Icons of the Holy Mother of God. miraculous icons. The Protection of the Virgin: What She Protects From

What measure of grief and suffering can an earthly woman endure? Early orphanhood, life at the temple, suspicions of a spouse about treason - this is the beginning of the life path of the Most Holy Theotokos. The Virgin Mary endured a lot of grief and suffering... The bullying of the crowd over the Son, his martyrdom and long years of life without Him testify to the suffering of the Mother. Her sacrificial love and endless patience helped her rise to the highest spiritual level.

The icons of the Most Holy Theotokos seem to be shining and humble. Her experiences, hardships, sufferings were replaced by Heavenly glory and the joy of the reunion of the Mother with the Son. The miraculous icons of the Mother of God are revered in many cities and countries. They alleviate sorrow and bring faith, heal sickness and reward forgiveness. Prayers at the image of the Virgin help the soldiers on the battlefields, save them from enemies. At the same time, they give simple family joys and comfort in troubles.

Four types of icons of the Virgin

In the Orthodox calendar, many days are marked by the veneration of the miraculous icons of the Mother of God. Through her face, she does good deeds, changes the fate of people, saves the fallen. Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos differ from each other. There are 4 main types of such icons.

Hodegetria (translated from Greek - Guide). On the icon of this type, the Mother of God holds the Christ Child, pointing at him with her hand. Her eyes reflect the whole life of a Christian. The most famous images of this type are the Smolensk, Georgian and Kazan icons of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Eleusa (translated from Greek - Merciful). Here the Mother of God clung to the Baby, they embrace each other. This image is a symbol of the love of the Mother and the Son, their unity. The most famous icons of Eleus are Vladimirskaya, Donskoy Mother of God.

Oranta (translated from Greek - Sign). In the iconography of this view, the Mother of God raised her hands to heaven in a prayerful impulse. The baby has not yet been born, but is already present on the medallion, symbolizing the divine and human principles. The most famous icons are "Inexhaustible Chalice", "Yaroslavskaya Oranta".

The akathist view of the icon is a collective image. It is created in iconography under the impression of the gospel texts. This is more like an illustration of the actions of the Virgin, her participation in the fate of the Son. Bright icons of this type are “Unexpected Joy”, “Burning Bush”, “All creation rejoices over you”.

patronage of icons

Icons of the Mother of God in Russia were the most widespread. This explains such an abundance of images of the Mother of God. Her face is loved and revered by the people. She is considered a protector, comforter and intercessor. The image of the Mother of God carries love, forgiveness to all sinners and repentants.

They turn to the Holy Image in sorrows and illnesses, asking for protection from enemies and ill-wishers. Prayers before the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos help women during pregnancy, give easy childbirth and health to children. Men come for patronage and comfort. Each of the miraculous icons of the Virgin is able to help after sincere prayer.

Before the image of the "Recovery of the Lost" they pray for headaches, toothaches, for dying children, a blessed marriage, for aversion from alcohol addiction.

Before the icon of the Theodore Mother of God, they ask for relief from difficult childbirth. The Ostrabramskaya Mother of God will protect marriage from evil forces, make it prosperous. The “Burning Bush” will save the house from fires. The “Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos” icon protects against public troubles, protects from danger, helps mothers, and gives happiness to their children.

The image of the Vladimir Mother of God brought victory to the Russian troops over Tamerlane in 1395. They say that the miraculous icon frightened the enemy, and the hordes of the khan simply fled.

The image of the Don Mother of God helped on the day of the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380. And in 1558, Ivan the Terrible prayed for a long time before going to Kazan. The icon gave victory to the Russian troops and the capture of the city.

How to pray in front of the icon of the Virgin

There are many ready-made prayers that are read before the face of the Virgin. These are requests for help, glorification of the Mother during church holidays, Akathists. They are so simple that with constant reading they are easy to learn by heart.

There are prayers:

• with hunger;
• in sorrow and sickness;
• in case of danger of drowning;
• with injuries and pains;
• with eye diseases and blindness;
• when protecting the house from fire;
• with diseases of hearing and deafness;
• with cancer;
• about the disease of drunkenness;
• about the gift of patience;
• to get rid of suicidal thoughts.

This is only a small part of the prayers with which the people turn to the image. Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos are considered miraculous for a reason. There are known facts when the image helped in the cure of serious illnesses, gave faith, patience.

