow is transformed into universal joy. Wake us a consolation in disasters, a revival of hope, an image of courage, a source of mercy, and in mournful circumstances grant inexhaustible patience. Give to each according to his request and need. Raise babies, teach chastity to the young and teach the fear of God, encourage the despondent and support the weak old age. Soften evil hearts, fill us all with peace and love. Destroy the vices, lest our sins ascend before the Judge of all, lest the righteous wrath of God overtake us. With your cover, protect us from the invasion of enemies, from gladness, sword, fire and any other malice. We hope by your prayers to receive forgiveness of sins from the judge of God, and at the end of our right hand of the throne of glory, where you stand before the Holy Trinity in eternal glory. Oh, all-singing Virgin, make us worthy with the face of angels and saints to praise the most honorable Name of Your Son with the Beginningless Father and the Life-Giving Spirit forever and ever. Amen. 9. ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD WORTH TO EAT (MERCIOUS)
Celebration day 11 (23) June. The miraculous icon of the Mother of God “It is worthy to eat” is located in the capital of Athos, the city of Kareia, on the high place of the altar of the cathedral church. The time of its appearance is determined by the year 980, glorification - by 1864. This icon is especially revered due to the following occasion. At the end of the 10th century, not far from the Athos Kareisky monastery, an old hermit lived in a cell with his novice. Once the elder went to the all-night vigil in the temple, and the novice remained in the cell to read the rule of prayer. As night fell, he suddenly heard a knock at the door. Opening it, the young man saw an unfamiliar monk in front of him, who asked permission to enter. The novice let him in, and together they began to chant. So their night service flowed in its own way, until the time came to magnify the Most Holy Theotokos. Standing in front of Her Worthy to Eat “Merciful” icon, the novice began to sing the generally accepted prayer: “The most honest Cherubim and the most glorious Seraphim without comparison ...”, but the guest stopped him and said: “We do not magnify the Mother of God like that” - and sang a different beginning : “It is worthy to eat, as truly, bless Thee, the Theotokos, Blessed and Immaculate, and the Mother of our God.” And then he added to this "The most honest Cherub ...". The monk ordered the novice to always sing in this place of worship the song he had just heard in honor of the Mother of God. Not hoping that he would remember such wonderful words of the prayer he had heard, the novice asked the guest to write them down. But there was neither paper nor ink in the cell, and then the stranger wrote the words of the prayer with his finger on the stone, which became unexpectedly soft as wax. Then he suddenly disappeared, and the monk only had time to ask the stranger for his name, to which he replied: "Gabriel." The elder who returned from the temple was surprised to hear the words of a new prayer from the novice. After listening to his story about the miraculous guest and seeing the miraculously inscribed inscriptions of the song, the elder realized that the celestial being who appeared was the archangel Gabriel. The news of the miraculous visit of the Archangel Gabriel quickly spread throughout Athos and reached Constantinople. The monks of Athos sent to Constantinople a stone slab with a song to the Mother of God inscribed on it as proof of the truth of the news they were transmitting. Since then, the prayer “It is worthy to eat” has become an integral part of Orthodox services. And the icon of the Mother of God "Merciful", together with the former name, is also called "It is worthy to eat." Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Merciful" or "It is worthy to eat" they pray for mental and bodily illnesses, at the end of any work, during epidemics, for happiness in marriage, in case of accidents. PRAYER: O Most Holy and Merciful Lady Mother of God! Falling down to Your holy icon, we humbly pray to You, hear the voice of our prayer, see our sorrows, see our troubles and, like a loving Mother, rush to help us helpless, implore Your Son and our God: may He not destroy us for our iniquity, but reveal us philanthropy his mercy. Ask us, Mistress, from His goodness bodily health and spiritual salvation, and peaceful life, fruitfulness of the earth, good air, and blessing from above on all our good deeds and undertakings ... You, before your most pure icon, sent an angel to him to teach him to sing a song from heaven, with which the angels glorify Thee; so now accept our fervent prayer, which is offered to you. Oh, the All-Perfect Queen! Stretch out your God-bearing hand to the Lord, you wore the image of the God-child Jesus Christ, and beg Him to deliver us from all evil. Reveal, Mistress, Your mercy to us: heal the sick, comfort the grieving, help the needy and make us pious to complete this earthly life, receive a Christian shameless death and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven with Your motherly intercession to Christ our God, who was born from You, Himself with His Beginningless Father and by the Holy Spirit all glory, honor and worship is due, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen. 10. POCHAYEV ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
