Conventionally, the entire 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 “Sign” type of iconography (a shortened 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, a virgin will be with child 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 to be 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 is expressed 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, located in the womb of the Mother. The Mother of God can be represented in full size, as in the icon “Yaroslavl Oranta, Great Panagia", or waist-deep, as in the "Kursk Root" or in 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) 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 contemplating the icon, the Holy of Holies, the inner Mary, is revealed to the prayer, in the depths of which the God-man is conceived by the Holy Spirit. “Thy womb is more spacious,” - this is how the Mother of God is magnified in the Akathist. We see Her at the moment of standing before God: “Behold the servant Lord, let it be done to me according to Your word" (Luke 1.38). Her hands are raised in an impulse of prayer (this gesture is described in the Book of 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 a 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 Mother of God's clothes 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, let us recall, their colors symbolize the combination in Her of Virginity and Motherhood, Her earthly nature and Her heavenly calling. In the Yaroslavl "Oranta" the clothes of the Virgin Mary are flooded with golden light (depicted in the form of a large assist), which is an expression of the streams of grace of the Holy Spirit poured out on the Blessed Virgin at the moment of conception. On both sides of Mary are depicted the heavenly powers - either archangels with mirrors in their hands (Yaroslavl “Oranta”), or a blue cherub and a fiery red seraphim. The presence of angelic and heavenly forces in the composition means that the Mother of God, with her humble consent to participate in the act of Incarnation, raises humanity to a level above the 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, this is what is sung: “The most honorable cherub and the most glorious without comparison is the seraphim.”

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 not often encountered detail that reveals the liturgical aspect of this image. This is an orlets - a rug under Mary’s feet, such as are used in bishop’s services. In this case, the eagle symbolizes the cosmic nature of the service of the Mother of God, which stands before God for the entire human race. The Mother of God stands on the eagle as if on a cloud amid the golden radiance of God's glory - the Mother of God is a new creation, a transfigured creation, a new man. The diagram of the Kursk Root icon is supplemented with the image of prophets connected to each other in the likeness of a flourishing vine. The prophets have scrolls of their prophecies in their hands. All this symbolizes the fact that the Mother of God and the Son of God, born of Her, are the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies and aspirations. Thus, 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 “Sign” iconography is “Oranta”. In this case, the Mother of God is presented without the Child in the same pose, with her arms raised. An example of this option is the image of “Our Lady - the Unbreakable Wall” from St. Sophia of Kyiv (mosaic, 10th century). Here the Mother of God is presented as a symbol of the Church. For the first time, Augustine saw the Church in Our Lady. This association has received a wide range of interpretations in the history of theological thought.

The second iconographic type received the name " Hodegetria"which in Greek means " Guidebook"That title contains the concept of the Mother of God icons as a whole, for the Mother of God leads us to Christ. The life of a Christian is a path from darkness - into God’s wonderful light, from sin - to salvation, from death - to life. And on this hard way we have a helper - the Most Holy Theotokos. She was a bridge for the Savior to come into the world, now She is a bridge for us on the way to Him.

So, the iconographic scheme of Hodegetria is constructed as follows: the figure of the Mother of God is presented frontally (sometimes with a slight tilt of the head), on one of Her hands, as on a throne, sits the Infant Christ, with the other hand the Mother of God points to Him, thereby directing the attention of those present and those praying. The Infant Christ blesses the Mother with one hand, and in Her person, us (often the gesture of blessing is directed directly at the viewer), in the other hand He holds a rolled up scroll (there are options when the Infant holds a scepter and orb, a book, an unrolled scroll).

In the gesture of the Mother of God, pointing to Christ, the key to this image is that the Mother of God orients us spiritually, directing us to Christ, for He is the Way, the Truth and the 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 Mother of God icons became unusually widespread throughout the Christian world, and especially in Byzantium and Russia. It is no coincidence that many revered icons of this type were attributed to the brushes of the Apostle Luke.

The most famous variants of Hodegetria include: “Smolenskaya”, “Iverskaya” (Goalkeeper), “Tikhvinskaya”, “Gruzinskaya”, “Jerusalemskaya”, “Three-handed”, “Passionate”, “Czestochowa”, “Cyprus”, “Abalatskaya”, "Helper of Sinners" and many others.

Small iconographic differences in detail are associated with the details of the history of the origin of each specific image. So the third hand of the “Three-Handed” icon was added to St. John of Damascus, when, through his prayer, the Mother of God restored his severed hand. The bleeding wound on the cheek of “Iverskaya” takes us back to the times of iconoclasm, when this image was attacked by those who rejected the icon: from the blow of a spear, blood flowed from the icon, which plunged the witnesses into indescribable horror. The icon of the Mother of God “Passionate” usually depicts two angels flying towards the Child with instruments of passion, thereby foreshadowing His suffering for us. As a result of this plot twist, the pose of the Infant Christ is slightly changed - He is depicted half-turned, looking at the angels, His hands holding the hand of Mary. 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 depiction, but there are also shoulder-length compositions of the Mother of God icons; These include “Kazanskaya”, “Petrovskaya”, “Igorevskaya”. The same topic is being developed here, but in some abbreviated version.

The third type of Mother of God icons in Rus' received the name " Tenderness"which is not an entirely accurate translation of the Greek word" Eleusa"(έλεουσα), i.e. "Merciful". In Byzantium, this epithet was used to designate the Mother of God herself and many of Her icons, 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 "Glycophilus" (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 Virgin Mary and the Child Christ, clinging to each other's faces. Head Mary is inclined towards the Son, and He puts his hand around the Mother's neck. This touching composition contains a deep theological idea: here the Mother of God is revealed to us not only as a Mother caressing the Son, but also as a symbol of the soul in close communion with God. God is the mystical theme of many of the writings of the Holy Fathers.The Mother of God of Tenderness is one of the most mystical types of 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”, “Recovery of the Dead”, “Pochaevskaya”, etc. .d. In all these icons, the Mother of God is represented in a half-length composition; in rare cases, a shoulder composition is found, as, for example, in the “Korsun” icon.

A variation of the “Tenderness” iconographic type is the “Leaping” type. Icons of this kind were distributed mainly in the Balkans, but such images are also occasionally found in Russian art. The iconographic scheme here is very close to “Tenderness”, with the only difference being that the Baby is presented in a freer pose, as if playing out. An example of this type of icon is “Yakhromskaya”. This composition always contains a characteristic gesture - the Infant Christ touches the face of the Virgin Mary with his hand. This small detail hides an abyss of tenderness and trust, which opens up to an attentive, contemplative gaze.

Another type of “Tenderness” iconography is “Mammal.” From the name it is clear that the distinctive feature of this iconographic scheme is the image of the Mother of God breastfeeding the Christ Child. Such a detail is not only an intimate detail of this iconographic version, but it reveals a new mystical aspect in the reading of the image of the Virgin Mary. The Mother feeds the Son, in the same way She feeds our souls, in the same way God feeds us with the “pure verbal milk” of the Word of God (1 Peter 2.2), so that as we grow, we move from milk to solid food (Heb. 5.12).

So, the three iconographic types we have named - “Sign”, “Hodegetria” and “Tenderness” are the main ones, leading in the iconography of the Mother of God, since they are based on entire directions in the theological understanding of the image of the Mother of God. Each of them presents to us one aspect 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 options that, for one reason or another, were not included in the first three. The name of the fourth type is conditional - " Akathist", since mainly the iconographic schemes here are built not on the principle of a theological text, but on the principle of illustrating one or another epithet with which the Mother of God is magnified in the Akathist and other hymnographic works. The main meaning of icons of this type is the glorification of the Mother of God. These should include those already mentioned images of the Mother of God with the Child on the throne. The main emphasis of these images is to show the Mother of God as the Queen of Heaven. In this form, this image entered into Byzantine iconography - such compositions were especially often placed in the apse conch. In this version, the Mother of God is also present in St. Sophia of Constantinople. In Russian iconography, an example of such an image is the fresco of Dionysius in the apse of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary at the Ferapontov Monastery.