The Mother of God is the protector and intercessor. If you approach the image with a pure heart, bright thoughts, then the reward will not keep you waiting. Prayers can be read at home, in front of the home iconostasis. Or in church, after the service. The formal pronunciation of the words of the text does not grant a miracle. Only sincere faith in the power of God will help the fulfillment of the request.

The clergy assure that if the text of the prayer is difficult to learn, then it can be read in written form. Or state the request in your own words. We should not forget that after the fulfillment of a desire, it is necessary to come to the icon and thank.

miraculous icons

The icon represents the connection between God and man. This is an opportunity to join the Grace and receive it. This is faith in a happy deliverance from torment and sinfulness. This is an understanding that only suffering can purify the soul, bring peace to the heart, teach patience and forgiveness.

The miraculous icon is the concentration of Divine power. Not all images have survived to this day. And not all icons, being miraculous, were recognized by the church administration. There must be undeniable facts of healing, evidence of power in order for the image to be officially recognized. Only after that the icon receives the status of miraculous. Basically, such testimonies tell about healing during an epidemic, about saving the state from enemies or curing various diseases.

Miraculous icons of the Most Holy Theotokos can be found in different cities and countries of the world. They come to them with requests, prayers, hopes. They are united by the power of an image that is capable of introducing a miracle into ordinary human life.

Icon "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary"

Evidence of the Dormition (bodily transmigration) of the Theotokos can be found in various sources. However, Scripture does not say anything about this. Only the facts are known that during the VI Ecumenical Council it was decided to open the tomb. In it they saw only funeral clothes and a holy belt. The latter can still be found on the holy Mount Athos (Greece) in the monastery of Vatopedi.

Before her death, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Mother of God with the news that her life path would end in 3 days. Then the Lord will take her to himself. The funeral of the Theotokos took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. The sick, touching her bed, were healed. And 3 days after the funeral, the apostles did not find her body in the cave, only burial clothes remained there.

On August 28, the image of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated. The icon is exhibited in churches in Moscow and Kyiv.

The image helps to cope with the fear of death. You can ask for strengthening faith, humility. Getting rid of diseases also grants the "Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos." The icon, among other things, helps to comprehend one's deeds, strengthen one's virtues, and worthily walk one's life path.

"The Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos"

This name of the image is associated with the events of 1170. Troops besieged Veliky Novgorod. The townspeople prayed unceasingly for salvation. The Archbishop of Novgorod, while asking for help, heard the command of the Mother of God to raise her icon to the city walls. The face was taken to the wall, turned to the enemy troops. One of the arrows hit the image. The miraculous icon turned away from the attackers, depriving them of light and Grace. She turned to the besieged, granting them the miracle of salvation. At the same moment, confusion occurred in the camp of the enemy, fear seized them, and the enemies were defeated.

• Velikiy Novgorod;
• Moscow;
• St. Petersburg;
• Barnaul;
• Moore;
• Belgorod;
• Severodvinsk;
• Nizhny Tagil;
• Kursk.

The miraculous icon "The Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos" protects soldiers and the population in military conflicts. Helps travelers, reconciles the warring. Saves from diseases during epidemics, heals with eye diseases, blindness.

Annunciation is good news. Archangel Gabriel informs the Virgin Mary that Grace visited her. She will give birth to the Son of God and call him Jesus. The feast day of this miraculous icon falls on April 7th.

There is a legend according to which on the wall of one of the Kremlin towers during the reign of Ivan the Terrible there was the appearance of the icon of the Annunciation. It was in this tower that the unjustly accused governor was imprisoned. He prayed and asked for a miracle. In confirmation of his innocence, there was the appearance of the face of the Mother of God.

The icon of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos survived a fire in 1737. Then the Church of the Annunciation and the Tsar Bell burned down. But the icon remained untouched by the flames. It can be found in the temples of such cities:

• Moscow;
• St. Petersburg;
• Pereslavl-Zalessky;
• Nizhny Novgorod;
• Kazan.

They pray to the miraculous icon for deliverance from imprisonment and unjust attacks, for the healing of spiritual and bodily illnesses, for sorrows and temptations.

According to legend, this image was painted by the Apostle Luke. Allegedly, during the life of the Virgin, with her blessing, Luke created from 3 to 70 faces of the Mother.

