Revered by the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, according to the faith of those who ask, she gives healing.

Young virgins pray in front of her asking for help in maintaining chastity, piety and morality. They call out to Her and, in the hope of meeting a kind man, ask for a successful marriage, a strong and happy family life. They pray to the Queen of Heaven before Her image of "Tenderness" and about the onset of the long-awaited pregnancy and successful delivery.

As in front of any icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, before "Tenderness" you can pray for everything that worries the soul and heart. And it is very important not to forget to turn to the Mother of God not only with sorrow and anxiety, but also with a prayer of thanks for Her bright help and intercession.

The biography, which was compiled from the recollections of those who were closely acquainted with Seraphim of Sarov, says that his entire life proceeded under the auspices of the Mother of God: She and our Lord came to him in dreams and apparitions, healed from deadly ailments. The Monk Seraphim of Sarov was the owner of more than one icon of the Mother of God - he had several of them, but the cell icon of Tenderness was among them in a place of honor. No one can say for sure how Father Seraphim took possession of this image. He himself called it "The Joy of All Joys": the oil from the lamp that burned before the image, the Monk Seraphim applied to the affected parts of the body of the sick, from which they were all cured. Some people managed to find consolation in sorrows when Father Seraphim gave them to cling to the icon of the Mother of God. On 01/02/1833, during a prayer service, Father Seraphim of Sarov gave his soul to God.

Father never tired of repeating to the sisters from the Diveyevo monastery, pointing to the sacred image: "I trust and deprive you of the care of our Great Mother."

In 1927, it so happened that the monastery was destined to close its doors, and the final service before the dispersal was ruled on the eve of the Nativity of the Virgin - September 21st. In the same place the Diveyevo sisters said goodbye, bowing to each other at the feet and bursting into tears. Nobody kicked them out openly on the street, but the conditions formed such that you would not stay: it was not allowed to wear monastic attire, images had to be removed in alternative workshops, and instead of them, portraits of V.I. Lenin. In that year, 2 lords lived in exile in Diveyevo, who were called Bishop Seraphim Zvezdinsky and Archbishop Zinovy ​​of Tambov. And they said to the sisters: "We will not free you from monasticism: even though in the world, keep your monasticism. Now all of you have been granted cups, and whoever drinks from it how to drink: who will only take a sip, who will take a sip, and who will empty it completely. ".

The images from the monastery churches were jointly collected and dropped in the Church of the Nativity of Christ. By the end of the first half of the twentieth century, the terms of imprisonment for many of the exiles ended, and let them again go to Diveevo.

In 1941, after the death of Abbess Alexandra, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God was transferred to the custody of nun Mary, and when the years and her life came to an end, she gave the shrine as a gift to Patriarch Pimen.

In 1991, all the images from Diveyevo, including the holy image "Tenderness", were sent to preserve in the hands of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow. Today it is known that the image is kept in the chambers of His Holiness the Patriarch - in the church in honor of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. Every year, on the day of the celebration of the Praise of the Most Holy Mother of God, the image of Tenderness is delivered for mass worship at the Moscow Patriarchal Epiphany Church.

Located in the Epiphany Cathedral, Moscow

The icon "Affection" depicts the Virgin Mary before the birth of the baby Jesus, but after the Annunciation. The Most Holy Theotokos in this image has an enthusiastic, bright, joyful expression on her face. It reflects the state of affection that the Virgin Mary experienced when she learned that she was to become the Mother of God.

The Blessed Virgin on this icon has half-lowered eyes, a slightly tilted head, arms crossed in prayer. This image symbolizes humility before God's will, chastity, meekness. The Icon of Tenderness depicts the moment when the Archangel Gabriel informed the Mother of God about the mission entrusted to her. The day of this holy image is celebrated on August 1 and 10.

History of the Holy Image

Initially, the face of Tenderness was made on canvas attached to a cypress board. The author of the icon and the history of its writing are unknown, but experts suggest that the miraculous image appeared at the end of the 18th century. The face gained wide popularity thanks to Seraphim of Sarov.

The monk was able to see the souls of people and pray for their healing. He asked the Most Holy Theotokos for intercession for the suffering. Next to the icon was an icon lamp, the oil from which had healing properties. The Monk Seraphim of Sarov anointed the bodies of the sick with this oil, after which people were healed.

The monk called the icon of the Mother of God "The joy of all joys." Seraphim of Sarov died on his knees right in front of this image. After some time, Nicholas II presented the miraculous image with a festive crown of pearls and precious stones, as well as a luxurious robe.

In 1991, the icon was transferred to the Moscow Patriarch Alexy II, and he moved it to the Patriarchal Church. Every year the icon is transferred to the Epiphany Cathedral for worship. Over time, many copies of this icon were made, and some of them have miraculous powers comparable to that of the original.

