Mother of God with the baby. The meaning of clothing details on icons. Icon "Leaping Baby". Significance in Christendom

Icons are like open books that speak better than words - you just need to learn to read them. And then any, even an imperceptible detail of the icon - a fringe, a cloak clasp or a strip sewn on clothes - will reveal deep theological secrets before us, strengthen us in faith and teach us the truths of Orthodoxy.The sisters-icon painters of the Novo-Tikhvin Monastery talk about what the details of clothing mean on the icons.

Savior icons.The Lord Jesus Christ, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is traditionally depicted in robes worn by noble dignitaries of the Roman Empire: tunic resembling a long shirt, and himations , outerwear (in fact, this is a rectangular piece of fabric, thrown over a chiton as a cloak). Many saints of the Old Testament and Gospel times are dressed in chitons and himations on icons, but the Savior's garment has some peculiarities.

The Lord is the Almighty

On the right side of the tunic of the Lord Jesus Christ is depicted clav - sewn-on vertical stripe, a symbol of the royal power of the Byzantine emperors. In the iconography of the Savior, clav is a sign of the royalty, purity and perfection of the human nature of Christ.

On icons, the chiton of the Savior is usually painted in red, and the himation in blue. These two colors symbolize the human and divine nature of Christ. The color blue, a symbol of purity and integrity, reminds us of Heaven. Red is about the blood shed by the Lord for our salvation. A robe of this color is also an indication of the royal dignity of the Savior. In ancient times, purple, reddish-violet clothes, porphyry, could only be worn by royalty. This garment was dyed with an extremely rare dye, purple, which was extracted from the purple glands of sea molluscs. The purple was so expensive that even the most distinguished Roman citizens could only afford purple stripes on their clothes. And when the royal purple colored porphyry wore out, it was not destroyed, but cut into small pieces, which were handed out as a reward to distinguished statesmen.

Sometimes the Savior is depicted in clothes of a different color to emphasize His Divine properties. So, on the icon "Savior in Strength" the Lord is depicted in golden robes, reminding us of the radiance of His heavenly glory.

Transformation

In the icon of the Transfiguration, the Savior is clothed in white robes, in accordance with the Gospel description: “His garments became shining, very white, like snow, as a whitener cannot whiten on earth” (Mark 9: 3). White color, like golden rays, symbolizes the uncreated Divine light.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos from the deisis order.

Icons of the Virgin.It is customary to depict the Most Holy Theotokos in maforia - a quadrangular plate or cape worn by the Mother of God according to the custom of married Jewish women of that time. This dress was worn over other clothes and was so large that it covered not only the head, but almost the entire body. The original maforium of the Most Holy Theotokos has been kept in the Blakherna Church in Constantinople since 474. In the iconography, the tones of the Mother of God are dark red - a reminder of the royal origin of the Most Pure One and of the sufferings she suffered. In addition, the crimson "royal" color of the maforia signifies that the Mother of God is the Mother of the King of Christ.

Icon of the Mother of God “Sign.

Along the edges of the maforia, it is trimmed with a gold border (ribbon with gold threads) and fringes. This color was not chosen by chance: the golden border - a sign of the glorification of the Queen of Heaven - symbolizes Her presence in the Divine light and Her involvement in the glory of God. Covered by maforia blue or blue color tunics , underwear, and a cap symbolizes the virginity of the Mother of God, Her heavenly, perfect purity.

The Maaphorium of the Most Holy Theotokos on the icons is decorated with three symbolic stars - on the forehead (symbol of virginity at the time of the Nativity of the Savior), on the right shoulder (symbol of virginity before Christmas), on the left shoulder (symbol of virginity after Christmas). At the same time, three stars are also a symbol Holy Trinity... In some icons, the figure of the Infant God covers one of these stars, signifying the incarnation of the Son of God - the Second Hypostasis of the Most Holy Trinity.

There is one more detail in the robe of the Mother of God, which at first glance is imperceptible, but also important. it charge , which symbolize the concelebration of the Mother of God - and in her person and the entire Church - to the Head of the Church, the High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Schmch. Hilarion, Archbishop of Verey

Saints, that is, bishops glorified by the Church, for example, saints, and others, are depicted in liturgical episcopal vestments. On the head of the saints may be miter - a special headdress decorated with small icons and precious stones. The bishop's miter symbolizes the Savior's crown of thorns.

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk

A distinctive detail of the vestments of the saints - sakkos which marks the Lord's purple robe. On the shoulders of the bishops omophorion - a wide ribbon-like headdress decorated with crosses is an obligatory part of a bishop's vestment: without it, he has no right to perform divine services. For example, Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk is depicted on the icon in the traditional saint's vestments: sakkos, omophorion and miter. The omophorion is a symbol of the lost sheep, that is, every person, and the bishop dressed in the omophorion depicts Christ, the Good Shepherd, who took the lost sheep on his shoulders and carried it to the house of the Heavenly Father.

Saint Basil the Great and John Chrysostom

Sometimes on icons saints, for example, St. Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, are depicted not in the sakkos, but in felonies - a long and wide sleeveless robe, which in our time priests wear during divine services. The peculiarity of these felonies is that they are decorated with many crosses, which is why they are called polystavria (from Greek "multi-cross"). The fact is that in ancient times it was Polystavrius that was the vestment of bishops, and the sakkos began to gradually replace it only in the 15th century, and therefore bishops who had spent their lives up to that time are often depicted in ancient clothing.

Fragment of the icon "Teachers of Smart Doing". Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov)

Often there are images of saints in bishop's mantle ... At the shoulders and at the front at the bottom, they sew tablets - boards on which crosses, cherubs, icons of the Savior and the Mother of God, symbolic images of the evangelists, the monogram of the bishop can be depicted. For example, the icon "Teachers of Clever Doing" on the bishop's mantle of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) below depicts tablets with the monogram "E" - bishop and "I" - Ignatius.

Schmch. Peter, Metropolitan Krutitsky.

By tradition, bishops and archbishops are depicted in purple robes, metropolitans in blue robes, and patriarchs in green. The mantle, in itself symbolizing special Divine protection, has another symbol on it - the so-called sources , or jets ... Three rows of red and white stripes, in the name of the Holy Trinity, symbolize streams of Divine wisdom, falling to which the church hierarch draws the wisdom and grace of God to pass them on to his flock.