The Virgin Mary had four inheritances - Iberia (Georgia), Athos, Kievan Rus, Diveevo monastery. There she was supposed to carry the word of God and sermons. The Mother of God did not manage to visit everywhere during her lifetime. But even after her death, she participated in the spread of the Christian faith with signs and visions.

The Iberian Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "The Goalkeeper" is a symbol of the protection of all true believers. She appears as an intercessor, guardian, comforter in all troubles and misfortunes.

The Iberian icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is in the churches of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Rostov-on-Don, Orel. There is it in the churches of Novgorod, Kursk, Pskov, Tambov regions. The days of celebration fall on February 25, October 26 and on Tuesday of Bright Week.

There are many written and oral testimonies of healing after prayer. The icon helps to find the strength in oneself for repentance, purification. Sinners come to her in search of a righteous path, with requests for protection and consolation. The icon relieves from bodily and mental illnesses. Before her, you can pray for the preservation of the house from fires, floods and other disasters.

The icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "The Goalkeeper" leaves riddles to this day. In 1981, a Greek monk created an image copied from the original. The icon turned out to be myrrh-streaming. It was brought to Montreal (Canada) in 1982 by Joseph Muñoz Cortes. After akathists, prayers before the image, severe, incurable diseases (leukemia, paralysis) were healed. The icon brought people back to spiritual life, delivered them from unbelief. In 1997, the keeper of the image of Cortes was killed. The icon has disappeared.

"Tenderness of the Most Holy Theotokos"

There are several well-known miraculous icons "Tenderness". Many lists have been made from them, which do not lose their fertile power.

The Smolensk icon "Tenderness of the Most Holy Theotokos" appeared in 1103. Polish invaders besieged the city. For 20 whole months, with the help of the miraculous image, the Smolensk troops held Smolensk, did not surrender it to the enemies.

The Pskov-Pechora Icon is famous for its miraculous healings. In the annals of Pskov and Veliky Novgorod, evidence dated 1524 has been preserved.

The Serafimo-Diveevo icon "Tenderness of the Most Holy Theotokos" was in the cell of the holy elder Seraphim of Sarov until his death. After that, several lists were made, which later also turned out to be miraculous. With oil from the lamp burning in front of the icon, the elder of Sarov anointed the sick, and they were cured.

The Novgorod icon "Tenderness" in 1337 hovered in the air above the church doors. Tears dripped from her eyes. Later in the same year, a pestilence began in the city. The townspeople prayed to the holy image to intercede for them. Soon the disease receded.

Prayer before the icon helps in troubles and misfortunes. Eliminates temptations, saves marriage. Gives pregnancy and easy childbirth. This image is considered feminine and helps in many illnesses and sorrows. Relieves eye diseases, blindness. Almost all the miraculous images of the Virgin are able to heal bodily and mental illnesses after prayers and Akathists.

"Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary"

Prophecies about the birth of the Virgin, who will become the mother of the Messiah, are already heard in the Old Testament. She came from an ancient family, which included many high priests, patriarchs, kings. Jokaim and Anna, the parents of the Mother of God, had no children for a long time. They earnestly prayed for a child to be born into the family. After 50 years of marriage, they were given the happy news of the conception and birth of the Queen of Heaven.

The icon "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary" tells of a joyful event. The birth and the whole subsequent life of Mary are imbued with faith, calmness, patience. No wonder she is considered an intercessor, comforter of all Christians and lost souls. The day of celebration is September 21st.

Often the icon "Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos" gave desperate parents a long-awaited child. Any prayer before the image is able to calm, heal the soul from insults and injustice. Especially effective are requests for lost souls, the return of faith, cleansing from sins, and the granting of spiritual and moral foundations. Prayers for children, family reunification, elimination of grievances and quarrels between spouses will also be heard.

The meaning of the icon

Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos personify the unity of God and man. As a simple woman, she gave birth to the Savior, as the Holy Virgin Mary stood next to him in Heaven. This is a combination of higher spirituality and understanding of human weaknesses. The image of the Mother of God is a collective image of a mother who knows how to forgive her children, stand up for them, understand them. Therefore, there are so many icons, prayers, holidays, memorable dates dedicated to the Mother of God.

Priests teach that there is no greater suffering on earth than to stand by and see the death of one's own child. The Most Holy Theotokos passed through the torments of sacrifice to spiritual transformation. The icon, whose meaning lies not in external brilliance, but in internal virtues, teaches the laity a lot...