Female assistant

The miraculous face is rightfully considered female. The fair sex turn to the Blessed Virgin in times of trouble and illness. But not only in this, the Mother of God of Tenderness is able to help. Through this image, parents turn to the Primordial Image with a request to preserve the purity, chastity and good disposition of their daughter.

People turn to the Virgin Mary for intercession when they need:

1. In getting rid of various ailments, both physical and mental.
2. In the early onset of pregnancy and its successful course, as well as in the maximum facilitation of the process of childbirth.
3. In getting rid of anger and immoral thoughts, in finding harmony, peace.
4. In overcoming the difficulties of adolescence, ridding young men and women of those mental burdens that adolescents face.
5. In search of worthy companions in life for girls, in finding family happiness and harmony.

It is believed that if you ask the Virgin Mary for support, then she will definitely help, but subject to sincere faith in her help. And the stronger the faith, the sooner the praying person will receive what the intercessor asks for.

The meaning of the icon determines those miracles that were performed by God through the mediation of the Virgin of Tenderness. So, there have been cases when people got rid of serious oncological diseases thanks to the face. For example, one woman prayed for a long time in front of the image of the Virgin Mary shortly before the upcoming surgery for a malignant tumor. As a result, the operation was canceled, since the neoplasm was simply not found at the next examination. It disappeared without leaving a trace.

It must be remembered that all the icons of the Mother of God help in difficult moments in the life of both an individual and the entire Orthodox World. The Blessed Virgin is the first prayer book and protector of Christians before the Throne of God, so you can turn to her in any mental anguish, illness and need. She will always hear sincere prayers and help those who ask.

You can communicate with the Virgin Mary both in your own words (but always coming from the heart!) And with the help of special prayers.

This icon depicts the Most Holy Theotokos at the moment when the Archangel Gabriel appeared before her and announced that she would give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God. The young Virgin Mary looks down, arms folded across her chest, and her face reveals the deepest humility.

"Tenderness" icon of the Mother of God

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness", description

"Tenderness" - the image of the Most Holy Theotokos of Pskov-Pechersk - refers to the type of icon painting "Eleusa", which is the most widespread in Russian icon painting. She depicts the Virgin Mary holding the hands of her Son Jesus Christ. The child pressed his cheek to the Mother of God, showing a high degree of filial love.

The Seraphim-Diveyevo icon "Tenderness" of the Most Holy Theotokos differs from others in that the Mother of God is depicted alone. Her arms are crossed crosswise across her chest, and her entire appearance conveys a state of deep humility and love. This image does not belong to the type of Eleusa iconography.

The Pskov-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" was painted by the monk Arseniy Khitrosh in 1521. This holy icon is known for its wonderful means of supporting and protecting Orthodox Christians in difficult moments of life.

Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Seraphim-Diveevskaya story

The Diveyevo icon "Tenderness" is considered one of the main shrines of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery. The nuns consider her to be their heavenly abbess. This icon was in the cell of Seraphim of Sarov. He revered this image very much, calling it "Joy of Joy".

Seraphim of Sarov used oil from the lamp that burned in front of the icon to bless many visitors who came to him for the sacrament of confession, anointing them with a cross, saying a prayer for absolution. Those who had physical illnesses were reported to have been healed from this sacred oil.

At the end of his life, the Monk Seraphim instructed the sisters of the Diveyevo monastery to prepare a suitable place for the Blessed Mother.

On January 2, 1833, the great ascetic, Christian miracle worker and spiritual father Seraphim was found dead in his little cell in the forest surrounding the Sarov Monastery, Russia. He was found kneeling in prayer in front of the icon "Tenderness" of the Most Holy Theotokos, which served him as inspiration throughout his life.

After Seraphim was glorified as a saint in 1903, precious stones were donated by Tsar Nicholas II to decorate the icon.

This is the connection of the icon with the Seraphim and the Diveyevo monastery, gives the Icon its third name - after "Tenderness" and "Joy of Joy" - "Seraphim-Diveevskaya".

In the post-revolutionary period, when the Diveevo monastery was closed, the icon "Tenderness" Seraphim-Diveevskaya was delivered to the Murovskaya Diveyevo abbot Alexandra.

In 1991, the wonderful image was transferred to Alexy II - Patriarch of Moscow, who placed the icon in the Patriarchal Church, where it is now. Every year, a wonderful image is brought to the Epiphany Cathedral for worship. A copy of the miraculous icon is now in the Diveskoy monastery.

