Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The ancient world waited a very long time for the coming of the Savior. And this thought permeates everything Old Testament. But why did the Messiah take so long to appear in human world!? The whole point is that only a woman who was ready for the great feat of self-denial and endless love could give birth to the Son of God. She had to completely entrust her life to God and consent to the virgin birth of her Son. Centuries passed and only when the Virgin Mary was born did this become possible.

Who is the Holy Mother of God

The Mother of God is the most humble and pure Virgin who has ever been born on earth.

In Christian denominations, Saint Mary is called differently:

• Virgin or Ever-Virgin, because Mary remained a virgin in her service to God and the conception of God’s Son was immaculate;
• Theotokos, because she is in earthly life the Mother of the Son of God;
• Quick to hear, since Mary humbly accepted God’s command to give birth to a Son from the Holy Spirit.

Holy Scripture about the Mother of God

The Holy Scriptures contain descriptions of only a few episodes of life Holy Mother of God that reveal her personality. All information about the life of the Mother of God can be found only in Church Tradition, which contains ancient legends and church historical works.

Basic information about the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is contained in the “First Gospel of James,” written approximately 150 AD. The Virgin Mary was born into the family of the righteous Joachim of Nazareth and Anna of Bethlehem. The parents of the Virgin Mary were descendants of noble royal families. They lived together in harmony until old age, but God never gave them children. But the time came and their piety was noted by the Almighty and an Angel told them the good news that they would soon have a noble daughter.

The next important event in the life of the future Mother of God is the moment when her parents brought a three-year-old girl to the Jerusalem Temple to be dedicated to God. The baby climbed fifteen steps on her own, and the High Priest Zachary came out to meet her, who was given instructions from above to lead the girl deep into the sanctuary, where none of the believers had the right to enter.

At the age of 14, the Virgin Mary independently decided to devote her entire life to God and took a vow of virginity. At the same time, she was betrothed to Elder Joseph, who came from the royal family of David through Solomon. They lived in Nazareth and the betrothed took care of the Virgin Mary, provided for her and protected her when necessary.

Saint Luke tells in his revelations about the Annunciation, when the Holy Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to the Blessed Virgin Mary with the good news of the birth of the Son. With great humility and submission, the young woman accepted the news that she was to become the Mother of God. An angel also appeared to Joseph and reported that the Virgin Mary had conceived from the Holy Spirit. And the husband accepted God’s command to accept the Mother of God as his wife.

When the time came for the end of earthly life, Archangel Gabriel descended from heaven to the Holy Mother of God during her prayer on the Mount of Olives. In his hands he held a paradise date branch. He said that in three days the earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos would end and the Lord would take her to himself.

And so it happened. At the moment of her death, the room where the Virgin Mary was was illuminated by an unusual light. And Jesus Christ himself appeared surrounded by Angels and accepted the soul of the Mother of God. The body of the Most Pure One was buried in a cave at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where her parents had previously been buried.

Introduction to the Church of the Holy Mother of God

On December 4, believers celebrate a great church holiday - the introduction of the Holy Mother of God into the temple. It is on this day that the moment when Mary was given by her parents to serve God is celebrated. On the very first day, the high priest Zechariah led the girl to the sanctuary, where she could subsequently enter every year on December 4th. The girl spent 12 years in the temple, after which she independently decided to preserve her virginity in the name of serving God.

The significant day began to be celebrated by the Church from ancient times. This is due to the fact that thanks to her parents’ introduction to the Temple, the Virgin Mary began her path to serving God, who allowed people on earth to receive their Savior. Services take place in all churches on this day. The prayers said on this day by believers give praise to the Ever-Virgin Mary and ask for the intercession of the Mother of God before the Almighty for each person praying.

Of course, such a great holiday, associated with a significant event in the church world, was reflected in icon painting. On icons dedicated to the Introduction, the Virgin Mary is always depicted in the center. Others actors are the parents on one side and the high priest Zachary, who meets the girl. Icons often depict the steps to the Temple; it was these that little Mary overcame without anyone’s help.

In the calendar cycle, this church holiday coincides with the end of the autumn season and the beginning of the winter period.

Russian Orthodox people also noted on this day:

• Celebration of a young family;
• Opening the gates to winter;
• Importation.

Folk signs on this day:

• After this day, it was forbidden to dig in the street, so women had to take care to stock up on clay for household needs;
• From this day until the ninth Thursday, rolling pins should not be used to beat out laundry, otherwise bad weather could be caused;
• On the holiday, it was forbidden to engage in work associated with beating and friction; it was forbidden to clean and dig the ground.

Because it's big religious holiday, then it was necessary to carry it out in harmony and peace with the people around him. It is very good on this day to invite close friends or go to visit them. Since the Introduction always falls on the Nativity Fast, on this day it was allowed to diversify the table fish dishes and drink some wine.

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Orthodox Christians have special and very deep feelings for Mother of God. She is a model of piety and holiness for all believers. A huge number of prayers are addressed to the Most Holy Theotokos, in her honor according to great church holidays Divine services are performed and special canons are read.

The Prayer Book contains many prayers with which for various reasons You can turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help. As a woman, during her earthly life she had to experience many troubles and sorrows. Fate destined her to lose her own son. The Mother of God knows firsthand what need and weakness are. Therefore, any human misfortune finds understanding and sympathy in the soul of the Most Holy Mother of God, and any fall into sin causes her unbearable suffering and she is ready to ask God for the forgiveness of the believer.

Mother's prayers for children

Mother's prayers are very important and effective. The Most Holy Theotokos definitely hears them. And it doesn’t matter how old the child is, because mothers can always ask for blessings and protection for him from the Mother of God.

It should be remembered that prayer must come from the depths of the heart. It is important to know that you cannot pray for the good of your children to the detriment of other people. This is a great sin. The following is considered a strong prayer.

It is read on Pokrova and sounds like this:

If a child is sick, you can turn to the Most Holy Theotokos with the following prayer:

At Christmas, a prayer is read to the Most Holy Theotokos for the conception of a child. Its text goes like this:

Prayers for the coming sleep

The evening rule of an Orthodox believer also includes prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos.

Possible in evening rule use another prayer:

Babies necessarily require spiritual protection. Therefore, in the evening hour, mothers must definitely pray to the Most Holy Theotokos for the children’s future sleep.

To do this, you can use the following prayer:

Prayers for health

Prayers to the Holy Mother of God for health are considered one of the most powerful. If you are praying for your own health, you can use the following prayer. It is important to pray in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary, but this can be done both in church and at home.

You can pray for the health of family members with another prayer directed to the Mother of God:

Prayer “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice”

The prayer “Rejoice, Virgin Mary” is considered miraculous. This is due to the fact that it was these owls that Archangel Gabriel addressed the Virgin Mary when he brought her the good news of the immaculate conception of the Son of God.