Vmchch. Dimitry of Thessaloniki and George the Victorious. Fragment of the icon.

Martyrs and noble princes are often depicted on icons in robes warriorssimilar to those worn in Byzantium and Ancient Russia. Warriors wore a short chiton, it was called vest , he was wearing armor that protected the warrior from enemy weapons. On the icons of God's saints, armor reminds us that grace protects the soldiers of the Heavenly King from invisible enemies. There are several types of armor, but most often they depict on icons chain mail - ringed "shirts" with short sleeves and a chased shield on the chest. The attire of the warriors on the icons completely coincides with the ancient clothes. For example, if martyrs are depicted full-length, then on their feet they usually have leggings - they match modern trousers, and campagi - Shoes of Byzantine warriors, resembling boots.

In the center of the icon is the Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky.

In addition, the warriors put on a cloak - in the Roman Empire, it was called chlamydia or a lacquer, and it is fixed fibula (it is also called a zapona or agraph) - a clasp decorated with ornaments and precious stones. Seeing the fibula on the warrior's cloak, everyone understood that its owner serves the king - and on the icons this small detail symbolizes that the martyrs and other saints of God, depicted in military clothes, belong to the army of heaven and serve their King - the Lord Jesus Christ. Like victorious warriors who defeat invisible enemies, these saints have weapons on their icons: a sword, sometimes a bow and a quiver with arrows and a spear.

Vmts. Irina Makedonskaya

On the icons you can always recognize the Equal to the Apostles, martyrs, passion-bearers, noble princes and princesses who had royal dignity... At their head they have crown or a crown, to which queens and martyrs have adornments of pearls and stones attached - vividly .

Royal Passion Bearers

Dalmatika - a long outer garment worn over a tunic, with wide sleeves, has richly decorated mantle, apron and podolnik ... Dalmatics is clearly visible, for example, in the icon of Princess Olga and Tsarevich Alexy.

Equal to the Apostles Princess Olga

The cloak of the royal persons resembles an imperial purple robe. All these details emphasize the high dignity of the kings - God's anointed ones, who, thanks to their virtues, became imitators of the Lord Almighty.

Venerable Sergius of Radonezh

Reverendshave special garments - chiton , mantle, cowl ... These monastic clothes, unlike those of the world, symbolize a new garment of truth and joy, incorruption and purity - a garment woven of virtues, in which a person who has renounced the world and everything in the world is clothed. Each of the monastic clothes has a special meaning: the tunic reminds of the patience of voluntary poverty, crampedness and sorrow, followed by unearthly joy. The mantle, a long, sleeveless cape buttoned at the collar, was a symbol of renunciation of idolatry among the first Christians, and then became the vestments of exclusively monastics.

Venerable Seraphim of Sarov

The mantle marks the acquisition of God's protection by the monk, recalls the severity and asceticism of monastic life, reverence and humility. As the mantle has no sleeves, so the monk “has no hands” for worldly vanity and sinful deeds, his hands and other limbs are as if dead to vice. According to the interpretation of Saint Herman, Patriarch of Constantinople, the monastic mantle symbolizes the wings of angels - a monk, like an angel, must be ready for any work of God. The words of the modern ascetic of piety, prayer book and confessor Archbishop Anthony (Golynsky-Mikhailovsky) agree with this interpretation: “I love that everything is running, fast. Monasticism is angels. They must fly! ” The Holy Fathers also compare the mantle with a military cloak. Just as by the cloak it was easy to determine that the warrior was serving the emperor, so the cloak shows that the monk serves and tries in everything to be like his great King-Christ.

If the mantle resembles a cloak, then the cowl is a helmet, the very one about which the Apostle Paul says, “And receive the helmet of salvation” (Eph. 6: 11). The cowl testifies to the humility of the monks, their unhypocritical obedience and the keeping of their eyes from everything sinful and vain.

Icon "Teachers of Smart Doing"

Saints Nil Sorsk, Vasily of Polyanomerul, Zosima Verkhovsky are depicted in corn and analave otherwise called schema ... These robes of monks tonsured into the Great Schema are also deeply symbolic. Kukul - a pointed headdress - resembles the clothes of babies, because monastics should be like children in humility. In addition, kukul reminds that grace covers and warms the saints of God, protecting their purity and simplicity from demons, just as hats warm the heads of babies. Kukul is sheathed around with crosses to drive away the enemies of salvation who are attacking us from everywhere with this royal sign. Analav, a quadrangular plate that is worn on the shoulders, is decorated with crosses and means bearing cross, following the Savior, complete mortification of the world.

Vmts. Anastasia the Patterner

Holy wives: martyrs, righteous women, myrrh-bearing wivesthey are depicted on icons with their heads covered - in accordance with the words of the Apostle Paul that a praying woman should cover her head, for she should have “a sign of power over her, for the Angels” (1 Cor. 11, 10). Thus, the covered head testifies to their abiding in prayer and their spiritual disposition to humility.

Venerable Mary of Egypt

But sometimes holy women are depicted with bare heads. For example, they write this as a reminder that she lost her clothes during her long stay in the desert - they decayed. An uncovered head is a sign of the complete renunciation of Saint Mary not only from worldly pleasures, but even from what is necessary for life, a sign of the exclusive ascetic and penitential life of this saint, who ascended from the depths of sin to the incomprehensible height of holiness.

Mts. Vera

In addition, young women and young virgins are depicted with bare heads - for example, the martyr Vera and the younger Grand Duchesses on the icon of the Royal Passion-bearers - Mary and Anastasia.

In the following materials, you will learn about the features of the iconography of the prophetic face, as well as angelic ranks.

The illustrations used photographs of icons made in the icon-painting workshop of the Novo-Tikhvin monastery.

The people have long distinguished the "duties" of these or those saints. The same is with the images of the Faces of the Virgin. Each icon of the Mother of God meets the expectations of the worshipers.

Faces of the Virgin

I will tell you about those miraculous icons that I personally had to meet and the power of which I learned on myself.

As a child, my grandfather told me that the Lord has many helpers - saints and righteous elders, prophets and disembodied forces. But the first help people get from the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ the Virgin Mary. We talked with him for a long time about how this world works. Grandfather Nikolai said that everything that surrounds us was created by the Lord, and we need to thank Him for this.

