The tenderness-type icon was painted by Greek masters. Miracles of the icon "Tenderness". Joy of All Joys

In icon painting, there are several styles of depicting the Mother of God, one of them is “Tenderness”. The icon of the Mother of God in this genre depicts the Mother of God in the form of a waist-length portrait, bowing her gaze to the newborn, looking at him with love and tenderness.

This genre of the image of the Virgin is one of the oldest. He came to Russia from Byzantium, like Orthodoxy itself. This iconographic type is called "Eleusa" in Greek. The icons painted in it have become, over the centuries of Christianity, one of the most revered in Orthodoxy.

Are there many such icons?

The icon "Tenderness" is not any single image of the Mother of God, located in a particular temple and having an author. This is a type, a genre of icon painting, and there are a lot of similar images. The icon "Tenderness" can be found in almost every church, an old rural house, in which the inhabitants did not throw away the image during the Soviet period, in ethnographic museums, both in halls and in storerooms, and in other places.

The image of the Mother of God in this iconographic type is extremely revered. Of course, there is also a praying, well-known among the Orthodox icon "Tenderness", a prayer in front of which has miraculous power. There are several such images.

The most famous are Serafimo-Diveevskaya and Pskov-Pecherskaya, which are a list from the ancient Vladimir icon. Prayer will have no less power in front of other images of this type of iconography. The icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" is in almost every church of any of Russian cities. The most famous, after Diveevskaya and Pecherskaya, are Yaroslavskaya, Vladimirskaya, Zhirovitskaya, Donskaya. However, in each of the localities that store famous images, there are many more icons in this genre that have not become popular.

For example, in Yaroslavl, the icon "Tenderness" was in every house before the revolution. Now, in every functioning temple of this city, you can see several images in this type of iconography. Both the old ones, preserved during the years of Soviet power, and the new ones, written quite recently, but because of this have not lost either their content or the power of emotional impact on believers.

Seraphim-Diveevo icon

This image is acquired. The meaning of the word "acquired" in the Orthodox tradition in relation to icon-painting images includes the following concepts:

• given from above;
• having no author;
• lost and found.

That is, everything that can be said about is acquired. According to the tradition, with which the official representatives of the clergy do not argue, Seraphim-Diveevo icon"Tenderness" was found in the forest thickets, located near modern Saratov. The icon was given into the hands of the ascetic Seraphim, who did not part with the image throughout his life. That is why the name of the image is associated with its name.

Where is the Seraphim-Diveevo Icon located?

This question does not concern many believers, but only those who are prone to meticulousness and have curiosity. The location of the miraculous image is shrouded in a fog of mystery, just like the history of its acquisition centuries ago.

However, in addition to curiosity and the desire for inquiry, factual originality is sometimes important, for example, if we are talking about the need for healing from diseases, which made the real Seraphim image “Tenderness” famous. The icon of the Mother of God, according to numerous testimonies preserved in church records, possessed such power. Seraphim personally placed before the icon for the duration of the service, and after the end he carried out the anointing of the sick. After his death, other clergy continued to do this.

The Diveevo Monastery, where the miraculous face was kept, was closed, and, most likely, plundered in the distant 1927. For decades, the icon was considered lost by the church. However, in 1991 it was rediscovered. The image was handed over to Patriarch Alexy II by people whose church names are either unknown or kept secret.

Since then, that is, since 1991, the original face has been kept in the residence of the Patriarch. The Diveevo icon “Tenderness” is available, the significance of which is not only great for believers, the history of the Orthodox Russian Church, but also deeply symbolic for the whole country, only once a year, on the day of Praise Holy Mother of God. On this holiday, the image is exhibited in the hall of the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral and is available for prayer and worship.

The Tretyakov Gallery exhibits a copy of the icon, its analogues, that is, lists from the image are presented in other places. However, such lists do not possess miraculous power, confirmed by evidence. Although the question of the impact of the image on the believer - open topic for discussions in ecclesiastical philosophy. Many clergy believe that the miraculous power does not depend on the specific icon itself, but on the faith of the one who prays.

What is the name of the Seraphim-Diveevo icon?

The question of the name of the miraculous image is also quite interesting. The currently accepted name for this icon is Seraphim-Diveevskaya. However, along with this, other names for this image are common. Among them - just "Tenderness". “Tenderness of the Mother of God” is also one of the options for the name of this image.

Often the icon is called “female”, the names of monasteries are attributed to it, for example, Trinity, where before the revolution the image had its own separate limit, often simply called Serafimovskaya or Sarovskaya. The ascetic Seraphim himself called the image "Joy of all joys."

How can the Seraphim-Diveevo icon help?

The veneration of the image was started by Seraphim himself, who found the icon. The saint had more than one image of the Mother of God in his cell, but only this icon "Tenderness" had a meaning. What this image helps with, no clergyman can unequivocally answer, since it affects everything with which the believer approaches the image.

• heals the sick;
• helps women find personal happiness;
• promotes the conception and birth of healthy babies;
• relieves sorrows and misfortunes;
• prevents destruction and misfortune.

Every believer can verify this on the day of the Praise of the Virgin.

When is the Seraphim-Diveevo icon venerated?

At this image eat special days in which it is customary to read it. These dates stood out before the onset of the Soviet era. Special Worship was held in the Trinity Cathedral of the monastery twice a year - on July 28 and December 9. The numbers were chosen for the following reasons:

• July 28 - the day of finding the image;
• December 9 - the date of foundation of the monastery.

July 28 and December 9 - dates according to the old style, now they are different calendar days. In modern realities, the celebration of the Praise of the Virgin can be considered the day of veneration of the icon.

A curious fact is that a large number of copies of the image were made in the icon-painting courtyard of the Diveevo monastery, simply copies of it. In the days of veneration of the icon, before the coming of the power of the Soviets, separate services were held in front of its copies in every church where these analogues were.

Does the Seraphim-Diveevo icon differ from others?

The Diveevo Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” is unique not only in the history of its acquisition, but also in the manner of artistic performance and the materials used.

The original icon was painted not on a board, but on a canvas stretched over a cypress tree cut. This point is of little interest to believers, but extremely curious to historians. Questions about how it was possible to find a canvas stretched on a board of cypress in the wilderness of Saratov icons haunt many students of the history of Orthodoxy.

