Bright face

The bright holiday of Christmas, the holiday of faith, hope and love. A holiday of light in the soul of each of us, which has come to us with her on this day for more than 2000 years. Virgin Mary, Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Mariam, Queen of Heaven, Seide Mariam - this is how different people address her in different countries. When we see her, turn to her, this light becomes larger. It is the bright faces of the Mother of God that make up the majority of healing and miraculous icons. People turned to her during great disasters, wars, epidemics, and fires. Legends about cases of miraculous deliverance are included in the History of the Russian state.

Dozens of types of her images - more than 800 - were created over many centuries, based on historical events, reflect the special place of the Mother of God in Christian culture. There is little information left about her, but it is she who we see in the most important events, but which one? According to various sources, there are 4 to 6 main types of icons of the Mother of God, the rest are called editions - that is, variants of the main images.

Oranta (Praying)

This is how the first Christians depicted her - in the form of a prayer address: from the front, to the waist and with raised arms, bent at the elbows, and against the background of the sphere of the Savior Emmanuel.

Icons of this type are also called Panagia (all-holy) , A in Rus' this image is called The Omen in memory of the storming of besieged Novgorod in 1169, when, according to legend, tears flowed from the image of the Virgin Mary pierced by an arrow.

The image of the Mother of God praying with Jesus Christ is the most common in Orthodox iconography. The most famous images Signs are - Abalakskaya, Narva, Tsarskoye Selo, Kursk-Korennaya. The miraculous icon of the Mother of God occupies a special place Inexhaustible Chalice , where Christ is depicted in a golden cup. This icon became known to many after the publication of I. S. Shmelev’s story “The Inexhaustible Chalice” (1918).

Hodegetria (Guide Book)

Images Hodegetria strict and straightforward, the Mother of God holds the Child Christ on her left hand, pointing at him with her right, their heads do not touch each other. Hodegetria the oldest type of image of the Mother of God, which dates back to the first icon painter in history, Apostle Luke. Here she appears as a guide to God and eternal salvation.

In Rus' to the most famous options Hodegetria relate: Smolenskaya, Iverskaya (Goalkeeper), Tikhvinskaya, Jerusalemskaya, Three-handed, Passionate, Sporuchnitsa sinners.

Eleusa (Tenderness)

Images of the Virgin Mary belonging to the type Eleusa - full of tenderness and tenderness, earthly and heavenly, divine and human love. The Child Christ rests his left cheek on the right cheek of the Mother of God, the Mother of God presses her Son to Her.

In the Greek version, this type of icon is called Glycophilus. Sweet kiss - one of the miraculous images, also related to the Tenderness, written, according to legend, by the Evangelist Luke. The most touching of the miraculous icons is the Head of Mary bowed to the Son, and He puts his hand around the Mother’s neck. She knows what suffering awaits him. Our Lady of Tenderness is one of the most mystical types of Mother of God icons. This also includes other icons of amazing beauty and power - Donskaya, Leaping of a baby, Mammal, Recovering the dead.

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God has become the most revered in Russia; it is the one that can most often be seen in wedding couples along with the image of the Savior. It is the image of Tenderness that finds the greatest appeal in a person’s heart, because the idea of ​​sacrificial service, the pain and sorrow of a mother has always been close and understandable in Rus'.

To icons like Tenderness relate: Vladimirskaya, Volokolamskaya, Donskaya, Fedorovskaya, Zhirovitskaya, Recovery of the dead, Pochaevskaya.

Panahranta (All-Merciful)

On icons of this type, the Mother of God is depicted sitting on a throne, holding. On her lap she holds the Christ Child. The throne here serves as a symbol of the glory of the Mother of God, as the most perfect one born on Earth.

The most famous in Russia Sovereign and All-Tsaritsa .

Agiosortissa (Intercessor)

On icons of this type, the Mother of God is depicted in full height, without the Child, facing to the right, sometimes with a scroll in her hand.

Other icons in which the Mother of God is depicted alone can be classified as one of the main types, for example Ostrobramskaya - to the Sign, just like Bride Unbride (it is sometimes called Tenderness, it is the cell icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov), or to the category Akathist glorifying her. This, for example, is one of the most revered icons - Mother of God of Seven Arrows or Softening evil hearts.