But most icons of this type are a combination of the central scheme of previous types with additional elements. For example, the iconographic scheme of the “Burning Bush” consists of an image of the Mother of God Hodegetria, surrounded by symbolic figures of glory and heavenly powers (similar to how the image of heavenly glory is depicted in the iconography of “The Savior in Power”). The iconographic scheme of the icon “The Mother of God - Life-Giving Source” includes an image of the Mother of God 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 Uncut” is also built on the principle of mechanical superimposition of symbols - the Mother of God and the Child Christ (like Hodegetria) are seated on a throne, against the background of the figures and around them various symbols are depicted, directly illustrating akathist epithets: the watered fleece, the ladder of Jacob, an unburnt bush, a light-receiving candle, an uncut mountain, etc. And finally, the icon " Unexpected joy"is built on the principle of “an icon within an icon,” that is, the plot inclusion of an image of an icon within the ongoing action. Here, a kneeling man is usually presented, 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 in You.” This is an interesting iconography in its own way; it is based on the idea of ​​the cosmic glorification of the Mother of God. In the center is the Virgin Mary with the Child Christ on the throne in a blaze of glory and surrounded by heavenly powers. The image of the universe is presented in the form of a multi-domed temple surrounded by flowering trees - this is at the same time an image of the 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 - represented on the Icon new land and the new heaven (Rev. 21.1), - the image of the transfigured creature, the beginning of which lies in the mystery of the Incarnation (here the central image partly resembles the diagram of the Sign).

Iconographic options where the Mother of God is depicted without the Infant Christ are few in number; it is not possible to combine them into a special group, since the iconographic scheme in each of them is determined by its own independent theological idea. But to one degree or another they are adjacent to the four types we have already named. For example, “Our Lady of Ostrobramskaya-Vilna” is a variant that gravitates toward the “Sign” type, 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, be it done to Me according to Your word.” Luke 1.38). The position of the hands crossed on the chest (a gesture of humble prayerful adoration) is semantically close to the Oranta gesture. Consequently, this iconographic variant can be classified as the “Sign” type. In addition to Ostrobramskaya, this type corresponds to the icon “The Unbrided Bride” (erroneously called “Tenderness”), which was the cell icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

The famous ancient Russian icon “The Mother of God of Bogolyubsk” also depicts the Mother of God without the Child, but standing before God with intercession for those praying to Her (a group of worshipers is sometimes depicted at the feet of the Mother of God). Since here the Mother of God is depicted as an intercessor and as showing the way to those praying, 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 Hodegetria: Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

But for the most part, the Mother of God icons, in which the Mother of God is represented without the Child, belong to the fourth type - akathist icons, since they were written for the glorification of the Mother of God. So, for example, the iconography of “The Mother of God of Seven Arrows” or “Simeon’s Prophecy” can be attributed to this type; this iconographic version is also known under another name - “Softening 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 during the Presentation uttered the following words: “And a weapon will pierce your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2.35). Such iconography, as a rule, is of late origin, apparently came from the Western European tradition and is distinguished by its literary nature. Nevertheless, they also contain 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 Mother of God icons, known as “Tenderness,” are practically never 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 Our Lady of Sorrows (“Mater Dolorosa”), when the Mother of God is represented immersed in prayerful sorrow 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 also in Orthodox iconography he is also well known. Some researchers believe that it was initially not independent, but was part of a diptych, on the second half of which the suffering Jesus Christ was depicted (in a crown of thorns, with the signs of the Passion). We can see the same plot in the icon “Don’t Weep Mene Mati”, well known in Balkan art and less known here in Russia. This icon usually depicts the Mother of God and Christ (sometimes standing in a tomb), the Mother mourning the death of her Son, hugging 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 weep, Mother of God”, the Mother of God does not press Little Jesus to Herself, but an adult after being taken down from the Cross. The tragedy of the plot reaches an extraordinary intensity - the Mother’s grief is inconsolable, but, as in any icon, there is a message of resurrection, it is in the title of the icon, which is based on the text of a passionate chant: “Do not weep for Mena Mother in the tomb, seeing...”. The appeal to the Mother of God comes in the name of Christ, who conquered death.

It is traditional to depict the Virgin Mary in clothes of two colors: cherry maforia (a modification of red), a blue tunic and a blue cap. As a rule, three golden stars are depicted on the maforia - as a sign of her purity (“she conceived immaculately, gave birth immaculately, died immaculately”) and a border as a sign of her glorification. The dress itself - maforia - means Her Motherhood; the blue color of the dress covered with it - Virginity. But occasionally we can see the Mother of God dressed in blue maforia. This is how She was sometimes depicted in Byzantium and the Balkans. This is how Theophan the Greek painted the Mother of God in the Deesis rite of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. Apparently, in these cases, it is more important for the icon painter to emphasize the Virginity, the purity of the Mother of God, to highlight the aspect of Her purity, to focus our attention on this facet of the image of the Virgin and Mother.

Orthodox tradition, in exceptional cases, allows the depiction of women with bare heads. Usually this is how Mary of Egypt is written as a sign of her ascetic-repentant lifestyle, which replaced her previous dissolute lifestyle. In all other cases, be it 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. Likewise, the Apostle Paul writes that it is good for a woman to cover her head, for this is “a sign of authority over her” (1 Cor. 11.5,10). But in some iconographic versions of the Mother of God icons we see, quite unexpectedly, an image of the Mother of God with her head uncovered. For example, “Our Lady of Akhtyrskaya” and some others. In some cases, the plate is replaced by a crown (crown). The custom of depicting the Mother of God with her head uncovered is of Western origin, where it came into use since the Renaissance, and is, in principle, non-canonical. The maforium on the head of the Mother of God is not just a tribute to the Eastern Christian tradition, but a deep symbol - a sign of Her Motherhood and complete surrender to God. Even the crown on Her head cannot replace maforia, 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 a crown on top of the board, as we see in such iconographic versions, like “Our Lady of the Sovereign”, “Novodvorskaya”, “Abalatskaya”, “Kholmovskaya” and others. The image of the crown (crown) on the head of the Virgin Mary also came into 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 earth, on Her head we do not see anything other than a motherboard. And this is very characteristic, since in the development of iconography there is over time a departure from laconicism and pure semantics (sign structure) towards illustrativeness and external symbolism.

15 MIRACLE-WORKING ICONS OF THE HOLY VIRGIN, PICTURED ON THE ICON “THE TREE OF THE HOLY VIRGIN”. Icon of the Mother of God “Tree” Holy Mother of God"depicts 15 main miraculous icons (images) of the Most Holy Theotokos with the 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 Baby Jesus reclining in a manger. This Nativity of the Lord gave rise to the depiction of the Ever-Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. That is why the Nativity icon is placed on the trunk of a symbolic tree and is highlighted in a larger 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, like branches of one tree that grew in the sacrament of the Nativity of the God-Man Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. You can pray in front of this icon to the Blessed Virgin and the Infant God. Since this icon is composite, i.e. consists of images of 15 icons of the Mother of God, then praying to her as one image is not suitable. You can pray to each icon depicted, or simply to the Mother of God Herself.

1. IVERIAN ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.

Celebration in honor of the icon: February 12/25, October 13/26 and continuing on Tuesday of Bright Week. According to legend, this image was miraculously found on Athos, where he himself sailed, having been thrown into the sea during the persecution of icons. In the Iveron Athos monastery it was placed above the gates, which is why it received the name “Goalkeeper”. More than once the Mother of God gave Her miraculous help through her during the attack of the Persians, during the years of famine. In 1656, the copy from the icon was transferred to Russia, and since then it has been providing abundant favors and is revered by the Orthodox people. Read more here: PRAYER: O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, Queen of Heaven and earth! Listen to the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure and miraculous image. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation, except You, O Mother of all who grieve and are burdened! Help us the weak, assuage our sorrows, guide us astray on the right path, heal our painful hearts and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, grant us a Christian death and at the Last Judgment of Your Son a merciful intercessor will appear to us, yes We always sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God, forever and ever. 2. KAZAN ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.