The image itself is also interesting. It is incorrect to say that the Mother of God is depicted without a baby, although Jesus is absent from the icon. The Mother of God is not alone in this image, she is simply depicted before the fact of the birth of the baby, that is, she is pregnant with him. This is a unique image of the Mother of God, not peculiar to Orthodox icon painting.

How to pray before the Seraphim-Diveevo icon?

Many believers today are concerned about the question of how to pray so that the icon “Tenderness” will give meaning to what has been said. What helps the parishioners understand the spiritual mentor or the collections of prayers available for sale in shops at each temple.

However, with regard to prayer in front of a miraculous image, the canons are important only for churchmen who conduct services dedicated to the icon. A simple parishioner should remember only the main commandment of any prayer - sincerity. There is no need to memorize the words of prayers from collections, both ancient and modern, they are given only to help true believers, but who find it difficult to choose the right words capable of reflecting their feelings.

If the icon of the “Tenderness” of the Mother of God is in front of the parishioner, it is not the order of words that matters, but the faith of the person and the purity of his thoughts.

What do they pray for before the Seraphim-Diveevo icon?

They come to the miraculous image with various troubles. Of course, there are no statistics on how the “Tenderness” icon affects, what it helps with, what ailments it heals from - does not exist.

• about health, not only one’s own, but also those of loved ones;
• about the well-being of children;
• on the gift of family and heirs;
• about everything "feminine" and maternal.

There is also a conviction that the image is able to prevent destruction, wars and related misfortunes. However, skeptics who modern world not a few, even among believers, question these qualities of the icon, citing as an example the war under Nicholas II, who worshiped the original image and even gave the icon one of its vestments. They remember the revolution, and the Chechen military conflict, and Act of terrorism.

The question of whether the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" helps in what, and for what it is useless - has no answer. The help of the image depends on the faith and sincerity of a person, on his need for participation, on the depth of despair and misfortune. An equally important role is played by such qualities of the soul as humility, patience, gratitude, which most modern parishioners forget about.

What could be the prayer before the Seraphim-Diveevo icon?

Praying for your "feminine" in front of the image can be done in different ways. There are no rules limiting the appeal to the Mother of God, except for the purity of one's own heart.

Prayer before the image can be like this:

“Accept, Omnipotent Most Pure Brideless Mother of God, my prayer (proper name). I trust in you, the One Most Holy Intercessor, in my adversity and infirmities. I beg you to grant me (proper name) from the blessings of the Son of God, but to save him from his sorrows.

I beg you, Virgin Mary about (listing what is asked for). I hope for your infinite mercy in hope and humility. I pray for the preservation of what has been given. I pray for the gift of what I can keep. I pray for strengthening (listing personal, important). I pray for the protection and bestowal of all kinds of blessings (listing the names of loved ones). I beg you, Most Holy Mother of God, with gratitude and humility, with patience and faith, with pure thoughts and hope. Amen".

When praying in this way, it is important to really have all the qualities that are stated in the text. Although the icon "Tenderness" is of great importance for believers, the very fact of standing in front of it already bestows a special state of mind, the request will only be answered by a truthful one, the image is not a robot that fulfills momentary desires.

What could be the mother's prayer before the Seraphim-Diveevo icon?

Mothers who are worried about their children can pray like this:

“The Most Pure Mother of God, our intercessor before the Son of God and the Throne of Heaven. I beg you to accept my worries and resolve them. I pray you for the health and safety of the well-being of my children (names). I pray for their protection from misfortunes and sorrows, unclean thoughts, deceitful paths, demonic temptations. I beg you, most holy Mother of God, to give peace to my soul, to instruct my foolish children, to protect them and give them the thoughts they need, pleasing to the Lord. Amen".

A mother's prayer always comes from a pure heart and has great power. However, even a mother praying for her children should not only rely on the help of a miraculous image, but also have a sincere and deep faith in the Lord.

It doesn’t matter at all which icon to pray in front of, the main thing is to pray with an open, pure heart, good thoughts and deep faith in help. However, history has preserved many cases when one or another person in difficult moments was the Mother of God herself.

Sometimes in dreams, sometimes in reality, she named the icon in front of which it was necessary to pray for her misfortune or illness, described it and told where one or another image could be found. Everything was done according to the word.

History, where is the image?

The Seraphim-Diveevo Icon of the Mother of God, called "Tenderness", is revered and loved by Orthodox believers.

She has other names: “Rejoice, Bride Unbrideed” - such an inscription is placed around the holy halo, “Joy of all Joys” - this name was given to her by an Orthodox saint. This image was placed in his cell, in front of him he constantly prayed.

Writing the icon "Tenderness" attributed to the end of the 18th century.

Its iconography is similar to the icon of Our Lady of Ostrobramskaya kept in Vilnius. Presumably, both reflect the moment when the Virgin Mary was already notified by the Archangel Gabriel, that she is blessed to be the mother of the Son of God.

The head of the Most Pure One is slightly tilted, her eyes are half down, and her whole appearance shows humility: “Let it be according to your word.”

The canvas with the holy image written on it was fastened to a wooden cypress base. So it was given to Father Seraphim by Emperor Nicholas I.

The holy elder blessed all those who came to him with true repentance with this icon and anointed them with oil from the icon lamp that was glowing in front of it. At this holy image, he departed into eternity.

Long before his death, the Sarov miracle worker foresaw that his beloved icon would be placed in the Diveevo convent, which is considered the fourth lot of the Most Holy Theotokos on earth.

He even left a certain amount of money with a covenant not understood at that time: for the arrangement of "a large cell for the High Lady, who will live with you".

After the death of Father Seraphim built with these funds new building, where, at the direction of the then hegumen Nifont, she was placed. Then everyone understood the meaning of the words Reverend Seraphim about the High Lady.

In 1903, the Sarov elder was glorified by the Church as a saint. The icon, already “dressed” in a silver and gilded riza, was transferred in a procession from Diveevo, where it now was, to Sarov, where St. Seraphim carried out his daily feat of service.

Emperor Nicholas II brought a rich salary for the image as a gift to the monastery. By this time, the icon had already revealed itself as miraculous.. The lists from it showed themselves the same.

After the closure (1927) of the Serafimo-Diveevo Monastery, his abbess Alexandra managed to somehow preserve the Holy Image before her arrest, and after her release, transport it to Murom, where she settled with several other nuns.