Any icon painting type is not a set of unconditional rules that must be followed, but a direction of thought and a goal that the icon painter strives to achieve. Therefore, each image is unique, although quite recognizable in its dogmatic content and artistic solution.

During childbirth, Helper, Spreader of Bread, Kozelshchanskaya, Healer, Tenderness

It is customary to depict the Virgin Mary in clothes of two colors: cherry maforia (or blue like Theophanes the Greek), blue tunic and blue cover. Three golden stars are depicted on the maforia - as a sign of her purity and a border as a sign of her glorification. Maforium (dress of a married woman) - means Her Motherhood, covered with the blue or blue color of the dress - Virginity. And when painting the image of the Mother of God, they never use black - the color of sorrow, because she is light and hope.

The iconography of the Virgin Mary is a huge part of our culture. Many of her images can be called young, for example, Derzhavnaya was found in 1917, hidden in the basement of a church, and it was painted at the end of the 19th century. Each of the hundreds of famous icons of the Mother of God has its own symbolism and meaning, its own history...

Orthodox icons, their names and meanings are an important aspect of the study of Christian Science. It is very difficult to imagine any Christian home without a variety of icons, each of which has its own meaning. As the history of religion says, many of them became known to believers many centuries ago. People's religious beliefs have been formed for a very long time, but this does not make icons lose their special cultural and historical significance for parishioners of many churches and temples. Orthodox icons, photos and their names play an important role in bringing people closer to the Lord.

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

This material will tell you about the meaning of each icon presented, as well as the rules of prayer and the miracles that a specific holy face can perform. It also happens that the names of icons from photos already contain information about what troubles this image can protect from. Each icon described will be given a special place in the section. The icon of the Mother of God, painted and kept for a long time in the walls of churches in the city of Kazan, has the greatest authority among believers both in Russia and throughout the world. This majestic and large-scale icon is considered the main protector of the inhabitants of our country. Any significant holiday in the life of a Russian person cannot do without a ritual of worship of this image, be it baptism or the sacred ceremony of wedding of loving hearts.

Below we will describe the revered icons of the Mother of God. The photo and name, and their meaning will also be revealed.

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

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

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

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

Icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Sky”

This miraculous icon is offered prayers to take the right path, and also to ensure that the dead people in the next world have peace and well-being. They praise this icon in the old way, and on March 19 in the new style.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Desperate One Hope”

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

Modern addictions (gambling addiction, drug addiction, alcoholism, smoking, computer addiction) can be healed by turning to this image of the Mother of God.

Bogolyubskaya Icon of the Mother of God

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

Icon of the Mother of God “Recovery of the Lost”

They pray to this famous icon for cures for toothache and headaches, vision problems, fever and epilepsy, for well-being in marriage, for the return of faith in the Lord to the heart, as well as for very serious, almost incurable childhood illnesses. In addition, people turn to the same icon with a request to cure addiction to alcohol. The date of the day of praise is February 18 or 5.

Icon of Our Lady of Vladimir

This icon is known primarily for the fact that during the times of ancient Rus' the most noble gentlemen and kings were crowned with it. It is also known that with the participation of this image the elections of high priests were held. People pray to this icon to become kinder, to be healed from serious illnesses, to cast out demons from the body. Mothers and their little children can fully rely on the patronage of the Mother of God in this image, and for those who are just waiting for the baby to appear, this image will grant an easy birth and health to the newborn baby. Infertile women can turn to the icon with a request to grant long-awaited children.

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

Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”

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

Icon "The Queen of All"

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

The icon of the Mother of God “The Queen of All” helps those people who suffer from cancer and undergo a series of courses of chemotherapy and radiation.

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

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

This image of the holy Mother of God is prayed to in the presence of severe defects of the soul and body, as well as after any important work has ended. The name day of this icon is celebrated on June 11 or 23.

Those who are currently suffering from serious illnesses of soul and body, as well as those who are overcome by infirmity, offer their prayers to this image. True believers, when turning to this wonderful icon, receive complete healing for an indefinite period. The name day of the Life-Giving Spring icon is celebrated on the day of Bright Week.