The celebration in honor of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God on August 5 (July 23, according to the old style) was established in memory of the deliverance of the Dormition Pochaev Lavra from the Turkish siege in 1675. The history of this miraculous icon of the Mother of God is inextricably linked with the Pochaev Monastery in honor of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos (Ukraine). On the mountain where the Assumption Pochaev Lavra is now located, in 1340 two monks settled. Once one of them, after praying, went to the top of the mountain and suddenly saw the Mother of God standing on a stone, as if enveloped in flames. He called another monk, who was also honored to contemplate the miraculous phenomenon. The third eyewitness to the vision was the shepherd John Barefoot. Seeing an unusual light on the mountain, he climbed it and, together with the monks, began to glorify God and His Most Pure Mother. After the phenomenon disappeared, the imprint of Her right foot remained on the stone where the Mother of God stood. This imprint has survived to this day and is always filled with water, which miraculously exudes a stone. The water in the foot does not become scarce, despite the fact that numerous pilgrims constantly fill their vessels with it to heal from ailments. The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God itself appeared in the monastery in the following way. In 1559, Metropolitan Neophyte from Constantinople, passing through Volhynia, visited the noblewoman Anna Goyskaya, who lived on the estate of Orel, not far from Pochaev. As a blessing, he left her an icon of the Mother of God brought from Constantinople. Soon they began to notice that a radiance emanated from the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God. When Anna's brother Philip was healed in front of the icon in 1597, she gave the icon to the monks who settled on Mount Pochaev. After some time, a church was built on the rock in honor of the Assumption of the Mother of God, which became part of the monastery complex. During its history, the Pochaev Monastery has endured many disasters: it was oppressed by the Lutherans, attacked by the Turks, fell into the hands of the Uniates, but thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God, all hardships were overcome. When referring to the Mother of God "Pochaevskaya", they pray for protection from internecine hostility, from enemy invasion, for healing from blindness, both bodily and spiritual, for release from captivity. The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered shrines of the Russian Church. PRAYER: Oh, All-Merciful Lady, Queen and Lady, chosen from all generations, and blessed by all generations of heaven and earth! Look graciously at this people standing before Your holy icon and fervently praying to You, and create intercession and intercession with Your Son and our God, so that no one leaves from here his hopes thin and put to shame in his hope, but may everyone receive everything from You, according to the good desire of his heart and according to his need and need, for the salvation of the soul and for the health of the body. Look with mercy, O All-Singing Mother of God, and have loved this monastery, which is called by Your name, from the ancient years, having chosen it as your property, and abundantly exuding currents of healing from Your miraculous icon and from the ever-flowing source, in the footprint of Your foot, open to us, and save me from every pretense and slander of the enemy, as if of old you have kept your appearance whole and unharmed from the fierce invasion of the Hagarites, let the Most Holy Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be sung and glorified in it, and Your glorious Assumption, forever and ever. Amen. 11. THE FEODOROVSKAYA ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
Celebration in honor of the icon on March 14/27 and August 16/29 Named after the Fedorovsky Gorodetsky Monastery, in which it was originally located. In the XIII century, it was moved to Kostroma and helped defend the principality from the Tatars. “Fedorovskaya” is a generic image of the royal house of the Romanovs, with which many Sovereigns were blessed to the kingdom. She is revered as the patroness of Christian families, an assistant in childbirth and in raising children. PRAYER: To whom I will call, Lady, to whom I will resort in my sorrow; to whom I will bring my tears and sighs, if not to You, the Queen of Heaven and earth: who will rip me out of the mud of sins and iniquities, if not You, O Mother of the Belly, Intercessor and Refuge of the human race. Hear my groaning, console me and have mercy in my sorrow, protect me in troubles and misfortunes, deliver me from bitterness and sorrow and all sorts of ailments and diseases, from enemies visible and invisible, pacify the enmity of those who torment me, may I be delivered from human slander and malice; so free me from your own flesh of vile customs. Cover me under the shade of Your mercy, may I find peace and joy and cleansing from sins. I entrust myself to your motherly intercession; Wake me Mati and hope, cover and help and intercession, joy and consolation and an ambulance in everything Helper. O wonderful mistress! Everyone who flows to You does not leave without Your all-powerful help: for this sake, and I am unworthy, I run to You, so that I will be delivered from sudden and fierce death, gnashing of teeth and eternal torment. I will receive the Kingdom of Heaven and I will be honored with You in the tenderness of the heart of the river: Rejoice, Mother of God, Our zealous Intercessor and Intercessor, forever and ever. Amen. 12. ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD quench my sorrows.