Celebrations 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. The list from it was sent to Prince Pozharsky, who soon liberated Moscow. Provided assistance to the Russian army during the Napoleonic invasion and in the Great Patriotic War. Before her they pray for the intercession of Russia in various ailments, especially in eye diseases. PRAYER: Oh, Most Holy Lady, Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love before Thy honest and miraculous icon, we pray to Thee: do not turn Thy face away from those who come running to You: pray, merciful Mother, Thy Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep our country peaceful and His Church May he preserve the unshakable saint and deliver him from unbelief, heresies and schism. There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, except You, Most Pure Virgin: You are the all-powerful helper and intercessor of Christians: deliver all those who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from the slander of evil people, from all temptations, sorrows, illnesses, misfortunes and from sudden death: grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful life and remission of sins, so that we all gratefully sing of Your greatness and mercy, manifested over us here on earth, we will be worthy of both the Heavenly Kingdom and there with Let us glorify with all the saints the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. 3. QUICK TO HEAR

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 Holy Mount Athos, in the Dochiar monastery. The history of this icon goes back more than a thousand years. Legend about the icon. In the middle of the 17th century, the monk Nil labored in the Dochiar monastery, fulfilling the obedience of the refector. Each time, entering the refectory, he inadvertently smoked the image of the Mother of God, which hung at the entrance to the refectory, with a torch. One day, as usual, passing by the icon with a flaming torch, the monk Neil heard the words: “In the future, do not approach here with a lighted torch and do not smoke My image.” Neil was at first frightened by the human voice, but decided that it was one of the brethren who said it and did not pay attention to the words. He continued to walk past the icon with a lit torch. After some time, the monk Neil again heard the words from the icon: “Monk, unworthy of this name! How long have you been so carelessly and so shamelessly smoldering My image?” At these words, the refector suddenly lost his sight. Deep repentance gripped his soul, and he sincerely confessed his sin of irreverent treatment of the image of the Mother of God, recognizing himself as worthy of such punishment. Neil decided not to leave the icon until he received forgiveness of his sins and healing from blindness. In the morning, the brethren found him lying on his back in front of the holy image. After the monk told him about what happened to him, the monks lit an unquenchable lamp in front of the icon. The offender himself prayed and cried 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 restored to your eyes. Proclaim to all the brethren that I am the cover, providence 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: I will intercede for all 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. From now on, this icon of mine will be called “Quick to Hear” because I will quickly show mercy to all those who come to it and will soon heed their petitions.” Following these joyful words, Monk Neil’s sight returned. 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 Dochiar monastery blocked the entrance to the refectory in order to thus protect the place where the icon was located. On the right side a temple was built, consecrated in honor of the image of the “Quick to Hear”. At the same time, a particularly reverent hieromonk (prosmonary) was chosen to constantly remain at the icon and perform prayers in front of it. This obedience is still being fulfilled today. Also, on the evening of every Tuesday and Thursday, the entire brethren of the monastery sings the touching canon of the Mother of God (in Greek “paraklis”) in front of the icon, the priest commemorates all Orthodox Christians in the litany and prays for the peace of the whole world. They pray in front of the icon when quick and urgent help is needed, for the healing of mental and physical ailments, including paralysis, blindness, cancer, and also ask for the birth of healthy children and the release of prisoners. PRAYER: Most Blessed Lady, Ever-Virgin Mother of God, who gave birth to God the Word more than any word for our salvation, and received His grace more abundantly than all others, a sea of ​​Divine gifts and miracles, an ever-flowing river, pouring out goodness to all who come running to You with faith! To Your miraculous image, we pray to You, the all-generous Mother of the Humanity-loving Lord: surprise us with Your rich mercies, and speed up the fulfillment of our petitions brought to You, Quick to Hear, all that are arranged for the benefit of consolation and salvation for everyone. Visit, O Blessing Thy servants, with Thy grace, grant to those who are ill, healing and perfect health, to those overwhelmed by silence, to those in captivity, freedom and various images of the afflicted to console, deliver, O all-merciful Lady, every city and country from famine, plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and other temporary and eternal punishments, by Your maternal boldness turning away the wrath of God: and from mental relaxation, overwhelming passions and falls, free Your servants, so that without stumbling in all piety, having lived in this world, and in the future, eternal blessings, we will be honored with the grace and love of mankind of Your Son and God, Him. befits all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. 4. INEXHAUSTABLE CHALICE.

Celebration in honor of the icon on May 5/18. The Mother of God prays for all sinners and calls for an inexhaustible source of spiritual joy and consolation, proclaiming that an inexhaustible cup of heavenly help and mercy is prepared for all who ask in faith. It brings prosperity to the home, and also helps to heal from bad habits, drunkenness, drug addiction, and gambling. PRAYER: Oh, most merciful Lady! We now resort to Your intercession, do not despise our prayers, but graciously hear us - wives, children, mothers and those who are obsessed with the serious illness of drunkenness 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 quickly raise them from the falls of sin, bring them to saving abstinence. Pray to Your Son, Christ our God, to forgive us our sins and not to turn His mercy away from His people, but to strengthen us in sobriety and chastity. Accept, O Most Holy Theotokos, the prayers of mothers who shed tears for their children; wives weeping for their husbands; children, the orphaned and the wretched, those left astray, and all of us who fall before Your icon. And may this cry of ours, through Your prayers, come to the throne of the Most High. Cover and protect us from the evil trap and all the snares of the enemy, in the terrible hour of our exodus, help us to pass through the airy ordeals without stumbling, with Your prayers deliver us from eternal condemnation, may God’s mercy cover us for endless ages of ages. Amen. 5. VLADIMIR ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.

Celebration in honor of the icon May 21/June 3, June 23/July 6, August 26/September 8 According to legend, it dates back to the Evangelist Luke, the first icon painter. At the beginning of the 12th century. arrived in Kyiv, and then Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky moved her to Vladimir. The most famous miracles revealed from this image are associated with the deliverance of Moscow from the hordes of Tamerlane, Edigei and Makhmet-Girey, as well as assistance in the Time of Troubles. During the fire in the Moscow Kremlin in 1547, the Assumption Cathedral was preserved unharmed, which is also associated with the intercession of the Most Pure One, given 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, O Lady? To whom shall we resort in our sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept our crying and sighing, if not You, most immaculate, the hope of Christians and refuge for us sinners? Who is more in Your favor? Incline Your ear to us, Lady, Mother of Our God, and do not despise those who require Your help: hear our groaning, strengthen us sinners, enlighten and teach us, O Queen of Heaven, and do not depart from us Your servant, Lady, for our grumbling, but wake up Mother and Intercessor to us, and entrust us to the merciful protection of Your Son: arrange for us whatever Your holy will pleases, and lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life, may we cry over our sins, may we rejoice with You always, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen. 6. ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN 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 flared up between the Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal princes. Novgorod was besieged by a huge army, however, when the icon was carried around the city walls, the attackers were seized with horror and they hastily left. Subsequently, the icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” also became famous for stopping a large fire that threatened to destroy all of Novgorod. Many signs of miraculous power are performed from this blessed shrine. The Merciful Lady reveals through this shrine the signs of Her protection and intercession both in national disasters and in life ordinary people. Christian mothers who come to the realization of their powerlessness to give happiness to their children, to protect them from the always close and inevitable danger, turn their gaze to this image and find support and help. In front of the “Sign” icon they pray for the pacification of the Fatherland, for deliverance from internecine warfare, for deliverance from the fire. PRAYER: Oh, most holy and most 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, which was revealed to the great Novograd during the days of the military invasion. We humbly pray to You, the omnipotent intercessor of our family: just as in ancient times you hastened our father to help, so now we, weak and sinners, have been vouchsafed Your maternal intercession and care. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the shelter of Thy mercy, the Holy Church, Thy city (Thy abode) and our entire Orthodox country and all of us who fall to You with faith and love and tenderly ask with tears for Your intercession, have mercy and save. Hey, Lady All-Merciful! Have mercy on us, overwhelmed by many sins, stretch out Thy God-receiving hands to Christ the Lord and intercede for us before His goodness, asking us forgiveness of our sins, a pious peaceful life, a good Christian death and a good answer at His terrible judgment: may we be saved by Thy almighty to Him Through prayers, we will inherit the bliss of paradise, and with all the saints we will sing the most honorable and magnificent name of the venerable Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy to us forever and ever. Amen. 7. MAMMAL

Celebration in honor of the icon January 12/25 Located on Mount Athos, where she arrived from the Holy Land from the Lavra of Savva the Sanctified according to the will of the saint himself. Savva. The Mother of God is depicted nursing the Infant God. The copy from the Athos image was sent to Russia in 1860. Nursing mothers especially pray before the “Mammal” in the cares of motherhood and during childbirth. PRAYER: Accept, O Lady Theotokos, the tearful prayers of Your servants who flow to You. We look at you holy icon in her arms carrying and feeding with milk Your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even if you gave birth to Him painlessly, even though the mother weighed the sorrow and infirmity of the sons and daughters of human beings. Falling with the same warmth towards Your whole-bearing image and tenderly kissing this, we pray to You, All-Merciful Lady: we sinners, condemned to give birth to illnesses and to nourish our children in sorrows, mercifully spare and compassionately intercede, but our babies, who also gave birth to them, from a serious illness and deliver from 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, for even now, through Your intercession from the mouths of babes and those who piss, the Lord will bring His praise. O Mother of the Son of God! Have mercy on the mother of the sons of men and on Your weak people: quickly heal the illnesses that befall 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 who fall before Your icon, and on the day of joy and deliverance receive the grateful praise of our hearts. Offer our prayers to the throne of Your Son and our God, may He be merciful to our sin and weakness and add His mercy to those who lead His name, so that we and our children will glorify You, the merciful Intercessor and the true hope of our race forever and ever, amen . 8. DON ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.

