15 WONDERFUL ICONS OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, IMPRINTED ON THE ICON "THE TREE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD". The icon of the Mother of God "The Tree of the Most Holy Theotokos" depicts 15 main miraculous icons (images) of the Most Holy Theotokos with the Infant Jesus Christ, located on a branchy tree. In the center of the tree is depicted the Bethlehem cave and the Mother of God with the Infant Jesus reclining in a manger. This Christmas of the Lord gave reason to depict the Ever-Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. That is why the icon of the Nativity is placed on the trunk of a symbolic tree and stands out in its larger size in comparison with other icons. The meaning of this icon is that it reflects the connection of all the icons of the Mother of God, like the branches of one tree, which grew in the sacrament of the Nativity of the God-man Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. You can pray in front of this icon to the Blessed Virgin and the Divine Infant. Since this icon is composite, i.e. consists of an image of 15 icons of the Virgin, then praying to her, as one image is not suitable. You can pray to each icon depicted, or simply to the Mother of God herself.

1. IVERSKAYA ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD.

Celebration in honor of the icon: February 12/25, October 13/26 and rolling on Tuesday of Bright Week. According to legend, this image was miraculously found on Athos, where he himself sailed, launched into the sea during the persecution of icons. In the Iberian Athos monastery it was placed above the gates, which is why it got the name “Goalkeeper”. More than once, the Mother of God gave her wonderful help through her during the attack of the Persians, in the years of famine. In 1656, the copy of the icon was transferred to Russia, and since then it has been giving abundant favors and is revered by the Orthodox people. Read more here: PRAYER: Oh, Holy Virgin, Mother of Christ of our God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! Listen to the painful sighing of our souls, look down from the height of Thy saint on us, who worship Thy most pure and miraculous image with faith and love. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You live with us, we offer our humble prayers. Not imams of more help, no other intercession, no consolation, only to You, O Mother of all who grieve and burdened! Help us the weak, satisfy our sorrows, guide us on the right path, the erring ones, heal our painful hearts and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our life in peace and repentance, grant us a Christian end and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, appear to us a merciful representative, yes we always sing, magnify and glorify Thee, like the good Intercessor of the Christian clan, with all who have pleased God, forever and ever. 2. KAZAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD.

Celebration in honor of the icon October 22 / November 4 and July 8/21 Appeared in 1579 in Kazan after a fire. The list from her was sent to Prince Pozharsky, who soon liberated Moscow. She helped the Russian army during the years of the Napoleonic invasion and in the Great Patriotic War. Before her they pray for the intercession of Russia, in various ailments, especially in diseases of the eyes. PRAYER: O Most Holy Lady, Lady of the Theotokos! With fear, faith and love in front of your honest and miraculous icon of Thy, we cringe, we pray to Thee: do not turn away Thy face from those who come running to Thee: pray, merciful Mother, Thy Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, may our country be preserved, His Church let him keep the holy unshakable one and deliver him from unbelief, heresies and schism. Not imams of more help, not imams of other hopes, are you, Most Pure Virgin: Thou art the all-powerful Christian helper and intercessor: save everyone who pray to You with faith from sinful falls, from evil slander, from all temptations, sorrows, diseases, troubles and sudden death: grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful life and forsaking of sins, and all gratefully singing of Your greatness and mercy, shown over us here on earth, with all the saints let us glorify the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. 3. The Earliness

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hearken" is one of the most ancient icons of the Mother of God. The prototype of the icon is located on Mount Athos, in the Dokhiar monastery. The history of this icon goes back over a thousand years. The legend about the icon. In the middle of the 17th century, the monk Nil asceticised in the Dochiar monastery, who obeyed the obedience of the referee. Each time he entered the refectory, he inadvertently smoked the image of the Mother of God with a torch that hung at the entrance to the refectory. Once, as usual, passing by the icon with a flaming torch, the monk Nil heard the words: "For the future, do not approach here with a lighted torch and do not smoke My image." At first, Neal was frightened by the human voice, but decided that it was said by one of the brethren and did not pay attention to the words. He continued, as before, walking past the icon with a lit torch. As time passed, the monk Nil again heard from the icon the words: “A monk unworthy of this name! How long have you so carelessly and so shamelessly smoked My image? " At these words the trapezary suddenly lost his sight. Deep repentance gripped his soul, and he sincerely confessed his sin of dishonorable treatment of the image of the Mother of God, recognizing himself worthy of such punishment. Neal decided not to leave the icon until he received the forgiveness of his sins and healing from blindness. In the morning, the brethren found him lying supine before the holy image. After the monk's story about what had happened to him, the monks lit an inextinguishable lamp in front of the icon. The guilty one himself prayed and cried day and night, addressing the Mother of God, so that soon his fervent prayer was heard. A familiar voice said to him, “Neal! Your prayer is heard, you are forgiven, and sight is again given to your eyes. And to erect all the brethren that I am the cover, providence and protection of their abode, dedicated to the Archangels. Let them and Orthodox Christians turn to Me in their needs, and I will not leave anyone unheeded: for everyone who comes running to Me with reverence, I will be intercession, and the prayers of all will be fulfilled by My Son and My God for the sake of My intercession before Him. From now on, this My icon will be called "The Quick-To-Heave" because the ambulance will show mercy to all those who come to her and will soon heed their petitions. " Following these joyful words, the sight returned to the monk Nile. This happened on November 9, 1664. The rumor about the miracle that had happened before the icon quickly spread throughout Athos, attracting many monks to worship the shrine. The brethren of the Docharian monastery laid the entrance to the refectory, in order to thus protect the place where the icon was located. On the right side, a temple was added, consecrated in honor of the image of the "Quick to Hearken". At the same time, a particularly reverent hieromonk (prosmonary) was elected to stay at the icon forever and perform prayers in front of it. This obedience continues to this day. Also, every Tuesday and Thursday evening, all the brethren of the monastery sings before the icon the touching canon of the Mother of God (in Greek "paraklis"), the priest commemorates all Orthodox Christians at the litanies and prays for the peace of the whole world. They pray in front of the icon when quick and urgent help is needed, for the healing of mental and physical ailments, including paralysis, blindness, cancer, and also ask for the birth of healthy children and the release of prisoners. PRAYER: Blessed Lady, Ever-ever Mother of God, God the Word, more than any word for our salvation, who gave birth to our salvation, and His grace is more abundant than anyone else, a sea that is manifested by Divine gifts and miracles, a ever-flowing river, pouring out goodness to all who come running to You with faith! Falling into Your miraculous image, we pray to You, all-generous to the Mother of the Human-loving Lord: surprise us with the abundance of Your mercy, and our petitions, brought to You, the Quick-To-Doer, hurry up to fulfill everything that is for the benefit of the consolation and salvation of some sort of arrangement. Visit, Abiding, Thy servants with Thy grace, give the ailing purpose and perfect health, overwhelmed by silence, captives freedom and various images of those who suffer, comfort, deliver, with all-mercy to the Lord, every city and country from gladness, ulcer, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and other executions, temporary and eternal, by Your motherly boldness averting the wrath of God: and spiritual relaxation, overwhelmed by passions and falls, let Your servants be free, as if you lived in all piety unchanged in all piety, and in the future of eternal blessings we will be made worthy of the Son of God and the grace of God befitting all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen. 4. INCREDIBLE BOWL.

Celebration in honor of the icon May 5/18. The Mother of God prays for all sinners and calls for an inexhaustible source of spiritual joy and consolation, proclaims that an inexhaustible cup of heavenly help and mercy is prepared for all who ask with faith. She is for prosperity in the house, and also helps to heal from addictions, drunkenness, drug addiction, gambling. PRAYER: Oh merciful Lady! We are now resorting to Your intercession, do not despise our prayers, but graciously hear us - wives, children, mothers and the grave illness of drunkenness, and for that for the sake of our mother - the Church of Christ and the salvation of those falling away, brothers and sisters and our kinsman heal. Oh, merciful Mother of God, touch their hearts and soon raise them up from the falls of sinful ones, bring them to saving abstinence. Pray for your Son, Christ our God, that he forgive us our sins and not turn away His mercy from His people, but may strengthen us in sobriety and chastity. Accept, Most Holy Theotokos, the prayers of mothers who shed tears for their children; wives who weep for their husbands; children, the orphan and the poor, abandoned by the deluded, and all of us, who fall to your icon. And may this cry of ours come, by Thy prayers, to the throne of the Most High. Cover and keep us from the crafty catching and all the intrigues of the enemy, in the terrible hour of our exodus, help us go through the unstoppable airy ordeals, with Thy prayers save us from eternal condemnation, may the mercy of God cover us forever and ever. Amen. 5. ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF VLADIMIR.

Celebration in honor of the icon May 21 / June 3, June 23 / July 6, August 26 / September 8 According to legend, dates back to the evangelist Luke - the first icon painter. At the beginning of the XII century. arrived in Kiev, and then Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky transferred her to Vladimir. The most famous miracles manifested from this image are associated with the deliverance of Moscow from the hordes of Tamerlane, Edigei and Makhmet-Girey, as well as help in the Time of Troubles. During a fire in the Moscow Kremlin in 1547, the Assumption Cathedral remained unharmed, which is also associated with the intercession of the Most Pure One, given through Her miraculous image. Before “Vladimirskaya” they especially pray for the preservation of the Fatherland from foreign invasion. Read more about the icon here: PRAYER: To whom shall we cry, Lady? To whom shall we resort in our sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will receive our weeping and sighing, if not You, most blameless, the hope of Christians and a refuge for us sinners? Who is more in your favor? Incline Thy ear to us, Lady, Mother of Our God, and do not despise those who demand Your help: hear our groaning, strengthen us sinners, give reason and teach, Queen of Heaven, and do not depart from us Thy servant, Lady, for our murmuring, but wake us Mother and Intercessor, and hand us over to the merciful protection of Thy Son: arrange for us, whatever will be more holy of Thy will, and lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life, so we mourn for our sins, so we will rejoice with You always, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen. 6. ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD SIGN.