Life tends to end, and the icon passed from one nun to another, who was saving it, until the last of them, sensing the approach of death, decided to hand it over to the then Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Pimen.

In that difficult atheistic time, the patriarch considered it necessary to place the precious shrine in a much more inconspicuous and therefore safe place.

He entrusted her to a priest from a village near Moscow, where it, along with some other personal belongings of the holy elder, was kept until the 1990s, when the Orthodox Church began to revive in Russia.

Then all these shrines are their keeper Archpriest Victor was given the opportunity to hand over to the then Patriarch Alexy II. Since that time, the most valuable gift has been kept in Moscow, in the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral, which is also popularly called the Elokhovskaya Church.

On the Sunday that ends the fifth week of Great Lent, a feast is celebrated called the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos. Then the icon is taken out for public viewing and worship, and the akathist dedicated to it is read.

What do the icons pray for?

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos. This also applies to "Affection". Turning to her with, you can be sure that the Mother of God will protect if you are tormented by spiritual sorrows, bad thoughts or depressing doubts.

The indescribable tenderness, some penetrating touchingness of the Face depicted on the canvas, even with just a glance at him, can lead him out of the heavy despondency that often overtakes a person in a series of identical everyday life.

The icon gained the fame of "female". This happened because it is called:

• Young girls who want to find a family.
• Women deprived of the joy of being a mother.
• Future mothers - about the successful outcome of pregnancy.
• Mothers of adult daughters - about a happy female lot for them.
• She grants to young maidens the preservation of purity, chastity, good disposition.
• Men can also turn to the icon. She is prayed not only for getting rid of diseases, but also for those who lack maternal participation, empathy, understanding, and those who themselves should be support for those around them.
• An endless stream to the icon and its numerous miraculous lists people come with various ailments and receive healing.
• Truly believing icon helps alleviate the difficulties of transitional age.
• Seraphim-Diveevo icon you can ask for deliverance from pride- as a manifestation of it in oneself, and protection from the pride of others.

Prayer

Oh, Blessed Lady Mistress, Virgin Mother of God! Accept our unworthy prayers, save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, give us first and give us joy in sorrow, grant a place. And deliver us, O Lady Lady Theotokos, from all evil, and vouchsafe us, your sinful servants, to the right hand in the second coming of your Son, Christ our God, and be our heirs vouchsafe the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life with all the saints in endless ages. Amen.

Other images of the Mother of God "Tenderness" and their meaning

There are other icons of the Blessed Virgin with the name "Tenderness", and they have no less power of wonderworking.

Pskov-Pechersk

This is not a list of the original image "Tenderness", but the icon of the Mother of God "Vladimirskaya". Its creation by the monk Arseniy Khitrosh belongs to the beginning of the 16th century.

The name of the iconographic type "Eleusa", to which it refers, is translated from Greek - compassion, mercy. On such icons, the Mother of God is depicted with the Divine Infant on her hand, and He presses his cheek to her cheek., - as a symbol of limitless .

This image showed its miraculous power in a very hard times. So, during the conquest of Pskov by the Polish king Stefan Batory (1581), it was ordered to throw red-hot cannonballs at the city.

One of these nuclei hit the icon directly, without causing it the slightest harm. It is to the face of the Most Holy Theotokos that the defenders of the city owe the defeat of the enemy.

According to the legend, the icon "Tenderness" helped to recapture the Polotsk captured by them from the Napoleonic troops.

Many cases are described when, through the prayer of the sick before this image, they received healing.

Smolensk

The icon "Tenderness" of Smolensk, known since the beginning of the 12th century, depicts the Mother of God admiring the Christ Child playing in the folds of Her robe.

Many centuries after the writing of this image, Smolensk, under its protection, turned out to be inaccessible to the Poles who tried to capture it.

Rostov

In the St. Nicholas Church of Rostov, the Rostov icon “Tenderness” is placed, popularly called the “Virgin Mary with an Apple”, on which the Infant Christ holds an apple in His hands, famous for many documented most incredible healings.

The history of its acquisition is also connected with the recovery of a sick girl who The Mother of God appeared in a vision, indicating the location of her miraculous image.

Novgorod

In appearance, it is very reminiscent of the Serafimo-Diveevo icon "Tenderness" of Novgorod. Novgorodians have been worshiping her for more than seven hundred years: her first glorification took place in 1337, when an incomprehensible force delighted her, and tears flowed from the eyes of the Most Pure One.

There is a whole list of mass healings from various ailments, they pray in front of the icon to protect against enemy invasions.

Trinity Cathedral of the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery ( Nizhny Novgorod Region) also keeps one of the most revered lists from the shrine, in honor of which the chapel was consecrated.

This list, although still relatively "young": written at the end of the century before last, but already known far beyond the monastery for its miraculous properties.

Lokotskaya

An interesting story is the Lokot icon "Tenderness", located in the village. Elbow in Bryansk.

This is not an icon painting in its purest form, but a copy placed on a wall calendar, which, already outdated, was once bought by a woman, simply so that it would not be disposed of and thereby desecrate the Holy Face.

Actually The woman cut off the calendar and placed the icon on the wall. After some time, the image began to exude peace and fragrance. With the blessing of the metropolitan, a chapel was built in the village and this “calendar” icon was placed there, and hundreds of suffering people come and go to it.

After praying before the Holy Image, women are healed of infertility, cancer patients recover, as well as those suffering from diabetes, cerebral palsy, trophic ulcers, etc., and the missing are found.

The relic depicts the Reverend Virgin Mary, experiencing the happiest moments in her life. The meeting with the archangel Gabriel is over, and she knows that she will soon give birth to baby Jesus. The icon of tenderness of the Most Holy Theotokos is distinguished by solemn features of the face and a spiritual image. The defender is depicted with crossed arms, gathered in a charitable gesture, her head is somewhat tilted, and her eyes are slightly covered by eyelids.

The appearance of the Mother of God speaks of her soft heart, chastity and humble behavior.

The history of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Tenderness"

Initially, the shrine was made on canvas, mounted on a cypress board. Nicholas II gave this image to the monk Seraphim of Sarov, who knew how to see the soul of every person and ask for healing for everyone. He prayed before this face most often, with his hands raised to heaven. The saint lived a long life and ended his earthly journey in prayer in front of the image of the Defender. Seraphim bequeathed this face to the Diveevo temple, located not far from his skete.