The Don Icon was painted by Theophan the Greek, the teacher of St. Andrei Rublev. A characteristic feature of this image are the left hand Virgin Mary feet of the Infant God. In the same hand Holy Virgin holds a cloth that dries up tears and comforts those who cry. In front of this image they pray in difficult times for Russia, for help to the Russian army, for deliverance from the enemy. According to legend, the Cossacks found the icon floating on the waves of the Don. A prayer service was served at the site where the icon was found, and then it was transferred to the temple. Soon the image of the icon became the regimental banner Don Cossacks. Under Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy Russian army fought with a superior horde of Mongol-Tatars. Grand Duke was a zealous Christian - only after asking for favor in front of 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 residents of the Don presented him with 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. Historical battle on the Kulikovo field, which lasted a whole day and claimed, according to the chronicles, two hundred thousand human lives - 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 was coming at them under the leadership of the Heavenly Warrior. In 1591, for the victory granted and mercy shown through the Don Icon at the behest of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich (at that time Russia was attacked from two sides at once - the Swedes went to Novgorod, Crimean Tatars- to Moscow), the Donskoy Monastery was erected, where a copy of the miraculous icon remains to this day. PRAYER: Oh, Most Holy Lady, Virgin Mary, our good and speedy Intercessor. We sing thanksgiving for Your wonderful deeds, let us sing songs of praise from ancient times to Your everlasting intercession for the city of Moscow and our country. The alien regiments take flight, cities and towns remain unharmed from the fire, and people are delivered from cruel death. The teary eyes are dried up, the lamentations of the faithful are silenced. Sadness is transformed into universal joy. Bring us consolation in adversity, a revival of hope, an image of courage, a source of mercy, and grant us inexhaustible patience in sorrowful circumstances. Give to each one according to his request and his need. Raise babies, teach chastity and fear of God to young ones, encourage the sad and support weak old age. Soften evil hearts, fill us all with peace and love. Destroy the vices, so that our sins do not rise before the Judge of all, so that the righteous wrath of God does not befall us. With your protection, protect us from the invasion of enemies, from famine, sword, fire and all other suffering. We hope through Your prayers to receive forgiveness of sins from the judge God and, after our death, to the right hand of the throne of glory, where You are to the Holy Trinity in eternal glory coming. Oh, all-sung Virgin, deign us, 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 VIRGIN IS WORTHY TO EAT (MERCIFUL)

Celebration day: June 11 (23). The miraculous icon of the Mother of God “It is Worthy to Eat” is located in the capital of Athos, the city of Kareya, on the high place of the altar of the cathedral church. The time of her appearance is determined in 980, her glorification - in 1864. This icon is especially revered due to the following incident. At the end of the 10th century, not far from the Athos Kareya Monastery, an old hermit lived in a cell with his novice. One day the elder went to all-night vigil to the temple, and the novice remained in his cell to read prayer rule. As night fell, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. Opening it, the young man saw in front of him an unfamiliar monk who asked permission to enter. The novice let him in, and together they began chanting prayers. So they flowed night service in its own order until the time came to glorify the Most Holy Theotokos. Standing in front of Her icon WORTHY IS “Merciful,” the novice began to sing the generally accepted prayer: “The most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim...”, but the guest stopped him and said: “We don’t call the Mother of God that way” - and sang a different beginning : “It is worthy, as truly, to bless Thee, the Mother of God, the Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate, and the Mother of our God.” And then he added to this “The most honorable 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 heard, the novice asked the guest to write them. But there was no paper or ink in the cell, and then the stranger wrote the words of the prayer with his finger on the stone, which suddenly became soft as wax. Then he suddenly disappeared, and the monk only had time to ask the stranger his name, to which he replied: “Gabriel.” The elder returning from the temple was surprised to hear the words from the novice: new prayer. Having listened to his story about the wonderful guest and seeing the wonderfully inscribed letters of the song, the elder realized that the celestial being who had appeared was the Archangel Gabriel. The news of the miraculous visit of the Archangel Gabriel quickly spread throughout Athos and reached Constantinople. The Athonite monks sent a stone slab with a hymn to the Mother of God inscribed on it to Constantinople as proof of the truth of the news they conveyed. 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 former name also called “It is worthy to eat.” Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Merciful” or “It is worthy to eat” they pray during mental and physical illnesses, at the end of any business, during epidemics, for happiness in marriage, during accidents. PRAYER: O Most Holy and Most Merciful Lady Theotokos! Falling before Your holy icon, we humbly pray to You, listen to the voice of our prayer, see our sorrow, see our misfortunes and, like a loving Mother, trying to help us helpless, beg Your Son and our God: may He not destroy us for our iniquities, but show to us philanthropy your mercy. Ask us, Lady, from His goodness for bodily health and spiritual salvation, and a peaceful life, the fruitfulness of the earth, the goodness of the air, and a blessing from above for all our good deeds and undertakings... And as of old, you mercifully looked upon the humble praise of the novice of Athos, who sang Before Your most pure icon You sent an Angel to him to teach him to sing the heavenly song, with which the Angels glorify You; So now accept our fervent prayer offered to You. About the All-Singing Queen! Extend your God-bearing hand to the Lord, in the image of the Infant Jesus Christ you bore, and beg Him to deliver us from all evil. Show, O Lady, Your mercy to us: heal the sick, comfort the afflicted, help the needy, and grant us the honor to complete this earthly life in a pious manner, to receive a Christian shameless death and to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through Your maternal intercession to Christ our God, Who was born of You, Who is with His Beginning Father and to the Most Holy Spirit is due all glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. 10. POCHAEV ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.

The celebration in honor of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God on August 5 (July 23, 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 Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ukraine). On the mountain where Uspenskaya is now located Pochaev Lavra , in 1340 two monks settled. One day, after prayer, one of them went to the top of the mountain and suddenly saw the Mother of God standing on a stone, as if engulfed in flames. He called another monk, who was also honored to contemplate the miraculous phenomenon. The third witness to the vision was the shepherd John Bosoy. 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 been preserved to this day and is always filled with water, which the stone miraculously exudes. 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 Neophytos from Constantinople, passing through Volyn, visited the noblewoman Anna Goyskaya, who lived on the Orlya estate, 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 was emanating 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 image to the monks who settled on Pochaevskaya Mountain. After some time, a church was built on the rock in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God, which became part of the monastery complex. During its history, the Pochaev Monastery suffered many disasters: it was oppressed by Lutherans, attacked by the Turks, fell into the hands of the Uniates, but thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God, all adversities were overcome. When turning to the Mother of God "Pochaevskaya" they pray for protection from internecine hostility, from enemy invasion, for healing from blindness, both physical and spiritual, for liberation from captivity. The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered shrines of the Russian Church. PRAYER: O All-Merciful Lady, Queen and Lady, chosen from all generations, and blessed by all generations, heavenly and earthly! Look mercifully at this people standing before Thy holy icon and earnestly praying to You, and make Your intercession and intercession with Thy Son and our God, so that no one will come from here empty-handed and put to shame in his hope, but may everyone receive everything from You, according to the good will of your heart and according to your need and desire, for the salvation of the soul and the health of the body. Look with mercy, O All-Sung Theotokos, and upon this monastery, which bears Your name, You have loved it since ancient times, having chosen it as your property, and endlessly flowing currents of healing from Your miraculous icon and from the ever-flowing source, in the footprint of Your foot, revealed to us, and preserve it from every excuse and slander of the enemy, as in ancient times you preserved it, by Your appearance, intact and undamaged from the fierce invasion of the Hagarians, so that the Most Holy Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your glorious Dormition, will be sung and glorified in it forever and ever. Amen. 11. THEODOROVSKAYA ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.