The Mother of God spent her whole life in humility and patience. She lost her parents early. She married a widower whose sons did not love her, did not believe in Divine Grace. Her meekness and suffering became an amazing combination of earthly spirituality and heavenly holiness.

Formal reading of prayers, indifferent church attendance will not give the favor of the Virgin. Only by repentance, a pure heart, sincere love can one achieve the intercession of the Virgin.

The miraculous icons of the Most Holy Theotokos teach humanity, the ability to remain virtuous in all life situations. With humility endure difficulties, trials and know that even in sin you can repent and regain Grace.

Virgin Mother of God - without the Son-God-Infant in her arms. High above the worshipers in the church, She stretches out the canvas of Her veil, the omophorion. White linen, the fabric of Her robe, Her clothes. Like a bird with wings, She protects the gathered humanity.

From what does she protect and save? Is it from the wrath of the Son, who has departed forever from the sinful earth, resurrected, inaccessible-divine and impassive, judging trembling people from afar? But is Her Son, Christ God, striving for His Cross in order to give life to the world (John 6:48)?

He aspired to the Cross from the beginning of the world, from the Great Trinity Council. He is the "Great Council Angel". The Church Slavonic language, with all the power of figurativeness of its verbal forms, speaks of God the Son before His coming to earth: “Son of God, wanting to be embodied ».

“Desire to desire” (Luke 22:15) He will taste His Pascha of the Cross before the existence of the world, but how can a dispassionate God taste human suffering, refine it with fire and give it to the faithful as food in order to bring them to the divine radiance? God is incorporeal, moreover, He is so different from the world He created that it is impossible for either man or the whole world to comprehend and comprehend, and even more so, partake of His life.

What is impossible with men is possible with God (Luke 18:27). The salvation and healing of human nature was accomplished by the incarnate God-Man. “God became man so that man might become god,” wrote St. Athanasius the Great.

He became a man, He stepped on the ground. But He was not born in a lotus like the bodhisattvas of the East. Through the influx of the Holy Spirit of God, the Life-Giving One, He came by the way of the fetus and the baby, “passed through all ages in order to sanctify all ages” (St. Martyr Irenaeus of Lyon).

He was incarnated - he took on the fullness of human flesh, woven, woven, like a royal garment, purple, in the most pure womb of the One who loved God more than anyone on earth and waited more than anyone on earth for His truth to be revealed and His work of salvation to be accomplished. For the sake of this, the girl Mariam did not feel sorry for anything - neither Her good name, which would be vilified by gossips, nor Her very life, which would be deprived of Her zealots of the Law with stones in their hands ...

“Rejoice, scarlet, purple divine drenched from the blood of Your Kings to the forces! (Canon of the Mother of God on Saturday Akathist) - we sing to the Virgin Mary, the humble Servant of the Lord, with whom it came true according to His word.

She is like a living loom, on which thread after thread was woven in the depths of Her being the body of the God-man. She gave Him everything She had.

"Most pure, the purple robe of Emmanuel - His flesh has been consumed in Your womb" (Great Canon).

And She stretches out her hands with a white or crimson linen - after all, He bloodied His fingers, signing His New Law on the Cross, His unthinkable royal, imperial decree on our liberation from slavery. A canvas where hundreds and thousands of threads are cross-woven. Cloth, the image of the Flesh of the Resurrected His Son, who was dead, and - look! - alive forever and ever, amen (Rev. 1:18).

And She saves, and She protects, and She covers every person with the power of the God of the Word Born from Her, who desired to be incarnated - forever, forever.

And no one will separate us from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:35).

There are no words in your sadness
And in the throes of dumbness
Whose bonds, wounds, pain and blood
Are you paying?

The night does not shake the silence,
And in the heavy heat of the day
Whose thirst are you in a hurry to quench
Mystery water?

And with whom death longing
You share in a terrible hour,
On the way last through the crowd
Supporting us...

When difficult situations arise in life, each person hopes for help from Heaven. More often people turn to the Queen of Heaven - the great Patron of all mankind before the Almighty. Her image in every Orthodox church is located to the left of the Royal Doors.

A special place among the Mother of God icons is occupied by the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God. It is one of the most revered and famous shrines of Orthodoxy.