Interesting! Lamp oil burning near the image of the Virgin Mary acquired healing properties. Saint Seraphim often used this divine remedy to save many unfortunates from various ailments.

Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow received "Tenderness" in 1991. The holy image of the Mother of God was placed in the patriarchal monastery. Every year, the face is taken out for worship in the Cathedral of the Epiphany, which can accommodate a large number of believers.

This day is considered a holiday: the clergy put on appropriate clothes and carry out a solemn service. On the days of December 22, August 1 and August 10, candles should be placed in monasteries in front of the Virgin Mary with a request for the health of loved ones, and an akathist (praise choir) should be sung. The icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" is called upon to instill meekness and spiritual humility in all parishioners.

"Tenderness" SERAFIMO-DIVEEVSKAYA

Varieties of the Holy Image

There is a large number of icons, united under the general name "Tenderness". The Mother of God is most often depicted in this manner.

In the traditional version of "Tenderness" shows the Reverend Mother of God with the Infant Jesus in her arms, they press their cheeks. The symbol explains the inseparable, boundless love and the absence of any distance between the Creator, His Son and His Mother.

The famous varieties of "Tenderness" include:

• Novgorod. Production dates back to the end of the XII century, located in the Assumption Cathedral. The Mother and Christ, depicted in a typical pose for the Guide (Hodegetria), press their cheeks together. In the right hand of the baby is a scroll, and with the left he makes a gesture of blessing.
• The Pskov-Caves is a copy of the Vladimir icon, it was created in 1521 by the minister Arseniy. Face is glorified big amount miraculous properties.
• Feodorovskaya. The revered image, which is kept in the Cathedral of the Epiphany. This face is considered a shrine of the Romanovs, because at the beginning of the 17th century. he called for the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, the founder of the dynasty.
• Donskaya. Double-sided icon, on the reverse side is the Assumption of the Virgin - a holiday that commemorates the death of the Mother of God. It was she who was presented to Dmitry Donskoy on the eve of the Kulikovo battle.

About the holidays in honor of the Mother of God:

In iconographic art, there are other, less well-known images related to the “Tenderness” type (Eleuses).

Feodorovskaya icon "Tenderness"

Seraphim-Diveevo icon

The monk of Sarov called this image "The Joy of All Joys", because it brought healing to the sick people. The Virgin Mary repeatedly appeared before the eyes of the saint, curing him of a fatal illness. The original image has been preserved to this day, placed in the Church of the Vladimir Icon.

The features of the image of the Virgin clearly reflect her emotions at this moment: she waits with infinite patience and gratitude for the coming of the Son of the Lord. The Mother's eyes are humbly lowered, her hands are folded in a cross on her chest and symbolize the mystery of the sacrifice of the Son. The icon painter adorned the face with a few, but expressive strokes, which allows you to see the essence of the exciting and solemn moment after the Annunciation.

On a note! Around the crown is inscribed a great phrase: "Rejoice, Bride Unmarried." This means that mankind is ripe for the coming of their Savior.

The meaning and help of the holy image

The icon, for the most part, is considered the patroness of the female half of humanity.

• Girls pray for the preservation of their hearts in moral purity and innocence.
• The image is intended to improve everyday affairs.
• The Mother of God inspires confidence and strength in overcoming all sorts of worldly difficulties.

The Virgin Mary radiates divine humility and unquenchable love, and her joyful face calms the mind, overflowing with selfish malice, at one glance. The Mother of God, by her example, teaches us to overcome despair and humbly lift the cross on our shoulders. Sincere faith in the sanctity of the image brings relief and really helps those in need.

1. The icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" helps sick people get rid of misfortunes and pathologies.
2. The Virgin Mary pacifies spiritual anger, dispels hateful thoughts and reduces the spread of mental disorders.
3. The protector has the power to influence the conception of girls who long time couldn't get pregnant.
4. Prayer brings back the joy of life, completely driving away the depressive state of the mind.
5. Popular beliefs attribute patronage over a worthy and successful marriage to the face.

Seraphim's Tenderness embodies sincere purity and restrained joy. This image of the Virgin is considered the most sublime and mysterious, because there is no specific information about its appearance.

On a note! Some time after its creation, this shrine was the subject of humble and honest copying. Listings of this image, like the original, performed miracles in Christian circles.

Icon "Tenderness"

Miraculous accomplishments of the icon

Many divine accomplishments took place before the eyes of believers, proving the extraordinary power of the holy face. Orthodox Christianity attaches tremendous importance to the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness", reducing negative impact fateful shocks.

• According to the chronicle, in Novgorod in 1337 there was a ruthless pestilence, taking a huge number of victims. Desperate Orthodox people, having gathered together, made a move to the Trinity Cathedral, where they bitterly appealed to the image of the Virgin Mary. The clergy read prayers for the salvation of the unfortunate. A few days later, the strongest infection receded, and in gratitude for the atonement, the believers set out to annually do procession to the image.
• In July of the same year, the icon "Tenderness" streamed myrrh, and the canvas hovered in the air, holding in space. force majeure. The assembled clergy regarded this incident as a call to timely services.
• A shrine is kept in the house of a couple from the Bryansk region, which saved a visiting woman from oncological education. On the day of the operation, the ultrasound showed no malignant changes in the patient's cells. Healing miraculously happened after a sincere request for help from the Defender.
• The story of the modern icon of the Virgin "Seraphim's Tenderness" is amazing. One woman saw in a church shop an image of the Mother of God on an expired and unsaleable calendar and took it to her own home with a feeling of deepest concern. After a while, the holy face began to stream myrrh, and with it all the other iconography in the dwelling. On the reverse side another form emerged. From now on, a woman receives believing pilgrims.

More about miraculous phenomena:

Location of the shrine

The original, presented by Nicholas II, is located in the Cathedral of Seraphim of Sarov, in Golitsino. This image was painted in the 19th century. For over 40 years it was in the dwelling of the icon painter who created it. The image of the Mother of God was transferred to the monastery at the first news of the beginning of construction.

One of the most revered images of the Virgin Mary is kept in the Trinity Monastery. The value of the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" is hard to overestimate for the Russian people. The shrine, famous for its colossal number of miracles, was painted by the nuns of this monastery at the end of the 20th century. Every Sunday, church hymns are held in front of the shrine.