Grandpa himself knew how to do wonderful things. He restored musical instruments and paintings. It was funny to see how a broken violin was brought to him, and he revived it, breathed life into it, and after a while she sang wonderful melodies again, sometimes laughing, then crying, and her soul became warm and peaceful. And everyone always thanked him!

Once they brought a wonderful picture on the board. A beautiful woman with a child - as if someone swaddled them together in beautiful red clothes. I really wanted to take a closer look at her, and, putting a stool, I climbed up to the bookcase for her. I had to land on the floor along with books, one of which hit my knee painfully.

Grandfather, who entered, grinned into his beard and said: “You must ask the Mother of God to add your mind to you”.

This is how I first got acquainted with the revered, today rare image "Adding the Mind" or "Giver of the Mind".

This is an amazing image with amazing story and mysterious iconography, attracting everyone who has ever seen him. Appearing in Russia in the 16th century, this icon has its own ancient prototype. The assistant, the Apostle Luke, was not only an evangelist, but also painted icons. According to legend, he also created the sculpture of the Loret Icon of the Mother of God, which later became the prototype of the icon "Adding the Mind". Despite the fact that later it was established that the author of the statue was not the Apostle Luke, nevertheless, the creation of an image by him is still undeniable: "Bless the evangelical secrets of the evangelist of the Apostle Luke to paint the image of Your most pure face."

In Russia, the first copies of the Loret Icon of the Mother of God appeared after the return of the ambassadors of Prince Vasily from Pope Clement VII, who sought to extend his influence to the Russian principalities. And already here he wrote a new image, which the people began to call "Adding Mind".

They say that some unknown artist became interested in the corrected books of Patriarch Nikon, as a result of which he became mad. When the illness receded, he prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos for forgiveness and asked to send him healing. They also say that the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to the artist several times, and he created Her image, after which the disease receded, reason and health returned.

The icon was painted in an unusual manner at that time. The Most Holy Theotokos and Jesus Christ are depicted wrapped in purple liturgical vestments. On their heads there are crowns, in the upper corners of the icons - icon lamps, under the arch - the starry sky. It is the vestment that hides the figures of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Infant Christ that the icon resembles its prototype - the statue of Our Lady of Loret. The architectural details in the form of an arch in the upper part of the image and lamps are an image of a richly decorated niche in which the sculptural image of Our Lady of Loret is placed. Cherubim with outstretched wings are depicted under the feet of the Mother of God and above Her head.

Whether this was so or just a folk fiction is not known for certain, but the fact that many received help and admonition from this icon is more than enough evidence.

The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Adding the Mind" is asked about the admonition of the unreasonable, about successful studies, exams, calming the mad, healing ailments associated with the brain.

Personally, I believe that it was thanks to the prayer at this icon that I entered an art school and connected myself with art for the rest of my life.

This icon is rare. In Kiev, I know only one temple where there is a list of the image of the Most Holy Theotokos "Adding Mind" - in the Temple of the Nativity of Christ on Obolon.

Icon of the Mother of God "Joy or Consolation"

Many people received healing from the Vatopedi miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Joy or Consolation". Miracles are taking place now - through prayers at the exact lists of this image.

The history of the icon is as follows: the image of the Mother of God was originally painted in the form of a fresco. There was a custom when the monks, leaving the cathedral after prayer, kissed the icon, after which the abbot handed the keys to the monastery to the gatekeeper so that he would open the monastery gates.

Once the abbot heard from the icon a warning not to open the gates, but to stay in the monastery and defend against pirates. The elder looked at the icon and saw how the baby Jesus stretched out his hand to block the lips of the Most Holy Theotokos, but She, taking Christ's hand, repeated the same words. The monks did not dare to disobey the order of the Mother of God, as a result the monastery was saved from the invasion of pirates.

Since then, the monks of Vatopeda have been supporting the unquenchable lamp in front of this miraculous icon. We see such a plot in the iconography of the image of the Most Holy Theotokos "Joy or Consolation". The face of the Mother of God is filled with compassionate love and motherly tenderness, and the face of the little Christ, on the contrary, is stern and formidable.

Many testify that they cannot see enough of this wondrous, truly miraculous image created by God, which gives peace and tranquility.

In front of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Joy or Consolation" they pray and ask for help in disasters, when enemies attack, for deliverance from illness and misfortune, as well as for peace in conflict situations and in all life's affairs.

The Most Holy Theotokos are asked to intercede before our Lord Jesus Christ and to forgive human sins, to save them from troubles. People turn to her when she was innocently slandered, dragged into a scandalous situation, asked to strengthen her spirit and will, help to cope with difficulties, survive and overcome the crisis.

Icon of the Mother of God "Joy or Consolation" - a list kept in the nunnery of the same name

An exact copy of the Vatopedi miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Joy or Consolation", painted on Mount Athos, was donated to the same name convent in the Kiev region.

Icon of the Mother of God "Three-handed"

In the Ioninsky monastery in Kiev there is a miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Three-handed". This icon was painted in the middle of the 19th century by order of the Monk Jonah and was kept in his cell. The icon was with Elder Jonah in the Nikolsky monastery, and then in the Vydubetsky monastery, and when the Ioninsky was built, it took its place on the right column of the temple.

Icon of the Mother of God "Three-handed" - a favorite image of the Monk Jonah of Kiev

The image became famous for many cases of both healings and miracles, the elder Jonah especially revered him.

Here is one impressive case. In 1918, when Kiev several times passed from hand to hand between different political revolutionary forces, at a time when the government of Hetman Skoropadsky was in power, a terrible explosion took place in the armories on the Menagerie located in the immediate vicinity of the monastery. The ammunition depots of the entire Southwestern Front of the times exploded.

Now it is no longer possible to establish whether it was sabotage or simply negligence in storing deadly materials. But during the explosion, many people were injured, a huge number of houses and buildings were destroyed. And the icon "Three-handed" warned the people of Kiev about the coming tragic event. On the eve of the explosion, during the evening service, both the brethren of the monastery and numerous parishioners saw the icon crying. And only the next day, after the explosion, did people understand what the Most Holy Theotokos was grieving about.

And today the brethren of the monastery and parishioners hope that the Mother of God, Who loves everyone, Who prays for those who need Her help, will have mercy on Kiev, the mother of Russian cities, and Ukraine, and will protect the people faithful to the Lord from sorrow, and those hardest trials that fell to his lot will safely stop.