Icon "Tenderness" of the Most Holy Theotokos meaning, what helps

When praying to the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness", many Christians ask for the strengthening of faith, reconciliation of the belligerents, for deliverance from the enemy invasion and preservation of the Russian state. But most often young girls and women come to her, pouring out numerous requests for a successful marriage, for healing from infertility and the birth of healthy children.

Any icon "Tenderness" shows the state of mind of the Holy Mother of God: her endless love for people, great purity and holiness.

Many Christians, after sincere prayer in front of the holy image, note deep calmness, faith and hope in the miraculous power of the Most Holy Theotokos. The value of this sacred image of the Mother of God lies in helping everyone who asks for her help.

The shrine depicts the Venerable 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 spiritualized image. The defender is depicted with crossed arms, gathered in a godly gesture, her head is slightly tilted, and her eyes are slightly covered with 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 performed on canvas, mounted on a cypress board. Nicholas II presented 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 Protector. Seraphim bequeathed this face to the Diveyevo temple, located not far from his skete.

Interesting! The lamp oil burning near the image of the Virgin Mary acquired healing properties. Saint Seraphim often used this divine remedy to relieve many unfortunate people from various ailments.

Moscow Patriarch Alexei II received "Tenderness" in 1991. The Holy Icon of the Mother of God was placed in the Patriarchal monastery. Every year the face is taken out for worship in the Epiphany Cathedral, which accommodates a large number of believers.

This day is considered a festive day: the clergy put on appropriate clothes and carry out a solemn service. On December 22, August 1 and August 10, in monasteries, you need to put candles in front of the Virgin Mary with a request for the health of loved ones, and also sing an akathist (laudatory choir). The icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" is designed to instill meekness and spiritual humility to all parishioners.

"UMILENIE" 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, "Affection" shows the Reverend Mother of God with the Baby 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 "Affection" include:

• Novgorodskaya. The production dates back to the end of the 12th century and is located in the Assumption Cathedral. The Mother and Christ, depicted in a pose typical of the Guidebook (Hodegetria), press their cheeks. In the baby's right hand is a scroll, and with his left he makes a gesture of blessing.
• The Pskov-Pecherskaya is a copy of the Vladimir Icon, was created in 1521 by the minister Arseny. The face is famous for a large number of miraculous properties.
• Feodorovskaya. A revered image that is kept in the Epiphany Cathedral. This face is considered a shrine to the house 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. A double-sided icon, on the reverse side is the Assumption of the Theotokos - a holiday commemorating 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 type of "Tenderness" (Eleusy).

Feodorovskaya icon "Tenderness"

Seraphim-Diveev 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 from 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 Mother of God clearly reflect her emotions at this moment: with infinite patience and gratitude she awaits the coming of the Son of God. The Mother's eyes are humbly lowered, her hands are folded in a cross on her chest and symbolize the mystery of the Son's sacrifice. 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 the great phrase: "Rejoice, Bride of the Unmarried." This means that humanity is ripe for the coming of its 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.

• The 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 instills confidence and strength in overcoming all sorts of worldly difficulties.

The Virgin Mary radiates divine humility and unquenchable love, and her joyful face subdues the consciousness, overwhelmed with selfish anger, at one glance. The Mother of God teaches by her example to overcome despair and humbly lift the cross on her shoulders. A sincere belief in the sanctity of the image brings relief and truly helps those in need.

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

Seraphim's Affection 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. Lists of this image, like the original, have performed miracles in Christian circles.

Icon "Tenderness"

Iconic accomplishments

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

• According to the chronicle, in 1337 there was a merciless plague in Novgorod, taking a huge number of victims. Desperate Orthodox people, having gathered together, made their way to the Trinity Cathedral, where they bitterly cried out for the image of the Virgin Mary. The priests 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 make a procession to the image.
• In July of the same year, the icon "Tenderness" streamed myrrh, and the canvas floated in the air, being held in space by an irresistible force. The assembled clergy interpreted this incident as a call for timely services.
• In the house of a couple from the Bryansk region, there is a shrine that saved a visiting woman from oncological education. On the day of surgery, ultrasound did not show any malignant changes in the patient's cells. Healing miraculously happened after a sincere demand for help from the Protector.
• The history of the modern icon of the Mother of God "Seraphim's Tenderness" is amazing. One woman saw in a church shop an image of the Mother of God on an expired and not marketable calendar and took it to her own home with a sense of the deepest care. After a while, the holy face began to stream myrrh, and with it all the other iconographies in the dwelling. On the reverse side, another shape has formed. From now on, the woman receives believing pilgrims.

More about miracles:

Shrine locations

The original, presented by Nicholas II, is located in the Cathedral of Seraphim of Sarov, in Golitsyno. This image was painted in the 19th century. For over 40 years, he was in the home 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 difficult 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 in front of the shrine, church chants are held.