Celebration day February 7 (January 25, old style) The icon of the Mother of God “Satisfy my sorrows” was brought to Moscow by the Cossacks in 1640 under Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich and was in the church of St. Nicholas, which is on Pupyshi in Sadovniki. In this church, records were kept of many miracles that occurred from the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, but all documentary evidence was destroyed by a fire in 1771. Tradition, however, has preserved the memory of many miraculous events, the most famous of which is the following incident, which marked the beginning of the veneration of the icon as miraculous. One woman of noble birth, who lived far from Moscow, was bedridden for a long time, suffering from a debilitating disease. Doctors no longer hoped for her recovery, and the woman expected death. But one day, in a dream, the sick woman saw the Mother of God, who told her: “Tell yourself to be taken to Moscow. There, on Pupyshevo, in the church of St. Nicholas, there is My image with the inscription: "Assuage my sorrows, pray before him and you will receive healing." The woman shared what she had seen with her relatives, and everyone, with deep faith, set off on a difficult path for the sick, and upon arrival in Moscow, they found the indicated temple. However, having examined the entire church, the arrivals did not find the image that appeared to the woman in a dream. Then the priest, to whom the patient turned for advice, ordered the clerks to bring all the icons of the Mother of God from the bell tower. Among the brought dilapidated and dusty icons, they found an icon of the Mother of God with the inscription: "Assuage my sorrows." Seeing him, the patient exclaimed: “She! She!" - and, having not even had the opportunity to move her hand before, to the surprise of everyone, she crossed herself. After the prayer service, the woman venerated the icon and rose to her feet completely healthy. This healing took place on January 25, 1760. A distinctive feature of the icon SATELLIFY MY SORRY - the Infant of God holds an unfolded scroll in his hands, the Mother of God props up her cheek with one hand. PRAYER: The Virgin, the Lady, the Mother of God, who more than nature and words gave birth to the Only Begotten Word of God, the Creator and Lord of all visible and invisible creatures, the One from the Trinity of God, God and Man, who became the abode of the Divine, the receptacle of all holiness and grace, in which, by good will God and the Father, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, bodily dwelt the Fullness of the Godhead, incomparably exalted with divine dignity and prevailing over every creature, Glory and Consolation, and the inexpressible joy of the Angels, the royal crown of the apostles and prophets, the most natural and wonderful courage of the martyrs, the Champion in exploits and the Giver victory, preparing for the ascetics crowns and rewards eternal and divine, exceeding all honor, honor and glory of the saints, the infallible Waypointer and Mentor of silence, the door of revelations and spiritual mysteries, the Source of Light, the gates of eternal life, the inexhaustible river of mercy, the inexhaustible sea of all divine gifts and miracles. We ask you and we implore you, the most compassionate Mother of the philanthropic Lord, be merciful to us, your humble and unworthy servants, look graciously at our captivity and humility, heal the brokenness of our souls and bodies, scatter visible and invisible enemies, be for us, unworthy, before in the face of our enemies with a strong pillar, an abusive weapon, a strong militia, a Governor and an invincible Defender, now show us Your ancient and wonderful mercy, so that our lawless enemies will know that Your Son and God is the only King and Master, that You are truly the Mother of God, who gave birth to according to the flesh of the true God, that everything is possible for you, and whatever you desire, Lady, you have the power to do all this in Heaven and on earth, and for every request to grant what is useful to anyone: health to the sick, silence and good navigation on the sea. Travel and protect those who travel, save the captives from bitter slavery, console the sad, alleviate poverty and all other bodily suffering: free everyone from spiritual illnesses and passions, through Your invisible intercessions and suggestions, so that, having well and unstumblingly made the path of this temporary life, we would improve through You and these eternal blessings in the Kingdom of Heaven. Faithful, honored by the terrible name of Thy Only Begotten Son, who trust in Thy intercession and in Thy mercy, and in everything who have Thee as their Intercessor and Champion, strengthen invisibly against the surrounding enemies, scatter the cloud of despondency that envelops their souls, deliver them from spiritual trouble and give them light complacency and joy, restoring peace and serenity in their hearts. Save by Thy prayers, the Lady, this flock predominantly dedicated to You, the whole city and country, from hunger, earthquake, drowning, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, internecine warfare, and turn any anger righteously moved against us, by the goodwill and grace of the Only Begotten Son and Thy God, to Him befits all glory, honor and worship, with His Father without beginning, with His co-eternal and life-giving Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever! Amen. 13. TIKHVIN ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