Listen to the audio prayer “Rejoice, Virgin Mary”:

In the original church language the prayer reads as follows:

In prayer, the Virgin Mary is already addressed as the Mother of God. But it further emphasizes the fact that the Lord will be with her and will support her in the decision taken. The phrase "blessed among women" indicates that by God's authority the Virgin Mary is glorified among all other wives. The word “Graceful” emphasizes that the woman received the grace of God.

This prayer can be translated into Russian as follows:

The prayer “To the Virgin Mary...” is God’s miraculous word that can bestow the grace of Holy Heaven. This prayer reflects the aspiration and hope to receive help from the Mother of God in any grief, and also to beg her forgiveness and salvation for yourself and your loved ones.

Prayer “My Queen, Offering”

One of the most used prayers that contain an appeal to the Most Holy Theotokos is “My Queen, the Most Blessed.”

It is believed that she:

• Brings joy to those in need and those who mourn;
• Helps the offended and offended;
• Protects the poor and wandering.

The text of the prayer reads as follows:

This prayer is read in front of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, if there is a need to maintain the pregnancy. It is also recommended to read it every day, including in the morning and evening rules.

Any prayer directed to the Most Holy Theotokos should be read correctly. It is important to have deep faith that prayer will be heard and help will be provided. You cannot read the prayer carelessly. Every word and phrase should convey deep reverence and respect for the Mother of God. It is necessary to pray to the Holy Mother of God only in positive mood. In addition, if a believer plans to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos, then he must love and honor his own mother.

The Most Holy Theotokos, like the Most High and all Saints, should be approached with pure thoughts. There should be no hatred, envy or malice in the soul. The Orthodox faith allows for the opportunity to pray in one’s own words. But if a believer decides to use the original, then he must first analyze the entire meaning of the prayer text. Then the original text must be learned in order to read the prayer without stuttering. It is allowed to insert your own request for help in your own needs into your prayer appeal to the Most Holy Theotokos. It is important that your request for help does not contain a threat to other people or be harmful to them.

When visiting a temple, you need to pray at the icon of the Holy Mother of God. Be sure to light candles at the same time. After prayer, you need to stand in silence for some time and think about your life. This will help you acquire the necessary calm and prepare yourself for the fact that everything that is sent down from heaven must be accepted humbly. In especially difficult life situations It is allowed to address the Most Holy Theotokos silently. This can be done throughout the day in a secluded place, escaping for a second from all everyday problems.

Rose garden

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Who is like the Lord our God? You, holy Angels and Archangels, protect and protect us! Kind, gentle Mother, You are forever our love and our hope! Mother of God, send us holy Angels so that they protect us and drive away the evil enemy from us.

Holy Mother, come to the aid of the poor, turn Your gaze to the faint-hearted, comfort the saddened, ask for the people, beg for the priests, intercede for the people who have dedicated themselves to serving God! May all who revere You feel Your help!

Orthodox prayers ☦

14 most powerful prayers to the Virgin Mary

Prayer to the Mother of God for the gift of children

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for healing from drug addiction

“Oh, all-merciful and venerable Mother of God Pantanassa, the All-Queen! I am not worthy, but come under my roof! But as a merciful and gracious Mother of God, say the word, may my soul be healed and my weak body strengthened. For you have an invincible power and all your words will not be exhausted, O All-Tsaritsa! You beg for me, You beg for me, so that I glorify the glorious your name always, now and forever. Amen."

Prayer to the Kazan Mother of God for health and vision healing

“O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love, falling before Thy honorable icon, we pray to Thee: do not turn Thy face away from those who come running to You, beseech, merciful Mother, Thy Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep our country peaceful, and to establish the Russian state in piety, may she preserve her Holy Church unshakably from unbelief, heresies and schism. There are no imams of any other help, no imams of other hope, except You, Most Pure Virgin: You are the All-Powerful Helper and Intercessor of Christians. Deliver all who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from slander. evil people, from all temptations, sorrows, troubles and from vain death; Grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful lives and the remission of sins, so that we all, praising Thy greatness with gratitude, may be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom and there with all the saints we will glorify the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Prayer to the Mother of God for the healing of a patient from cancer

“O Most Pure Mother of God, All-Tsarina! Hear our much-painful sigh before Your miraculous icon, brought from the inheritance of Athos to Russia, look upon Your children, those who suffer from incurable ailments and fall to Your holy image with faith! Just as a winged bird covers its chicks, so You, now and ever-living being, have covered us with Your multi-healing omophorion. There, where hope disappears, awaken with undoubted hope. There, where fierce sorrows prevail, they appear with patience and weakness. There, where the darkness of despair has settled in the souls, let the ineffable light of the Divine shine! Comfort the faint-hearted, strengthen the weak, grant softening and enlightenment to hardened hearts. Heal Your sick people, O all-merciful Queen! Bless the minds and hands of those who heal us, may they serve as an instrument of the all-powerful Physician Christ our Savior. As if You are alive with us, we pray before Your icon, O Lady! Extend Your hand, full of healing and healing, Joy to those who mourn, comfort to those in sorrow, and, having soon received miraculous help, we glorify the Life-Giving and Indivisible Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen."

Prayer to the Mother of God for fire and healing from illnesses

“O Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ! We fall down and worship You before Your holy and most honorable icon, which has worked wondrous and glorious miracles, saved our dwellings from fiery flames and lightning thunder, healed the sick, and fulfilled all our good requests for good. We humbly pray to You, the omnipotent Intercessor of our family, to grant us, weak and sinners, Your maternal participation and care. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the roof of Your mercy, our God-protected country, its authorities and army, the Holy Church, this temple (or: this monastery) and all of us who fall to You with faith and love and tenderly ask with tears for Your intercession. She, the All-Merciful Lady, have mercy on us, overwhelmed by many sins and not having the courage to ask Christ God for mercy and forgiveness, but we offer you to Him for supplication, His Mother according to the flesh; But You, All-Good One, extend Your God-receiving hand to Him 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 Last Judgment. At the hour of God’s menacing visitation, when our houses are set on fire or we are frightened by lightning thunder, show us your merciful intercession and sovereign help, so that we may be saved by your omnipotent prayers to the Lord, we will escape God’s temporary punishment here and we will inherit the eternal bliss of paradise there, and with all with the saints let us sing the Most Honorable and Magnificent name of the worshiped Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy to us forever and ever. Amen."