Hymns in honor of the Protector

In church practice, a sufficient number of prayers dedicated to the Mother of God are known. Orthodox Christians praise the Most Holy Mother, call her the Great Intercessor and Glory of our homeland. People standing in front of the face of the "Tenderness" icon pray to save themselves and their loved ones from the invasion of 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 godly desires.

The akathists to the Mother of God contain a laudatory theme that illuminates some of the historical facts of the glorification of the holy face. The choir sets out various requests 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! The Orthodox world knows many icons from the "Tenderness" variety. Each of them is capable of exerting a miraculous effect on the surrounding objects and on the person asking him. They pray to the Blessed Mother in any misfortune and torment. She humbly listens to those who come and invariably benefits true Christians.

Watch a video about the icon of the Godmother

In the Orthodox Church, several types of icons of the Mother of God "Tenderness" (in the Greek tradition - "Eleusa") are accepted for veneration. Eleusa (Greek Ελεούσα - merciful from έλεος - compassion, sympathy) is one of the main types of the image of the Mother of God in Russian icon painting. On them, the Most Holy Theotokos is usually depicted up to the waist and holds the baby - the Savior - in her arms and bows with affection to her Divine Son.

The Seraphim-Diveyevo icon "Tenderness" differs from the others - the Mother of God is depicted on it alone. An interesting fact is that the iconographic type of this icon is more characteristic of Western Christianity than the Eastern tradition of writing. In terms of iconography, it goes back to the Ostrobram Icon of the Mother of God, revered in Lithuania and western Russia, from which it differs in the absence of Western attributes - the crescent moon below and the stars around the halo. The Most Holy Theotokos is depicted here at a young age, at that moment of Her life, when the Archangel Gabriel announced the good news of the incarnation of the Son of God. The face of the Holy Virgin Mary is pensive, her hands are folded crosswise on her chest, her gaze is turned down, her eyes are half-closed, and her whole appearance conveys a state of deep humility and love. Above the head there is an inscription of the words from the akathist: "Hail, Bride of the Unmarried!" This image does not belong to the “Eleusa” type of icon painting, nevertheless it bears an identical name.

The icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Seraphim-Diveevskaya belonged to the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, was his cell icon. The history of writing and the author of this icon is unknown, its origin dates back to the end of the 18th century.

With oil from the lamp that burned before this holy icon, the Monk anointed the sick, who received healing after the anointing.

The ascetic called the icon "Tenderness" - "Joy of All Joys", and in front of it he died in prayer on January 2, 1833. After the death of the Monk Seraphim, the Sarov rector, Fr. Niphont gave the holy icon "Joy of All Joys" to the sisters of the Diveyevo Seraphim monastery. They transferred it to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Diveyevo monastery, where the icon was kept until the Soviet period. For this, a special side-chapel was rebuilt, and the icon was placed in a special elegant icon case. Since that time, there has been a tradition: all the nuns of the monastery during the service to stand behind the icon case of the Mother of God.

In 1902, the holy emperor Nicholas II presented to the monastery a precious gilded robe for the "Tenderness" icon and a decorated silver lamp. In the year when Seraphim of Sarov was glorified, several exact copies were made of the icon of the Mother of God, which were sent to various Russian monasteries.

In 1927 The Diveyevo monastery, where the original icon "The Joy of All Joys" was located, was closed, but the holy image was secretly removed from the Diveyevo Abbess Alexandra to Murom. For decades it was kept by godly people.

In 1991 the miraculous image was transferred to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II, who placed the icon in the Patriarchal Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God of the working Patriarchal residence in Chisty Lane where she is currently.

According to tradition, once a year - on the feast of Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos (5th Week of Great Lent (Saturday of the Akathist)) - the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church brings the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" to the service in Moscow Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhov to read the Akathist before her. On this day, the miraculous image is brought out for worship - all Orthodox Christians who wish can venerate it.

The Divee Monastery now houses an exact copy of the miraculous image, which is considered one of the main shrines of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery. Nuns and nuns of the convent consider her to be their Heavenly Abbess.

Celebration of the Seraphim-Diveyevo icon "Tenderness" is taking place July 28 / August 10.

Prayer before the icon of the Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Pskov-Pechersk

O Most Holy Lady Mistress, Virgin Mary! Accept our unworthy prayer, save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, give us repentance before the end, be merciful to our prayers and give joy in sorrow a place. And deliver us, O Lady Mistress Theotokos, from all misfortune, misfortune, sorrow, sickness and all evil, and vouchsafe us, Thy sinful servants, to the right hand of the article in the second coming of Thy Son, Christ our God, and heirs of us to be vouchsafed to the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life with all the saints forever and ever. Amen.