Celebration in honor of the icon on June 26/July 9 The first mention of it dates back to the 5th century. Within Russia, it was miraculously revealed in 1383, during the reign of Dimitri Donskoy, to fishermen who were fishing on Ladoga. Glorified by great miracles: the sight of the blind, the healing of the possessed. Among the memorable signs is the protection of the Tikhvin monastery from the Swedes. They especially resort to this icon in case of illnesses of children. PRAYER: We thank Thee, O blessed and most pure, most blessed Virgin Lady, Mother of Christ our God, about all Thy blessings, I even showed you to the human race, and especially to us, the Russian people of Christ, about them even lower, the angelic tongue will be pleased with praise: thank you Thee, as if even now surprised Thy unspeakable mercy on us, Thy unworthy servants, with the miraculous self-appearance of Thy most pure icon, with which Thou hast enlightened the whole Russian state. Even so, we are sinners, bowing with fear and joy, crying out to You: O Most Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on His Holiness Patriarch Alexy, bishops and all people, and give them victory over all their enemies, and save all cities and countries Christian and this holy temple, and deliver from every slander of the enemy, and grant all for the benefit of those who have come in faith and praying to Your servant and worshiping Your most holy image: as blessed are You with the Son and God born of You, now and forever and ever ages of ages. 14. CHERNIGOV ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
Celebration of the icon on April 29 (April 6, old style) The icon of Our Lady of Chernigov Ilyinsky became famous in 1662 in the Trinity Ilyinsky Monastery near Chernigov. Through prayers to the Mother of God in front of Her miraculous image, the monastery was saved from the Tatars who attacked the monastery. From April 16 to April 24, almost all residents of Chernigov witnessed how tears flowed from this icon of the Mother of God. Shortly thereafter, the Tatars raided Chernigov and ravaged its environs. The monks of the Ilyinsky Monastery, having prayed to the Heavenly Intercessor in front of Her icon, took refuge in a cave. No matter how hard the Tatars who burst into the monastery tried to take possession of the jewels that adorn the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, an invisible force did not allow them to touch the shrine. The same invisible force each time threw back the Tatars when they tried to enter the cave where the monks hid. Frightened by an incomprehensible phenomenon, the Tatars took to flight. The miraculous list (copy) of the Ilyinsk-Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God, which became famous in the Gethsemane Skete near the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, began to be called the Gethsemane Chernigov Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. At present, the original Ilyinsky-Chernigov Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is located in the Chernigov Assumption Yelets Monastery. PRAYER: Oh, Most Holy Lady, my Lady Mother of God, heavenly Queen, save and have mercy on me, your sinful servant, from vain slander, from all misfortune and misfortune and sudden death. Have mercy on me in the hours of the day, both in the morning and in the evening, and at all times preserve me: standing, sitting, observe, and walking on every path, and in the hours of the night, sleeping, provide, cover and intercede. Protect me, O Lady Mother of God, from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and from every evil situation. At any place and at any time, wake up, Mother Preblagaya, an invincible wall and a strong intercession. O Most Holy Lady Lady Virgin Mother of God, accept my unworthy prayer and save me from vain death, and grant me repentance before the end. Holy Mother of God, save us. You appear to me the keeper of all life, Most Pure! Deliver me from demons at the hour of death! You will rest in death! We run under your mercy, Virgin Mary, do not despise our prayers in sorrows, but deliver us from troubles, one pure and blessed. Holy Mother of God, save us. Amen. 15. ICON OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD OF SMOLENSKAYA (HODEGETRIA).
Celebration in honor of the icon on July 28 August 1/10 Its origin, like the “Vladimirskaya”, is associated with the Evangelist Luke. The image was transferred to the Russian land in the 11th century, when the Byzantine emperor Constantine blessed her daughter Anna, who was married to the Chernigov prince Vsevolod. From here, the icon received another name "Hodegetria" ("Guide"). By the intercession of the Mother of God, revealed through this icon, Smolensk was delivered from Batu, and in 1812 during the Patriotic War it was carried out in front of the troops on the Borodino field. Before the icon "Smolensk" they pray for the preservation of the Fatherland from foreign invasion, for travelers, at a loss of what to do. PRAYER: Oh, wonderful and superior to all creatures, the Queen of the Mother of God, the heavenly King Christ our God Mother, the Blessed Hodegetria Mary! Hear us, sinners and unworthy, at this hour before Your most pure image, falling down, and saying tenderly: lead us from the pit of passions, Good Hodegetria, deliver us from all sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all misfortunes and evil slander and from the unrighteous slander of the enemy : you can, O our gracious Mother, not only save Your people from all evil, but also provide and save with all good deeds: unless there are other intercessors for You in troubles and circumstances and warm intercessors for us sinners to Your Son, Christ our God, not Imams: Begged him, Mistress, to save us and vouchsafe the Kingdom of Heaven, and by Your salvation we glorify Thee and in the future, as the culprit of our salvation, and exalt the all-holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity of the glorious and worshiping God, in ages of ages. Amen. MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, OUR MOTHER, INTERCESSOR OF THE DIGIOUS CHRISTIAN KIND, SAVE US SINNS!!! #OrthodoxPrayers
The people have long distinguished between the "duties" of certain saints. The same with the images of the Faces of the Virgin. Each icon of the Mother of God meets the aspirations of those who pray.