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Three-handed" was painted in the typical style of Ukrainian icon painting of the mid-19th century. If we carefully examine it, we will see that on the margins are written the so-called hallmarks with images of the heavenly patrons of the Monk Jonah and his parents. They are written with great care, professionalism and love. This indicates that the icon was painted in one of the monastic icon-painting workshops in Kiev. You can see the icon and venerate it in the same place where the Monk Jonah placed it a hundred years ago.

At the "Three-handed" in the Kiev Trinity Ioninsky monastery

In general, "Three-handed" - one of the most famous and widely revered in the Orthodox world of the Mother of God of the Hodegetria type. This is the shrine of the Serbian monastery Khilandar on Mount Athos. It differs from other similar icons in the left-sided image of the Infant Christ (sitting on the right hand of the Mother of God).

Several legends are connected with this image, telling about where the third hand appeared on the image of the Mother of God, and how the icon ended up on the Holy Mountain.

According to one of the legends, thanks to the prayer of this image, the defender and hymnographer John Damascene healed his hand, which was severed by the slander of enemies. In gratitude, he presented the miraculous icon with a silver statue of a healed hand, which was hung on the icon, for which it received the name "Three-handed".

According to another legend, the icon painter twice erased the image of the third hand from it, and it appeared again and again on the board. And only then the Most Holy Theotokos appeared in a dream and commanded to leave the image unchanged, "for the sake of miracles, and not by nature."

Despite the contradictions in the emergence of the image of the Mother of God "Three-handed", the meaning of the unusual iconography is revealed when referring to the text of the troparion in honor of the icon. It says that the Mother of God holds the Divine Child with two hands, and another hand symbolizes the cover and protection that She gives to those who pray: you rescue those who come running faithfully to you from misfortunes and troubles. "

The icon of the Mother of God "Three-handed" will protect against enemies who threaten the well-being in the house and everyone living in it. They pray in front of her for the healing and health of loved ones, for the cure of diseases of the hands, feet, eyes.

Through prayer before the "Three-handed", melancholy and sorrowful thoughts recede. Also, this image of the Virgin is especially revered by those who are engaged in crafts.

Icon "Do not cry for Me, Mati"

Soon we will all worship another wondrous icon. The Mother of God is depicted sobbing over the Savior placed in the tomb. Sometimes the image is called in Greek - "Pieta", but it is better known under the name "Don't weep for Me, Mati".

The icon belongs to the passionate and participates in the divine services only once a year. On, most often on Friday, it is laid out on a lectern.

The name is taken from the irmos of the ninth canon of the canon for Great Saturday: “Do not weep for Me, Mother, see in the grave, but in His womb without a seed you conceived the Son, I will rise and be glorified, and I will exalt with glory without ceasing, like God, by faith and love You magnifying ". So Christ Himself comforts the Mother, telling Her about the coming Resurrection, through the grief the message of Fr.

Icon "Do not weep for Me, Mati" in the Nikolsky temple

I recently met a wonderful list of this particular iconographic plot in the Nikolsky Church in the city of Vasilkov in the Kiev region. It was written back in the 1870s with the blessing of Hegumen Nikon, who served in this church, and was donated by the parishioners of the church.

Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Do not weep for Me, Mother" they pray for the suffering, as well as for close relatives and children.

There are icons in the Orthodox world, the number of which is very small. And among them is the icon of the Mother of God "Augustow".

Written in memory of the appearance of the Mother of God in 1914 to Russian soldiers before the Warsaw-Ivangorod operation (September 15 - October 26, 1914), the battle near the city of Augustow, Suwalki province of the Russian Empire (now the territory of Eastern Poland).

According to the stories of the soldiers, on the night of September 7-8, they saw the Mother of God with the baby Jesus Christ in heaven. The Mother of God pointed to the west with her hand. And the subsequent great battle near Augustow was marked by a complete victory. Moreover, in this battle, none of the witnesses of the phenomenon died. This announcement was published in the ecclesiastical and secular press and aroused enthusiasm among the troops.

Since 1915, the first icon-painting images of this event appear. The Holy Synod considered the question of the apparition of the Mother of God for about a year and a half and on March 31, 1916, made a decision: to capture the commemorated event of the appearance of the Mother of God in the memory of subsequent generations of the Russian people and therefore determines: to bless the celebration in the churches of God and the houses of believers of icons depicting the aforementioned appearance of the Mother of God to Russian soldiers ... "

Almost every icon is unique and, without exaggeration, it can be said, has great historical value, since, as a rule, it is associated with certain historical events. So this image of the Mother of God is akin to folk popular prints and amateur primitives, which, by the way, never died in icon painting practice, and only at the beginning of the 20th century was it recognized as a unique form of art. The result is a rare optimistic combination of high iconographic form and simple folk art.

I met this unique icon not far from Kiev, in a pure white prayerful rural church. Everything is simple, home-like, without fuss and pretentiousness. The local abbot, Father Guriy, always welcomes everyone with joy - regardless of social origin and material well-being, and for a long time then fond memories of these meetings still live in our memory.

At the "August" icon

So this time, the gray-haired veterans received a charge of cheerfulness and hope and returned to the capital with jokes and smiles on their faces, which strongly contrasted among the gray mass of the capital's people. Not once or twice, the Theotokos settled strife, showed miraculous power. So the veterans, scorched by the war, go to her to ask the Lord for help and intercession for their relatives and friends, for the people, for the cessation of civil confrontation and the miraculous salvation of our sons.

Those who are wrong in family relationships, who cannot find a way out of seemingly dead-end situations in life, ask the Mother of God for admonition.

Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hearken"

The history of this icon is associated with one of the Athonite monasteries, namely Dochiar, where the blessed power of this miraculous image was revealed. It is believed that the fresco, which served as the prototype of the icon, was painted in the 10th century during the time of the founder of the Docharia monastery, the Monk Neophytos. She was in a niche in the outer wall, in front of the entrance to the monastery refectory.