Celebration in honor of the icon November 27 / December 10 This icon began to be revered as miraculous since the 12th century, when civil strife broke out between the Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal princes. Novgorod was besieged by a huge army, however, when the icon was carried around the city walls, the attackers were seized by terror, and they hurriedly withdrew. Subsequently, the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" became famous for the fact that it stopped a big fire that threatened to destroy the whole of Novgorod. Many signs of miraculous power are performed from this blessed shrine. Through this shrine, the Merciful Lady reveals the signs of Her protection and intercession both in national calamities and in the lives of ordinary people. Christian mothers who come to the realization of their powerlessness to give happiness to their children, to protect them from the always near and imminent danger, turn their eyes to this image and find support and help. Before the icon "Sign" they pray for the peace of the Fatherland, for deliverance from internecine strife, for deliverance from the fire. PRAYER: Oh, most holy and most blessed Mother of the sweetest of our Lord Jesus Christ! We fall and worship You in front of Your holy miraculous icon, which recalls the wondrous sign of Your intercession, to the great Novugrad from it, revealed in the days of the ratnago nan invasion. We humbly pray to Thee, the omnipotent intercessor of our kind: as if you were an old father to help us then, you accelerated us, so now we are weak and sinful in Your motherly intercession and welfare. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the roof of Thy mercy, Holy Church, Thy city (Thy abode) and our entire Orthodox country and all of us who fall to You with faith and love and tenderly ask with tears of Thy intercession, have mercy and preserve. To her, All-Merciful Lady! Have mercy on us, overwhelmed by many sins, stretch out your God-receptive hands to Christ the Lord and stand before us before His goodness, asking us for forgiveness of our sins, a pious life of peace, a good Christian end and a good answer at His terrible judgment: let Thy be saved by the All-powerful with prayers, we will inherit the bliss of paradise, and with all the saints we will sing the honorable and magnificent name of the venerable Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy towards us forever and ever. Amen. 7. Mammal

Celebration in honor of the icon January 12/25 Located on Athos, where she arrived from the Holy Land from the Lavra of Sava the Sanctified by the will of St. Savvas. The Mother of God is depicted nursing the Infant God. A copy of the Athonite image was sent to Russia in 1860. Before the “Mammal”, nursing mothers and childbirth especially pray in the care of motherhood. PRAYER: Receive, Madame Mother of God, the tearful prayers of Thy servants who come to You. We see Thee in the holy icon in our arms carrying and nourishing Thy Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ with milk. Even if and painlessly you gave birth to Him, moreover the mother of sorrow, weight and weakness of the sons and daughters of men. The same warmth, falling to Thy healing image and affectionately kissing this, we pray to Thee, All-Merciful Lady: we sinners, condemned to give birth to our children in illnesses and to feed our children in sorrows, mercifully spare and compassionately intercede, our babies, likewise from their grave ailment, and deliver bitter sorrow. Grant us health and prosperity, and we will be nourished from strength by strength, and those who feed them will be filled with joy and consolation, as even now, through Thy intercession from the lips of infants and pissing, the Lord will accomplish His praise. O Mother of the Son of God! Have mercy on the mother of the sons of men and on Thy weak people: heal the illnesses that beset us soon, quench the sorrows and sorrows that come upon us, and do not despise the tears and sighs of Thy servants. Hear us on the day of sorrow before your icon, those who fall, and on the day of joy and deliverance, receive the grateful praise of our hearts. Lift up our prayers to the throne of Thy Son and our God, may it be merciful to our sin and weakness and add His mercy to those who lead His name, as we, and our children, will glorify Thee, the merciful Intercessor and faithful hope of our family forever and ever, amen ... 8. DONIC ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD.

The Don Icon was painted by Theophanes the Greek, the teacher of the Monk Andrei Rublev. A characteristic feature of this image are the legs of the Infant God placed on the left hand of the Mother of God. In the same hand, the Blessed Virgin holds a cloth, drying tears and consoling those who weep. Before this image, they pray in difficult times for Russia, for help to the Russian army, for deliverance from the enemy. According to legend, the Cossacks found the icon floating on the waves of the Don. At the place where the icon was found, a prayer service was served, and then it was transferred to the temple. Soon the image of the icon became the regimental banner of the Don Cossacks. Under Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, the Russian army fought with an outnumbered horde of Mongol-Tatars. The Grand Duke was a zealous Christian - only having asked for favor in front of the icon of the Blessed Virgin, the prince ordered to gather an army in defense. Upon learning that the prince was heading to the battlefield, the inhabitants of the Don presented him with their main shrine - the icon of the Mother of God. Prayers before the miraculous image were offered up throughout the night. And during the battle, the icon was constantly in the camp of Russian soldiers. The historical battle on the Kulikovo field, which lasted a whole day and took, according to the legends of the chronicles, two hundred thousand human lives, is a clear miracle of the special intercession of the Mother of God. The Tatars fled, frightened by an amazing vision: in the midst of the battle, surrounded by flames and throwing arrows, a solar regiment marched on them under the leadership of the Heavenly Warrior. In 1591, for the granted victory and mercy shown through the Don icon at the behest of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich (then Russia was attacked from two sides at once - the Swedes went to Novgorod, the Crimean Tatars - to Moscow), the Donskoy Monastery was erected, where the list with miraculous icon. PRAYER: Oh, Most Holy Lady, Virgin Mary, our good and fast Intercessor. We sing of thanksgiving for Your wonderful deeds, we sing songs of Your inalienable intercession to Moscow and our country from ancient years. Regiments of strangers turn to flight, hailstones and towns are preserved unharmed from the fire, but people get rid of fierce death. The eyes of the tearful are dried up, the groans of the faithful are silent. Sadness is transformed into universal joy. Give us consolation in adversity, a revival of hope, an image of courage, a source of mercy, and grant inexhaustible patience in sorrowful circumstances. Give to each one according to his request and need. Bring up the infants, be young and brave and teach the fear of God, encourage the dull and support the weak old age. Soften your wicked hearts, fill us all with peace and love. Eliminate vices, so that our sins do not ascend before the Judge of all, so that the righteous wrath of God does not overtake us. Protect us with your cover from the invasion of enemies, from gladness, sword, fire and all other misery. We trust in Thy prayers to receive from the judge of God the forgiveness of sins and, after our death, at the right hand of the throne of the glory of the article, where You stand before the Holy Trinity in eternal glory. Oh, all-chanting Virgin, honor us with the face of angels and saints to praise the glorious Name of Thy Son with the Originless Father and the Life-giving Spirit forever and ever. Amen. 9. ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD IS WORTHY (BEHIND)

Celebration day 11 (23) June. The miraculous icon of the Mother of God "It is worthy to eat" is located in the capital of Athos, the city of Kars, on the high place of the altar of the cathedral church. The time of her appearance is determined by the year 980, the glorification - by the year 1864. This icon is especially revered for the following occasion. At the end of the 10th century, not far from the Athos Kareysky monastery, one old hermit lived in a cell with his novice. Once the elder went to the all-night vigil in the temple, and the novice remained in his cell to read the prayer rule. At nightfall, he suddenly heard a knock at the door. Opening it, the young man saw an unfamiliar monk in front of him, who asked permission to enter. The novice let him in, and together they began prayer chants. So their night service proceeded in its own order, until the time came to honor the Most Holy Theotokos. Standing in front of Her icon WORTHY IS THE "Merciful", the novice began to sing the generally accepted prayer: "The most honest Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim ..." : "It is worthy to be, as indeed, blessed Theotokos, the Most Blessed and Most Immaculate, and the Mother of our God." And then he added to this "The Most Honorable Cherubim ...". The monk ordered the novice to always sing in this place of worship the song he had just heard in honor of the Mother of God. Not hoping that he would remember such wonderful words of the prayer he had heard, the novice asked the guest to write them down. But there was no paper or ink in the cell, and then the stranger wrote the words of the prayer with his finger on the stone, which became unexpectedly soft like wax. Then he suddenly disappeared, and the monk only had time to ask the stranger his name, to which he replied: "Gabriel." The elder who returned from the temple was surprised to hear from the novice the words of a new prayer. After listening to his story about the wonderful guest and seeing the wonderfully inscribed letters of the song, the elder understood that the celestial dweller who had appeared was the Archangel Gabriel. The news of the miraculous visit of the Archangel Gabriel quickly spread across Athos and reached Constantinople. The Athonite monks sent to Constantinople a stone slab with a song to the Mother of God inscribed on it as proof of the truth of the message they were transmitting. Since then, the prayer "It is worthy to eat" has become an integral part of Orthodox divine services. And the icon of the Mother of God "Merciful", together with the previous name, is also called "It is worthy to eat." Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Merciful" or "It is worthy to eat" they pray for mental and physical illnesses, at the end of any business, during epidemics, for happiness in marriage, in case of accidents. PRAYER: O Most Holy and Gracious Lady Theotokos! Falling to Thy holy icon, we humbly pray to You, listen to the voice of our prayer, see sorrow, see our troubles and, like a loving Mother, begging for help to us helpless, pray Thy Son and our God: may not destroy us for our iniquity, but show philanthropy is our mercy. Ask us, Lady, from His goodness for bodily health and spiritual salvation, and a peaceful life, fruitfulness of the earth, goodness of air, and blessing from above for all our good deeds and undertakings ... Thy before Thy most pure icon and Thou sent an Angel to him to teach him to sing the Heavenly Song, the Angels praise Thee with it; so also now accept our fervent prayer offered to you. About the All-singing Queen! Stretch out your God-bearing hand to the Lord, in the image of the Infant Jesus Christ you wore, and beg Him to deliver us from all evil. Reveal, Mistress, Thy mercy to us: heal the sick, comfort the grieving, help the needy and grant us this earthly life piously, receive the shameful Christian death and inherit the Heavenly Kingdom by Thy motherly intercession to Him, born of His Father, Christ without our God. and the Holy Spirit befits all glory, honor and worship, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen. 10. POCHAEVSKAYA ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD.