Celebration in honor of the icon on March 14/27 and August 16/29. Named after the Fedorov Gorodetsky Monastery, where it was originally located. In the 13th 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 for the kingdom. Revered as a patroness Christian families, assistant in childbirth and raising children. PRAYER: To whom will I call, O Lady, to whom will I resort in my sorrow; to whom will I bring my tears and sighs, if not to You, Queen of Heaven and earth: who will pluck me from the mire of sins and iniquities, if not You, O Mother of the Belly, Intercessor and Refuge of the human race. Hear my groaning, comfort me and have mercy in my sorrow, protect me in troubles and misfortunes, deliver me from anger and sorrow and all sorts of ailments and illnesses, from visible and invisible enemies, pacify the enmity of those who suffer me, so that I will be delivered from slander and human malice; Likewise, free me from your flesh’s vile customs. Cover me under the canopy of Your mercy, so that I may find peace and joy and cleansing from sins. I commend myself to your Motherly intercession; Wake me to Mother and hope, protection and help and intercession, joy and consolation and quick helper in everything. O wonderful Lady! Everyone who comes to You does not leave without Your all-powerful help: for this reason, even though I am unworthy, I come running to You, so that I will be delivered from sudden and cruel death, gnashing of teeth and eternal torment. I am worthy to receive the Kingdom of Heaven and to You in the tenderness of my heart the river: Rejoice, Mother of God, our zealous Representative and Intercessor, forever and ever. Amen. 12. ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN, QUEEN MY SORROWS.

Celebration day: February 7 (January 25, old style) The Icon of the Mother of God “Quench My Sorrows” was brought to Moscow by the Cossacks in 1640 under Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich and was located in the Church of St. Nicholas, on Pupyshi in Sadovniki. This church kept records of many miracles that occurred from the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, but in the fire of 1771 all documentary evidence was destroyed. 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 origin, who lived far from Moscow, was bedridden for a long time, suffering from a debilitating illness. 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 Pupyshev, in the Church of St. Nicholas, there is My image with the inscription: “Quench my sorrows,” pray before it and you will receive healing.” The woman shared what she had seen with her relatives, and with deep faith everyone set off on a difficult journey for the sick woman and, upon arrival in Moscow, 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 sick woman turned for advice, ordered the clerks to bring all the icons of the Mother of God from the bell tower. Among the dilapidated and dusty icons brought, they found an icon of the Mother of God with the inscription: “Quench my sorrows.” Seeing him, the patient exclaimed: “She! She!" - and, who had not previously had the opportunity to even move her hand, 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. Distinctive feature icons QUEEN MY SORRY – the Infant of God holds an unfolded scroll in his hands, the Mother of God rests her cheek with one hand. PRAYER: Virgin, Lady, Mother of God, who, more than nature and word, gave birth to the Only Begotten Word of God, the Creator and Ruler of all visible and invisible creation, the One of 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, physically dwelt the Fullness of the Divinity, incomparably exalted in divine dignity and superior to every creature, Glory and Consolation, and the ineffable joy of the Angels, the royal crown of the apostles and prophets, the supernatural and wonderful courage of the martyrs, the Champion in exploits and the Giver victory, preparing for ascetics crowns and eternal and divine rewards, exceeding all honor, the honor and glory of the saints, the infallible Guide and Teacher of silence, the door of revelations and spiritual secrets, the Source of Light, the gate of eternal life, the inexhaustible river of mercy, the inexhaustible sea of ​​all divine gifts and miracles. We ask You and we beg You, most compassionate Mother of the humane-loving Master, be merciful to us, Your humble and unworthy servants, look compassionately on our captivity and humility, heal the contrition 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, with battle weapons, with a strong militia, as a Voivode and an irresistible Champion, show us now Your ancient and wonderful mercies, so that our lawless enemies may know that Your Son and God alone is King and Lord, 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, O Lady, You have the power to accomplish all this in Heaven and on earth, and for every request to grant what is useful to anyone: health to the sick, peace to those at sea and good navigation. Travel and protect those who travel, save captives from bitter slavery, comfort the sad, alleviate poverty and any other bodily suffering: free everyone from mental ailments and passions, through Thy invisible intercessions and suggestions, so that, having completed the path of this temporary life well and without stumbling, we may improve through You and these eternal blessings in the Kingdom of Heaven. Strengthen the faithful, honored by the terrible name of Your Only Begotten Son, who trust in Your intercession and in Your mercy and in everything who have You as their Intercessor and Champion, invisibly against the surrounding enemies, dispel the cloud of despondency that envelops their souls, deliver them from mental distress and give them light complacency and joy, restoring peace and serenity in their hearts. With Your prayers, Lady, save this flock primarily dedicated to You, the entire city and country, from famine, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, internecine warfare, and turn back every righteous wrath against us, according to the good will and grace of the Only Begotten Son and Thy God, to Him is due all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father, with His co-eternal and life-giving Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages! Amen. 13. TIKHVIN ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.

Celebration in honor of the icon 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 Demetrius Donskoy, to fishermen 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 when children are ill. PRAYER: We thank You, O most blessed and most pure, most blessed Virgin Lady, Mother of Christ our God, for all Your good deeds, which You have shown to the human race, especially to us, the people of Russia named after Christ, about whom the most angelic language will be pleased with praise: we thank Thou, as even now, Thou hast surprised Thy ineffable mercy upon us, Thy unworthy servants, by the supernatural self-coming of Thy most pure icon, with which Thou hast enlightened all Russian state. Likewise, we sinners, bowing with fear and joy, cry out to Thee: O Most Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on His Holiness Patriarch Alexy, the bishops and all the people, and grant 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 everything for the benefit of everyone, who now come with faith and pray to Your servant and worship Your most holy image: for blessed are You with the Son and God born of You, now and ever and ever forever and ever. 14. CHERNIGOV ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.

Celebration of the icon on April 29 (April 6, old style) The icon of the Mother of God of Chernigov Ilyinskaya 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. Soon after this, the Tatars raided Chernigov and ravaged its surroundings. The monks of the Elias Monastery, having prayed to the Heavenly Intercessor in front of Her icon, took refuge in a cave. No matter how hard the Tatars who broke into the monastery tried to take possession of the jewelry adorning the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, an invisible force did not allow them to touch the shrine. The same invisible force repelled the Tatars every time they tried to enter the cave where the monks hid. Frightened by the incomprehensible phenomenon, the Tatars fled. The miraculous copy (copy) of the Elias-Chernigov icon of the Mother of God, glorified in the Gethsemane monastery near the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, began to be called the GETHSIMANE CHERNIGOV icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Currently, the authentic Elias-Chernigov icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located in the Chernigov Dormition Yelets Monastery. PRAYER: Oh, Most Holy Lady, my Lady Theotokos, heavenly Queen, save and have mercy on me, your sinful servant, from vain slander, from all misfortunes and misfortunes and sudden death. Have mercy on me in the hours of the day, and in the morning, and in the evening, and at all times preserve me: protect me standing and sitting, and provide for me walking on every path, and provide for me sleeping in the night hours, cover and intercede. Protect me, Lady Theotokos, from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and from every evil situation. In every place and at every time, be the Mother of God, an insurmountable wall and a strong intercession. Oh, Most Holy Lady Virgin Mary, accept my unworthy prayer and save me from a vain death, and grant me repentance before the end. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. You appear to me as the guardian of all life, Most Pure One! Deliver me from demons at the hour of death! May you rest in peace even after death! We resort to your mercy, Virgin Mary, do not despise our prayers in sorrows, but deliver us from troubles, O pure and blessed one. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Amen. 15. ICON OF THE HOLY VIRGIN OF SMOLENSK (OBEGETRIA).

Celebration in honor of the icon July 28 August 1/10 Its origin, like the “Vladimir” one, is associated with the Evangelist Luke. The image was transferred to the Russian land in the 11th century, when the Byzantine Emperor Constantine blessed his daughter Anna, who was married to the Chernigov prince Vsevolod, with it. Hence the icon received another name “Hodegetria” (“Guide”). Through 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. In front of the Smolensk icon they pray for the preservation of the Fatherland from foreign invasion, for those traveling at a loss as to what to do. PRAYER: Oh, most wonderful and above all creatures, Queen Theotokos, heavenly King Christ our God Mother, most holy Hodegetria Mary! Hear us, sinners and unworthy, at this hour, falling before Your most pure image, and tenderly saying: lead us out of the pit of passions, good Hodegetria, deliver us from all sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all misfortune 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 You have other intercessors in troubles and situations and warm intercessors for us sinners to Your Son, Christ our God, Imams: Pray to Him, Lady, to save us and grant us the Kingdom of Heaven, so that through Your salvation we glorify You in the future, as the author of our salvation, and we exalt the all-holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity glorified and worshiped God, in forever and ever. Amen. HOLY VIRGIN, OUR MOTHER, DIFFICULT INTERCESS OF THE CHRISTIAN GENERAL, SAVE US SINNERS!!! #OrthodoxPrayers

Since ancient times, our ancestors considered the Most Pure Virgin to be the protector and guardian of the Russian Land. Many images of Her were found and glorified in our country, and it is no coincidence that many of them are associated with military glory and victory over invaders.