Hymns in honor of the Protector

In church practice, a sufficient number of prayers dedicated to the Theotokos are known. Orthodox Christians praise the Blessed Mother, call her Great Intercessor and the glory of our country. People standing in front of the icon "Tenderness" pray to save themselves and loved ones from the invasion evil forces, enemies of the people, earthquakes and many similar disasters.

Advice! Any prayer uttered with a clear conscience gives great chances for the fulfillment of pious desires.

The akathists to the Mother of God contain laudatory themes, highlighting some of the historical facts of the glorification of the holy face. In the choirs, various requests are made for the protection of the sinful human race. The end of the akathist is marked by a kneeling petition in the name of the health of all mankind.

Important! Orthodox world knows many icons from the “Tenderness” variety. Each of them is able to have a miraculous effect on the surrounding objects and the one who asks. They pray to the Blessed Mother in any misfortunes and torments. She humbly listens to those who come and invariably brings good to true Christians.

Watch a video about the icon of the Mother of God

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Pskov - Caves

IN Orthodox Church several types of icons of the Virgin are accepted for veneration, one of them is “Tenderness”. On the icons "Tenderness" (in the Greek tradition - "Eleusa"), the Most Holy Theotokos is usually depicted to the waist. She holds the baby - the Savior - in her arms and tenderly bows to her Divine Son.

CELEBRATION: June 12/23, August 26/September 8, June 23/July 6, May 21/June 3, October 7/20 (in memory of the deliverance of Pskov from the invasion of French troops in 1812).

"Tenderness" - Icon of the Mother of God of Pskov - Caves Pskov-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" is a list. It was written by the monk Arseniy Khitrosh in 1521. The image, painted “as befits and as befits in relation to God – with good and honest colors carefully”, was brought to the Pskov-Caves monastery in the abbess of St. Cornelius by Pskov merchants Vasily and Theodore around 1521. This holy icon has become famous all over the world for its miraculous help, supporting and protecting Orthodox Christians in difficult moments of life.

The icon became especially famous in 1524 for numerous miraculous healings, which were witnessed by the inhabitants of Pskov and Veliky Novgorod. The ancient chronicle of the monastery says: “The Mother of God gives healing not only to the Orthodox, but also from non-believers, that is, from the Latins of the German land, who came with faith to the Most Pure Mother of God and to Her miraculous image, gives healing.”

In 1581, the Polish ruler King Stefan Batory attempted to siege Pskov. A few days before the siege of Pskov by the Poles, the Most Holy Theotokos miraculously appeared to the pious elder Dorotheus, warned him of the impending disaster, explaining the reason for the misfortune that befell people for their sins and indicating the way out of it. Then the archbishop summoned hegumen of the Pskov-Pechersk monastery Tikhon with the Pechersk icons of "Assumption" and "Tenderness" to perform prayers at the places indicated by the Theotokos Herself at the time of Her appearance. From the bell tower of the Mirozhsky monastery, the soldiers of the opposing side dropped red-hot cannonballs, one of which hit the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness", which hung on top of the city wall. But the image was miraculously preserved, and the core fell near it without causing any damage. The enemy, who had stormed the Pskov Kremlin thirty times within five months, retreated without taking the city.
In commemoration of this event, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” was carried annually on the seventh Sunday after Easter in a procession from the Pskov-Caves Monastery to Pskov “to the holy and great cathedral apostolic church of the Most Holy and Life-Giving. Indivisible Trinity - so that the coming births do not forget the victory over the enemy, thanks to that miraculous icon - in the city of Pskov.
Since ancient times, the Pskov-Caves Monastery has been famous for its religious processions. There is even a separate chapter in the monastery chronicle: “The code of order and custom - how to walk with icons of the Most Pure Theotokos and with honest crosses from the Caves monastery to the city of Pskov,” written on the occasion of the establishment of a procession on the seventh Week after Easter, which took place annually from 1601 to 1918. In 1997, the tradition of this procession was resumed, only now the icon is worn inside the monastery - from the Assumption to St. Michael's Church and back. The same religious procession takes place in the autumn, on October 7/20, for the celebration of the Pskov-Caves icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Tenderness".
On July 24, 2000, on the feast of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, the miraculous image of the Mother of God was again brought to Pskov to participate in the festive procession of the ancient city.
Now in the main aisle of the Assumption Cathedral of the monastery there are two revered lists with the miraculous Pskov-Pechersk icon Mother of God "Tenderness".

Thanks to the help of the Mother of God, the city of Polotsk was taken from the French. The event took place on October 7, 1812 during Patriotic War during the invasion of the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte. The commander of the 1st Corps ascribes his victory to the help of the Mother of God and her holy image “Tenderness”. The icon of the Mother of God with its miraculous power helped to win another victory.
Numerous cases of the help of this icon in the miraculous healing of blind people are known. The widow, who prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, received recovery after a fervent prayer in front of the Tenderness icon. The icon of the Mother of God was glorified by a great miracle. The woman was blind for almost three years, and after a fervent prayer in front of the miraculous image she received her sight. Also, a peasant who had not seen before for six years was also healed of blindness. In addition, various cases of recovery from serious illnesses were noted, which occurred with the help of the Virgin after praying before this holy image.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Pskov-Pechersk

"Tenderness" - the icon of the Mother of God of Pskov-Pechersk - refers to the icon-painting type "Eleus", which is the most common in Russian icon painting. It depicts the Virgin Mary holding her Son Jesus Christ in her arms. The baby presses his cheek to the Mother of God, showing the highest degree filial love. This type includes such icons of the Virgin as Donskaya, Vladimirskaya, Yaroslavskaya, Feodorovskaya, Zhirovitskaya, Grebnevskaya, Pochaevskaya, Seeking for the dead, Akhrenskaya, Degtyarevskaya, etc.

PRAYERS
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of the Pskov-Caves Icon of Her “Tenderness”

Tone 4
Let us all fall to the Theotokos with tenderness, burdened with sins, Her miraculous icon of Tenderness, kissing and crying with tears: Mistress, accept the prayer of Your unworthy servants and give to us, who ask Your great mercy.

Kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of the Pskov-Caves Icon of Her “Tenderness”

Tone 6
Not imams of other help, not imams of other hope, except for You, Blessed Virgin. Help us, we hope in You and boast in You, Thy servants, let us not be ashamed.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of the icon of Her "Tenderness" Pskov-Caves

O Blessed Virgin Mother of God! Mother of all those who suffer and have heart disease! Our country and city Defender! Abode of Pskov-Pechersk beauty and glory! Look upon us humble, burdened with many sins, weighed down by sorrows and sorrows, and with contrition and tears looking at Your most pure face, manifested in a miraculous icon. Preserve this holy monastery from all evil, reverend Cornelius with the elders Mark and Jonah entrust to You, and all those who labor in it in faith and hope. Save this city, and all the people who faithfully live and resort to You, from the invasion of foreigners, from all fear and cowardice, from pestilence and hunger, from evil people and all kinds of sorrow. Bend down to us with Thy mercy, as if by Thy Divine face Thou graciously bowed to the cheeks of the Divine Infant. Warm us with the breath of Your love and never depart from us, neither in this life nor in the future, yes, expecting Your all-powerful Motherly help, we will be able to comfortably reach eternal life and glorify the Heavenly Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity of the glorious God, forever centuries.
Amen.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Serafimo-Diveevskaya

Celebration - July 28/August 10. The iconographic type of this icon is more characteristic of Western Christianity than the Eastern tradition of writing. The Most Holy Theotokos is depicted here at a young age, at that moment in Her life, when the Archangel Gabriel proclaimed the good news of the incarnation of the Son of God. The face of the Holy Virgin Mary is pensive, her arms are crossed on her chest, her gaze is turned downward. Above the head is an inscription of the words from the akathist: "Rejoice, Unbrided Bride!"
The Serafimo-Diveevo icon "Tenderness" differs from the others, it depicts the Mother of God alone. Her arms are folded crosswise on her chest, and her whole appearance conveys a state of deep humility and love. This image does not belong to the type of icon painting "Eleus", however, it has an identical name.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Serafimo-Diveevskaya

The icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" - Serafimo-Diveevo is considered one of the main shrines of the Seraphim-Diveevo monastery. The nuns and nuns of the convent consider her their Heavenly Abbess. This icon was in the cell of Seraphim of Sarov. He deeply revered this icon, calling it "The Joy of All Joys." Even during the life of the saint, a lampada burned in front of the icon, with oil from which he anointed all the people who came to him, healing from spiritual and bodily ailments.
Standing in prayer before the image of the Theotokos, the monk peacefully departed to the Lord.

The icon was painted on a canvas stretched over a cypress board. The history of the icon The history of writing and the author of this icon are unknown, its origin dates back to late XVIII century. After the death of Rev. Seraphim, hegumen Nifont transferred the image to the nearby Diveevo Convent in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which was under the patronage of Elder Seraphim. For this purpose, a special chapel was built in the cathedral dedicated to her name - the Tenderness of the Mother of God, and the icon was placed in a special elegant icon case. Since that time, there has been a tradition: for all the nuns of the monastery during the service, to stand behind the icon case of the Virgin.
The icon was celebrated on July 28 and December 9 (the day the monastery was founded).
In 1902, Saint Emperor Nicholas II presented the monastery with a precious gilded riza for the Tenderness icon and a decorated silver lamp.
Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov) composed a special service for the glorified icon. To the opening of the relics of St. Seraphim from the icon was made a list for the Sarov Monastery. After canonization, the production of lists began in the icon-painting workshops of the Diveevo Monastery and its courtyard in Peterhof. The icon was depicted in various printed publications and on hagiographic images of St. Seraphim.
In the post-revolutionary time, when the Diveevo monastery was closed, the icon of the Mother of God was taken to Murom by the Diveevo Abbess Alexandra. In 1991, the miraculous image was handed over to Alexy II, the Patriarch of Moscow, who placed the icon in the patriarchal church, where it is currently located. Once a year, the miraculous image - on the feast of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos - is taken out to the Cathedral of the Epiphany for veneration. It is possible for all Orthodox Christians who wish to venerate it.
The Diveye Monastery now houses an exact copy of the miraculous image.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Serafimo-Diveevskaya

The icon from the Tretyakov Gallery is an exact copy of the revered image. The image of the Mother of God is half-length, with her hands folded on her chest, her head bowed and her gaze lowered. Western iconography, which appeared in Russia in the 17th century. On the icon-copy, a gilded frame and a riza, an ubrus and a crown, decorated with precious stones, are imitated by means of painting. The faces of the hand are made with soft light-and-shadow modeling in the style of academic painting of the early 20th century, which was used for painting icons. The crown is framed by the inscription: "Hail unbridened bride."

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Novgorod

For almost 700 years, the inhabitants of Novgorod have venerated another icon of the Mother of God, "Tenderness". She is known for the numerous miracles that came from prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos. Holy Virgin protected the city from fires, ruins and wars. Thanks to fervent heartfelt prayer before this holy image, many people received healing from spiritual sorrows and bodily illnesses.
The history of the icon can be traced from the inventory of the Assumption Cathedral only from the 18th century. Until that time, she is lost in the numerous icons of Tenderness and half-length Virgins. Without specifying the iconographic type, the inventory of 1701 mentions in an icon case near the northern pillar on the north side an “image of the Most Holy Theotokos from the waist” in a silver setting. The inventory of 1771-1773 repeats this entry, adding to it a list of precious stones in the crowns of the Virgin and Jesus. The fact that this icon is the image of the Mother of God Tenderness of the XII century is evidenced by its schematic image, published in 1911 by N.P. Likhachev from an 18th century engraving. The inventory of 1815-1818 indicates that the icon was in the same place - near the northeastern pillar on the north side, but has a different, simpler setting (probably the ancient precious one was stolen by Napoleonic troops in 1812).
In the inventories of 1841-1843 and 1853-1854, the icon is already called "Athos", and the postscript mid-nineteenth century to the first of these inventories reports the transfer of the icon to the iconostasis near the southern wall of the cathedral. The name "Athos" is associated with the newly-appeared shrine - the Akathist Hilandar Icon of the Mother of God. During the renewal of the icon and the manufacture of a new silver frame for it in 1875, an inscription was minted on the field of the frame - “The Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos located in the Hilendar Monastery of Savva the Serbian”. At the same time, the iconography of the Moscow icon differs from that of Athos.
From the massive silver setting of 1875, the icon was opened in 1961. At the same time, the darkened drying oil was removed, under which the painting of the end of the 17th century was first discovered - early XVIII centuries (perhaps this entry belongs to the royal painter Kirill Ulanov, who during this period was engaged in the renewal of a number of ancient icons of the Assumption Cathedral). Upon further opening of the icon, painting of the 12th-13th centuries was discovered.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Novgorod. End of the XII century.