Prayer to Our Lady for home protection

“O much-sorrowful Mother of God, who surpassed all the daughters of the earth in Her purity and in the multitude of sufferings You brought to the earth! Accept our many painful sighs and keep us under the shelter of Your mercy. For you know no other refuge and warm intercession, but since we have boldness in the One who was born of You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we may without stumbling reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where with all the saints we will sing praises to the One God in the Trinity, always , now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Prayer to the Mother of God from enemies, anger and hatred

“O who will not please Thee, O Blessed Virgin, who will not sing of Thy mercy to the human race. We pray to you, we ask you: do not leave us, who are perishing in evil, dissolve our hearts with love and send your arrow to our enemies, may our hearts be wounded by peace against those who persecute us. If the world hates us, You extend Your love to us; if the world persecutes us, You accept us. Give us the blessed power of patience - to endure trials without grumbling, which happens in this world. O Lady! Soften your hearts evil people, who rise up against us, may their hearts not perish in evil, but pray, O Blessed One, Thy Son and our God, that he may pacify their hearts with peace, and let the devil, the father of evil, be put to shame! We, chanting Your mercy towards us, the evil, the indecent, will sing to You, O Most Wonderful Lady of the Blessed Virgin: hear us at this hour, contrite hearts of those who have them, protect us with peace and love for each other and for our enemies, eradicate from us all malice and enmity, let us sing to You and to Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Alleluia! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Prayer to Our Lady for Marriage

“Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Queen of Heaven and earth, the highest angel and archangel and all creatures, the most honest, pure Virgin Mary, good Helper to the world, and affirmation for all people, and deliverance for all needs! Look now, O All-Merciful Lady, upon Thy servants, praying to Thee with a tender soul and a contrite heart, falling with tears to Thee and worshiping Thy most pure and wholesome image, and asking for Thy help and intercession. Oh, All-Merciful and Most Merciful Pure Virgin Mary! Look, O Lady, at Your people: for we are sinners and imams of no other help, except for You and from You, Christ our God born. You are our intercessor and representative. You are protection for the offended, joy for the sorrowing, refuge for the orphans, keeper for widows, glory for virgins, joy for those who cry, visitation for the sick, healing for the weak, salvation for sinners. For this reason, O Mother of God, we resort to You, and looking at Your Most Pure Image with the Eternal Child held in Your hand, our Lord Jesus Christ, we bring tender singing to You and cry out: have mercy on us, Mother of God, and fulfill our request, for all that is Your intercession is possible, for glory is due to You now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Prayer for healing from illness

“The Most Blessed Lady, the Ever-Virgin Mother of God, who gave birth to God the Word more than any word for our salvation, and who showed His grace more abundantly than all others, who appeared as a sea of ​​Divine gifts and miracles, an ever-flowing river, pouring out grace to all who come running to You with faith! To Your miraculous image, we pray to You, the all-generous Mother of the humane-loving Lord: surprise us with Your rich mercies, and our petitions brought to You, Quick to Hear, speed up the fulfillment of everything for the benefit of consolation and salvation, arranging for everyone. Visit, O Blessing, Thy servants with Thy grace, grant to those who are ailing, healing and perfect health, to those overwhelmed by silence, to those captivated by freedom and various images of the suffering to comfort them; 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 spiritual relaxation, overwhelm by passions and falls, free Thy servant, as if, without stumbling, having lived in all piety in this world, and in the future of eternal blessings, we may be made worthy of the grace and love for mankind of Thy Son and God, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Prayer for help in work

“O most holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord on High, quick to obey intercessor of all who come running to You with faith! Look down from the height of Thy heavenly majesty upon me, the indecent one, falling before Thy holy icon, quickly hear the humble prayer of me, a sinner, and bring it to Thy Son, beg Him to illuminate my dark soul with the light of the Divine grace of His grace and cleanse my mind from thoughts vain things, may he pacify my suffering heart and heal its wounds, may he enlighten me to good deeds and strengthen me to work for Him with fear, may he forgive all the evil I have done, may he deliver me from eternal torment and not deprive me of His heavenly kingdom. O most blessed Mother of God! You deigned to be named in Your image, Quick to Hear, commanding everyone to come to You with faith, do not despise me, the sorrowful, and do not allow me to perish in the abyss of my sins, in You, through God, all my hope and hope of salvation, and Your protection and intercession I entrust it to myself forever and ever. Amen."

Prayer to the Mother of God from grief and sorrow

“Virgin Lady Theotokos, who, more than nature and word, gave birth to the Only Begotten Word of God, the Creator and Ruler of all creation, visible and invisible, One of the Trinity of God, God and Man, who became the abode of the Divine, the receptacle of all holiness and grace, in whom is the good will of God and the Father, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the bodily dwelling of the fullness of the Divine, incomparably exalted with divine dignity and superior to every creature, glory and consolation, and the inexpressible joy of angels, the royal crown of the apostles and prophets, the supernatural and wonderful courage of the martyrs, the champion in ascetics and the giver of victory, preparing crowns for the ascetic and eternal and divine reward, exceeding all honor, the honor and glory of the saints, the infallible guide and teacher of silence, the door of revelations and spiritual mysteries, 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 and beg You, most compassionate Mother of the humane-loving Master: be merciful to us, Your humble and unworthy servant, look compassionately on our captivity and humility, heal the contrition of our souls and bodies, dispel visible and invisible enemies, be in front of us, unworthy, of our enemies, a strong pillar, a weapon of war, a strong militia, Voivode and invincible champion, now show us Your ancient and wonderful mercies, so that our enemies may know our iniquities, for Your Son and God is the only King and Lord, for You are truly the Mother of God, who gave birth to the flesh of the true God, as all things are possible for You, and if you please, Lady, you have the power to accomplish all this in heaven and on earth, and to grant every request for the benefit of everyone: to the sick, health, to those at sea, silence and good navigation. Travel with those who travel and protect them, save captives from bitter slavery, comfort the sad, alleviate poverty and any other bodily suffering; Free everyone from mental ailments and passions, through Your invisible intercessions and inspirations, for, yes, having completed the path of this temporary life kindly and without stumbling, we will receive by You that eternal good in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The faithful, honored by the terrible name of Thy Only Begotten Son, who trust in Thy intercession and in Thy mercy and who have Thee as their intercessor and champion in everything, strengthen invisibly against their present enemies, dispel the cloud of despondency, deliver me from spiritual distress and give them bright complacency and joy, and renew peace and serenity in their hearts.

By Your prayers, Lady, save this flock dedicated to You, the entire city and country from famine, cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, and turn back every righteous wrath that has come upon us, according to the good will and grace of the Only Begotten Son and Your God, To Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Originless Father, with His Co-Eternal and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Prayer to Our Lady for Strengthening Faith

“Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Virgin, Lady Theotokos! Look with Your merciful eye on us standing before Your holy icon and praying to You with tenderness, raise us from the depths of sin, enlighten our minds, darkened by passions, and heal the ulcers of our souls and bodies. We are not imams of other help, not imams of other hope, do You, Lady, weigh all our infirmities and sins? We resort to You and cry out: do not forsake us with Your Heavenly help, but appear to us ever and with Your ineffable mercy and bounty, save and have mercy on us , dying. Grant us correction of our sinful life and deliver us from sorrows, troubles and illnesses, from vain death, hell and eternal torment. You, Queen and Lady, are the quick Helper and Intercessor of all who flow to You, and a strong refuge for repentant sinners. Grant us, O Most Blessed and All-Immaculate Virgin, the Christian end of our life, peaceful and unashamed, and grant us, through Your intercession, to dwell in the heavenly abodes, where the unceasing voice of those celebrating with joy glorifies Holy Trinity, Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Prayer to the Mother of God for mental anguish

“Hope of all the ends of the earth, Most Pure Virgin, Lady Theotokos, my consolation! Do not disdain me, a sinner, for I trust in Your mercy: extinguish the flame of sin with me and water my withered heart with repentance, cleanse my mind from sinful thoughts, accept the prayer brought to You with sighs from my soul and heart. Be an intercessor for me to Your Son and God and tame His anger with Your motherly prayers, heal mental and physical ulcers, Lady Lady, quench the illnesses of the soul and body, calm the storm of evil attacks of the enemy, take away the burden of my sins, and do not leave me to perish until the end , and comfort my contrite heart with sorrow, may I glorify Thee until my last breath. Amen."