"Vladimir" Icon of the Mother of God

“And hordes of enemies of the Russian land fled from the city of Moscow, driven by the power of the Blessed Virgin...”

The history of this icon is full of mysteries and secrets; even its appearance in Rus' in ancient sources is described differently. According to one legend, the image was painted by the apostle and evangelist Luke on the board of the table at which the Blessed Virgin ate with Her Son and the righteous Joseph. Until 450, the icon was in Jerusalem, and then was transferred to Constantinople. In the 12th century, Patriarch Luke Chrysover gave the most pure image to Yuri Dolgoruky. In Kyiv, a mysterious icon left its place three times, as if not wanting to stay there. The son of Yuri Dolgoruky secretly removed the image, since the residents would not part with the shrine voluntarily. According to the chroniclers, the Mother of God herself chose the place for the image to stay - on the steep bank of the Klyazma in Vladimir, the horses suddenly stood up and did not move. The Most Holy Virgin appeared to Prince Andrei in a dream and commanded that a temple be established in this place.

Later, the icon found its refuge in the Assumption Cathedral of Vladimir and since then began to be called “Vladimir”. For many centuries, princes, kings, metropolitans, patriarchs and ordinary people prayed earnestly Great Intercessor during any disasters: wars, fires, robberies, epidemics. Graceful help was shown against Tamerlane (in memory of this event and the salvation of Moscow, a Sretensky Monastery), Horde and Crimean khans Edigei and Kazy-Girey. Today the image is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery.

Icon of the Mother of God “Kazan”

“Great Intercessor of Russia”, “Precious national shrine” - the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered in the Russian Orthodox Church. Having an amazing history of its acquisition, the bright glory of miracles, protection and support, the tragedy of loss and the joy of restoration, this shrine is inseparable from the life of everyone Orthodox Christian. The Kazan icon symbolizes Russia's victory over Time of Troubles- a period of bloodshed civil war. In 1579, the Most Pure One herself appeared in a dream to the ten-year-old girl Matrona and indicated her place of residence. In gratitude for the deliverance of Moscow from the invasion of the Poles, since 1649, an all-Russian commemoration of the image has been established and a cathedral has been built in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on Red Square. In front of the “Kazan” image of the Mother of God, the Russian army prayed for victory on the eve of the Battle of Poltava. During the Patriotic War, the Mother of God became the spiritual leader of Russia and the Russian people. After 1812, the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg became a temple-monument to the Russian army.

From the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God revealed miraculous healings, amazing cases of blind people gaining sight, dying people being cured, sinners returning to the right path.

Icon "The Sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary"

The meaning of this icon is revealed even in special image Savior: Jesus Christ appears as a shield - a symbol of victory and protection. And the chronicles tell us the amazing story of this image.

In 1170, the formidable Suzdal army appeared in Veliky Novgorod. Saint Elijah, Archbishop of Novgorod, relied only on the help of the Queen of Heaven. All the residents, led by the archbishop, prayed tearfully before the image of the Mother of God of the Sign. At that moment, when the enemy’s arrows flew in clouds from all sides, one of them hit the icon. Tears dripped from the eyes of the Most Pure One, Saint Elijah began to wipe them with his phelonion, saying, “Queen of Heaven, You show us a sign that with tears you pray to Your Son and our God for the deliverance of the city.” The people, seeing this miracle, prayed even more fervently and cried out to the Lord. At the same moment, darkness fell on the ground, sudden fear and confusion seized the Suzdal people. The warriors began to kill each other, not distinguishing where the enemy was and where their own were. The inspired defenders of Novgorod opened the gates, rushed towards the enemy and completely defeated them. In memory of the miraculous intercession, Archbishop Elijah established a holiday in honor of Our Lady of Znamenskaya on November 27 (December 10), calling it “the day of deliverance and punishment.” From that time on, the miraculous icon began to be depicted on the seal of the Novgorod Metropolitan. The Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Sign” is reverently revered throughout Russia. Many of her lists, such as Kursk-Korennaya and Abalatskaya, also became famous for their miracles.

Icon of the Mother of God “Smolensk”

“Smolenskaya” is a family icon of Russian princes, a symbol of continuity, dynastic closeness of Constantinople and Rus'. According to legend, in this image the Greek Emperor Vasily II blessed his sister Anna for marriage with the Kyiv prince Vladimir. According to another version, the Greek emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus gave his daughter Anna in marriage to the Chernigov prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich. Later, the icon was inherited by the Smolensk prince Vladimir Monomakh, who placed it in the Assumption Cathedral (1103). It was from this time that the image began to be called the “Smolensk” icon of the Mother of God. The icon saved Smolensk during the invasion of the city by Khan Batu in 1238. The legend says that the Most Holy Theotokos blessed the warrior Mercury to go towards the enemy in secret from the people, the prince and the saint, who were unaware of the Tatar attack: “I will be with you, helping the servant of My Son. But along with victory, the crown of martyrdom awaits you, which you accept from Christ.” The warrior made his way into the enemy’s camp and killed the strongest Mongol hero, for which he was beheaded by his enemies. The image of the Mother of God inspired Russian soldiers to heroic deeds more than once. On the eve of the Battle of Borodino miraculous icons Smolenskaya, Iverskaya and Vladimirskaya procession surrounded the White City and the Kremlin. Unfortunately, the original ancient image The Mother of God “Smolenskaya” disappeared without a trace in 1929 after an anti-religious museum was located in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk.

"Feodorovsko-Kostroma" icon of the Mother of God

This is a great symbol of Russia's defense from many historical disasters. The Queen of Heaven, through the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, showed Rus' her special patronage, which manifested itself through many amazing deeds. This image is a family shrine of the Royal Family. Tradition connects it with the election of the founder of the Romanov dynasty, Mikhail Fedorovich, to the kingdom. Since the end of the 18th century, German princesses, marrying Russian princes and converting to Orthodoxy, traditionally received the patronymic Fedorovna in honor of the icon. The great miracle of salvation of the Russian land, revealed from the icon, also occurred during the Tatar invasion. When the Gentiles approached Kostroma, Prince Vasily Georgievich and all the residents tearfully prayed before the icon for help and protection. The face of the Mother of God suddenly lit up with a blinding light, which, like scorching heat from the sun, forced the enemy to flee. Where the miraculous image stood during the battle, a cross was erected, and the place itself and the nearby lake began to be called Saints.

Image of the Mother of God “Donskaya”

“Truly great is the Christian God and strong is the faith of Russians in the Heavenly Intercessor!”

The Don Icon was painted by Theophan the Greek, the teacher of St. Andrei Rublev. A characteristic feature of this image is the feet of the Infant God placed on the left hand of the Mother of God. In the same hand, the Blessed Virgin holds a cloth that dries up tears and comforts those who cry. In front of this image they pray in difficult times for Russia, for help to the Russian army, for deliverance from the enemy. According to legend, the Cossacks found the icon floating on the waves of the Don. A prayer service was served at the site 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 Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, the Russian army fought with a superior horde of Mongol-Tatars. The Grand Duke was a zealous Christian - only after asking for favor in front of 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 residents of the Don presented him with 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 was coming at them under the leadership of the Heavenly Warrior. In 1591, for the victory granted and the mercy shown through the Don Icon at the behest of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich (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 a list with miraculous icon. Since 1919, this wonderful icon of the Virgin Mary has been kept in the Tretyakov Gallery. Once a year, on the eve of the day of celebration, the image is brought to the Donskoy Monastery.