The celebration in honor of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God on August 5 (July 23, old style) was established in memory of the deliverance of the Pochaev Lavra of the Assumption from the Turkish siege in 1675. The history of this miraculous icon of the Mother of God is inextricably linked with the Pochaev Monastery in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos (Ukraine). On the mountain where the Dormition Pochaev Lavra is now located, two monks settled in 1340. Once one of them, after praying, went to the top of the mountain and suddenly saw the Mother of God, standing on a stone, as if enveloped in flames. He called another monk, who was also honored to contemplate the miraculous phenomenon. The third witness to the vision was the shepherd John Bossoy. Seeing an unusual light on the mountain, he climbed it and, together with the monks, began to glorify God and His Most Pure Mother. After the phenomenon disappeared, an imprint of Her right foot remained on the stone where the Mother of God stood. This imprint has survived to this day and is always filled with water, which miraculously exudes the stone. The water in the foot does not become scarce, despite the fact that numerous pilgrims constantly fill their vessels with it to heal from ailments. The very same Pochaev icon of the Mother of God appeared in the monastery in the following way. In 1559, Metropolitan Neophytos from Constantinople, passing through Volhynia, visited the noblewoman Anna Goiskaya, who lived in the estate of Orlya, not far from Pochaev. As a blessing, he left her an icon of the Mother of God brought from Constantinople. Soon they began to notice that radiance emanated from the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God. When Anna's brother Philip was healed in front of the icon in 1597, she gave the image to the monks who settled on Pochaev Mountain. After some time, a church was built on the rock in honor of the Assumption of the Mother of God, which became part of the monastery complex. Throughout its history, the Pochaev Monastery has undergone many disasters: it was oppressed by the Lutherans, was attacked by the Turks, fell into the hands of the Uniates, but thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God, all adversities were overcome. When addressing the Mother of God "Pochaevskaya" they pray for protection from internecine enmity, from enemy invasion, for healing from blindness, both physical and spiritual, for release from captivity. The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered shrines of the Russian Church. PRAYER: O All-merciful Lady, Queen and Lady, chosen from all generations, and blessed by all heavenly and earthly generations! Look mercifully at the people who are standing before Your holy icon and earnestly towards You, praying this people, and make your intercession and intercession with Your Son and our God, so that no one will come out of his hope, thin and put to shame in his hope, but let him take everyone from You all, according to the good will of his heart and according to his need and demand, for the salvation of the soul and for the health of the body. Look with mercy, the All-singing Mother of God, and to this abode, which is named by Your name, even from the ancients you have loved, choosing it as your possession, and endlessly emanating currents of healing from Your miraculous icon and from an ever-flowing source, in the footsteps of Your feet, Yours, and save you from every slander and slander of the enemy, as long as you preserved by Thy appearance whole and intact from the lutago invasion of the Hagarian, so that the Holy Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is sung and glorified in it, and Thy glorious Assumption, forever and ever. Amen. 11. THE FYODOROVSKAYA ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD.

Celebration in honor of the icon March 14/27 and August 16/29 Named after the Fedorovsky Gorodetsky monastery, in which it was originally located. In the XIII century it was moved to Kostroma and helped to defend the principality from the Tatars. "Fedorovskaya" is a generic image of the royal house of the Romanovs, with which many Tsars were blessed to reign. She is revered as the patroness of Christian families, an assistant in childbirth and in raising children. PRAYER: To whom I call, Lady, to whom I will resort in my sorrow; to whom I will bring my tears and sighs, if not to You, Queen of Heaven and Earth: who will pluck me from the mud of sins and iniquities, if not You, O Mother of the Belly, Intercessor and Refuge of the human race. Hear my groaning, comfort me and have mercy in my sorrow, protect me in troubles and misfortunes, deliver from bitterness and sorrows and all ailments and diseases, from enemies visible and invisible, calm the enmity of those who are cold to me, so that I will be delivered from slander and human malice; so free me from my flesh of vile customs. Cover me under the shade of Thy mercy, so that I will find peace and joy and cleansing from sins. I entrust myself to Your Mother's intercession; wake me Mother and hope, protection and help and intercession, joy and consolation and speedy Help in everything. O wonderful Lady! Everyone who comes to You does not leave without Your all-powerful help: for this sake, I am unworthy of You, I run to You, may I be delivered from sudden and fierce death, the gnashing of teeth and eternal torment. I will receive the Heavenly Kingdom, and I will be honored to You in the tenderness of my heart, the river: Rejoice, Mother of God, our diligent Forerunner and Intercessor, forever and ever. Amen. 12. ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF MY SORROWS.

Celebration Day February 7 (January 25, old style) The icon of Our Lady "Satisfy my sorrows" was brought to Moscow by the Cossacks in 1640 during the reign of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich and was in the Church of St. Nicholas on Pupyshi in Sadovniki. This church kept records of many miracles that occurred from the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, but the fire in 1771 destroyed all documentary evidence. Tradition, however, preserved the memory of many miraculous events, the most famous of which is the following incident, which marked the beginning of the veneration of the icon as miraculous. One woman of noble birth, who lived far from Moscow, was bedridden for a long time, suffering from a debilitating illness. Doctors no longer hoped for her recovery, and the woman expected death. But once in a dream the sick woman saw the Mother of God, who told her: “Behave to take yourself to Moscow. There, on Pupyshev, in the Church of St. Nicholas, there is my image with the inscription: "Quench my sorrows", pray before him and you will receive healing. " The woman shared what she had seen with her relatives, and everyone with deep faith set off on a difficult path for the sick, and upon arrival in Moscow, they found the indicated temple. However, having examined the entire church, the arrivals did not find the image that appeared to the woman in her dream. Then the priest, to whom the patient turned for advice, ordered the attendants to bring all the icons of the Mother of God from the bell tower. Among the dilapidated and dusty icons brought, they found an icon of the Mother of God with the inscription: "Soothe my sorrows." Seeing him, the patient exclaimed: “She! She!" - and, before that had no opportunity to even move her hand, to the surprise of everyone, crossed herself. After the prayer service, the woman kissed the icon and rose to her feet completely healthy. This healing took place on January 25, 1760. A distinctive feature of the icon WELL MY SORROWS is that the Infant holds an unfolded scroll in his hands, the Mother of God props her cheek with one hand. PRAYER: Virgin, Lady, Mother of God, who, more than nature and words, gave birth to the Only-begotten Word of God, Creator and Master of all visible and invisible creatures, One of the Trinity of God, God and Man, made the abode of the Divine, a repository of all holiness and grace, in which, by the grace of God and the Father, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, bodily dwelt the Fullness of the Divine, incomparably exalted by divine dignity and prevailing over all creatures, Glory and Consolation, and the ineffable joy of Angels, the royal crown of the apostles and prophets, the natural and wonderful courage of the martyrs, the Champion in exploits and victories, preparing for the ascetics crowns and eternal and divine rewards, exceeding all honor, honor and glory of the saints, the infallible Guide and Mentor of silence, the door of revelations and spiritual mysteries, the Source of Light, the gates of eternal life, the inexhaustible river of mercy, the inexhaustible sea of ​​all godly gifts and miracles. We ask you and we beg you, most compassionate Mother of the philanthropic Vladyka, be merciful to us, your humble and unworthy servants, look mercifully at our captivity and humility, heal the contrition of our souls and bodies, scatter visible and invisible enemies, be for us, unworthy, before with the face of our enemies with a strong pillar, an abusive weapon, a strong militia, a Voevoda and an invincible Champion, show us now your ancient and wonderful mercies, so that our wicked enemies know that Your Son and God is one King and Lord, that You are truly the Mother of God, who gave birth to according to the flesh of the true God, that everything is possible for You, and whatever you desire, Lady, you have the power to accomplish all these things in Heaven and on earth, and for any request to grant what is useful to anyone: health to the sick, peace and quiet and good sailing. Travel to those who travel and protect them, save the captives from bitter slavery, comfort the sad, alleviate poverty and all other bodily misery: free everyone from mental ailments and passions, through Your invisible intercessions and suggestions, so that we may well and unmistakably improve the path of this temporary life, through You and these eternal blessings in the Kingdom of Heaven. Faithful, venerated by the terrible name of Thy Only Begotten Son, trusting in Thy intercession and in Thy mercy and in everything who have Thou as their Intercessor and Champion, strengthen them invisibly against the enemies around them, scatter the cloud of despondency that encircles their souls, deliver them from emotional distress and give them light complacency and joy, restoring peace and serenity in their hearts. Save with Thy prayers, Lady, this flock to Thee mainly dedicated to the flock, the whole city and country, from hunger, earthquake, drowning, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, internecine warfare, and everyone who righteously moved against us turn anger, according to the goodwill and grace of the Only Begotten Son and Thy God, all glory, honor and worship befitting Him, with His Beginning Father, with His eternal and life-giving Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever! Amen. 13. TIKHVIN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD.

Celebration in honor of the icon on June 26 / July 9 The first mention of it dates back to the 5th century. Within Russia, it was miraculously manifested in 1383, during the reign of Demetrius Donskoy, to fishermen who were fishing on Ladoga. Glorified by great miracles: the insight of the blind, the healing of the possessed. Among the memorable signs is the defense of the Tikhvin monastery from the Swedes. They especially resort to this icon in case of diseases of children. PRAYER: We thank You, O most blessed and most pure, blessed Virgin Lady, Mother of Christ of our God, about all Your good deeds, she has already shown you to the human race, especially to us, the honored people of Russia, about them, below, the most angelic language will be pleased with praise: You, as if even now you amazed Thy ineffable mercy on us, unworthy of Thy servants, by the natural self-coming of Thy pure icons, Thou hast enlightened the entire Russian state with it. The same we are sinners, worshiping with fear and joy, crying to Ty: O Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on the Holy Patriarch Alexy, bishops and all people, and grant them victory over all their enemies, and save all cities and countries Christian and this holy temple, and deliver from every slander of the enemy, and grant everything for the benefit to all who have come in faith and are praying Your servant and worshiping Your most holy image: as blessed are you with the Son and God born of You, now and ever and ever. eyelids of centuries. 14. CHERNIGOV ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD.