Prayer to the Mother of God for guidance on the true path

“For the zealous intercessor, the Compassionate Mother of the Lord, I come running to You, the accursed and most sinful man above all, listen to the voice of my prayer, hear my cry and groans, as my iniquities have surpassed my head, and I, like a ship in the abyss, am plunging into the sea my sins. But You, All-Good and Merciful Lady, do not despise me, desperate and perishing in sins; have mercy on me, who repent of my evil deeds, and turn my lost, accursed soul to the right path. On You, my Lady Theotokos, I place all my hope. Thou, Mother of God, preserve and keep me under Thy roof, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen."

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14 most powerful prayers to the Mother of God: 1 comment

Hello! Tell us in the Prayer of the Mother of God for strengthening faith there are some words, the meaning of which is not entirely clear: You weigh all infirmities - weigh; but appear to us always - appear; Your ineffable mercy - ineffable. Thank you!

The feminine principle, the image of a woman-mother, giver of life, is revered in all world religions. So, in Ancient Greece thus became, in Asia they prayed to the goddess Cybele, in Egypt the supreme feminine personified. The Christian religion was no exception. The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary contains both the divine miracle of the origin of life and earthly path an ordinary woman, whose fate turned out to be far from cloudless.

Childhood and youth

The father of the Mother of God was Joachim, a believing and righteous man. A mother named Anna, like her husband, always followed the letter of God's Law. This family lived in complete harmony, only one thing darkened the existence of the spouses: the absence of children. For many years, Anna and Joachim prayed that God would send them a child, but their prayers were in vain. The suffering of the childless couple was intensified by the ridicule of those around them, who did not miss an opportunity to slander the grief of this righteous couple.

Anna and Joachim had been married for almost 50 years and were already desperate to have a child. But one day Anna, walking through the garden, saw an angel. He promised the surprised woman that she would soon become a mother, and her child would be known to the whole world. Anna hurried home to tell her husband about the vision. Imagine Anna’s surprise when it turned out that Joachim had also seen an angel who announced that the prayers for the child had been answered.

After some time, Anna actually became pregnant. Then the couple made a vow that they would give the newborn to serve the Lord. The daughter was born on time and received the name Maria (in Hebrew this name is pronounced Miryam and is translated as “beautiful”, “strong”). The neighbors of Joachim and Anna began to gossip again, this time marveling at the miracle.

The couple raised their daughter and were preparing to fulfill their promise. Three years later, they gave little Maria to be raised in the Jerusalem temple. Surprisingly, the girl easily climbed the fifteen steps to the temple gates, which were sometimes difficult for adults too.

A few years later, the righteous Anna and Joachim died. Maria continued to live at the temple, studying with other girls in special school. Here, young pupils were taught the basics of science, taught the Word of God, and also prepared for worldly life, housekeeping and raising children. Until the age of 12, Maria lived within the walls of this school. The girl was best at sewing. There is a legend that it was she who was entrusted with sewing the curtain and bedspread for the temple sanctuary.

Given such an upbringing, Maria should have grown up enviable bride- hardworking, pious and educated. But such a fate did not attract the girl, and she took a vow of celibacy. This created certain difficulties: mature girls were not allowed to live at the temple, and the grown-up Mary had to leave God’s house.

But according to the laws of that time, she was not allowed to live alone. The clergy, who became attached to their pupil, found a way out: Mary was married to the elderly widower Joseph, who, due to his age, had to preserve the girl’s purity, allowing her not to break her word given to God.

At first, the old man was not happy about the young bride who fell on his head. In addition, the man was afraid of gossip behind his back and ridicule of relatives and neighbors - the age difference was so great. However, Joseph did not dare to contradict the will of the priests and took Mary into the house, calling him his wife.

Birth of Jesus Christ

After some time, Joseph, who worked as a carpenter, left home for several months, going to another construction site. Maria, remaining on the farm, looked after order, weaved and prayed a lot. According to legend, while she was praying, an angel appeared to the girl and told her about the imminent birth of her son.

The boy, according to the angel, was destined to become the savior of people, the one whose coming the Jews had long awaited. Mary was embarrassed by this revelation, because she remained a virgin. To which she received the answer that she would suffer from higher power, and not from male seed. This day in Christian tradition became the Feast of the Annunciation - in memory of the good news that the Virgin Mary received.

And indeed, Maria soon realized that she was pregnant. The woman did not yet realize the role that her son had to play, but she understood that she had become a participant in a real miracle of the immaculate conception.

Joseph, who returned home after some time, immediately noticed the changes that had occurred in his wife. This kind man did not immediately believe Maria’s story, deciding that the naive girl had simply become a victim of deception by some neighbor’s young man who had seduced her.

The old man did not blame his wife and even wanted to secretly allow her to leave the city so that she would not become a victim of justice: treason in those days was severely punished, unfaithful woman could have been stoned and whipped. Then an angel appeared to the carpenter, telling him about the immaculate conception of Mary. This convinced Joseph of his wife’s innocence, and he allowed the girl to stay.

Shortly before the due date, Caesar Augustus announced a general population census. To do this, people had to come to Bethlehem on their own. Joseph and Mary set off on their journey. Arriving at the place, they found that the city was simply overcrowded with crowds of people. It was not possible to find a place to stay for the night, and the couple decided to spend the night in a cave in which the shepherds hid their cattle from the rains.

It was there that Mary gave birth to a son. The boy's first cradle was a manger for feeding animals. That same night, the star of Bethlehem shone above the cave, the light of which told people about the appearance of a miracle on earth. In addition, the light of the star of Bethlehem was seen by the Magi, who immediately set off on their journey to personally worship the newborn Son of God and present him with gifts.

Seven days later, as required by the law of the time, the baby was circumcised and given a name. The son of the Virgin Mary was named. Then the boy was brought to the church to present him to God and make the traditional sacrifice. A certain elder Simeon, who also came to the temple that day, blessed the baby, realizing who was in front of him. To Maria, he allegorically hinted that both she and her son were destined for a difficult fate.

Gospel Events

While the Holy Virgin Mary was in Bethlehem with her husband and newborn baby, the cruel and ambitious King Herod learned about the birth of the Son of God. However, the soothsayers who told Herod about the miracle that had happened could not answer the question into whose family Jesus was born.