Icon of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice”

The “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon is especially revered in Russia as a deliverer from the disease of drunkenness and drug addiction. Such a specification does not correlate with Orthodox dogma, and sometimes directly contradicts it. It is important to understand that there is one Mother of God and there is also one grace. And dividing images according to needs and recipes “for which disease, which icon to pray to,” as is often the case among people, is a fundamentally wrong approach.

In the theological sense, this icon depicts the Holy Eucharist: the Infant Jesus Christ, half immersed in the chalice with the Holy Gifts, blesses the people with both hands. This is an image of union with the Savior. The two miraculous lists that currently exist are located in Serpukhov in the Vysotsky and Vladychny monasteries. The appearance of the image occurred in the Tula province in 1878 to a peasant obsessed with a passion for drinking wine to such an extent that his legs were paralyzed. In a dream, a man saw a monk who told him to go and pray in front of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. After much investigation and searching, the icon was discovered in the Serpukhov monastery. After the prayer service in front of the shrine, the man not only began to move normally, but was also freed from his addiction to alcohol forever. Subsequently, the icon was especially revered in Serpukhov, where the “Brotherhood of Temperance” was organized.

Today there are many known cases of grace-filled help and healings received from the icon. These cases are recorded in a special book, and those who were healed themselves also talk about them in letters, sharing their joy.

On Saturday of the fifth week of Great Lent, the Orthodox Church performs non-sedal singing to the image of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The ancient Israelites, seeing the death of their enemies in the depths of the Red Sea, sang a victorious song to God the Deliverer on its shores: “Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified in strength; Thy right hand, O Lord, crusheth the enemies!”

Since then, the Old Testament Church has annually sung this song of gratitude and victory on the holiday of Easter in remembrance of its miraculous deliverance from powerful enemies. The Orthodox, New Testament church has seen itself repeatedly struggling with the right hand of the Almighty; her enemies in difficult moments of danger were overthrown by miraculous help.

On Saturday, the fifth week of Great Lent, the Holy Church solemnly proclaims the prayer singing of the akathist, or thanksgiving praise to the Most Holy Theotokos Hodegetria.

This holiday was established in the 9th century in memory of the repeated deliverance of Constantinople with the help and intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos from the invasion of adversaries. Under Emperor Heraclius, when Patriarch Sergius, carrying in his arms the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos along the pillars and walls of the city, begged the Lord for protection against the fierce enemies of the Persian and Scythian troops besieging Constantinople, then the people sought protection in the churches of the Lord, day and night begging the zealous Intercessor save your city. This icon is now in Moscow in the Assumption Cathedral and is called Blachernae.

Emperor Constantine the Great, the founder of Constantinople, dedicated it to the Mother of God and revered the Blessed Virgin as his patroness and his city. Many temples in Her honor were erected there. The Volachern Church kept her holy icon, painted by St. Evangelist Luke. On a memorable night, when the united forces of the Hagarians and Persians from the sea and from the land moved to crush the walls of Constantinople, suddenly a terrible storm arose against the Blachernae temple itself, which scattered and sank their ships with a multitude of troops. The remaining enemies fled in shame. It was then that all that night the grateful people who were in the Blachernae Church proclaimed a victorious, all-night and non-sedal hymn to the Defender of the city:

“To the elected Voivode, victorious,as if we have got rid of the evil ones, let us sing thanksgiving to Thy Tirabi, the Mother of God!”

And from that time on, in commemoration of such a great miracle, the Orthodox Church established a festival Praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

At first, the feast of the akathist was celebrated in Constantinople among the royal palaces in the Blachernae Church, where the miraculous icon of the Mother of God and the sacred remains of Her earthly life - Her robe and belt - were kept; but in the 9th century this holiday was included in the typologies of the monasteries of St. Sava of Studium and then in the triodion, and from that time on it became common to the entire Eastern Church.

This akathist is a sacred praise of the Blessed Virgin. It consists of 24 hymns, or songs: 12 kontakia and 12 ikos, arranged according to the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet. Each song begins with its corresponding
counted by letter, each kontakion ends with a psalm Hallelujah, each ikos is a greeting from the archangel: rejoice.

All creation ends a short prayer to the Blessed Virgin so that She would save Christians from troubles and misfortunes. The akathist is read in this form on other days; but on Saturday of the Feast of the Praise of the Mother of God it is part of the service and is sung at Matins not all at once, but separately, in the interval of other songs, in four different exits, and each section begins and ends with the singing of the first kontakion: Chosen Voivode etc. The Akathist was written in the middle of the 7th century, according to many, by the deacon of the great Church of Constantinople, George of Pisidia. Subsequently, Joseph the Studite wrote a canon on Saturday Akathist, and some other persons added to this thanksgiving prayers in memory of the same all-powerful voivodeship Mother of God.

Our Orthodox Church celebrates this celebration to strengthen the repentant in the hope of the Heavenly Intercessor, who, by delivering the faithful from visible enemies, is all the more ready to help us in the fight against visible enemies.

The image of the Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located in the Moscow Assumption Cathedral on a pillar.

The image of the Mother of God is the most revered among Christians. But they especially love it in Rus'. In the 12th century, a new church holiday was established - the Intercession of the Virgin Mary. An icon with her image became the main shrine of many temples. The Blessed Virgin began to be considered the patroness and protector of Russia. The Virgin Mary "Tenderness" is a copy of a Byzantine image, painted at the end of this century.

In the 14th century, Moscow finally became the center of Orthodoxy in Rus', and the Assumption Cathedral at this time received the name “House of the Virgin”.

Origins of iconography

Historians date the first images of the Mother of God to the beginning of our era. In the catacombs of Priscilla, scenes with images of the Virgin Mary were found, which date back to the 2nd century. At the dawn of Christianity, images of the Blessed Virgin were applied to vessels for incense. Such ampoules, decorated with biblical scenes, were presented around 600 to the Lombard queen Theodelinda.

The first executions of the Blessed Virgin

In 431, the Council of Ephesus confirmed Mary's eternal right to be called the Mother of God. After this significant event, the Icons of the Mother of God appeared in the form familiar to us. Several images from this period have survived. On them, the Virgin Mary most often appears sitting on a throne with a baby in her arms.

Images of the Mother of God are also found in early mosaics that decorate old churches. These include:

the Roman Church of Santa Maggiore (dating from the 5th century);

7th century church of Panagia Angeloktista, located in Cyprus.

But painters from Constantinople were able to give this image a special harmony. The Church of Hagia Sophia is famous for its mosaics of the 9th-12th centuries, in which different types of iconography of the Virgin Mary are found. Byzantium is the birthplace of wonderful images of the Blessed Virgin. One of these icons was brought to Russia. Later it was named Vladimirskaya and became the standard of Russian Orthodox icon painting. Novgorod icon The Virgin Mary "Tenderness" is, as already mentioned, a copy of a Byzantine image.

Types of Theotokos Icons

In iconography, there are 4 main groups of images of the Blessed Virgin according to the main idea:

“The Sign” (the truncated version was called “Oranta”). This iconographic type is considered the most rich in theological content. main topic here is the Incarnation.

"Hodegetria", which translated from Greek means "Guide".

“Tenderness” is a name from the Greek “eleus” (“merciful”).

The fourth type is conventionally called Akathist. The main idea of ​​such icons is the glorification of the Mother of God. These images are very diverse.

Iconographic type “Sign”

In the illustrations of this group, the Holy Mother of God is depicted praying. Depicted in full height or waist-length. On the chest of the Mother of Christ there is a medallion with an image of the unborn praying Mother of God, symbolizing the immaculate conception of Christ, the unity of the mother and the Holy Child. This type includes the Yaroslavl Oranta, the Kursk Root, the Novgorod “Znamenie”. Oranta is a simpler version of the icons, on which the Virgin Mary is represented without a baby and is a symbol of the church.

Iconography "Hodegetria"

A very common type of Mother of God images. Such icons of the Virgin and Child embody the idea that the Mother of God directs us to faith, to Christ. The Mother of God is depicted frontally shoulder-length or waist-length, sometimes in full height. She holds a baby in one hand and points to Jesus with the other. This gesture has deep meaning. The Mother of God seems to show the true path - to God, to faith.

With one hand Christ blesses the Mother, and with her all believers. In the other he holds a book, an unfolded or rolled up scroll. Less often - an orb and a scepter. Most famous icons Mother of God of this type: Smolenskaya, Iverskaya, Tikhvinskaya, Petrovskaya, Kazanskaya.

Iconography of the Mother of God "Tenderness"

Such images are the most lyrical of those depicting the Mother of God and the baby hugging her neck. The images of mother and child are symbols of Christ and the Church of Christ.