Celebration of the icon on April 29 (April 6, old style) The icon of the Mother of God of Chernigov Ilyinsky was glorified in 1662 in the Trinity Ilyinsky monastery near Chernigov. Through prayers to the Mother of God in front of Her miraculous image, the monastery was saved from the Tatars who attacked the monastery. From April 16 to April 24, almost all the inhabitants of Chernigov witnessed how tears flowed from this icon of the Mother of God. Shortly thereafter, the Tatars raided Chernigov and ravaged its surroundings. The monks of the Ilyinsky Monastery, having prayed to the Heavenly Intercessor before Her icon, took refuge in a cave. No matter how hard the Tatars who burst into the monastery tried to take possession of the jewels adorning the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, an invisible force did not allow them to touch the shrine. The same invisible force threw the Tatars back every time they tried to enter the cave where the monks were hiding. Frightened by the incomprehensible phenomenon, the Tatars fled. The miraculous copy (copy) of the Ilyinsky-Chernigov icon of the Mother of God, which became famous in the Gethsemane skete near the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, began to be called the Gethsemane Chernigov icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Currently, the original Ilyinsko-Chernigov Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is in the Chernigov Dormition Elets Monastery. PRAYER: Oh, Most Holy Lady, my Lady Theotokos, heavenly Queen, save and have mercy on me, your sinful servant, from vain slander, from all misfortune and misfortune and sudden death. Have mercy on me in the daytime hours, both morning and evening, and at all times preserve me: while standing, sitting, observe, and walking on every path, and at night sleeping, supply, cover and intercede. Protect me, the Lady of the Theotokos, from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and from all evil of the situation. At any place and at any time, awake, Mother Abiding, an invincible wall and a strong intercession. Oh, Most Holy Lady, Lady, Virgin Mary, accept my unworthy prayer and save me from vain death, and grant me repentance before the end. Holy Mother of God, save us. You are the guardian of all life to me, Most Pure One! Deliver me from demons at the hour of death! You will rest after death! We run to your mercy, Virgin Mary, do not despise our prayers in sorrow, but save us from troubles, one pure and blessed. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Amen. 15. ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF SMOLENSK (HODEGETRIA).

Celebration in honor of the icon July 28 1/10 August Its origin, like the “Vladimirskaya” icon, is associated with the evangelist Luke. The image was transferred to the Russian land in the 11th century, when the Byzantine emperor Constantine blessed her daughter Anna, married to the Chernigov prince Vsevolod. Hence the icon received another name "Odigitria" ("Guide"). By the Intercession of the Mother of God, revealed through this icon, Smolensk was delivered from Batu, and in 1812 during the Patriotic War it was carried before the troops on the Borodino field. Before the icon "Smolenskaya" they pray for the preservation of the Fatherland from foreign invasion, for travelers, wondering what to do. PRAYER: Oh, the most wonderful and superior of all creatures to the Queen of the Mother of God, the heavenly King of Christ our God, Mother, Holy Hodegetrie Mary! Hear us, sinful and unworthy, at this hour in front of Thy most pure image, falling down, and sweetly saying: take us out of the moat of passions, Good Odigitria, deliver us from all sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all misfortune and evil slander and unrighteousness : can you, O gracious Mother of ours, not just save Thy people from all evil, but also provide and save with every good deed: unless Thou art another intercessor in troubles and circumstances and a warm intercessor for us sinners to Thy Son, Christ our God, imams: Beg him, Lady, to save us and to grant the Kingdom of Heaven, that we glorify Thy salvation and in the future, as the culprit of our salvation, and we exalt the all-holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity we glorify and worship God, in eyelids of centuries. Amen. THE HOLY MOTHER OF OUR MOTHER, THE HARDWARE OF THE CHRISTIAN KIND, SAVE US SINS !!! #OrthodoxPrayers

The icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered icon-painting images among the Orthodox world. It is the image of the Most Holy Theotokos that has always been, is and will be a symbol of the intercessor and guardian of the Russian people. Is it enough to remember the fact how the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, according to historical information, helped the Russian people to win the Great Patriotic War. The troops entered the war with a highly raised icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, namely the Kazan Mother of God. It was the same during the Patriotic War of 1812. Since then, it has become a tradition that the image of the Mother of God began to be the protector and patroness of the Russian land, and her icon - a symbol of faith and hope for the salvation of all Orthodox people.

But, despite the indicated general meaning, there are several varieties of icons of the Virgin Mary and variations of their icon painting, and each type has its own special meaning for the Orthodox believer. Below we give the iconographic types of images of the Most Holy Theotokos and their dogmatic meaning.

There are five types of images of the Mother of God visualized in iconography:

1.Hodegetria(Guidebook);

2. Eleusa(Tenderness);

3.Oranta, Panagia and the Sign(Praying);

4. Panahranta and the All-Tsaritsa(All-merciful);

5. Agiosoritissa(Intercessor).

First type - Guidebook

Odigtria- the most common type of icon painting of the Mother of God, according to some information, for the first time written by the Evangelist Luke. This type is usually depicted as follows: The Most Holy Theotokos is shown up to the waist or, in the case of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, up to the shoulders, less often - in full height. A characteristic sign of its location is considered to be a slight tilt of the head towards his son Jesus Christ. The Mother of God holds him on her left hand, and points to him with her right hand. Jesus Christ, in his left hand, holds a scroll, less often a book, which symbolizes the image of Christ the Almighty.

Meaning this type of icons is the mutual relationship between mother and son. But the semantic load in this case is not an expression of boundless love, as in other icons of saints, but an indication of Jesus Christ as the Almighty Tsar. From a dogmatic point of view, this is the meaning of the appearance of the Heavenly King and Judge in the world and the indication of it by the Virgin Mary as the true Path for every believer. Therefore, this type of iconography is called the Guidebook.

The second type - Affection

Eleusa is always portrayed like this: the Virgin Mary presses Jesus Christ to her cheek, thereby showing her love, tenderness and compassion to him. In this type of image, there is no distance between the son and the mother, which symbolizes boundless love and unity. And since the image of the Mother of God is a symbol and ideal of the human race (the earthly Church), and Jesus is a symbol of the Heavenly Church, this type of icon painting of the Most Holy Theotokosthe unity of heavenly and earthly, divine and human matters. Also, one of the main meanings is the expression of God's boundless love for people, since the love and compassion of the Virgin Mary depicted on the icon reminds us of his great sacrifice for the salvation of all mankind.

Third type - Praying

There are three subspecies of this type of image of the Mother of God in icon painting -Oranta, Panagia and the Sign. The most popular is the Omen. The Virgin Mary is depicted waist-deep or full-length with arms raised up, and Jesus Christ is depicted in the middle at the level of his mother's chest and his head is in a holy halo (medallion). The meaning of this subtype of icons is the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary of the birth of Jesus Christ, the foreshadowing of the Nativity of Christ and subsequent events that occur after it. This type of iconography of the Virgin Mary distinguishes it from other icons by its monumentality and symmetry in the image.

Fourth type - All-merciful

In this type of image, the Mother of God sits on a throne or throne, which symbolizes her royal majesty, and on her knees she holds the son of Jesus Christ. The meaning of this icon is the greatness of the Virgin Mary, as the all-merciful queen and intercessor of the earth.

Fifth type - Intercessor

In the fifth type of Agiosoritissa, the Mother of God is depicted without her son Jesus Christ. Her image is executed in full growth and turned to the right, and her hands are given to God, in one of which there may be a scroll with a prayer. The meaning of the icon is a prayer for the intercession of mankind by the Most Holy Theotokos before Jesus Christ.

So, we examined 5 types of icon painting of the Mother of God in the Orthodox tradition and their dogmatic meaning. But the people also have their own meanings ascribed to each of them. We have already written about strength and action of miraculous icons, and the icons of the Mother of God are not an exception here, but rather the opposite - an indicator. Each of the types of icons presented has its own miraculous properties.

One of the few who is able to pray for icons is Marfa Ivanovna... Her ability to endow icons with great powers has long been beyond doubt. Perhaps no one can boast of such a huge number of saved destinies. It was she who was the first to understand that each person needs an individual approach, which means that the prayer of the icon must be done individually for each person. The icons prayed by Martha Ivanovna will serve as protection for very long years.

Consider the prayers to the icon of the Mother of God, as well as the most popular icons and signs associated with them.

Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

The most revered icon of the saints. It is believed to assist in blessing marriage and family well-being. She also helps in work and intercession from enemies. But it is especially strong as a talisman for babies and newborns.

Before the icon Vladimir Mother of God pray for the humility of those at war, the pacification of evil hearts and the healing of the possessed. This icon is especially useful for women, as it helps them get rid of infertility and other diseases of the female genital organs, accompanies easy childbirth and the health of newborns. It also helps to get rid of any sadness.

"Quick Listener"

People resort to this icon with prayer at the hour when an ambulance is needed. They ask her to get rid of mental and physical ailments, in particular, such as paralysis, blindness and cancer. More than once, the "Quick to Hearken" showed her miraculous power in the release of prisoners.

Iberian icon of God mothers - the keeper of the family hearth and the guardian of all women. The icon helps to remove the celibacy crown, to meet your betrothed or betrothed. They also ask the icon for consolation in sickness and sorrow.

Everlasting color. People pray to this icon only with pure thoughts and desires, as it symbolizes purity and innocence. Therefore, often, prayers are offered to her for the preservation of a righteous life, for protection from slander and evil enemies. They also ask this icon for a good and faithful spouse.

In this article, we examined the meanings of various types of icons depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary, and also noted the miraculous properties of the most popular of them. But no matter what kind the icon of the saint is, thanks to faith, sincere prayer and repentance, the image of the Mother of God will never leave any true believer in trouble and sorrow. Even if you do not know the canonical prayers, you can just talk to the icon. It is important that your independent prayer sighing is frank and you trust in the power of this or that icon. And in a simple life and in addressing an icon, say more often:"Mother of God, help and have mercy on me, a sinner."