Then, without hesitation, the king ordered the destruction of all the newborns that were in Bethlehem. Joseph was warned about the impending trouble by an angel who again appeared to the elder in a dream. Then the carpenter took refuge in Egypt with Mary and the baby, and only when the danger had passed did he return with his family to his native Nazareth.

ABOUT further biography The Virgin Mary is written sparingly in the Gospel. It is known that Mary accompanied Jesus Christ everywhere, supporting him and helping him carry the Word God's people. The woman was also present at the miracle performed by Jesus, who turned water into wine.

It is obvious that Mary had a hard time: the constant sermons that her son preached did not always evoke a good response in people. Often Jesus and those accompanying him had to endure ridicule and aggression from those who did not want to accept the tenets of religion.

On the day when Jesus Christ was crucified by the executioners, Mary felt the pain of her son and even fainted when the nails pierced his palms. And although the Mother of God knew from the very beginning that Jesus was destined to accept torment for the sins of people, the mother’s heart could hardly withstand such suffering.

Death and Ascension

Mary spent the rest of her life on Athos, preaching among the pagans and carrying the Word of God. Now a large complex of monasteries and cathedrals has been built on that site, each of which contains evidence of miracles revealed by the Mother of God: numerous miraculous icons(some of them, according to legend, are not made by hands), the belt of the Virgin Mary (kept in the Vatopedi monastery), as well as the relics of people canonized by the church.

At the end of her life, Maria spent all her days in prayer, asking her son to take her to him. One day, an angel appeared to the woman again, announcing that her prayers had been heard, and after three days her wish would be fulfilled. Maria, who joyfully received the news of her imminent death, devoted three days to saying goodbye to those who were dear to her.

On the appointed day, Mary, lying on her deathbed, humbly awaited her fate. People close to her gathered around her. They all witnessed a new miracle: Jesus Christ himself descended from heaven to take his mother with him. Mary's soul left her body and ascended into the Kingdom of God. The body that remained on the bed seemed to glow with grace.

According to the records of the historian Eusebius of Caesarea, Mary died in 48 after the Nativity of Christ, but there are other written testimonies that name more early dates, and later ones. According to biblical legends, the Mother of God lived 72 years.

Some time later, the apostles discovered that the body of the Virgin Mary had disappeared from the burial cave. On the same day, the Mother of God appeared to them and announced that her body had been ascended to heaven following her soul, so that she could become a Holy Intercessor before God for people in need of help. Since then, the day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary has been considered one of the main Christian holidays.

According to the traditions of Muslims (who revere Christ not as the Son of God, but as one of the prophets), Jesus (or Isa) performed the first miracle while still in the womb of the Virgin Mary. This happened on the day of birth, when the Mother of God was already completely exhausted from pain. Then Jesus pointed out to the woman a spring created by God and date palm strewn with fruits. Water and dates strengthened Mary's strength and eased her suffering during childbirth.

On some icons, the Mother of God is depicted holding lilies in her hands. This flower was not chosen by chance: the lily is considered a symbol of chastity, purity and purity.

A description of the appearance of the Virgin Mary was preserved in the works of the church historian Nicephorus Callistus. Judging by the records of this man, the Mother of God was of average height. The Virgin’s hair shone with gold, and her eyes, lively and quick, were the color of olives. Nikifor also noted Mary’s “luscious lips, arched eyebrows and long arms and fingers.”

After the earthly death of the Mother of God, several places remained which, according to legend, are considered the inheritance of the Virgin Mary. This is Mount Athos Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Iberia (now the territory of Georgia) and the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery. It is believed that prayers read in one of these areas will certainly be heard by the Mother of God.

December 8, the day of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, is even declared a non-working day in some countries. From European countries This decision was made by Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain. On this day, services are held and prayers are read in Catholic churches and Orthodox churches. This day is also considered a holiday in Argentina and East Timor.

Despite the fact that Mount Athos is considered one of the earthly inheritances of the Virgin Mary, women are not allowed to enter the territory of the monastery complexes. This rule is even enshrined in law, and violators will face severe punishment (including imprisonment). However, this prohibition was violated twice: during the civil war in Greece (then women and children took refuge in the forests on the slopes of the mountain) and during the period of Turkish rule over these territories.

Memory (in the Orthodox tradition)

• March 25 - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• July 2 - Position of the honorable robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blachernae
• August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• August 31 - Position of the belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Chalcopratia
• September 8 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• September 9 - Memory of the holy righteous Joachim and Anna, parents of the Mother of God
• October 1 - Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• November 21 - Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• December 9 - Conception of Righteous Anna of the Blessed Mary
• December 26 - Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Theotokos, Mother of God, Mother of God, Virgin Mary - in the church tradition of the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ.

The name “Theotokos” is known among all Orthodox Slavs. The constant epithet of the Mother of God among the Orthodox Slavs is Most Holy, Most Pure, sometimes replacing her name.

The folk cult of the Mother of God differs from the church cult in being more down to earth. The Mother of God acts as a protector from troubles, evil spirits, misfortunes and suffering. She is a heavenly intercessor, sympathetic, merciful and sympathetic. Therefore, they often turn to her in prayers, conspiracies, and spells.

The Virgin Mary is considered the patroness of women in labor. And, of course, the Mother of God is the intercessor of children in this and the next world.

With the exception of Jesus Christ, there is not a single saint in Christian iconography who has been so often depicted by artists of all times as the face of the Blessed Virgin. At all times, icon painters tried to convey to the face of the Mother of God all the beauty, tenderness, dignity and grandeur of which their imagination was capable.

The Mother of God in Russian icons is always in sadness, but this sadness can be different: sometimes sorrowful, sometimes bright, but always filled with spiritual clarity, wisdom and great spiritual strength. The Mother of God can solemnly “reveal” the Child to the world, she can gently, press her Son to Herself, or lightly support Him - She is always full of reverence, worships her Divine Child and meekly resigns herself to the inevitability of sacrifice. Lyricism, enlightenment and detachment are the main features characteristic of the depiction of the Virgin Mary on Russian icons.

Only a small part of the iconography dedicated to the Mother of God - the Mother of God - is presented here.

Kazan is the most revered icon in Rus', the image of the intercessor of the entire people.

Vladimirskaya - The image of the intercessor mother in all troubles and sorrows.

Quick to Hear- pray for the Lord to hear people’s prayers.

Iverskaya - they pray for protection from enemies and ill-wishers.

Soothe my sorrows- pray for consolation in sad moments of life.

Merciful - they pray for the granting of a Divine miracle, healing.

Feodorovskaya - people pray in front of this icon during difficult childbirth.

Jerusalem - pray for family well-being, health, conceiving children.

Kozelshchanskaya - pray for the healing of orthopedic diseases,

Three-handed - pray for the healing of diseases of the hands and feet.

Look to humility- pray for healing from illnesses, oh women's health and well-being.

blessed sky- pray for the granting of God's Grace in Everyday life, help with business.

Softening evil hearts- pray to soften the hearts of those who come to you with evil thoughts.
Tenderness - mothers pray for the successful marriage of their daughters, for happiness and prosperity.