History of the Holy Face

During the 1st Ecumenical Council, adherents of the Aryan heresy were given firm support. Since then, peace and tranquility have come to the Orthodox Christian world. But at the beginning of the 9th century, fierce fighters with Orthodox images appeared, destroying the holy faces.

Just at that time, a pious believing widow with a teenage son lived on the territory of Nicaea (now Turkey). The woman had a fortune inherited from her late husband. With this money, the widow built a church, within the walls of which the icon of the Mother of God rested. The iconoclasts, having visited the temple, decided to take away her fortune from the woman, demanding a large sum of money. Hearing the refusal, one of the attackers, out of anger, plunged the sword into the Face of the Virgin.

And then a stream of real human blood flowed over the icon. The bandits were very frightened and ran out of the church, warning the widow that the next day they would return again for a debt.

When it got dark, the mother and son took the icon of the Mother of God and went to the sea. Putting the Face on the water, they beheld a miracle: the icon itself rose to a vertical position and floated in this state along the waves right into the open sea. Struck by what they saw, they returned home, but fearing the likely re-arrival of the robbers, they could not stay within their native walls.

Iberian Icon of the Mother of God

Appearance on Athos

The son went to Athos and accepted monasticism in the Iberian monastery. The story of how the icon itself rose on the waves and sailed into the sea, the newly-born monk told the brethren. But soon the elders, who were at the monastery gates, noticed a bright and huge column of fire rising above the surface of the sea. The sight was wonderful and terrible at the same time.

Mother guards the hearth, patronizes all Orthodox Christian women and intercedes for their needs before Her Son.

The original of the Holy Face of the Theotokos is kept on Mount Athos in the male Orthodox monastery of the icon of the Iberian Mother of God.

The celebration in honor of the Iberian Icon takes place several times a year: February 25, May 6, October 26, and also on Tuesday of the Easter week.

Watch a video about the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God

Icons of the Mother of God evoke a special feeling among Orthodox Christians. Photos with the names of the most famous images in Russia are presented on this page.

Through icons, believers turn to the Mother of God with prayers for the strengthening of faith, the healing of diseases, and the salvation of the soul.

How many icons of the Mother of God exist

No one knows exactly how many different images of the Mother of God are written. In the calendar published by the Moscow Patriarchate, 295 names are mentioned.

But according to iconography, the images of the Virgin are divided into only three types: Oranta (looks with arms raised up), Hodegetria (the baby blesses the Virgin), Eleusa (tenderness, clung to each other).

Icons of the Mother of God with photos and descriptions

Below is a list of Holy Faces, the most popular or, on the contrary, little known, whose history or description is very interesting.

"Kazan" Icon of the Mother of God

Celebrated on July 21 and November 4. The miraculous image saved the country in times of unrest, disasters and wars. Its meaning is in the preservation of the country under the shadow of the Virgin.

The most revered image in Russia. Found in 1579 in Kazan on fire during the persecution of Christians. Married couples bless them, they pray for the healing of eye diseases, for the reflection of a foreign invasion.

Icon of the Mother of God "Inexhaustible Chalice"

In 1878, a retired soldier suffering from hard drinking had a vision of St. Varlaam to go to the city of Serpukhov and pray there in front of a certain image. This icon turned out to be the now known “Inexhaustible Chalice”.

Icon of the Blessed Virgin "Feodorovskaya"

It is celebrated on March 27, and also on August 29. She is asked for a happy marriage and healthy children.

Possibly written by the apostle Luke. It was located in the XII century in the city of Gorodets. She miraculously moved to Kostroma: she was seen in the hands of St. warrior Theodore Stratilates, who walked with her through the city. Hence the name "Feodorovskaya".

"Sovereign" Mother of God

Celebrated March 15th. The meaning of the image lies in the fact that power over Russia passed from the king directly to the Virgin Mary.

Appeared in 1917 in the village of Kolomenskoye, in the Moscow region, on the very day on which Nicholas II abdicated. The Mother of God, as it were, received the state from the tsar.

"Vladimir" icon

Celebrated on June 3, July 6, September 8. The meaning of the image for Orthodox Christians is in the preservation of Russia from foreign warriors.

Written by the Apostle Luke on the tabletop of the Holy Family. Saved Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane. Under Soviet rule, she exhibited at the Tretyakov Gallery.