N.V. Kvlividze

Iconography of the Most Holy Theotokos

The images of the Mother of God occupy an exceptional place in Christian iconography, testifying to Her significance in the life of the Church. Veneration of the Mother of God is based on the dogma of the Incarnation: "The indescribable word of the Father, from you the Mother of God is described to be incarnate ..." (kontakion of the 1st week of Great Lent), therefore, for the first time Her image appears in such subjects as "The Nativity of Christ" and "The Adoration of the Magi." Hence, other iconographic themes subsequently developed, reflecting the dogmatic, liturgical and historical aspects of the veneration of the Virgin. The dogmatic meaning of the image of the Virgin is evidenced by Her image in the altar apses, as She symbolizes. The history of the Church from the prophet Moses to the Nativity of Christ appears as the action of the Providence for the birth of that one, through which the salvation of the world will be realized, therefore the image of the Mother of God occupies a central place in the prophetic row of the iconostasis. The development of the historical theme is the creation of the hagiographic cycles of the Mother of God. The most important aspect of the veneration of the Mother of God, as evidenced by many miraculous icons, is the belief in Her intercession for the human race "all the days." The main directions of veneration of the Mother of God manifested themselves in various forms. Temples are dedicated to her, her images occupy an important place in the system of temple decoration, largely determining its symbolism. The iconography of the Mother of God is distinguished by a variety of types, icons, objects of plastic art, including decorations of the Mother of God images, are widespread. The icons of the Mother of God and their liturgical veneration contributed to the formation of developed liturgical ranks, gave impetus to hymnographic creativity, created a whole layer of literature - legends about icons, which in turn was the source of the further development of iconography.

The veneration of the Mother of God developed primarily in Palestine. The most important events in the life of the Mother of God were associated with the cities of Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Her relics and Her first icons were kept there. In these memorable places, churches were built in honor of the Annunciation and the Nativity of Christ. Constantinople was a significant center of veneration of the Mother of God, where the most ancient icons and shrines of the Mother of God were gathered, temples were built in Her honor, and the city was conceived under the protection of the Most Holy Virgin. After the Third Ecumenical Council, the veneration of the Mother of God became widespread throughout the Christian world. From the VI century. icons of the Mother of God play an important role in the veneration of the Mother of God. The main types of images of the Virgin formed already in the pre-iconoclastic period, the earliest are in the paintings of the Roman catacombs: the image of a seated woman with a naked baby in her arms in the Velato cubicle of the Priscilla catacombs (2nd half of the 2nd century - 1st half of the 3rd century) interpreted as the image of the Mother of God; also in the catacombs of Priscilla there is a fresco representing the Mother of God on the throne in the scene "Adoration of the Magi" (IV century). The decisive role in the addition of the iconographic type "Theotokos enthroned" was played by the frescoes of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome (432–440), where for the first time in Christian art this image was presented in the apse conch (not preserved). The image of the Mother of God on the throne, placed from the 5th century. in the conchs of the altar apses, replaced the images of Jesus Christ that were located there in an earlier era (Cathedral of St. Euphrasian in Porec (Croatia), 543–553; Panagia Kanakarias in Litrangomi (Cyprus), 2nd quarter of the 6th century). Images of the Virgin with the Child enthroned are also found on the walls of the central naves of the basilicas (Sant Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, VI century; Great Martyr Demetrius in Thessalonica, VI century; Felix and Adauctus in the catacombs of Priscilla in Rome, VI century), on icons (for example, from the monastery of the Great Martyr Catherine on Sinai, VI century), as well as in works of small plastic (for example, ampoules of Monza (treasury of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Monza in Italy), diptychs (avorii , VI century, State museums of Berlin)).

Another common type of depiction of the Blessed Virgin is Oranta, where the Mother of God is represented without the Child with her hands raised in prayer (for example, on ampoules from the treasury of the Bobbio Cathedral) (Italy), on the relief of the door of the Church of Santa Sabina in Rome, c. 430, on a miniature from the Gospel of Rabbula (Laurent. Plut. I.56. Fol. 277, 586), on the frescoes of the apse of St. Apollonius in Bawit (Egypt, 6th century) and the Chapel of San Venancio in Rome (c. 642), as well as on the bottoms of glass vessels (see: Kondakov, pp. 76–81)).

One of the most widespread is the image of the Mother of God Hodegetria, named after the church in Constantinople, in which this revered icon was located. According to legend, it was written by the Evangelist Luke and sent from Jerusalem by Emp. Evdokia. The earliest depiction of Hodegetria was preserved in miniature from the Gospel of Rabbula (Fol. 289 - full-length). On icons of this type, the Mother of God holds the Child on her left hand, the right one stretched out to Him in prayer.

During the period of iconoclastic persecution, the miraculous image of the Mother of God, according to legend, appeared during the life of the Blessed Virgin on the pillar of the temple built by the apostles in Lydda, became widely known. A copy of the image not made by hands, brought from Palestine by Patriarch German, is revered as the miraculous Lydda (Roman) icon of the Mother of God (the image of Hodegetria with the Child on her right hand).

In Constantinople, the image of the Virgin of Nicopeia was especially venerated, holding with both hands, like a shield, a medallion with the image of the Infant Christ. This image is first encountered on the seals of the imp. Mauritius (582-602), which, according to legend, the icon accompanied in wars. The establishment of the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is also associated with the Emperor Mauritius. Images of the Mother of God with an oval icon of Christ in her hands are known in the murals of the monastery of St. Apollonia at Bawit and the Church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Rome (8th century). In the East during this period, the image of the Mother of God the Mammal (frescoes of the monasteries of St. Jeremiah in Saqqara (5th century) and St. Apollonius in Bawit) was widespread, emphasizing the theme of motherhood and the incarnation of God.

The types of images of the Virgin that appeared in early Christian art were further spread and developed in the art of Byzantium, the Balkans, and Ancient Rus. Some iconographic versions have remained almost unchanged, for example, the image of the Mother of God on the throne with the Christ Child, sitting frontally on the Mother's lap, She holds Him with her right hand at the shoulder, and with her left at the foot. Such an image is most often presented in the conch of the altar apse (in the churches of St. Sophia of Constantinople, 876; in the catholicon of the Osios Lukas monastery in Phocis (Greece), 30s of the XI century; in the Church of the Great Martyr George in Staro-Nagorichino (Macedonia ), 1317–1318; in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in the Ferapontov monastery, 1502, etc.). A repetition of the ancient pattern is the image in the altar of the church of St. Sophia in Ohrid (30s of the XI century) of the Mother of God Nikopea, holding the image of the Infant in a medallion, at the same time, in the post-iconoclastic period, the type of the Mother of God Nikopeia (in height) with the Infant depicted not in the medallion (for example, in Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Nicaea, 787 (not preserved); in St. Sophia of Constantinople, 1118; in the cathedral of the Gelati monastery, c. 1130). The type of the Virgin with the image of the Child in the medallion is known in several versions: with the image in front of the chest, in the height of Orant, Vlahernitissa (Great Panagia) (marble relief of the 12th century from the Church of Santa Maria Mater Domini in Venice; icon of the Mother of God with the prophet Moses and the Patriarch Euthymius (XIII century, Monastery of the Great Martyr. Catherine on Sinai), the icon "Yaroslavl Oranta" (XII century, Tretyakov Gallery); painting of the Church of the Savior on Nereditsa, 1199 (image not preserved)), and a half-length image (in the Russian tradition it is known as the "Sign", for example the icon of the Mother of God from the Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod, around 1160; mosaic of the narthex of the Chora monastery (Kakhriye-jami) in Constantinople, 1316-1321). Numerous iconographic variants were given by the Hodegetria type, which includes such miraculous icons as Smolensk, Tikhvin, Kazan and others. In the post-iconoclastic period, the images of the Mother of God Eleusa (the Merciful), Glykophilus (Sweet kiss; in the Russian tradition, Tenderness), also known as Vlachernitissa (icon of the XII century, the monastery of the Catherine the Great Martyr on Sinai), where the Mother of God and the Infant are depicted in mutual caressing ( fresco of the Tokaly-kilise church, Cappadocia (X century), Vladimirskaya, Tolgskaya, Donskaya icons of the Mother of God, etc.). This type of images emphasizes the theme of motherhood and future suffering of the Divine Infant, most vividly expressed in Pelagonitis, a miraculous image from the Pelagonian Diocese in Macedonia. In the Russian tradition, this icon was called "Vygranie" (a fresco of the monastery of the Church of the Great Martyr George in Staro-Nagorichino (Macedonia), 1317-1318; an icon from the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Zrza (Macedonia), XIV century), since the Infant is depicted on it bursting from the hands of the Virgin. The theme of Christ's suffering is also expressed in the iconography of the Passionate Virgin, usually presented in the type of Hodegetria (fresco of the Church of Panagia Arakos in Lagudera) or Tenderness (Russian icon of the 13th century, TGOM; icon of the 15th century (Byzantine Museum)), with angels on the sides, which hold the instruments of passion.

The images of the Mother of God in prayer, in addition to the frontal position, can represent a figure in a 3/4 turn. Such images have been known since pre-iconoclastic times. The hands of the Mother of God are prayerfully stretched out to Christ, for example, in the images of the Mother of God Agiosoritissa (Chalcopratic) (mosaic in the Church of the Great Martyr Demetrius in Thessalonica, VI century (not preserved), miniature from the Christian topography of Cosmas Indikoplov (Vat. Gr. 699 Fol. 76, IX century); the icon of the XII century (the monastery of the Great Martyr Catherine on Sinai); the icon from the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, XIV century) and in the compositions of Deesis, as well as the Mother of God Paraklisis (Intercessor), holding hands a scroll with the text of a prayer addressed to Christ (mosaic of the Church of the Great Martyr Demetrius, VII century; Bogolyubskaya icon of the Mother of God (Assumption Cathedral of the Princess of the Monastery in Vladimir, mid-XII century); icon from the Cathedral in Spoleto (Italy); XII century ., fresco of the cathedral of the Mirozhsky monastery in Pskov, XII century; mosaic of the Martorana church in Palermo (Sicily), XII century).