Smolenskaya - pray for help in finding the right paths in life.

Barskaya - pray for good relationships in the family, for children and health.

Unexpected joy- pray for the gift of spiritual insight.

Three joys - they pray for forgiveness for their sins.

Prayer to all icons of the Mother of God


O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord Most High, Intercessor and protection of all who resort to You! Look down from Thy holy height upon me, a sinner, falling before Thy most pure image; hear my warm prayer and offer it before your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; beg Him to illuminate my gloomy soul with the light of His Divine grace, to deliver me from all need, sorrow and illness, to grant me a quiet and peaceful life, physical and mental health, to pacify my suffering heart and heal its wounds, to guide me for good deeds, may he cleanse my mind from vain thoughts, and having taught me to fulfill His commandments, may he deliver me from eternal torment and may he not deprive me of His Heavenly Kingdom. O Most Holy Theotokos! You, Joy of all who mourn, hear me who mourns; You, called the Satisfaction of Sorrow, assuage my sorrow; You, Kupino the Burning, save the world and all of us from the harmful fiery arrows of the enemy; You, the Seeker of the Lost, do not allow me to perish in the abyss of my sins. According to Bose, all my hope and hope is in Tyabo. Be an Intercessor for me in temporary life and for eternal life before Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Intercessor. To you, Most Holy Mother of God, Most Blessed Mary, reverently honor you until the end of my days. Amen.

PS. The popular veneration of the Mother of God is associated with the “Feasts of the Mother of God” - Annunciation - April 7th,
Dormition - August 28, Christmas - September 21, Intercession - October 14, Entry into the Temple - December 4.

The couple, Joachim and Anna, came from a noble family and were righteous before God. Having material wealth, they were not deprived of spiritual wealth. Adorned with all virtues, they immaculately observed all the commandments of God's law. For each holiday, pious spouses separated two parts from their property - one was given for church needs, and the other was distributed to the poor.

With their righteous life, Joachim and Annatak pleased God that He vouchsafed them to be the parents of the Blessed Virgin, the chosen Mother of the Lord. From this alone it is already clear that their life was holy, pleasing to God and pure, since they had a Daughter, the Holiest of all saints, who pleased God more than anyone else, and the Most Honest of the Cherubim.

At that time there were no people on earth more pleasing to God than Joachim and Anna, because of their immaculate lives. Although at that time it was possible to find many living righteously and pleasing God, these two surpassed everyone in their virtues and appeared before God as the most worthy for the Mother of God to be born from them. Such mercy would not have been granted to them by God if they had not truly surpassed everyone in righteousness and holiness.

But just as the Lord Himself had to be incarnate from the Most Holy and Most Pure Mother, so it was fitting for the Mother of God to come from holy and pure parents. Just as the kings of the earth have their porphyry, made not from simple matter, but from gold-woven material, so Heavenly King He wanted to have His Most Pure Mother, in whose flesh, as in royal purple, He had to be clothed, born not from ordinary incontinent parents, as if from simple matter, but from chaste and holy ones, as if from cloth of gold, the prototype of which was the Old Testament tabernacle, which God commanded Moses to make of scarlet and scarlet cloth and fine linen (Ex. 27:16).

This tabernacle prefigured the Virgin Mary, in whom God dwelt “to dwell with men,” as it is written: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them” (Rev. 21:3). The scarlet and scarlet cloth and fine linen from which the tabernacle was made typified the parents of the Mother of God, who came and was born from chastity and abstinence, as if from scarlet and scarlet clothing, and their perfection in fulfilling all the commandments of the Lord, as if from fine linen.

But these holy spouses, by God’s will, were childless for a long time, so that in the very conception and birth of such a daughter the power of God’s grace, the honor of the Born One and the dignity of the parents would be revealed; for it is impossible for a barren and aged woman to give birth otherwise than by the power of God’s grace: it is no longer nature that acts here, but God, who defeats the laws of nature and destroys the bonds of infertility. To be born from barren and elderly parents is a great honor for the one born herself, because she is born not from incontinent parents, but from abstinent and elderly ones, such as Joachim and Anna, who lived in marriage for fifty years and had no children.

Finally, through such a birth, the dignity of the parents themselves is revealed, since after a long period of infertility they gave birth to joy to the whole world, thereby becoming like the holy patriarch Abraham and his pious wife Sarah, who, according to the promise of God, gave birth to Isaac in his old age (Gen. 21:2). However, without a doubt, we can say that the Nativity of the Mother of God is higher than the birth of Isaac by Abraham and Sarah. Just as much as the born Virgin Mary herself is higher and more worthy of honor than Isaac, so much greater and higher is the dignity of Joachim and Anna than Abraham and Sarah.

They did not immediately achieve this dignity, but only through diligent fasting and prayers, in spiritual grief and in heartfelt sorrow, they begged God for this: and their sorrow turned into joy, and their dishonor was a harbinger of great honor, and the diligent petition of the leader to receive benefits, and prayer is the best intercessor.

Joachim and Anna grieved and cried for a long time that they had no children. Once, on a great holiday, Joachim brought gifts to the Lord God in the Jerusalem Temple; together with Joachim, all the Israelites offered their gifts as sacrifices to God. Issachar, the high priest at that time, did not want to accept Joachim’s gifts because he was childless.

“We should not,” he said, “accept gifts from you, because you do not have children, and therefore no blessings from God: you probably have some secret sins.”

Also, one Jew from the tribe of Reuben, who brought his gifts along with others, reproached Joachim, saying:

“Why do you want to make sacrifices to God before me?” Do you not know that you are not worthy to bring gifts with us, for you will not leave descendants in Israel?

These reproaches greatly saddened Joachim, and in great sorrow he left the temple of God, disgraced and humiliated, and the holiday for him turned into sadness, and the festive joy was replaced by sorrow. Deeply grieving, he did not return home, but went into the desert to the shepherds who tended his flocks, and there he cried about his barrenness and about the reproaches and reproaches made to him.

Remembering Abraham, his forefather, to whom God had given a son already in old age, Joachim began to earnestly pray to the Lord that He would grant him the same favor, would hear his prayer, have mercy and take away the reproach from people from him, granting him in his old age the fruit of his marriage, as Abraham once was.

“May I,” he prayed, “have the opportunity to be called the father of a child, and not endure reproaches from people childless and rejected from God!”

Joachim added fasting to this prayer and did not eat bread for forty days.

“I won’t eat,” he said, “and I won’t return to my house; Let my tears be my food, and let this desert be my home, until the Lord God of Israel hears and takes away my reproach.

In the same way, his wife, being at home and hearing that the high priest did not want to accept their gifts, reproaching her for barrenness, and that her husband had retired into the desert out of great sorrow, cried inconsolable tears.

“Now,” she said, “I am the most unfortunate of all: rejected by God, reproached by people and abandoned by my husband!” What to cry about now: about your widowhood, or about childlessness, about your orphanhood, or about the fact that you are not worthy to be called a mother?!