"Tikhvin" Mother of God

This image, according to legend, was written by the evangelist and apostle Luke. He miraculously appeared near the city of Tikhvin. Particularly remarkable among the many miracles revealed in the image was the salvation of the Tikhvin Monastery during the Great Northern War in 1613.

"Three-handed"

It is named after the miracle that happened to St. John of Damascus. His severed hand was rooted in place by prayer at the image of the Mother of God. In honor of this event, a silver hand was attached to the salary of the image.

"Unexpected Joy"

Celebrated on May 14 and December 22. The meaning of the image lies in the mercy of the Mother of God even to unrepentant sinners, leading them to repentance.

The icon is named in memory of the conversion of one lawless person who, with an Archangel greeting, asked for a blessing for his lawless deeds.

"Blessed Womb"

In the 14th century it was in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin. Glorified by many miracles.

"Annunciation"

The image is dedicated to the twelfth holiday of the same name.

"Blessed Sky"

Celebrated March 19th. The meaning of the image is that it is in this guise, according to the assumption, that the Blessed Virgin Mary will descend to earth, preparing people for the second coming of Christ.

The image was brought to Moscow by the Lithuanian princess Sofya Vitovtovna at the beginning of the 15th century.

"Joy of All Who Sorrow"

In 1688, the sick Euphemia, a relative of the patriarch, suffering from an incurable disease, was miraculously healed before this image.

"Upbringing"

Celebrated March 18th. The significance of the icon is associated with the education of the young generation in the Orthodox faith.

This is a Byzantine image known for many miracles. Helps parents and their children.

"Life-Giving Source"

It is celebrated on the fifth day after Easter. Pray for the preservation of prudence and a sinless life.

The icon is named in memory of the holy spring of water near Constantinople. In this place, the Virgin Mary appeared to Leo Marcellus and predicted that he would become emperor.

"Redeemer"

Celebrated October 30th. In 1841, in Greece, after a prayerful vigil in front of this image, the invasion of locusts was miraculously stopped.

The icon was with the family of Alexander III when their train was wrecked. It was on this day that they began to celebrate the name day of the icon, in commemoration of the salvation of the emperor.

"Key of Intelligence"

Pray for children who have difficulty learning. The icon is locally venerated, located in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Appeared in Russia in the 16th century, akin to the image "Addition of the mind."

"Mammal"

The icon was brought to Serbia from Jerusalem by St. Savva in the 6th century.

"Unfading Color"

Means the purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"Joy"

Celebrated on February 3rd. It means the great mercy of the Mother of God to sinners, despite even her Son.

The miraculous deliverance from the robbers who attacked the Vatopedi Monastery on Athos is connected with the image.

"Birth Assistant"

Helps with difficult childbirth.

"Self-written"

Locally venerated on Athos. It miraculously manifested itself with a pious icon painter from the city of Iasi in 1863.

"Quick listener"

Athos icon. From her came a miraculous healing of the sight of a disobedient monk.

"Assuage my sorrows"

Celebrated on February 7th. Relieves mental anguish. Many healings have come from her.

Brought to Moscow in 1640 by the Cossacks. She streamed myrrh in 1760.

"Healer"

The meaning is the comfort of the sick. Often decorates hospital temples.

Conclusion

Turning to these icons has always helped Orthodox Christians in difficult moments of life. And now, in the modern world, healings and miracles continue. New miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary appear.

The intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos will continue until the end of the history of the human race.

The icon of the Iberian Mother of God is one of the most famous on the sacred Mount Athos. The first mention of this image is recorded from the 9th century. However, Orthodox people believe that the face was created by the Evangelist Luke and was even written from the Mother of God herself.

Finding an image

Until the 9th century, information about the icon was not preserved - the first story associated with the Iberian Mother of God appears during the period of iconoclasm. Then the image was kept in the house of a wealthy widow who lived in Byzantium. She hid the icon for a long time, but one day the iconoclasts came to her. For a lot of money, the widow managed to persuade the soldiers not to destroy the image immediately, but to wait until morning. Already leaving, one of them, out of anger, pierced the icon with a spear, to the surprise of everyone, blood flowed from the face of the Virgin. This mark has survived to this day, and the soldier, struck by a miracle, later repented, became a monk and served God for the rest of his life.

The woman prayed all night for the salvation of the icon and received a sign from above - the Lord ordered her to lower the icon into the Mediterranean Sea, because that is how it could be saved. Despite her fears, the widow did what she was told and lowered the image into the water. The icon really did not get lost in the waves, moreover, it floated vertically on the sea, and not flat, and a bright column of light went up into the sky from the holy face.