In 1664, refectory Nile, passing at night into the refectory with a burning torch, heard a voice from the icon: "Do not come nearer here with a lit torch and smoke My image." The monk was frightened at first, but then, having decided that this was a joke of one of the brethren, he soon forgot about this incident. After a while, when the Nile passed by the icon in the evening, the same voice was heard: “A monk unworthy of this name! How long will you smoke My image so carelessly and so shamelessly ?! " After these words, the monk Nil was struck with blindness and relaxation of the body. The repentant monk fell on his knees before the icon and all night, before the arrival of the brethren, he prayed to the Most Holy Virgin for forgiveness. When the monks learned about the miracle that had happened, they immediately ignited unquenchable lamp and fell in reverence before the miraculous icon.

Nil, in the hope of the great mercy of the Mother of God, remained near the icon and decided not to leave it until he received it. After a while, kneeling in front of the icon, he again heard a familiar voice: “Nile! your prayer is heard, you are forgiven, and sight is again given to your eyes. When you receive this mercy from Me, erect the brethren that I am their cover, providence and protection of their abode, dedicated to the Archangels. Let them and all Orthodox Christians turn to Me in need, and I will not leave anyone; I will intercession with all those who resort to Me with reverence, and the prayers of all will be fulfilled by My Son and My God, for the sake of My intercession before Him, so that from now on this My icon will be called the Quick-To-Hearted, because I will show mercy and the fulfillment of petitions to all those who come to her. ".

In Russia, copies of the miraculous Athos icon "Quick to Hearken" have always been used great love... Many of them became famous for miracles.

An exact copy of this ancient miraculous icon was painted as a sign of unity in Christ and prayer communication between the Arkhangelsk Docharian Monastery and the reviving Archangel-Mikhailovsk monastery on the Zverinets Caves in Kiev.

At the icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hearken" in the Archangel-Mikhailovsky Zverinetsky Monastery

First of all, in front of the icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hearken" they pray for spiritual enlightenment when a person is at a loss and does not know what to do, as well as in all cases when especially fast and effective help is needed.

The Most Holy Theotokos, through Her icon "Quick to Hearken", grants help in curing various diseases, even oncological ones. Before Her holy image, prayers are offered up for children and for help in childbirth - for the birth of a healthy child, before various operations and the performance of especially important matters.

More than once or twice I had to experience the miraculous help of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Somehow they asked to shoot the interiors of the church of the Archangel-Mikhailovsky Zverinetsky Monastery, where the exact copy of the Athos icon "Quick to Hearken" is located. The temple itself is small, chamber; shooting conditions are such that you need to shoot with short-throw lenses and without additional lighting. Whoever tried it, no one at that time succeeded. They turned to me. And I just had an exacerbation of a disease of the spine - a chronic injury made itself felt after a serious accident. Yes, it was inconvenient for Vladyka Jonah to refuse, and I, overcoming the pain, went.

But here's the bad luck: not a single lens captured the ceiling. Then I lay down on the floor and began to photograph, lying on my back. Outside the window - winter, frost, the church is not heated, but I am lying on the concrete floor in one sweater and I do not feel the cold at all ...

"Quick to Hearken" in the Kiev Archangel-Mikhailovsky Zverinetsky Monastery

It took an hour and a half to shoot, and the photos came out! Satisfied with the work, I returned home and only then felt that the back pain, which had been tormenting for several months, had passed. Apparently, it was not in vain that the Most Pure Mother of God called me to Herself!

Glory to our God Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, who cares about all the human race, for her vigilant concern for us, sinners. Hallowed be Her name now and ever and forever and ever!

Orthodox icons, their names and meanings are an important aspect of the study of Christian science. It is very difficult to imagine any Christian dwelling without a variety of icons, each of which has its own meaning. As the history of religion says, many of them became known to believers many centuries ago. Religious beliefs of people have been forming for a very long time, but the icons from this do not lose their special cultural and historical significance for the parishioners of many churches and temples. Orthodox icons, photos and their names play an important role in the human and its approach to the Lord.

It is believed that every saint can invisibly help even in the most seemingly hopeless situation. It is worth turning to some of the saints for help in any serious life situation. The names of Orthodox icons and their meanings will be presented in this article. In addition to descriptions and stories about the miraculous properties of each image, there will also be photos of the most revered of them.

IN this material will tell about the meaning of each icon presented, as well as the rules of prayer and the miracles that a particular holy face can create. It also happens that the names of the icons from the photo already carry information about what troubles this image can save from. Each described icon in the heading will be allocated a special place. The greatest authority among believers both in Russia and throughout the world is the icon of the Mother of God, written and kept for a long time within the walls of the temples of the city of Kazan. This majestic and large-scale icon is considered the main protector of the inhabitants of our country. Any significant holiday in the life of a Russian person cannot do without the ritual of worshiping this image, be it baptism or the sacred ceremony of the wedding of loving hearts.

The revered icons of the Mother of God will be described below. Photo and title, and their meaning will also be revealed.

It is known that the icon of Our Lady of Kazan helps single believers to soon find family happiness, and long-established couples to overcome discord in relationships and begin to live happier. Since it protects families, it is customary to hang it in any home near a crib so that the baby is under the protection and protection of the Lord.

In order to quickly find out which image of the Mother of God to pray in a given situation, it is better to learn in advance the icons of the Mother of God with the names. Speaking about the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, it is worth noting that it is considered no less revered among many believing citizens. There is evidence that the most influential tsars in the Russian Empire were awarded this icon at the coronation. This icon can be prayed to become kinder, to find a family and be healed from severe ailmentsand also about making peace with those with whom there was a serious conflict. Also, this image invisibly protects from the misfortunes and sorrows of mothers and young children who are in a difficult life situation. On top of that, this icon helps with infertility and other disorders of the reproductive organs, as well as pregnant women and nursing mothers. These are the most popular icons of the Virgin. Photos and names of other images will also be presented in this article.

As it already became clear even from the description of these two icons, the power of the Mother of God is practically omnipotent, however, like many other icons of the Orthodox Church. That is why it is so important for every believer to know the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos with their names. Every Christian needs to know at least some facts about the meaning of certain images, as well as a little information about the life of this or that Orthodox saint.

As you know, the Lord hears those people who follow Him, observing all church and spiritual laws. Believe in God and be happy. Below are the most revered icons of the Virgin, the names and meaning of each of them.