She cried so bitterly all those days.

Anna's slave, named Judith, tried to console her, but could not: for who can console one whose sadness is as deep as the sea?

One day, sad Anna went into her garden, sat down under a laurel tree, sighed from the depths of her heart and, raising her eyes, full of tears to the sky, saw a bird’s nest with little chicks on the tree. This sight caused her even greater grief, and she began to cry with tears:

- Woe to me, childless! I must be the most sinful among all the daughters of Israel, that I alone am so humiliated before all the wives. Everyone carries the fruit of their womb in their hands - everyone is comforted by their children: I alone am alien to this joy. Woe is me! The gifts of all are accepted in the temple of God, and they are shown respect for their childbearing: I alone am rejected from the temple of my Lord. Woe is me! Who will I be like? neither to the birds of the air, nor to the beasts of the earth: for they too bring You, O Lord God, their fruit, but I alone am barren. I cannot even compare myself with the earth: for it vegetates and grows seeds and, bearing fruit, blesses You, the Heavenly Father: I alone am barren on earth. Woe is me, Lord, Lord! I am alone, sinful, without offspring. You, Who once gave Sarah the son Isaac in her old age (Gen. 21:1-8), You, Who opened the womb of Anna, the mother of Your prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1:20), look now upon me and hear my prayers. Lord Hosts! You know the reproach of childlessness: stop the sadness of my heart and open my womb and make me barren and fruitful, so that we bring what I have born to You as a gift, blessing, singing and glorifying Your mercy in agreement.

When Anna cried and sobbed, an angel of the Lord appeared to her and said:

- Anna, Anna! your prayer has been heard, your sighs have passed through the clouds, your tears have appeared before God, and you will conceive and give birth to the most blessed Daughter; through Her all the tribes of the earth will receive blessings and salvation will be granted to the whole world; her name will be Maria.

Hearing the angelic words, Anna bowed to God and said:

“The Lord God lives, if a child is born to me, I will give him to serve God.” Let him serve and glorify Him holy name God is day and night all the time of his life.

After this, filled with indescribable joy, Saint Anna quickly went to Jerusalem, there to give thanks to God with prayer for His merciful visit.

At the same time, an Angel appeared to Joachim in the desert and said:

- Joachim, Joachim! God has heard your prayer and is pleased to grant you His grace: your wife Anna will conceive and give birth to you a daughter, whose birth will be a joy for the whole world. And here is a sign for you that I am preaching the truth to you: go to Jerusalem to the temple of God and there, at the golden gates, you will find your wife Anna, to whom I announced the same thing.

Joachim, surprised by such angelic news, praising God and thanking Him with his heart and lips for his great mercy, hastily went to the Jerusalem temple with joy and joy. There, as the angel had told him, he found Anna at the golden gate, praying to God, and told her about the angel’s gospel. She also told him that she had seen and heard an angel who announced the birth of her daughter. Then Joachim and Anna glorified God, who had shown them such great mercy, and, having worshiped Him in the holy temple, they returned to their home.

And Saint Anna conceived on the ninth day of December, and on the eighth of September her daughter was born, the Most Pure and Most Blessed Virgin Mary, the beginning and intercessor of our salvation, at whose birth both heaven and earth rejoiced. On the occasion of Her birth, Joachim brought great gifts, sacrifices and burnt offerings to God, and received the blessing of the high priest, priests, Levites and all the people for being worthy of God’s blessing. Then he arranged a rich meal in his house, and everyone glorified God with joy.

Her parents took care of the growing Virgin Mary like the apple of their eye, knowing, by a special revelation of God, that She would be the light of the whole world and the renewal of human nature. Therefore, they raised Her with such careful prudence as befitted the One who was to be the Mother of our Savior. They loved Her not only as a daughter, long awaited, but also revered Her as their mistress, remembering the angelic words spoken about Her, and foreseeing in spirit what would happen to Her.

She, filled with Divine grace, mysteriously enriched her parents with the same grace. Just as the sun illuminates the stars of heaven with its rays, giving them particles of its light, so God’s chosen Mary, like the sun, illuminated Joachim and Anna with the rays of the grace given to her, so that they too were filled with the Spirit of God and firmly believed in the fulfillment of the angelic words.

When the youth Mary was three years old, her parents led Her with glory into the temple of the Lord, accompanying her with lighted lamps, and dedicated Her to the service of God, as they had promised. Several years after the introduction of Mary into the temple, Saint Joachim died, eighty years old. Saint Anna, remaining a widow, left Nazareth and came to Jerusalem, where she remained near her Most Holy Daughter, praying incessantly in the temple of God. Having lived in Jerusalem for two years, she rested in the Lord, being 79 years old.

Oh, how blessed are you, holy parents, Joachim and Anna, for the sake of your Most Blessed Daughter!

You are especially blessed for the sake of Her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all the nations and tribes of the earth received blessings! It is right that the Holy Church called you Fathers of God, 3 for we know that God was born from your Most Holy Daughter. Now standing close to Him in heaven, pray that at least some part of your endless joy will be given to us. Amen.

Troparion, tone 1:

Who in legal grace was righteous and gave birth to a God-given child to us, Joachim and Anna: the same day, joyfully celebrating, the divine church honors your memory, glorifying God, who raised the horn of salvation for us in the house of David.

Kontakion, voice 2:

Now Anna rejoices, having resolved her infertility, and nourishes the Most Pure One, calling all to sing praises, who from her womb bestowed upon man one Mother and the unartful

Mother of God or Holy Virgin plays a key role in Orthodox faith like the mother of Christ. The Virgin Mary, as Catholics prefer to call her, plays one of the key roles in the development of Christianity.

The life of the Most Holy Theotokos proves how important the role of the Mother of God is in Christian culture. The Mother of God is considered one of the main saints of the Orthodox Church.

The greeting of Archangel Gabriel brought Mary the news of her destiny - the birth of the Son of God.

“Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are You among wives!”

These words became the beginning of the sacrament - the immaculate conception and birth of Jesus Christ. Mary was greeted with a similar greeting by Saint Elizabeth, who learned from the Holy Spirit that before her was the Mother of God.

To find out who the Mother of God is, what her role is in Christian culture, you should read the description of the life of the Mother of God, her Dormition and the rules of veneration of the Most Pure Virgin in the Orthodox tradition.

Mother of God: mother of Jesus Christ who made significant contributions to the development of Christianity.

Life of the Virgin Mary before the birth of Jesus

Biography of the Sacred Virgin in Holy Scripture The New Testament is episodic and does not reveal anything about the birth, the introduction into the temple and other important events in the life of the Virgin Mary. The life of the Mother of God is described by Church Traditions:

• Ancient tales;
• Early Christian writings, such as the Gospel of Thomas.

Ever-Virgin Mary was born during the reign of King Herod, in the suburbs of Jerusalem.

• What were the names of the parents: Joachim and Anna.
• The parents of the Mother of God were wealthy and noble people.
• The father of the Virgin Mary, Joachim, was from a family descended from King David.
• The Mother of the Mother of God is Anna, the daughter of a priest from Bethlehem.