Often, the names of certain iconographic types are identified with the epithets of the Virgin or are toponyms indicating the place where the revered image is located (in the Russian tradition, they received their name, which does not always literally convey the original), and can be found on icons of various versions. The aforementioned icon of the Eleusa type from the VIC monastery. Catherine on Sinai (XII century) is accompanied by the inscription "Blachernitissa", which is associated with the existence of a revered image of this type in the Blachernae temple of Constantinople. On a mosaic icon of the same type from the Byzantine Museum (XII century) is written a surety, intercessor or patroness; images of Hodegetria may have the inscriptions “Eleusa” (Khilandar monastery, Athos, XIV century), “Beautiful” and “Soul-Redeemer” (both - XIV century, museum in Ohrid (Macedonia)); "Graceful" and "Tsaritsa" (both - XVI century, STSAM), etc .; on the icon of the Mother of God Oranta with the image of the Child in front of the breast is inscribed "Guide" (15th century ?, TsAK MDA).

Symbolic epithets of the Mother of God can be the name of a certain iconographic type. These icons include, for example, the image of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Source", which was located in the temple of the same name near Constantinople. The Mother of God is depicted up to the waist in a phial (bowl with a fountain), without the Child, with her hands raised in prayer (mosaic of the Chora monastery in Constantinople; the Church of the Holy Archangels in Lesnov (Macedonia), 1347-1348) or with the Child, Whom She holds with both hands (fresco of the monastery of St. Paul on Mount Athos, 1423; Russian icon 1675, TsMiAR). Icons based on the literary epithets of the Mother of God were especially widespread in the Russian milieu, such as "Unfading Color", "Blissful Womb", "Seeking the Perished", "Joy of All Who Sorrow", "The Assistant of Sinners", "Burning Bush", "Mountain non-handcrafted "," Impassable Door ", etc.

The richest source of the Theotokos iconography is liturgical texts, primarily hymnographic. The heyday of this type of iconography falls on the line. XIII-XVI centuries Extensive poetic cycles dedicated to the Mother of God are illustrated, both the Akathist of the Mother of God, and individual chants, the central image of which is the Mother of God, for example, the stichera "What shall we bring to Christ" ("Cathedral of Our Lady" - a fresco of the Church of the Savior of the Monastery of Zicha (Serbia), XIII century .; fresco of the Church of the Theotokos Perivepte in Ohrid, 1295; an icon of the late XIV - early XV centuries, State Tretyakov Gallery); sponsor of the liturgy of St. Basil the Great “Rejoices in Thee” (icon of the late 15th century, State Tretyakov Gallery); fresco of the Nativity Cathedral of Ferapontov Mon-rya, 1502); the verse "It is worthy to eat" (icon of the middle of the 16th century, the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin), theotokos of the 1st hour "What shall we call Thee" (icon of the 17th century, TsMiAR). Among the liturgical images is also the Praise of the Mother of God, based on the chant “From Above the Prophets of Thy Forerunner” (an icon of the 14th century and a fresco of the 15th century from the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin; icon of the 16th century, State Russian Museum). The theme of the icons is the events celebrated by the Church, connected with the veneration of the Mother of God and shrines - “Protection of the Most Holy. Virgin Mary "(the stamp of the western gate of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin in Suzdal, XII century; the icon of the XIV century, NGOMZ; icon of the XIV century, Tretyakov Gallery)," Position of the robe of the Most Holy. Theotokos "(15th century, TsMiAR).

In addition to liturgical texts, the icons of the Mother of God may be based on historical narratives. For example, the events of the siege of Pskov by the troops of Stephen Batory in 1581 are captured on the miraculous Pskov-Intercession Icon of the Mother of God (comes from the Church of the Intercession from Prolom, abducted during the Great Patriotic War, from 7.09.2001 in the Trinity Cathedral in Pskov.

In close connection with the formation of the iconography of the Theotokos holidays is the development of the hagiographic cycle of the Virgin, at the heart of its images are the apocryphal Proto-Gospel of James, the Word of the Apostle John the Theologian on the Assumption, the Word of St. John Thessaloniki and a number of other texts telling about the events of the life of the Virgin from Her conception by the barren Anna to the Assumption. Separate images of apocryphal subjects were already known in the pre-iconoclastic period, for example, a plate with scenes "Annunciation" and "Trial by water of conviction" (6th century, GMVI). The painting of the Kyzylchukur church (Cappadocia; 850–860) contains the earliest hagiographic cycle of the Mother of God, including 10 scenes from the Annunciation to the Entry into the Temple of the Mother of God. The same subjects are presented in miniatures of the Minology of Vasily II (Vat. Gr. 1613, 976–1025) and mosaics of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Daphni (c. 1100). In the painting of the Cathedral of St. Sophia of Kiev (30s of the XI century), the proto-evangelical cycle, ending with the scene "Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth", is presented in the southern apse, to the right of the central altar; in the cathedral of the Mirozhsky monastery in Pskov (40s. XII century) cycle, located in the south-west. compartment, included more than 20 tracks (saved. 16); in the Novgorod churches of the Nativity of the Virgin of the Anthony Monastery (1125), the Annunciation in Arkazhi (80s of the XII century), Savior on Nereditsa (1199, frescoes not preserved), George in St. Ladoga (2nd half of the 12th century) the hagiographic cycle of the Mother of God is on the altar. The proto-Evangelical cycle may include compositions: the bringing of gifts by the righteous Joachim and Anna, the rejection of gifts, the weeping of Joachim and Anna, the prayer of Anna, the prayer of Joachim, the test of the scriptures, the gospel to Anna, the evangelism to Joachim, the meeting of Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate, the Nativity of the Most Holy. Theotokos, caressing Mary, feeding Mary, the first seven steps of the Most Holy. Theotokos, bringing to the elders, introduction to the temple, praying for wands, presenting Mary to Joseph, Joseph leads Mary to his home, Annunciation at the well, meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, reproaches of Joseph, Joseph's dream, testing of conviction by water.

In the XIII-XIV centuries. The hagiographic cycle of the Mother of God expands due to the narration of the Dormition of the Mother of God, which includes scenes: farewell to the Jerusalem wives, farewell to the apostles, the Ascension of the Mother of God and the presentation of the belt, the transfer of the body of the Virgin to the burial place, the angel cutting off the hands of the wicked Avfonia, the apostles at the empty tomb of the Virgin. One of the examples of such a lengthy cycle is the painting of the Church of the Theotokos Perivepte (St. Clement) in Ohrid (1395). Scenes from the Proto-Evangelical and Dormition cycles occupy the middle register of the southern wall and the western wall (for example, in the Church of Joachim and Anna (Kraleva) of the Studenica monastery (Serbia), 1314). In the church of the Chora monastery, 20 compositions of the proto-evangelical cycle are presented on the vaults and walls of the exonartex.

In the XV-XVI centuries. in Russian art, icons of the Mother of God with scenes of life in brands are spreading. Similar images were known in Byzantine art (diptych of the 12th century, Berlin State Museum). On Russian icons, among the subjects of the Dormition cycle, the following stand out: The Prayer of the Mother of God on the Mount of Olives, the Mortal Annunciation, the Position of the Robe and Belt of the Virgin (the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God with the stamps of life, 15th century, NGOMZ; Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, 16th century, State Tretyakov Gallery). The hagiographic icons of the Mother of God were the basis for the development of a fundamentally new type of icons with the tale of miracles. This iconographic type, known in Byzantine art, developed in Russia in the 2nd half. XVI-XVII centuries, which is associated with the liturgical veneration of miraculous icons and the compilation of special services by them. The development of the text of the legend was directly reflected in the monuments of the iconography of the Mother of God, based on various versions of the text ("Vladimir icon with the stamps of the legend of Temir-Aksak", 16th century, PGHG; "Vladimir icon with 64 stamps of the Legend of her miracles", 17th century. , TsMiAR; Tikhvin icon, 16th century, Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin; Tikhvin icon from Balakhna with scenes of the siege of the monastery by Swedes, 17th century, TsMiAR; Tikhvin icon with life and miracles in 99 hallmarks, 17th century, Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin; Kazan icon, XVII century, SIKHM; Tolga icon, XVII century, YAHM cf .: Feodorovskaya icon, 2001, Pakhomiev Nerekhta convent of the Kostroma diocese).

Often an episode from the legend of the miracles of another image of the Mother of God became the plot of a separate icon. For example, the Besednaya icon depicts the miracle of the appearance of the Mother of God to the sexton George, the story of which is contained in the legend of the Tikhvin icon; the plot of the icon "Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God" (16th century, TsMiAR) is an episode from "The Legend of the Miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God".

The iconography of the Theotokos images was significantly enriched in later times. In the XIX-XX centuries. glorified icons of the Mother of God "Tenderness" Seraphim-Diveevskaya (the cell of St. Seraphim of Sarov), which depicts the Mother of God without the Infant with her arms crossed on her chest, with a nimbus surrounded by fiery tongues, "The Contestant of Breads" (the name was given by St. Ambrose of Optina), which captures the appearance in the heavens of the Mother of God, blessing the fields, found in the village of Kolomenskoye "Sovereign". The attitude of the Russian Church to the images of the Mother of God is deeply and accurately expressed in the words of the chant of the Theotokos: "And to this day it is merciful."

Literature: Snessoreva. The earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos; Bukharev I. Icons; Likhachev N.P. Materials for the history of Rus. icon painting. SPb., 1906; he is. Historical significance of Italian-Greek painting: The image of the Mother of God in the works of Italian-Greek icon painters and their influence on the compositions of some famous Russian icons. SPb., 1911; Villager E. Mother of God; Kondakov. Iconography of the Mother of God; Maria. Etudes sur la Saint Vierge. P., 1949-1961. 1-5; Lexikon der Marienkunde. Regensburg, 1957; Lafontaine-Dosogne J. Iconographie de l'enfance de la Vierge dans l'Empire byzantin et en Occident. Brux., 1964-1965. Vol. 1-2; Grabar A. Christian Iconography: A Study of Its Origins. Princeton, 1968; idem. Les images de la Vierge de Tendressë type iconographique et theme (a propos de deux icones de Decani) // Zograf. Beograd, 1975. P. 25-30; idem. Remarques sur 1'iconographie byzantine de la Vierge // Cah. Arch. P., 1977. Vol. 26. P. 169-178; Lazarev V.N. Sketches on the iconography of the Mother of God // he. Byzantine painting. M., 1971. S. 275–329; he is. Etudes on the iconography of the Mother of God // Byzantine and Old Russian. art: Articles and materials. M., 1978.S. 00; Grabar A. L'Hodigitria et l'Eleousa // ZLU. 1974. Vol. 10, pp. 3–4; Sevcenko N. P. Types of the Virgin Mary // The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. N. Y .; Oxf. 1991 Vol. 3. P. 2175-2176; Mouriki D. Variants of the Hodegetria on two thirteenth-century Sinai icons // Can. Arhc. 1991. Vol. 39. P. 153-182; Smirnova E. S. Icon of the Mother of God Maximovskaya: Revival Rus. artistic tradition at the end of the XIII century. // DRI. M., 1993. [Issue:] Problems and attribution. S. 72–93; she is. The Novgorod Icon "Our Lady of the Sign": Some Issues of the Theotokos Iconography of the 12th century. // DRI. SPb., 1995. [Issue .:] Balkans, Russia. S. 288-309; The miraculous icon in Byzantium and dr. Rus / Ed.-comp. A. M. Lidov. M., 1996; LCI. Bde. 3. S. 154-233 (Bibliography); Etingof OE The image of the Mother of God: Pts. byzant. iconography of the XI-XIII centuries. M., 2000.