Icon of the Mother of God "Blessed Sky"

Prayers are presented to this miraculous icon to take the true path, as well as that the dead people in the next world be calm and good. Praise this icon in the old way, and on March 19 in a new style.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Desperate One Hope"

Some names of icons can rarely be heard in church use, but this does not deprive them of their power. Despite the fact that testifies to the little popularity of this image, there is even an akathist for it in the Orthodox Church. Prayers before this icon can heal despondency, mental decline and sorrow. Those believers who are disappointed and have lost their divine attitude pray to the Almighty to perk up, forgive offenders and make peace with enemies. In addition, they pray to the icon for deliverance from envy and reconciliation of warring people, including neighbors.

Modern addictions (gambling addiction, drug addiction, alcoholism, smoking, computer addiction) are subject to healing when referring to this image of the Mother of God.

Bogolyubskaya icon of the Mother of God

This icon helps in the healing of plague, cholera, pestilence and other serious diseases. Revered in this image either 18 or 1 June.

Icon of the Mother of God "Seeking the Lost"

This famous icon is prayed for to cure toothaches and headaches, vision problems, fever and epilepsy, for well-being in marriage, for the return of faith in the Lord to the heart, as well as for very serious, almost incurable childhood ailments. In addition, the same icon is asked to cure alcohol addiction. The date of the day of praise is 18 or 5 February.

Icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

This icon is known primarily for the fact that during the time of ancient Russia, the most noble masters and tsars were crowned with it. It is also known that with the participation of this image, elections were held for chief hierarchs. People pray to this icon to become kinder, to be healed from serious diseases, to drive demons out of the body. Mothers and their young children can fully hope for the patronage of the Mother of God in this image, and for those who are just waiting for the appearance of a baby, this face will bestow easy childbirth and health for a newborn baby. Infertile women can turn to the icon with a request to bestow long-awaited children.

The Vladimir and Kazan Mother of God are the most beloved icons of the Mother of God. Photos and names of these shrines can be found in the homes of even not too pious people.

Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow"

Sometimes the names of the icons speak for themselves. This icon is popular among people who have suffered severe resentment, suffering, severe seizures and diseases of the respiratory organs, tuberculosis patients. In addition, here you can pray for the healing of a sick person's hands. The icons are celebrated on the 6th or 24th of October.

Icon "Tsaritsa"

There are quite rare, but very powerful icons of the Mother of God, photos with the names of which will be presented below.

The icon of Our Lady "The Tsaritsa" helps those people who suffer from cancer and undergo a number of courses of chemotherapy and radiation.

They offer their prayers to this icon during epidemics of plague, fever, ulcers, blindness, hearing impairments. The name day of the holy image is celebrated on August 6 or 22.

People pray to this icon for the normalization of relations in the country, for justice, for finding joy in the heart, for the absence of hypocrisy in love. The day of this icon is celebrated on March 15 or 2.

This image of the Holy Mother of God is prayed in the presence of severe vices of the soul and body, as well as after an important matter has ended. The name of this icon is celebrated on June 11 or 23.

This image is offered by those who transfer to this moment serious ailments of the soul and body, as well as those who are possessed by weakness. When true believers turn to this wonderful icon, they receive complete healing for an indefinite period. The name day of the Life-Giving Spring icon is celebrated on the day of Bright Week.

This holy image is prayed for against cholera, visual impairment and other similar ailments. It is customary to celebrate the name of this icon on September 8 or 21.

Name days are celebrated on the Tuesday of Bright Week, and she helps with severe fires, as well as with various problems and when you need comfort in mental troubles. Memorial Day 12 or 25 February.

It is customary for Orthodox citizens to turn their prayers to this icon when mass death livestock, with plague, with cholera, as well as in the presence of blindness and problems of the musculoskeletal system. Treatment in a huge number of cases guarantees a complete recovery.

This icon, endowed with miraculous properties, is prayed for with pronounced paralysis, with smallpox infection, with diseases of the legs, with suspicions of attacks " evil spirits", As well as shielding from sudden death. The days of commemoration of the icon are celebrated on March 16 or 29.

in cases where there is a danger of the invasion of foreigners, as well as the return of sight to blind people and the successful entry into God's union loving friend friend to people. In addition, such a prayer helps to survive cataclysms. The icon celebrates its birthday on June 8.21 and on October 4 and 22.

Those who suffer from significant impairments to the functioning of the hearing organs, as well as other similar ailments, worship and pray to this image. This icon celebrates its birthday on September 2 and 15.

"Kozelshchanskaya" icon of the Mother of God

A prayer appeal to this wonderful, life-giving icon is useful for any injuries to the limbs, serious injuries and upcoming serious surgical interventions. This icon of the Mother of God celebrates its birthday on February 6 and 21.

Icon of Our Lady "Mammal"

This divine face is worshiped as usual by women in labor, pregnant and nursing mothers. This icon celebrates Memorial Day on January 12 and 25.

Before this majestic icon, they pray in the name of piety, the triumph of truth, for the revival of mercy and compassion in people's hearts, for the acquisition of a healthy physical body and mind, for the preservation of the Christian faith throughout the country. The glorification of this icon and its name day takes place on April 12 and 25.

This icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is designed to save people who sincerely pray to Her from fires, floods and other damage to property. Memorial Day is celebrated on September 4 and 17 every year.

The icon helps to stay on the right path of life, to preserve a righteous lifestyle, and helps lonely believers to find true love. By sincerely praying before this image and asking for help and advice, you can solve any of the most difficult problems in family life and the relationship between spouses. In addition, the icon helps seriously ill believers to heal as quickly as possible. Memorial Day is celebrated on April 3 and 16.

People who are deaf and hard of hearing usually stand in lines to this icon. The name day of the icon - December 9 and 22.

All sinful people pray to this icon, and relatives of gambling addicts, drug addicts and alcoholics also turn with hope. This icon appeals to the education of mercy and kindness, as well as to the feeling of joy from every day. The saying on the icon reads: "It will be given to all who ask by faith!"

Those who want to be healed from the most serious ailments offer their prayers to this icon. Name days are celebrated on January 21 or 3.

From time immemorial in mi-well-you-a-hundred-tea-sih-d-ni-d-t-d-ni-d-t-d-t-d-t, when death is so close, wives- shchi-us come-be-ha-yut with special-ben-but-go-ry-whose prayer to Spa-si-te-lyu and His Ma-te-ri. In the good of the families and in our time, you can see the icon-well Bo-go-ma-te-ri, na-zy-va-e- my "Help in the family." and all pregnant women who wish to give birth to healthy children without problems pray to the unusually blessed icon of the Mother of God.