The icon is of Novgorod origin. The master copied the Byzantine prototype, combining in the icon elements of iconographic types - Hodegetria and Tenderness. The baby Jesus, although he presses his cheek against the head of the Virgin, is depicted in a pose typical of the Hodegetria rendition. In his right hand, he holds a scroll, and the left is depicted with a semblance of a blessing gesture (her fingers are unclenched, as in the iconography of Tenderness, where the left hand of the Divine Infant is depicted directed to the cheek of the Mother of God). According to academician V. N. Lazarev, “this kind of contamination of various iconographic types once again speaks of the work of a local master who, unlike the Byzantines, was not accustomed to copying prototypes accurately.”
The faces and clothes on the icon have been preserved, there are losses on the nimbus, the golden patterns of the Virgin's scarf and the soil in the margins. The icon board is overlaid on all sides.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Smolensk

The Smolensk icon of the Mother of God, called "Tenderness", appeared in 1103 in Smolensk. This image, which played a special, inspiring role during the defense of Smolensk from Polish invaders at the beginning of the 17th century (1609–1611), was located in the camp of the Russian troops of Governor Shein, who for 18 months kept the enemy from plundering the city.

The list of the Smolensk miraculous image "Tenderness" is currently in the Spaso-Trench Church in the city of Smolensk.
In 2003, the 900th anniversary of the appearance of the holy image was solemnly celebrated in Smolensk. On the eve of the holiday, the icon "Tenderness" was delivered to the Holy Dormition Cathedral, where a prayer service with water blessing was served in front of her. On the very feast after the Divine Liturgy, a crowded procession took place around the cathedral, during which the priests carried two revered Smolensk miraculous icons: "Hodegetria" and "Tenderness", giving them a special honor.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Smolensk

On the miraculous icon, the Most Holy Theotokos, raising her hands to her chest, looks with tenderness at the Divine Infant lying on Her robe, who holds in her right hand an orb - a symbol of power and strength. The face of the Blessed Virgin is filled with deep love and at the same time sorrow for Her Son.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Smolensk

PRAYERS
Troparion of the Mother of God before the icon of Her Smolensk, called Tenderness

Tone 4
God-rejoiced Lady, / Glorified Mother of generosity and philanthropy, / All-merciful Intercessor for the whole world! / Diligently, Thy servants, resorting to Divine intercession / and falling down to Your wonderful image with tenderness, we pray: / make a warm prayer to Your Son and our God, / O All-Singing Queen of the Mother of God, / yes, for the sake of all diseases and sorrows, deliver us to You / and free us from all sins, / Heirs of His Kingdom of Heaven will show us, / greatness is inexpressible, like Mother, have boldness towards Him / and all you can, / United in forever Blessed.

John troparion of the Mother of God before the icon of Her Smolensk, called Tenderness

Tone 4
Let us fall to the Theotokos with tenderness / all, burdened with sins, / kissing the miraculous icon of tenderness / and crying out with tears: / Mistress, accept the prayer of Your unworthy servants / and grant us, who ask, / great Your mercy.

Miraculous Icon of "Tenderness" of the Mother of God, meaning for believers

When praying to the Most Holy Theotokos "Tenderness", many Christians ask for the strengthening of faith, for the reconciliation of the warring, for deliverance from the invasion of enemies and the preservation Russian state. But most often young girls and women come to her, pouring out numerous requests for a successful marriage, healing from infertility and the birth of healthy children.
Any icon "Tenderness" depicts the state of the holy soul of the Mother of God: her endless love for people, great purity and holiness. Many Christian women, after performing sincere prayer in front of the holy image, note deep peace, faith and hope in the miraculous power of the Blessed Virgin. The icon "Tenderness" of the Mother of God helps in this.
The meaning of this holy image lies in the help of the Mother of God to all people who ask her. Many Orthodox Christian women embroider icons of the Most Holy Theotokos. IN Lately for this purpose began to use beads more often. There is a pious tradition to dedicate this work to the Blessed Virgin. While embroidering, believing women pray and work with a sense of repentance. When asked to give birth to healthy children, some mothers take on the task of embroidering icons. When the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" with beads is ready, it is enclosed in a glazed frame and consecrated in an Orthodox church. After that, they pray before the image in the hope of receiving what they ask for.
Hymnography There are many prayers dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos. Before the icon "Tenderness" believers read an akathist.
The prayer to the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" contains a deep meaning: the Orthodox praise the Blessed Virgin, calling Her Intercessor and Defender of our Country, the Beauty and Glory of the monastery, and also ask to save people from evil, save Russian cities and protect the Orthodox people from the invasion of enemies, earthquakes, flood, from evil people and other misfortunes. It is customary to say this prayer, turning to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help, in the hope of Her heavenly help and support.
The Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" contains mostly laudatory texts. It contains 13 ikos and kontakia, which illuminate some historical events associated with the appearance and glorification of the holy icon. The akathist also contains various requests to the Most Holy Theotokos for help, protection and prayer for the sinful human race. At the end, the final kneeling prayer is always read, filled with requests to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the salvation and protection of all people.

There are several various kinds Orthodox icons of the Mother of God, called "Tenderness": there are miraculous, locally revered and revered images. Despite the fact that all these images are different, they have one thing in common - they always convey the boundless love of the Most Holy Theotokos for Orthodox Christians and all people. The Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" in Moscow is located at the Center for Social Forensic Psychiatry named after. V.P. Serbian. This is a house operating temple, located at the address: Khamovniki, Kropotkinsky lane, 23. Believers who want to pray and find peace of mind are always welcome here. - June 3, July 6, September 8.
- July 1.

Copyright © 2015 Unconditional Love

The image of the Virgin is the most revered among Christians. But they especially love her in Russia. In the XII century, a new church holiday was established - the Protection of the Virgin. The icon with her image has become the main shrine of many churches. The Blessed Virgin began to be considered the patroness and protector of Russia. Novgorod icon Virgin "Tenderness" is a copy of the Byzantine image, written at the end of this century.

In the XIV century, Moscow finally becomes the center of Orthodoxy in Russia, and the Assumption Cathedral at that time receives the name "House of the Virgin".