Orthodox iconography of the Virgin

Although the iconography of the Mother of God is very diverse, there are only three main images: Oranta, Hodegetria and Tenderness. It is these variants of images or, more precisely, their "protographs" (early similarities) are found in the monuments of art of the first centuries of Christianity, in particular in the underground necropolises of the Roman catacombs. The concealment of Christianity, of the holy icon-painting images was due to the persecution of faith in those days. Up to the era of the reign of Constantine and Helena.

Oranta means praying. The Mother of God is depicted in a prayer pose with uplifted hands, that is, it expresses the image of Christian holiness, of tireless prayerful appeal.

"Hodegetria" translated from Greek means "Guide". The Blessed Virgin is depicted with the Christ Child. The blessing gesture of the Divine Infant refers to all those praying and to the Mother of God herself, personifying the Church. The Virgin Mary points to the Savior as the Path of Life - in this sense, She is the Guide. Christ says about Himself in the Gospel: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14; 6).

In Russia, the image of the Mother of God Hodegetria was one of the most widespread. He is known in various iconographic "versions". These are icons of the Mother of God of Smolensk and Tikhvin, iconographically associated with the greatest shrines of the Christian world.

The icon of the Smolensk Mother of God repeats the ancient Constantinople image of the Hodegetria, a copy of which was brought from Greece by the wife of Vladimir the Great - Anna - and later installed by Vladimir Monomakh in the Smolensk Cathedral Church. The Tikhvin Mother of God and similar icons of Lidda and Rome reflect the iconography of the image of the Mother of God not made by hands, imprinted on the column of the church in Lydda during the lifetime of the Apostles of the Savior. The Athos Iberian icon was also highly revered in Russia, a list of which was ordered in 1648 by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, and then invested in the Novodevichy Monastery.

On the icon of Our Lady "Tenderness"

The Blessed Virgin is depicted bowing to the Child. The face of Christ touches the Lanita of the Mother of God. In the Greek tradition, this iconographic version was called "Glykofilussa", or the Mother of God "Sweetheart". Although such images are not exactly known in early Christian art, in the first centuries there were images similar in meaning to Affection. For example, in the Roman catacombs of St. Priscilla there is an image of the Virgin Mary bending over to the Child and breastfeeding Him (III century).

The icon of Our Lady of Tenderness expresses not only the idea of ​​Love, but also the idea of ​​Suffering. In the Eastern Christian liturgical tradition, there is a parallel between the Nativity and Passion events. Epiphanius of Cyprus in the Word on Holy Saturday, comparing the Nativity of Christ with the burial of the Savior, writes that Christ is born and buried in a stone cave, reclines in a manger, as in a tomb, anointed with meek at burial, accepting her as a gift from the Magi at Christmas.

John Chrysostom calls the altar where the bloodless Sacrifice is performed during the Liturgy "a spiritual cradle." Thus, the touching kiss that the Mother of God gives to Her Son expresses the joy of the Nativity of the Savior and, at the same time, the prophetic sorrow about the coming Sufferings of the Lord Jesus.

The very idea of ​​a person's birth and death is interconnected, reflecting one of the postulates of Christianity. Birth in a physical body is a test, a kind of beginning of the "resurrection" of spiritual development. The death of the physical body is liberation, the birth of a new stage of development - the Supreme Court - for the soul.

The main elements of the iconography of the Virgin

1. The halo, unlike the halo of the Savior, does not contain an inscribed cross.

2. Maforiy (from Greek - cape) - outerwear of married women.
As a married woman, the Most Pure One has a veil on her head that falls over her shoulders, according to the custom of Jewish women of that time. This veil, or cape, is called maforium in Greek. Maforia is usually written in red (a symbol of suffering and a memory of royal origin). The undergarments are usually painted blue (a sign of the heavenly purity of the most perfect of men).
Since 474, the Maforium of the Mother of God has been in the Blachernae Church of the Mother of God in Constantinople.

3. Armbands - a detail of liturgical vestments; in the iconography of the Mother of God - a symbol of concelebration of the entire Church in the person of the Mother of God to the Heavenly Bishop - Christ.

4. The stars on the maforia have two meanings:

* this is a symbol of the virginity of the Ever-Virgin "before Christmas, at Christmas and after Christmas",
* the symbol of the Holy Trinity.

In many icons, the figure of the Infant God covers one of the stars, thereby symbolizing the Incarnation of the Second Hypostasis of the Holy Trinity - God the Son.

5. The inscription MR OU is an abbreviation for the words "Mother of God", and IC XC is an abbreviation for the Savior.
The Mother of God on Russian icons is always in sorrow, but this sorrow is different: sometimes mournful, sometimes light, but always full of spiritual clarity, wisdom and great spiritual strength, the Mother of God can solemnly "show" the Infant to the world, can tenderly press the Son to Herself or easily support Him - She is always full of reverence, worships her Divine Infant and humbly resigns herself to the inevitability of sacrifice. Lyricism, enlightenment and detachment - these are the main features characteristic of the image of the Virgin.

According to the Orthodox Church calendar, on most days of the year there is a celebration of the miraculous icons of the Mother of God - about 260 revered and miraculous icons of the Mother of God. In total, there are about 860 icons. This is evidence not only of the special veneration of the Theotokos, her special role as Intercessor before the Lord for the orphaned and the strange, the mourning and offended, but also evidence of the diversity of the Theotokos iconography.

But, as in the iconography of the Savior, the main types are also distinguished here:

1. "Praying" ("Oranta", "Panagia", "Sign")
2. "Guide" ("Hodegetria")
3. "Tenderness" ("Eleusa")
4. "All-merciful" ("Panahranta")
5. "Intercessor" ("Agiosortissa")

1. "Praying" ("Oranta", "Panagia", "Sign")

Our Lady of Oranta the Great Panagia.

Iconographic type "Praying" ("Oranta", "Panagia", "Sign") One of the main types of images of the Mother of God, representing Her with arms raised and outstretched to the sides, palms outward, that is, in the traditional gesture of intercessory prayer. A similar prayer posture has been known since biblical (Old Testament) times. The first images of the Virgin - "Oranta" (praying) (without the Child) are found already in the Roman catacombs. This iconographic scheme is most widespread in the post-iconoclastic period.

The Mother of God is depicted on the icon face-to-face, usually up to the waist, with her hands raised to the level of her head, spread apart and bent at the elbows. (Since ancient times, this gesture means a prayer appeal to God). In Her bosom, against the background of a round sphere - Savior Emmanuel.
Icons of this type are also called "Panagia" (Greek "all-holy").

On the Russian land, this image received the name "Sign", and this is how it happened.
On November 27, 1169, during the storming of Novgorod by the squad of Andrei Bogolyubsky, the inhabitants of the besieged city carried an icon to the wall. One of the arrows pierced the image, and the Mother of God turned her face to the city, exuding tears.
Tears fell on the felon of Novgorod Bishop John, and he exclaimed:

“Oh wondrous miracle! How do tears flow from a dry tree? Queen!
You give us a sign that you are hereby praying before your Son for the deliverance of the city. "

Inspired Novgorodians repelled the Suzdal regiments ...
In an Orthodox church, images of this type are traditionally placed at the top of the altar.
The main meaning of the icons of the Sign moved from the intermediary intercessory prayer of the Mother of God of Oranta to the Incarnation of Christ. The sign is, in a certain sense, the image of the Annunciation and the foreshadowing of Christmas and the evangelical events that follow it until the Second Coming.

In the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev (XI century) there is one of the most famous mosaic images of Oranta (the height of the figure is 5 m 45 cm). One of the epithets assigned to this image is "Unbreakable Wall".

Orantu is distinguished from other iconographic types of the image of the Virgin by majesty and monumentality, Her posture is extremely static, the composition is symmetrical, which corresponds to the intentions of wall paintings and mosaics, decorative and applied art, in icon painting, independent images of the Virgin of Oranta without the Baby are used extremely rarely. This image is part of complex compositions, for example, in the iconography of the Ascension or the Intercession.

In Byzantine and Old Russian church art, the image of the Mother of God Oranta with the Child Christ in the iconography of Emmanuel was popular (Hebrew - God is with us - one of the prophetic names of God the Son, used in the prophecy of Isaiah (Isa VII, 14), represents Christ the youth). Usually Christ is depicted in a round medallion, or slightly visible (translucent) at the level of the Mother's chest.

On the icons in the iconography of the Sign, the Mother of God can be depicted both full-length and up to the waist.

The development of the iconography of the Sign was the composition of such icons as the Inexhaustible Chalice.

2. "Guide" ("Hodegetria")

Mother of God of Smolensk. The beginning of the 16th century.

Iconographic type "Guide" ("Hodegetria") In this icon we see the Mother of God, whose right hand points to the Divine Infant Christ, seated on his left hand. The images are strict, straightforward, the heads of Christ and the Most Pure Virgin do not touch each other.
The Mother of God, as it were, tells the entire human race that the true path is the path to Christ. In this icon, she appears as a guide to God and eternal salvation. It is also one of the oldest types of images of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to go back to the first icon painter - the holy Apostle Luke.