They pray to this truly miraculous icon for the prevention of wars and schisms, for protection from various heresies, for protection from the invasion of foreigners and strangers, for protection from spiritual and physical blindness. Days of honor 23 and 5 July.

This image of the Mother of God is intended to protect believers from cholera and complete loss of sight. The name day of this wonderful image of the Virgin is celebrated on September 16 or 29.

This icon better than any other can protect from the evil eye, damage and unkind thoughts of passing people. It is customary to place this icon in the left corner of the hallway so that every person entering the house is visible at a glance. This icon feels envy and curses like no other, therefore, where there is this image, it does not take root. The best location for such an icon is opposite front door.

Before this image, sailors who have suffered a shipwreck pray, as well as in the presence of blindness, weak legs, deafness, problems with their hands, as well as those who have unwittingly become hostages of terrorists. Celebrate the day of veneration of the icon on November 9 or 22.

This icon is prayed for if there is a suspicion of fetal pathology, so that childbirth is successful and the child is born healthy. The icon's birthday is celebrated on March 9 and 22.

This icon is prayed for by those who work in professions that are associated with immersion in water. Name days are celebrated on December 20 or 2.

It is customary for this icon to offer prayers in the name of deliverance from drought, disease and general hunger. Name days of this holy image are celebrated on October 15 and 28.

This uplifting icon is prayed for in case of terrible despondency, grief and powerlessness. Also, a darkened state of mind will become a reason for praying to this icon. The name of this icon is celebrated on March 7 and 20.

"Passionate" icon of the Mother of God

This icon is able to give a miracle of healing from cholera, vision problems, muscle weakness, to protect from the impending "big fire". Name days are celebrated on 13 and 26 August.

This icon is worshiped in the healing of the blind and possessed by demons, in epilepsy, in muscle weakness, in the healing of small children, in the paralysis of the lower and upper extremities. You can also pray to this icon when attacking foreigners. This icon celebrates the name day on June 26 and 9.

To this image, the faithful parishioners pray for the elimination of drought and craving for vices, including atheism. The memorable day is celebrated on August 8 and 21.

People pray to this icon for the return of lost or stolen valuables, for the acquittal of knowingly innocent people and for the release of hostages from captivity. The day of this icon is celebrated on December 26 or 8.

This icon belongs to Saint Seraphim of Sarov and gives seriously ill people quick relief from suffering and strengthening their faith in the Lord. The birthday of this masterpiece of icon painting is celebrated on 28 and 10, as well as on 19 and 1 July.

They pray to this icon to temper the ardor of sinful passions, to interrupt a series of harmful addictions. Orthodox believers celebrate a memorable day for the icon on January 25 and 7.

Feodorovskaya icon of the Mother of God

This icon has long been held in high esteem by believers because it protects happy families and the health of young children. On top of that, this icon can help with long and difficult childbirth. This image of the Mother of God is kept in the Epiphany Cathedral in the city of Kostroma, and it appeared in 1613 and fell into the possession of the Tsar of the Russian State Mikhail Fedorovich.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Healer"

This icon speaks for itself. Usually seriously ill Christians turn to her for help. The icon celebrates its birthday on September 18 or 1.

Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God

Those who are possessed by demons, as well as blind or visually impaired people come to pray to this icon. Name days are celebrated on September 1st and 14th.

Icon of the Mother of God "Three-handed"

This icon can very easily heal diseases of the hands and feet, as well as severe mental and spiritual suffering. The date of celebration of the name day of the icon is June 28 or 11.

The most revered icons of the Mother of God were presented above. Photos with names will help you quickly find a particular image and find out its meaning.

Icon "Holy Trinity"

The most famous version of the image of the icon "Holy Trinity" belongs to the brush of the famous master of icon painting Andrei Rublev. There are also images painted by the hands of other equally famous icon painters. The icon shows the faces of the members of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) soaring in heaven. This icon must be present in every home, since its action is universal. At the moment, the main copy is located within the walls of the Trinity Church in the city of Kaluga.

Other holy icons are also venerated. Their name and meaning, of course, should be known.

Icon named after the Holy Great Martyr Pantileimon

The image of the Great Martyr is known for its miraculous healing properties. Parishioners who put candles next to this icon and ask for healing receive the real Grace of the Lord. At the moment, the most important copy of the Pantileimon icon is in the temple of St. John the Baptist.

Holy Blessed Matrona of Moscow

This saint is one of the most revered in the world of religion. The main monastery, where her relics are to this day, is located in the capital of our country on the Taganskoye highway. The monastery in which the relics of Matrona rest is purely female. Every day, crowds of believers come to the monastery to turn to Matronushka with a prayer for help or with gratitude. In the vicinity of Moscow, namely in Kaluga, there is also an icon of the Matrona, and it is located in the temple of the wives - the Myrrh-bearers.

Peter and Fevronia

In the same church, there is an icon of the Holy couple Peter and Fevronia, who are asked for help in love and family life.

Unfortunately, all the icons are Orthodox, their photos and their names cannot be described within the framework of one article, because there are a huge number of them. But nevertheless, the main shrines were still consecrated.

Icon (from gr. - image, image) - accepted by the Church and consecrated image of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, saints and various events from sacred and church history. Icons according to strictly defined rules (canons) are painted with paints (usually with tempera) on a wooden (lime or pine) board covered with a special primer.

Asist - the composition used in icon painting for the sticker of sheet gold and silver. It has the appearance of a thick, sticky mass of dark brown color, it is prepared from garlic or beer sediments by simmering in the oven until the desired state. When used, it is diluted with water so that the thinnest lines can be drawn with a brush. On the asyst, gold holds very well and does not lose its luster.

Icon board - woody base for the icon, usually linden, less often pine, spruce, oak or cypress. Several boards are tightly connected with the sides into a single shield of the required size, glued with animal glue (for example, casein) and additionally fastened with dowels from the back side or from the ends (so as not to warp). On the front side, a flat depression is made - an ark.

Iconography (Greek - a description of an image) - a description of the features and canons of the image of a certain person or plot on icons.

Kyot - a decorated frame for an icon or a glass cabinet for several icons.