Faces of the Virgin
I will tell you about those miraculous icons that I personally had to meet and whose power I experienced first hand.
As a child, my grandfather told me that the Lord has many helpers - holy and righteous elders, prophets and incorporeal forces. But the first help people receive from the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ the Virgin Mary. We talked for a long time with him about how this world works. Grandfather Nikolai said that everything that surrounds us was created by the Lord, and we must thank Him for this.
Grandpa himself knew how to do wonderful things. He restored musical instruments and paintings. It was amusing to see how a broken violin was brought to him, and he revived it, breathed life into it, and after a while she again sang wonderful melodies, now laughing, now crying, and her soul became warm and peaceful. And everyone always thanked him!
Once they brought a wonderful picture on the blackboard. A beautiful woman with a child - as if someone swaddled them together in beautiful red clothes. I really wanted to take a closer look at her, and, placing a stool, I climbed onto the bookcase after her. I had to land on the floor along with books, one of which hit my knee painfully.
The grandfather who entered grinned into his beard and said: “You need to ask the Mother of God to add your mind.”
So I first got acquainted with the revered, today rare image "Increasing the Mind" or "Giver of the Mind".
This is an amazing image with an amazing story and mysterious iconography, which attracts everyone who has ever seen it. Appeared in Russia in the 16th century, this icon has its own ancient prototype. Helper, the Apostle Luke was not only an evangelist, but also painted icons. According to legend, he also created the sculpture of the Loreto Icon of the Mother of God, which later became the prototype of the “Increase of Mind” icon. Despite the fact that it was later established that the author of the statue was not the Apostle Luke, nevertheless, the creation of the image by him is undeniable until now: “Bless the gospel mysteries of the evangelist Apostle Luke, write the most pure face of Your image.”
In Russia, the first lists of the Loreto Icon of the Mother of God appeared after the return of the ambassadors of Prince Basil from Pope Clement VII, who sought to extend his influence to the Russian principalities. And already here he wrote a new image, which the people began to call "Addition of the mind."
They say that some unknown artist became interested in the corrected books of Patriarch Nikon, as a result of which he went crazy. When the illness receded, he prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos for forgiveness and asked for healing to be sent to him. They also say that the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to the artist several times, and he created Her image, after which the disease receded, reason and health returned.
The icon was painted in an unusual manner at that time. The Most Holy Theotokos and Jesus Christ are depicted wrapped in purple liturgical vestments. There are crowns on their heads, in the upper corners of the icon there are lamps, under the arch there is a starry sky. It is by the vestment that hides the figures of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Infant Christ that the icon resembles its prototype - the statue of Our Lady of Loreta. The architectural details in the form of an arch in the upper part of the image and lamps are the image of a richly decorated niche in which the sculptural image of Our Lady of Loreta is placed. Cherubim with outstretched wings are depicted under the feet of the Mother of God and above Her head.
Whether this was so or only a folk fiction is not known for certain, but the fact that many received help and admonition from this icon is more than enough evidence.
They ask the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Addition of the Mind" for the admonition of the unreasonable, for successful studies, exams, calming the mad, healing ailments associated with the brain.
Personally, I believe that it was thanks to the prayer at this icon that I entered art school and connected myself with art for the rest of my life.
This icon is rare. In Kiev, I know only one temple, where there is a list of the image of the Most Holy Theotokos "Increasing the Mind" - in the Church of the Nativity in Obolon.
Icon of the Mother of God "Joy or Consolation"
From the Vatopedi miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Joy or Consolation" many people received healing. Miracles are happening even now - through prayers at the exact lists of this image.
The history of the icon is as follows: the image of the Mother of God was originally painted in the form of a fresco. There was a custom when the monks, leaving the cathedral after prayer, kissed the icon, after which the abbot handed the keys to the monastery to the gatekeeper, so that he would open the gates of the monastery.