From a dogmatic point of view, the main meaning of this image is the appearance in the world of the Heavenly King and Judge and the worship of the royal Infant.

The difference from the rather close type of Eleusa is the mutual relationship of the Mother and the Son: the icon no longer expresses boundless love, here the center of the composition is Christ facing the forthcoming (viewer), while the Mother of God, also depicted frontally (or with a slight tilt of her head), points her hand at the Baby.

3. "Tenderness" ("Eleusa")

Our Lady of Tolgskaya. Around 1327

Iconographic type "Tenderness" ("Eleusa") On the icon "Tenderness" we see the Infant Christ, leaning his left cheek to the right cheek of the Mother of God. The icon conveys the communication of the Mother and the Son, full of tenderness.

Since the Mother of God also symbolizes the Church of Christ, the icon shows the fullness of love between God and man - that fullness that is possible only in the bosom of the Mother Church. Love unites the heavenly and the earthly, the divine and the human on the icon: the connection is expressed by the contact of faces and the conjugation of halos.
The Mother of God pondered, hugging the Son to Her: She, foreseeing the way of the cross, knows what sufferings await Him.

Of the icons of this type, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is most venerated.
Probably, it is no coincidence that this particular icon became one of the greatest shrines. There are many reasons for this: and the ancient origin, fanned by the name of the Evangelist Luke; and the events associated with its transfer from Kiev to Vladimir, and then to Moscow; and repeated participation in the salvation of Moscow from the terrible raids of the Tatars ... However, the very type of the image of the Mother of God "Tenderness" apparently found a special response in the hearts of the cruelty and suffering, Her pain was in tune with the feelings of all Orthodox Christians.

4. "All-merciful" ("Panahranta", "The Tsaritsa")

Iconographic type "Tsaritsa" The icons of this type have one common feature: the Mother of God is depicted sitting on the throne. She holds the Christ Child on her knees. The throne symbolizes the royal glory of the Mother of God, the most perfect of all people born on earth.
The most famous icons of this type in Russia are "Sovereign" and "All-Tsaritsa".

5. "Intercessor" ("Agiosortissa")

Iconographic type "Intercessor" ("Agiosortissa") On icons of this type, the Mother of God is depicted in full growth, without the Baby, sometimes facing to the right with a scroll in her hand.

The glorious names of the Blessed Virgin
Mother of Holy Russia, Mediator of salvation, Hodegetria-Guide, Representative, Mother of Holy Orthodoxy, New Eve, Immaculate beginning, Mother-Intercessor, Mother of salvation descending from above, Lady of heavenly Tsargrad, Queen of heaven and earth, Sovereign, Queen of the world, our Mother and Lady, Mother of new life, Maria Victory, Intercessor, Co-redeemer, Distributor of blessed graces and gifts, First Haguenia, High Priest Melchizedek, Insecable Mountain, Tower of David, Living Book of Life, Mystical Rose, Unfading Flower, Gardener of the Heavenly Garden of Jerusalem, Queen Ark of salvation of the last times, Mother of the Gospel of love, Mentor of the apostles and teachers, Strengthening of the martyrs, Victorious in battle, Living Church, Burning Bush, Fire-transparent Throne of the Divine, Tabernacle of the last days, Wife Clothed in the Sun, Bride of the Lamb ... "

(As a manuscript. Priest Ilya (Popov), Priest Timofey (Zhivotov), ​​M., 1998.
Publ. in church literature)

In Holy Russia, about 500 miraculous icons of the Most Pure Virgin have been revealed, - a great testimony of Her living, unceasing presence in the country of Her destiny. Miraculous icons are manifestations, outpourings of the Theotokos love and Light. The sign of the invincible Protection and instruction to the faithful (speculation, theology in colors, a great many revelations and apparitions of the Holy Virgin were given through icons) and a formidable denunciation of the wicked, first of all, "Christian" Pharisees and scribes. (See, for example, "The Legend of the miraculous icons of the Mother of God and Her mercies to the human race").

Orthodox converts to the faith are lost among the variety of images of the Mother of God. What image should we pray for and what should we ask for? In this article I will tell you about everything and show the icons of the Mother of God, photos and descriptions to them.

After familiarizing yourself with the various icons of the Virgin, you will no longer be perplexed to stand near the iconostasis and wonder which image to turn to. It was in this position that my newly converted friend found herself when she lit a candle in front of the first icon she saw in the church. She was so agitated that she almost burst into tears of despair. Knowledge can prevent this awkward situation.

Four types of images of the Mother of God

If you look at the Orthodox calendar, you can see many dates of veneration of the Theotokos icons. Over the millennia, the Orthodox Church has been replenished with new traditions and has seen many miracles performed by the Holy Spirit. The accumulated experience turned out to be so much that today it is quite difficult for believers to navigate in all the variety of traditions and holidays. Let's figure out what images of the Virgin exist.

Images of the Virgin:

• odigitry;
• eleus;
• oranta;
• akathist.

The type of images "odigitria" differs in that the Mother of God points to the Divine Infant with her hand. Translated from Greek "odigitria" means "guidebook". Widespread images of Odigitria are Smolensk, Gruzinskaya, Kazanskaya.

On the images of the Eleus style, the Mother of God gently hugs the Infant God, doves him. These are very soulful images of the Mother of God, which leave no one indifferent. Eleusa translated from Greek means merciful. The well-known images of Eleus are Donskaya and Vladimirskaya.

The type of images of Orant is distinguished by the hands of the Mother of God raised in a prayer impulse. The most revered image of this style is the Inexhaustible Cup. Translated from Greek, the word "oranta" means "sign". The Mother of God intercedes for the human race, begs for the sins of people before the Lord. The Divine Infant has not yet been born, he is still in the womb of the Mother. Also, the image "Yaroslavl Oranta" belongs to this style of iconography.

The Akathist type of imagery is inspired by the Gospel texts. In these icons, the Mother of God participates in the life of her Son. Widespread images of this type are Unexpected Joy, Burning Bush.

Description of icons

The icons of the Mother of God have a strong impact on believers and even atheists. The image of a woman who gave her only son to torment for the salvation of humanity cannot leave anyone indifferent. The Mother of God is revered as the intercessor of the entire human race, people turn to her in the most difficult and joyful moments in life. The news of the miracles that her images create has long reached the most remote corners of the planet.

Looking at the image of the Mother of God, every believer feels her warm love, mercy and forgiveness of sins. This meek woman was honored to be the mother of Jesus Christ himself. This means that the beauty of her soul and holiness were marked by the Creator of the universe.

Recovery of the dead

Before this image, they pray for liberation from severe mental / physical ailments, for deliverance from addiction to wine and gluttony, for deliverance from gambling and various addictions, for the confirmation of faith and apostates from Orthodoxy. You can also ask the Mother of God to strengthen the marriage if it begins to disintegrate.

Feodorovskaya

The image belongs to the type of Eleus, the Divine Infant gently clung to the Mother, and she gently presses him to her body. They pray to the Mother of God for help with the birth of a child.

Tikhvin

According to legend, this Face was written by an evangelist, even before the Assumption of the Virgin. It is easy to recognize the icon by the scroll in the hand of the Divine Infant. The icon is prayed for the health of children, restoration of vision and joint mobility. Also, with the help of it, demons are expelled.

Vladimirskaya

This icon can be immediately recognized by one sign - the visible heel of little Jesus. The icon is considered the patroness of Russia, the main national shrine. To the Vladimirskaya icon they offer prayers for enemies, reconciliation of enemies, protection from heresy.

Quick-hearted

This icon belongs to the Hodegetria style and is somewhat reminiscent of the Tikhvin icon. This image is considered miraculous, and its feature is considered to be a quick response to the requests of the suffering. Prayers are raised to the icon for the healing of vision, relaxation and lameness. Also, the image helps to free yourself from captivity, from any addiction. In former times, prayers were raised to the icon for people who were shipwrecked.

Seven-shot

This image is highly revered among Orthodox believers. 7 arrows are stuck in the breast of the Mother of God, which cause her pain. There are a lot of lists of Seven Arrows, some of them are called "Softening Evil Hearts." Prayers are raised to the icon for the reconciliation of the warring parties, for deliverance from enemies and terrible ailments.

• The Ostrabrahm icon - protects the marriage bond.
• Burning bush - protects property from fire.
• The Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos - protects from troubles, protects children and endows them with happiness.
• They pray to the Donskoy icon for peace, protection from enemies, healing from wounds and ailments.
• To the image of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, prayers are raised for deliverance from the fear of death, healing, for the confirmation of faith and the acquisition of humility.
• The Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos pray for release from prison, for the successful completion of affairs, for receiving favorable news, for freedom from mental / physical ailments.
• The image of the Iberian Mother of God is also called the "Goalkeeper". The icon is prayed for release from disease, protection from enemies, protection from heresy, to strengthen faith, protection from natural disasters and accidents.
• The Icon of Tenderness was the favorite image of St. Seraphim of Sarov. The icon belongs to the miraculous, and even the lists from it have incredible spiritual power. They pray to the icon for obstetrics, protection from ill-wishers, for the reconciliation of quarreling, for the strengthening of marriage and many other problems.
• The icon of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary settles family problems, the birth of babies, affirms faith, bestows patience and humility.

Meaning of icons

The icons of the Mother of God symbolize the unity of divine and human nature. An earthly woman was honored to give birth to the Divine Infant, who granted salvation to all mortals. The image of the Mother of God is intuitive to every person, because she symbolizes the mother. Each person understands that only a mother can accept and forgive a child. No matter how the child nags, no matter how guilty, he will always find consolation on the mother's breast.

The image of the Mother of God must be approached with a sincere contrite heart, avoiding indifference or disbelief. Only a sincere heart will be able to hear the Most Pure Virgin, and will certainly console the suffering, soothe the restless and grieving. The miraculous image of the Mother of God teaches humility, fear of God, obedience and virtue. It is important in all situations to remain human and to adhere to the commandment given by Christ: "Yes, love one another."