Levkas (Greek) - white soil for icon painting. Consists of crushed chalk (or plaster) and glue. It is applied gradually, in multi-layers on the surface of the board intended for writing the icon. The surface of the levkas is carefully sanded.

Nimbus - radiance around the head: a sign of God's grace in the form of a disk or rays of light, depicted on icons as a symbol of spiritual glory.

Salary - an overhead decoration attached to the icon on top of the paint layer. It was made of non-ferrous metals, pearls, beads, gold embroidery, carved gilded wood. Sometimes it was decorated with precious stones. The covers cover individual parts of the painting or the entire surface, except for the face, arms and legs.

Folding - a semblance of a small iconostasis of several hinged folding leaves with icons. Designed for travelers.

"Tenderness" Serafimo-Diveevskaya - an icon of the Mother of God that belonged to Seraphim of Sarov. Before her, he died in prayer. Celebration on August 10th.

"Soothe My Sorrows" - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, brought to Moscow by the Cossacks in 1640. The Mother of God is depicted in the icon with the head slightly inclined to one side, to which she puts her left hand. Its general appearance, as it were, tells us that the Queen of Heaven listens to the tears and prayers of all believers who turn to Her with their sorrows, needs and sorrows. With her right hand, the Mother of God holds the feet of the Divine Infant. The Savior holds before Him in his hands an unfolded scroll, on which are inscribed the words of the Divine exhortation: "Judge righteous judgment, do mercy and mercy ..." Celebration on February 7.

- a miraculous icon. According to legend, it was written by the Evangelist Luke. In Russia, it was originally in the Feodorovsky Gorodetsky Monastery. During the invasion of Batu, both Gorodets and the monastery were devastated, the inhabitants fled, and did not have time to take the icon with them. Several decades later, on August 16, 1239, she appeared younger brother Alexander Nevsky to Kostroma Prince Vasily Yaroslavich in the forest, on a tree, while hunting. On the eve, many residents of Kostroma saw a warrior pass through the streets of the city, and in his hands he was holding an icon. The face of this warrior reminded the inhabitants of the iconographic image of the holy great martyr Theodore Stratilates. The found icon was placed in the church of St. Theodore Stratilates in Kostroma and was named Theodorovskaya. At the place where the icon was found, the prince founded a monastery in honor of the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands. In 1260, a miraculous image saved Kostroma from the Tatar hordes. In 1613, the young Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, the first sovereign from the Romanov dynasty, was blessed with the Feodorovskaya icon to reign. Currently, the icon is in the Assumption Cathedral in Kostroma. In front of this icon, they traditionally pray for a successful birth. The celebration of the icon takes place on March 27 and August 29.

"Healer" - an icon on which the Queen of Heaven is depicted standing at the patient's bedside, a milk is visible on the patient's lips. The history of this image is as follows. One pious cleric fell seriously ill and turned to the Mother of God with a prayer, at the same moment he saw at his bedside a Guardian Angel asking the Mother of God for healing the sick one, and the Mother of God appeared, who poured a saving drop of milk from her breasts on the patient's lips and became invisible. The patient felt completely healthy and told everyone about the miracle that had happened. Before this icon they pray for the healing of the sick. Celebration of the icon - October 1.

- a miraculous icon revered by both Orthodox and Catholics. Written, according to legend, by the Evangelist Luke. In 326, the holy empress Helen, having received this icon as a gift, brought it to Constantinople, where she stayed for almost five centuries. Then she was transferred to Russia, where she became famous for many miracles. Taken by the Poles, she fell into the hands of the Tatars, who began to shoot her with bows, but when blood began to flow from the icon, they fled in fright. Currently he is in Poland in a monastery near the city of Czestochowa. Celebration on March 19th.

On Saturday of the fifth week of Great Lent, the Orthodox Church performs a non-edible 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 on the shores of his victory song to the Deliverer God: "Thy right hand, O Lord, glorify in the fortress, Thy right hand, O Lord, crush the enemies!"

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

On Saturday, in the fifth week of Great Lent, the Holy Church solemnly proclaims the prayer singing of the akathist, or praise of thanks 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 the emperor Heraclius, when Patriarch Sergius, carrying in his arms the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos along the hailstones and the walls of the city, pleaded with the Lord for protection against the fierce enemies of the Persian and Scythian troops who besieged Constantinople, then the people sought protection in the temples 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 Blakhernskaya.

The Emperor Constantine the Great, the founder of Constantinople, dedicated it to the Mother of God and venerated the Blessed Virgin as her patroness and her city. Many temples were erected there in honor of Her. The Volakherna church kept Her holy icon, painted by St. the evangelist Luke. On the memorable night, when the combined forces of the Hagarians and Persians from the sea and from 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 many troops. The rest of the enemies fled in shame. It was then that all that night, the grateful people, who were in the Blachernae church, proclaimed a victory, all-night and non-sedimentary song to the Defender of the City:

"The victorious voivode to the climbed,as if you will get rid of the wicked, we will write your thanksgiving to Your Tirabi, the Mother of God! "

And from that time on, in remembrance of such a great miracle, the Orthodox Church decreed a celebration Praises of the Most Holy Theotokos.

At first, the feast of the Akathist was celebrated in Constantinople among the royal palaces in that 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 typics of the monasteries of St. Sava the Studite and then into the triode, and from that time it became common for the entire Eastern Church.

This Akathist is the sacred praise of the Most Holy Virgin. It consists of 24 hymns, or songs: 12 kontakion and 12 ikos, arranged according to the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet. Each song begins with a corresponding
count by letter, each kontakion ends with a psalm hallelujah,each ikos is a greeting of the archangel: rejoice.

The whole creation ends with a short prayer to the Blessed Virgin that She would save Christians from troubles and misfortunes. In this form, the akathist is read on other days as well; but on the Saturday of the feast of the Praise of the Theotokos, it is part of the service and is sung at matins not all of a sudden, but separately, in the interval of other songs, in four different exits, and each part begins and ends with the singing of the first kontakion: Climbed Voivodeetc. 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 the canon on the Sabbath of the Akathist, and some other persons added prayers of thanks to this in remembrance of the same omnipotent voivodeshipMother of God.

Our Orthodox Church celebrates this celebration to establish the penitent in the hope of the Heavenly Intercessor, Who, while 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 Most Holy Theotokos is located in the Moscow Assumption Cathedral on a pillar.