Origins of iconography

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

The first renderings of the Blessed Virgin

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

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

the Roman church of Santa Maggiore (dating back to the 5th century);

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

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

Types of Virgin Icons

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

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

"Hodegetria", which in Greek means "Guide".

"Tenderness" - the name from the Greek "eleus" ("merciful").

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

Iconographic type "Omen"

On the ends of this group, the Holy Mother of God is represented as praying. Depicted in full height or to the waist. On the chest of the Mother of Christ is a medallion with the image of the unborn Savior. The icon of the praying Mother of God symbolizes the immaculate conception of Christ, the unity of the mother and the Holy Child. This type includes Yaroslavl Oranta, Kursk Root, Novgorod "Sign". Oranta is a simpler version of the icons, in which the Mother of God is presented without a baby and is a symbol of the church.

Iconography "Hodegetria"

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

Christ blesses the Mother with one hand, and with her all the faithful. In the other, he holds a book, an unfolded or rolled scroll. More rarely - orb and scepter. The most famous icons of the Mother of God of this type are: Smolensk, Iverskaya, Tikhvinskaya, Petrovskaya, Kazanskaya.

Iconography of the Mother of God "Tenderness"

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

A variation of this type is "Jumping". Here the baby is painted in a freer pose, with one hand he touches the face of the Virgin.

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

There is another variety of this type - "Mammal feeder". On these icons, the Mother of God is breastfeeding the baby. So symbolically portrayed spiritual nourishment believers.

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

"Akathist" icons of the Mother of God

Images of this type most often carry the features of one of the main ones, but have additional details and details. In iconography, they include such icons as the "Burning Bush", the Mother of God - " life-giving spring", the Mother of God - "Mountain Unhandled".

Ostrabramskaya-Vilna, "Softener of Evil Hearts" - rare icons of the Virgin, in which she is depicted without a baby. Usually they are also referred to as "Akathist". One of them, the Seraphim-Diveevo icon "Tenderness" of the Most Holy Theotokos, was a favorite image of Seraphim of Sarov, canonized after death. The priest himself called it "Joy of all Joys" and used it to heal those who came to him for help. And later, before this face, he departed into another world.

Canons of the icon painting of the Mother of God, the meaning of symbols

According to the Orthodox tradition, the following elements are used to depict the clothes of the Virgin: a blue tunic, a blue cap and a cherry kerchief on her head, otherwise called "maforium". Every detail has its own meaning. Three golden stars on the maphoria are a triple symbol of the immaculate conception, birth and death, the border on it is a sign of glorification. The board itself personifies motherhood, belonging to God, the blue color of the clothes - virginity.

There are known cases of violation of traditions. This is used by icon painters to emphasize certain features. For example, to emphasize the purity, the Virginity of the Mother of God, they depict her in a blue robe. Our Lady of Akhtyrskaya is just such an option.

Writing the Blessed Virgin without a maphorium is also considered a violation of church canons.

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

Russian traditions in the iconography of the Mother of God

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

Icon painters, on the other hand, were more fond of the half-length or shoulder-length image of the Queen of Heaven. In this way, renditions were created that were more understandable and close to the heart. In many ways, this can be explained by the special role of the icon in Russia: it was both a life partner, and a shrine, and a prayer way, and family value passed down from generation to generation. No wonder the people perceived the Mother of God as an intercessor who is able to soften the wrath of the Terrible Judge. Moreover, the older the image and the more “prayerful”, the greater the power it has.

A large number of icons in the houses of believers and temples - distinguishing feature Russian land. Many of the Mother of God images are considered miraculous here, which is confirmed by numerous testimonies.

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

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

In 1239, in this way, Prince Yaroslav blessed his son Alexander to marry Princess Paraskevna. This icon accompanied Alexander in all his military campaigns. Later, it was in front of this face of the Mother of God that St. Alexander took monastic vows.

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

In the 18th century, all members royal family be sure to come to Kostroma to bow to the miraculous rendition, from which the history of the royal dynasty of the Romanovs began.

Special mention must be made Vladimir icon Mother of God, donated to Russia by the Patriarch of Constantinople Luke Chrysoverg in the XII century. According to legend, prayers in front of this image more than once saved Moscow from conquerors.

Miraculous power of the Mother of God icons

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

Some Moscow miraculous icons of the Mother of God:

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

The Tikhvin icon "Tenderness" of the Most Holy Theotokos, which adorns the temple of the same name in Moscow. In 1941, a plane with this image circled the capital three times, after which the Nazi offensive on the city was stopped. It is curious that this church was not closed even in Soviet times.

Icon of the Mother of God "Merciful", the shrine of Zachatievsky convent which gave many women the happiness of motherhood.

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

Miracles of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

This image deserves special attention. The Kazan icon of the Mother of God showed a miracle already with its appearance in 1579 after a big fire in the city, when it was found among the ashes absolutely not affected by the fire.

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

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

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

Myrrh-streaming prayer images of the Mother of God

This is one of the greatest miracles associated with icons. Until now, no explanation has been found as to why icons stream myrrh. But this always happens on the eve of tragic events as a reminder of human sinfulness and the need for repentance. What is this phenomenon? A fragrant liquid resembling myrrh appears on the images. Its consistency and color can be different - from transparent dew to viscous dark resin. It is curious that not only the images written on the tree stream myrrh. This happens with frescoes, photographs, metal icons, and even photocopies.

And miracles are happening right now. Several dozen Tiraspol icons began to stream myrrh in the period from 2004 to 2008. It was the Lord's warning about the bloody events of Beslan, Georgia, the Orange Revolution in Ukraine.

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

On the protection of the house - Holy Mother of God

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

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

Not only ordinary believers, but also royal persons revered the icons of the Virgin. A photo taken in the bedroom of Tsar Alexander confirms this.

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

Glorification of the Mother of God

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

Significant Orthodox holiday- The Protection of the Virgin - became the theme of the icons of the same name. On these renditions, the Blessed Virgin is depicted in full growth. In her hands in front of her, she holds a veil with or without the image of Christ. Found at the end of the 20th century, the Port Arthur icon "The Triumph of the Most Holy Theotokos" has become a symbol of the revival of Russian spirituality and a reminder of the significance of this image in the history of the country. She is increasingly ranked among the most revered Russian icons.