Having lived together for more than 40 years, Anna and Joachim remained childless.

Despite this, the couple’s faith did not fade; they accepted childlessness as God's will. The couple accepted their cross and prayed only for greater piety and the opportunity to help the weak.

After 50 years of marriage, the Angel of the Lord announced to them the imminent birth of a daughter, who was named Mary.

Chosen from the human race, the ancestors of Christ, who gave birth to the Most Blessed Virgin of God, from Whom is not according to the flesh the Son of God was born, the holy and righteous Godfathers Joachim and Anno! For those who have great boldness towards Christ God and stand before His heavenly Throne, pray diligently for us to be delivered from troubles, so that we may call to you: Rejoice, holy and righteous Fathers of God. Akime and Anno.

The Mother of the Virgin Mary took a vow to help the poor, so at the age of three she was sent to the temple to serve, where she lived and studied God’s Laws.

The Mother of God studied and lived in the temple until she was 12 years old. At this age, the girl should get married. By this time, Maria's parents had died. The marriage was prevented by the girl's vow of celibacy as a child.

Having entered adulthood, Maria:

• She couldn't live alone, otherwise she would violate the law prohibiting living unmarried girls one;
• Marry.

The priests of the temple in which Mary lived her life decided to marry her off formally. The selection of candidates was carried out according to the following considerations:

• The husband had to be a widower;
• The husband must be virtuous in order to protect the purity and chastity of his wife.

They decided to choose the spouse by drawing lots to express the will of the Lord. One of the candidates was Joseph, a carpenter from Nazareth.

The draw was carried out as follows:

• The candidates gathered in the temple;
• The high priest took the staff from each of them;
• The priest returned the staff to each participant, awaiting a sign from above.

During the drawing of lots in the temple, when the priest returned Joseph's staff, the wide end of the staff was separated and transformed into a dove, which landed on Joseph's head. Thus God's will was accomplished.

At age 14, Mary was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter who was also descended from David.

Mary's husband: Joseph, widower.

According to legend, it is known that Saint Mary resigned herself to her fate. Soon the parents of Jesus Christ learned about their destiny. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, who announced that Mary would give birth to a son, his name should be Jesus (Yeshua), which in Hebrew means “Savior”, who will save people from their sins.

Joseph left home for several months, going to work. Maria stayed at home, looked after the household and prayed for a long time. During one of the prayers, Archangel Gabriel descended to the Mother of God, announcing the impending birth of a son.

“Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”

The son, according to Gabriel, will become the savior of people on earth, for whom the Jews have been waiting for many years. The Mother of God was embarrassed by the news because she was a virgin. The angel replied that the Most Pure Virgin would suffer not from a man, but from a higher power.

The appearance of the angel was called the Annunciation and became important holiday in Christian culture. The Annunciation is celebrated on April 7.

When Joseph returned, he realized that Mary was pregnant. The old man did not immediately believe his wife, believing that the girl had been deceived and seduced. He did not blame his wife and wanted to let her flee the city in order to save her from punishment for treason. Then the angel again appeared to the carpenter and told about the immaculate conception of the Mother of God.

Shortly before the birth, a population census was announced. The people had to visit Bethlehem to take part in the census. Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem. Arriving in the city, they were unable to find accommodation for the night. Then the couple stayed overnight in the shepherds’ cave.

I started my life in the cave earthly life Jesus Christ. On the night of Mary’s birth of the Son of God, the Star of Bethlehem lit up above the cave, and when they saw it, the Magi headed to the cave to greet the Son of God.

Mary gave birth to Jesus presumably between the ages of 14 and 16.

The life of the Virgin Mary after the birth of Christ

While the couple and the newborn were in Bethlehem, King Herod learned about the birth of the messenger of God. In his search for Jesus, Herod ordered the killing of all the babies living in Bethlehem. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned the old man about the approaching trouble. The couple hid in Egypt. When the danger had passed, the family returned to Nazareth.

The further life of the Mother of God is described briefly in the Gospel.

Mary accompanied her son everywhere, helping to bring the Word of the Lord to people. Mary also witnessed the miracle of Christ, that is, the transformation of water into wine.

The Mother of God was on Calvary during the execution of Pilate's order to crucify Christ. The Mother of God felt the pain of her son and lost consciousness when her palms were pierced by nails.

Important events in the life of the Mother of God are described in the Gospel of Luke, who knew her closely and painted an icon from her, which became the prototype of all subsequent icons. After the death of her son, the Mother of God, together with the apostles, continued to spread the Word of God. Maria never spoke in person in front of people, except for the occasion during a visit to Mount Athos.

The Mother of God went to Cyprus, but a storm carried the ship into the Aegean Sea, to Mount Athos. The islands were the heart of pagan worship.

After leaving the ship, Mary encountered crowds of people who wanted to learn the teachings of Christ. The Mother of God told them about forgiveness, about love for neighbor and God - the essence of the teachings of Christ.

After the sermon, the people living on Mount Athos decided to be baptized. Leaving Athos, Mary blessed the people and said:

the Virgin Mary

“Behold, it is my lot to become my Son and my God! God's grace to this place and to those who abide in it with faith and fear and with the commandments of My Son; with a little care, everything on earth will be abundant for them, and they will receive heavenly life, and the mercy of My Son will not fail from this place until the end of the age, and I will be a warm intercessor to My Son for this place and for those who dwell in it.”

Assumption of the Virgin Mary

During prayer, the mother of Jesus Christ again saw Archangel Gabriel walking towards her with a branch of a paradise date. The Archangel told her that in three days the Virgin Mary’s life on earth would end. At the command of God, the apostles gathered in the Jerusalem temple. At the hour of the end of her life, Maria saw an extraordinary glow. Jesus, surrounded by angels, appeared to the Most Pure One and took her soul.

Three days later, the Apostle Thomas arrived in Jerusalem, but was not present at the burial. Thomas was deeply saddened that he could not say goodbye to the Mother of God. Having opened the cave, the apostles found the tomb empty. During evening prayer, the apostles heard angels, surrounded by whom the Virgin Mary appeared to them, saying to the apostles:

the Virgin Mary

“Rejoice! I am with you all the days!”

The day of the death of the Virgin Mary is one of the main church festivities and is called the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and is celebrated on August 28. In searching for an answer to the question of how many years the Mother of God lived, one should rely on the calculations of the ancient church fathers. The earthly life of the Holy Virgin is 72 years.

The Mother of God lived 72 years.

The Mother of God is deeply revered. There are more than 300 icons of the Mother of God. Cathedrals Christian states are named after the Mother of God. Since the beginning of Christianity, there have been many apparitions of the Virgin Mary, in honor of which religious processions, special prayers are said. Notable apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the Orthodox faith are:

• Appearance to Sergius of Radonezh;
• Appearance to Seraphim of Sarov;
• Appearance to Andrei Yurodivy;
• Appearance to Andrei Bogolyubsky.