A variation of this type is “Leaping”. Here the baby is painted in a freer pose, with one hand touching the face of the Virgin Mary.

In such images, the Most Holy Mary is a symbol not only of motherhood, but of a soul close to God. The mutual touch of two faces is Christ and the Church of Christ, the unity of earthly and heavenly.

There is another variety of this type - “Mammal”. In these icons, the Mother of God breastfeeds a baby. This is how the spiritual nutrition of believers is symbolically depicted.

The Volokolamsk, Vladimir, Yaroslavl icons of the Mother of God belong to this type of image of the holy image.

"Akathist" icons of the Virgin Mary

Images of this type most often carry the features of one of the main ones, but have additional details and details. In iconography these include such icons as " Burning bush", Our Lady - " Life-giving spring", Our Lady - "Mountain Not Hand-cut".

Ostrabramskaya-Vilna, “Softening Evil Hearts” - rare icons of the Virgin Mary, in which she is depicted without a baby. Usually they are also classified as “Akathist”. One of them, Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon The “Tenderness” of the Most Holy Theotokos was a favorite image of Seraphim of Sarov, who was canonized after his death. The priest himself called it “The Joy of All Joys” and used it to heal those who came to him for help. And later, before this face, he passed into another world.

Canons of the iconography of the Mother of God, the meaning of the symbols

By Orthodox tradition, to depict the clothes of the Mother of God, the following elements are used: a blue tunic, a blue cap and a cherry head scarf, otherwise called “maforium”. Every detail has its own meaning. Three gold stars on the maforia are a triple symbol of the immaculate conception, birth and death, the border on it is a sign of glorification. The cloth itself represents motherhood, belonging to God, and the blue color of the clothes represents virginity.

There are known cases of violation of traditions. Icon painters use this to highlight certain features. For example, to emphasize the purity, the Virginity of the Mother of God, she is depicted in a blue robe. Our Lady of Akhtyrskaya is just such an option.

Writing the Most Pure Virgin without maforium is also considered a violation of church canons.

By Orthodox rules, even a crown, a sign of the kingdom, is usually depicted on top of the board. This is how the Novodvorskaya and Kholmovskaya icons were written. The crown on the head of the Mother of God came to Eastern Christian iconography from Western Europe; in early images, only maforia covered the head of the Mother of God.

Russian traditions in the iconography of the Mother of God

The image of the Blessed Virgin on the throne is more common among Italo-Greek images. The painting of the Queen of Heaven, sitting on a throne or in full growth, in Russia was mainly used in large-scale compositions: in frescoes or on iconostases.

Icon painters fell in love more with the half-length or shoulder-length image of the Queen of Heaven. This is how conclusions were created that were more understandable and close to the heart. In many ways, this can be explained by the special role of the icon in Rus': it was a life partner, a shrine, a prayer image, and family value passed down from generation to generation. It is not for nothing that the people perceived the Mother of God as an intercessor who was able to soften the anger of the Terrible Judge. Moreover, the older the image and the more “prayerful” it is, the more power it has.

A large number of believers in churches is a distinctive feature of the Russian land. Many images of the Mother of God are considered miraculous here, which is confirmed by numerous testimonies.

The Mother of God is a witness and participant in Russian history

For many centuries, the history of Russia has been accompanied by icons of the Mother of God, the importance of which cannot be overestimated. One small example- Feodorovskaya icon:

In 1239, in this image, Prince Yaroslav blessed his son Alexander to marry Princess Paraskevna. This icon accompanied Alexander on all his military campaigns. Later, it was in front of this face of the Mother of God that Saint Alexander became a monk.

In 1613, in front of this image, Mikhail Romanov, called to the throne Zemsky Sobor, accepted the Russian throne. The Theodore Mother of God became a witness to the vows of allegiance to Russia, its people and the Orthodox Church.

In the 18th century, all members of the royal family always came to Kostroma to pay homage to the miraculous version from which history began. royal dynasty Romanovs.

Particular mention should be made of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, donated to Russia by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Luke Chrysovergos, in the 12th century. According to legend, prayers in front of this image more than once saved Moscow from conquerors.

The miraculous power of the Mother of God icons

Many images of the Blessed Virgin Mary are considered miraculous. They are inseparable from the life of Christians. They live with the people and help in their sorrows.

Some Moscow miraculous icons of the Mother of God:

Vladimirskaya, kept in the Church of St. Nicholas. It is believed that she defended Rus' from enemies three times. Therefore, Orthodox Christians honor this icon 3 times a year: in June, July and September.

Tikhvin Icon "Tenderness" of the Blessed Virgin Mary, decorating the temple of the same name in Moscow. In 1941, a plane with this image flew over the capital three times, after which the Nazi offensive on the city was stopped. It is curious that this church did not close even during Soviet times.

Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful”, a shrine of the Conception Convent, which gave many women the happiness of motherhood.

“Seeking the Lost,” the Iveron Mother of God, “Assuage My Sorrows” are only part of the miraculous Moscow images of the Queen of Heaven. It is impossible to even count how many there are on the vast territory of Russia.

Miracles of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

This image deserves special attention. The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God showed a miracle already with its appearance in 1579 after a big fire in the city, when it was found among the ashes absolutely undamaged by the fire.

Numerous healings of the sick and help in business were given by this account to believers. But the most significant miracles of this icon are associated by Russian Christians with the defense of the fatherland from foreign invaders.

Already in the middle of the 17th century, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ordered the installation in honor of her. This happened after the successful birth of the heir to the Russian throne during the all-night service in honor of the Kazan Mother of God. This icon began to be considered the patroness of the royal dynasty.

Commander Kutuzov, going to the battlefields of the Patriotic War of 1812, knelt before this shrine and asked for her intercession. After the victory over Napoleon, he donated to the Kazan Cathedral all the silver taken from the French.

Myrrh-streaming prayer images of the Mother of God

This is one of the greatest miracles associated with icons. An explanation has not yet been found as to why. But this always happens on the eve of tragic events as a reminder of human sinfulness and the need for repentance. What kind of phenomenon is this? A fragrant liquid appears on the images, reminiscent of myrrh. Its consistency and color can be different - from transparent dew to viscous dark resin. It is curious that it is not only images written on wood that give off myrrh. This happens with frescoes, photographs, metal icons and even photocopies.

And similar miracles are happening now. Several dozen Tiraspol icons began to stream myrrh between 2004 and 2008. This was God's warning about the bloody events of Beslan, Georgia, and the Orange Revolution in Ukraine.

One of these images, the icon of the Mother of God “Seven Arrows” (another name is “Softening Evil Hearts”), began to flow myrrh in May 1998. This miracle continues to this day.

Protecting the house - Holy Mother of God

An icon of the Mother of God must be in the home of a believer who cares about the safety of his home.

It is believed that prayers in front of her face protect everyone living in the house physically and spiritually. Since ancient times, it has been customary to place over entrance doors into the hut the icon of the Mother of God and ask her for protection and support. The most favorite versions of the Mother of God: Iverskaya, Semistrelnaya, “The Unbreakable Wall”, “The Burning Bush” and some others. In total there are more than 860 icons of the Mother of God. It is impossible to remember them all, and it is not necessary. When choosing a prayer image, it is important to listen to your soul and follow its advice.

Not only ordinary believers, but also royalty revered the icons of the Mother of God. A photo taken in Tsar Alexander's bedroom confirms this.

Icons of the Virgin and Child provide consolation in sorrow, deliverance from illness, and spiritual insight only to those whose prayers are sincere and whose faith is unshakable. The main thing is that the appeal to the Blessed Virgin comes from a pure heart, and the intentions are good.

Glorification of Our Lady

The universal love of the Orthodox for this holy image is reflected in large quantities church holidays in her honor. In almost every month of the year there is such a day, and sometimes several. About 260 miraculous images of the Mother of God are mentioned in the Russian Orthodox calendar.

A significant Orthodox holiday - the Intercession of the Virgin Mary - became the theme of the icons of the same name. On these depictions the Blessed Virgin is depicted in full height. In her hands in front of her she holds a veil with or without the image of Christ. Discovered at the end of the 20th century, the Port Arthur Icon “The Triumph of the Blessed Virgin Mary” became a symbol of the revival of the spirituality of Russia and a reminder of the significance of this image in the history of the country. She is increasingly ranked among the most revered Russian icons.