One day, the abbot heard from the icon a warning not to open the gate, but to stay in the monastery and defend himself from pirates. The elder looked at the icon and saw how the baby Jesus stretched out his hand to block the mouth of the Most Holy Theotokos, but She, taking the hand of Christ, repeated the same words. The monks did not dare to disobey the order of the Virgin, as a result, the monastery was saved from the invasion of pirates.
Since then, the monks of Vatopedi have maintained an unquenchable lamp in front of this miraculous icon. We see such a plot in the iconography of the image of the Most Holy Theotokos “Joy or Consolation”. The face of the Mother of God is filled with compassionate love and maternal tenderness, and the face of the little Christ, on the contrary, is severe and formidable.
Many testify that they cannot see enough of this marvelous, truly miraculous image, created by God, which gives peace and tranquility.
Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Joy or Consolation”, they pray and ask for help in disasters, when enemies attack, for deliverance from illnesses and misfortunes, as well as for peace in conflict situations and in all life affairs.
The Most Holy Theotokos is asked to intercede before our Lord Jesus Christ and forgive human sins, save from troubles. They turn to Her when they have been innocently slandered, drawn into a scandalous situation, asked to strengthen their spirit and will, to help them cope with difficulties, survive and overcome the crisis.
Icon of the Mother of God "Joy or Consolation" - a list stored in the convent of the same name
An exact copy of the Vatopedi miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Joy or Consolation”, painted on Athos, was donated to the convent of the same name in the Kiev region.
Icon of the Mother of God "Three Hands"
In the Ioninsky Monastery in Kiev there is a miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Three Hands". This image was painted in the middle of the 19th century by order of the Monk Jonah and was in his cell. The icon was with Elder Jonah both in the Nikolsky Monastery, and then in the Vydubetsky Monastery, and when the Ioninsky Monastery was built, it took its place on the right column of the temple.
Icon of the Mother of God "Three Hands" - a favorite image of the Monk Jonah of Kiev
The image became famous for many cases of healing and miracles, he was especially revered by the elder Jonah.
Here is one of the most impressive cases. In 1918, when Kiev several times passed from hand to hand between different political revolutionary forces, at a time when the government of Hetman Skoropadsky was in power, a terrible explosion took place in the armory at the Menagerie, located in the immediate vicinity of the monastery. The ammunition depots of the entire South-Western Front of the times exploded.
It is now impossible to establish whether it was sabotage or simply carelessness in the storage of deadly materials. But during the explosion, many people were injured, a huge number of houses and buildings were destroyed. And the icon "Three Hands" warned the people of Kiev about the coming tragic event. On the eve of the explosion, during the evening service, both the brethren of the monastery and numerous parishioners saw the icon weeping. And only the next day, after the explosion, people understood what the Most Holy Theotokos was grieving about.
And today the brethren of the monastery and the parishioners hope that the Mother of God, Who loves everyone, Who prays for those who need Her help, will have mercy on both Kiev, the mother of Russian cities, and Ukraine, and will protect people faithful to the Lord from sorrows, and those hardest trials that fell to his lot will safely stop.
The miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Three Hands" was painted in the characteristic style of Ukrainian icon painting of the mid-19th century. If we examine it carefully, we will see that the so-called stamps with images of the heavenly patrons of the Monk Jonah and his parents are written on the margins. They are written very carefully, professionally and with love. This indicates that the icon was painted in one of the monastic icon-painting workshops in Kiev. You can see the icon and venerate it in the same place where St. Jonah placed it a hundred years ago.
At the "Three Hands" in the Kiev Trinity Ioninsky Monastery
In general, the “Three-Handed” is one of the most famous and widely revered in the Orthodox world of Our Lady of the Hodegetria type. This is the shrine of the Serbian monastery Hilandar on Mount Athos. It differs from other similar icons in the left-sided image of the Infant Christ (sitting on the right hand of the Mother of God).
Several legends are connected with this image, telling about where the third hand appeared on the image of the Mother of God, and how the icon ended up on the Holy Mountain.
According to one of the legends, thanks to the prayer at this image, the protector and hymnographer John of Damascus healed his hand, cut off on the slander of enemies. In gratitude, he brought a silver statue of a healed hand as a gift to the miraculous icon, which was hung on the icon, for which it received the name "Three-Handed".
According to another legend, the icon painter twice erased the image of the third hand from it, and it appeared again and again on the board. And only then the Most Holy Theotokos appeared in a dream and ordered to leave the image unchanged, “for the sake of miracles, and not by nature.”