After some time, the glow on the sea was noticed by the monks of the Iveron Monastery (Iveron, Georgian monastery) from Mount Athos. They tried for a long time to get the image, but only the hermit Gabriel the Svyatogorets succeeded, who went to the icon of the Virgin through the waters. Initially, the icon was placed in the temple, but on the fourth day it itself moved to the monastery gates. The monks tried several times to return her to the holy monastery, but in the morning the image was invariably found above the gates. And later, the Mother of God herself appeared to Gabriel and ordered him to leave the icon in the place where it is. After that, the image was also called the Goalkeeper (Portaitissa) or the Gatekeeper. It is believed that located above the gates, it guards the whole of Athos, and also warns of impending disaster.

Description of the original and lists

A distinctive feature of the icon of the Iberian Mother of God is a trace of a wound that was inflicted on the face of a soldier back in the 9th century. On the original, it is located on the chin and is still bleeding; on the lists, drops of blood are sometimes depicted on the cheek of the Virgin.

The ancient icon is quite massive - 137x87 cm. The image has two frames, one of which dates back to the 16th century. This riza was made by Georgian craftsmen; they decorated its reverse side with a cross with a monogram and the phrase "Christ bestows grace on Christians."

From an iconographic point of view, the image belongs to the "Hodegetria" type - the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ in her arms are depicted waist-deep, sitting straight. The Mother of God points with her right hand at the Savior, and he holds a scroll in his hands - a symbol of God's Word, which he brings to humanity.

The monks of Athos carefully keep the original image, but since the fame of it quickly spread throughout the Orthodox world, the icon painters of the monastery created lists, which they transferred to other churches. The first list for Russia was made in the 17th century, and on the day the icon arrived in the capital, October 13, 1648, a church holiday was established. At first, the image belonged to the temples of the Kremlin, and after that it was transferred to the Novodevichy Convent. In the twentieth century, the right to dispose of the miraculous icon passed to the authorities - it was taken from the monastery. The monastery managed to return its shrine only in 2012, and since that time one of the oldest surviving lists of the Iberian Mother of God is located here.

The icon is venerated three times a year: February 25, April 17, October 26.

Miracles of the Icon of the Iberian Mother of God

The original of the Iberian icon is kept in the Georgian monastery of Athos, and after its miraculous discovery in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, it never left the sacred mountain. This is one of the few icons that is not taken outside the holy place; you can see it only here. Moreover, the Athos hermit Nil Myrrh-streaming said that the Mother of God of Iberia would leave Iveron only before the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Last Judgment.

The warning about changes and trials that the Iverskaya icon bears is the main meaning of the image, in which it has helped people for many centuries. So, according to the assurance of the monks, the icon lamp located in front of the image sometimes begins to sway by itself. So it was before the Turks attacked Cyprus, the earthquake in Armenia and the attack on Iraq. But before the start of the First World War, the face of Christ on the icon changed features - instead of a meek, peaceful face, a formidable one appeared.

The icon saved the monks when the monastery was attacked by the Persians. The ministers prayed to the miraculous image, and their requests were heard. A strong storm began abruptly, destroying the entire army of the enemy, approaching the walls. Many ships were sunk, only the commander Amir remained alive. He was so amazed by the miracle that he gave the monastery most of the money to build a defensive wall.

What to pray for the icon

Known and documented are cases of miraculous healings after prayers before the icon of the Iberian Mother of God. So, there is evidence that people got rid of leukemia, paralysis and other serious illnesses. Often in churches you can see a lot of crosses and pendants decorating the image - these are the gifts of those whom the Mother of God helped to cope with ailments and troubles.

Just as the original of the icon protects Athos and warns of world cataclysms and wars, so even a small copy of the icon can protect the family. If you place it above the doors of the house, the Iberian Mother of God is able to turn away any misfortune from housing. The icon helps to get rid of evil people with bad intentions, protect the house from theft, fires.

Even at the beginning of its history, the icon made the sinner repent and come to the Church - the bleeding wound on the face of the Virgin remained an eternal reminder of that event. Therefore, believers often pray to the Iberian icon in moments of despair and disappointment. It helps to return to faith, to find peace, peace of mind.