Despite the contradictions in the appearance of the image of the Mother of God "Three-Handed", the meaning of the unusual iconography is revealed when referring to the text of the troparion in honor of the icon. It says that the Mother of God holds the Divine Infant with both hands, and another hand symbolizes the cover and protection that She bestows on those who pray: misfortunes and misfortunes faithfully to you who resort to you deliver.
The icon of the Mother of God "Three Hands" will protect from enemies that threaten the well-being of the house and everyone living in it. Before her, they pray for the healing and health of loved ones, for the cure of diseases of the hands, feet, eyes.
Through prayer before the "Three-Handed" melancholy and sorrowful thoughts recede. Also, this image of the Virgin is especially revered by those who are engaged in crafts.
Icon "Do not cry for me, Mati"
Soon we will all worship another wondrous icon. The Mother of God is depicted weeping over the Savior being laid in the tomb. Sometimes the image is called in Greek - "Pieta", but it is better known as "Do not cry for Me, Mati."
The icon belongs to the passionate and participates in worship only once a year. On, most often on Friday, it is laid out on a lectern.
The name is taken from the irmos of the ninth song of the canon on Great Saturday: “Do not weep for Me, Mati, seeing in the tomb, but in the womb without a seed you conceived the Son, I will rise and be glorified, and I will exalt with glory unceasingly, like God, by faith and love of Thee magnifying." So Christ Himself comforts the Mother, telling Her about the coming Resurrection, through sorrow the news of.
The icon "Do not cry for Me, Mati" in the St. Nicholas Church
I recently came across a marvelous list of this particular iconographic plot in the St. Nicholas Church in the city of Vasilkov in the Kiev region. It was written back in the 1870s with the blessing of hegumen Nikon, who served in this church, and was donated by parishioners to the temple.
Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Do not cry for Me, Mother,” they pray for the suffering, as well as for close relatives and children.
There are icons in the Orthodox world, the number of which is very small. And among them is the icon of the Mother of God "August".
Written in memory of the appearance of the Mother of God in 1914 to Russian soldiers before the Warsaw-Ivangorod operation (September 15 - October 26, 1914), the battle near the city of Augustow, Suwalki province of the Russian Empire (now the territory of Eastern Poland).
According to the stories of the soldiers, on the night of September 7-8, they saw the Mother of God with the baby Jesus Christ in the sky. The Mother of God pointed to the west with her hand. And the subsequent big battle near Augustovo was marked by a complete victory. Moreover, in this battle, not one of the witnesses of the phenomenon died. This message was published in the church and secular press and inspired the troops.
Since 1915, the first iconic images of this event have appeared. The Holy Synod considered the issue of the appearance of the Mother of God for about a year and a half and on March 31, 1916, decided: “The Holy Synod, having given praise and thanksgiving to the Lord God, who miraculously provides through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother, for all who turn to Him with fervent and sincere prayer, recognizes it necessary to capture the mentioned event of the appearance of the Mother of God in the memory of subsequent generations of the Russian people and therefore determines: to bless the celebration in the temples of God and the homes of believers of icons depicting the aforementioned appearance of the Mother of God to Russian soldiers ... "
Almost every icon is unique and, without exaggeration, one can say that it has great historical value, since, as a rule, it is associated with certain historical events. So this image of the Mother of God is akin to a popular popular print and an amateur primitive, which, by the way, never died in icon-painting practice, and only at the beginning of the 20th century was recognized as a unique form of art. The result is a rare optimistic combination of high iconographic form and simple folk art.
I met this unique icon not far from Kiev, in a pure white, praying rural church. Everything is simple, at home, without fuss and pretentiousness. The local rector, Father Guriy, always welcomes everyone with joy - regardless of social origin and material well-being, and warm memories of these meetings still live in my memory for a long time.
At the "August" icon
So this time, the gray-haired veterans received a charge of vivacity and hope and returned to the capital with jokes and smiles on their faces, which contrasted strongly among the gray mass of the capital's people. More than once or twice, the Mother of God settled strife, showed miraculous power. So the veterans, scorched by the war, go to her to ask for help and intercession from the Lord for their relatives and friends, for the people, for the end of civil confrontation and the miraculous salvation of our sons.
The Mother of God is asked for admonition by those who are having problems in family relationships, who cannot find a way out of seemingly impasses in life.
Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear"
The history of this icon is connected with one of the Athos monasteries, namely Dohiar, where the grace-giving power of this miraculous image was revealed. It is believed that the fresco, which served as a prototype for the icon, was painted as early as the 10th century during the reign of the founder of the Dochiar monastery, the Monk Neophyte. It was located in a niche of the outer wall, in front of the entrance to the monastery refectory.
In 1664, the refectory Nile, passing at night into the refectory with a burning torch, heard a voice from the icon: “From now on, do not approach here with a lit torch and do not smoke My image.” The monk was frightened at first, but then, deciding that this was a joke of one of the brethren, he soon forgot about this incident. After some time, when Nil passed by the icon in the evening, the same voice was heard: “Monk, unworthy of this name! How long have you so carelessly and so shamelessly smoked My image?!” After these words, the monk Nil was struck by blindness and relaxation of the body. The repentant monk fell on his knees before the icon and all night, until the arrival of the brethren, he prayed to the Blessed Virgin for forgiveness. When the monks found out about the miracle that had happened, they immediately lit the inextinguishable lamp and fell down with reverence before the miraculous icon.
Nil, in the hope of the great mercy of the Mother of God, remained near the icon and decided not to leave her until he received it. After a while, kneeling in front of the icon, he again heard a familiar voice: “Nile! your prayer is heard, you are forgiven, and sight is again given to your eyes. When you receive this mercy from Me, tell the brethren that I am their protection, industry and protection of their monastery dedicated to the Archangels. Let them and all Orthodox Christians turn to Me in need, and I will not leave anyone; I will intercede with all those who come running to Me with reverence, and the prayers of all will be fulfilled by the Son and My God, for the sake of My intercession before Him, so from now on this icon of My will be called the Quick Listener, because I will show mercy and fulfillment of petitions to everyone who flows to her ".
In Russia, lists from the miraculous Athos icon "Quick to Hear" have always enjoyed great love. Many of them became famous for miracles.
As a sign of unity in Christ and prayerful communion between the Dohiarsky Archangel Monastery and the resurgent Archangelo-Mikhailovskaya Monastery on the Zverinets caves in Kiev, an exact copy of this ancient miraculous icon was painted.
At the Icon of the Mother of God "Quick Hearer" in the Archangel-Mikhailovsky Zverinetsky Monastery
First of all, in front of the icon of the Mother of God "Quick Acolyte" they pray for spiritual insight when a person is at a loss and does not know what to do, as well as in all cases when especially quick and effective help is needed.
The Most Holy Theotokos, through Her icon of the Quick Listener, grants help in curing various diseases, even oncological ones. Before Her in a holy way, they offer a prayer for children and for help in childbirth - about the birth of a healthy child, before various operations and performing especially important matters.
More than once or twice I had to experience the miraculous help of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Somehow they asked me to shoot the interiors of the church of the Archangel-Mikhailovsky Zverinets monastery, where the very exact copy of the Athos icon "The Quick Hearing One" is located. The temple itself is small, chamber; shooting conditions are such that you need to shoot with short-focus lenses and without additional lighting. Whoever tried, no one at that time did not succeed. They turned to me. And I just had an exacerbation of the disease of the spine - an old injury made itself felt after a serious accident. Yes, it was inconvenient for Bishop Jonah to refuse, and I, overcoming the pain, went.
Yes, that's bad luck: not a single lens captured the ceiling. Then I lay down on the floor and began to take pictures, lying on my back. Outside the window - winter, frost, there is no heating in the temple, and I’m lying on the concrete floor in one sweater and I don’t feel the cold at all ...
"Skoroposlushnitsa" in the Kiev Archangel-Mikhailovsky Zverinetsky Monastery
It took an hour and a half to shoot, and the photos turned out! Satisfied with my work, I returned home and only then did I feel that the pain in my back, which had been tormenting me for several months, had disappeared. Apparently, it was not in vain that the Most Pure Mother of God called me to Herself!
Glory to our God Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, who cares about the entire human race, for her vigilant care for us sinners. May Her name be hallowed now and forever and forever and ever!
From ancient times in Russia they were very revered Holy Mother of God. We offer daily prayers to the Mother of God, 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 the adoption of the 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 the literal sense of the word 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 (a symbol of royal origin, but also of 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. The Blessed Virgin 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. In 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 Kiev (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 arm.
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 the way of the Cross, knows what suffering awaits Him.
The type of image of the Mother of God “Tenderness” found a special response in the hearts of Orthodox people, the idea of sacrificial service to one’s people is close and understandable, and the grief of the Virgin, 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 characteristic features. 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, as well as tell the real story of the 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.
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 for a 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. Under Soviet rule, she 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 of 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 the 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.