Prayers are addressed to this holy image against cholera, visual impairment and other similar ailments. The name day of this icon is usually celebrated on September 8 or 21.

Name days are celebrated on Tuesday of Bright Week, and it helps with severe fires, as well as with various problems and when there is a need for consolation in spiritual adversity. Memorial Day is February 12 or 25.

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

This icon, endowed with miraculous properties, is prayed to in case of pronounced paralysis, in case of infection with smallpox, in case of leg diseases, in case of suspected attacks by “evil spirits”, and also to protect against sudden death. The days of memory of the icon are celebrated on March 16 or 29.

in cases where there is a danger of invasion by foreigners, as well as about the restoration of sight to blind people and the successful entry into God's union of people who love each other. In addition, such prayer helps to survive cataclysms. The icon celebrates its name day on June 8th and 21st and in October on the 4th and 22nd.

Those who suffer from significant hearing impairments, as well as other similar ailments, bow and pray to this image. This icon celebrates its name day on September 2 and 15.

"Kozelshchanskaya" Icon of the Mother of God

Prayerful appeal to this wonderful, life-giving icon is useful for any limb injuries, serious injuries and upcoming serious surgical interventions. This icon of the Mother of God celebrates the name day on February 6 and 21.

Icon of the Mother of God "Mammal"

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

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

This icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is called upon to deliver people who sincerely pray to Her from fires, floods and other damage to property. Remembrance Day is celebrated on September 4 and 17 each year.

The icon helps not to go astray from the right path in life, to preserve a righteous way of life, and helps lonely believers find true love. By sincerely praying before this image and asking for help and advice, you can solve any, the most difficult problems in family life and relationships between spouses. In addition, the icon helps seriously ill believers to heal as quickly as possible. Remembrance Day is celebrated on April 3 and 16.

There are usually queues of deaf and hard of hearing people waiting for this icon. The icon's name day is December 9 and 22.

All sinful people pray to this icon, and the relatives of gambling addicts, drug addicts and alcoholics also turn with hope. This icon calls for the cultivation of mercy and kindness, as well as for a feeling of joy from every day. The saying on the image reads: “To all who ask by faith it will be given!”

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

Since time immemorial, in the mi-well-you-are-a-hundred-of-the-great-sufferings at the birth of children, when death is so close, women... The cabbage soup comes with a special-ben-but-hot prayer to the Savior and His Most Pure Ma-te-ri. In good families and in our time you can see the icon of God-ma-te-ri, na-zy-va-e- I think “Help in childbirth.” and all pregnant women who want to give birth to healthy children without problems pray to the unusually grace-filled icon of the Mother of God.

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

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

This icon, better than any other, can protect against the evil eye, damage and unkind thoughts of passing people. It is customary to place this icon in the left corner of the hallway so that every person passing into the house is clearly visible. This icon feels envy and curses like no other, which is why they do not take root where this image exists. The best location for such an icon is opposite the front door.

Sailors who have suffered a shipwreck pray before this image, as well as those who have blindness, weak legs, deafness, problems with their hands, as well as those who have unwittingly become hostages of terrorists. The day of veneration of the icon is celebrated on November 9 or 22.

This icon is prayed to in case of suspected fetal pathology so that the birth is successful and the child is born healthy. The icon's name day is celebrated on March 9 and 22.

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

It is customary to offer prayers to this icon in the name of deliverance from drought, disease and general hunger. The name day of this Holy Image is celebrated on October 15 and 28.

This uplifting icon is prayed to in cases of terrible despondency, sorrow and powerlessness. Also, the reason for praying to this icon will be a darkened state of spirit. The name day of this icon is celebrated on March 7 and 20.

"Passionate" icon of the Mother of God

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

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

Believing parishioners pray to this image to eliminate drought and cravings for vices, including atheism. The memorial day is celebrated on August 8 and 21.

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

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

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

Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God

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

Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Healer”

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

Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God

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

Icon of the Mother of God “Three-Handed”

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

Above were the most revered icons of the Mother of God. Photos with names will help you quickly find this or that image and find out its meaning.

Icon "Holy Trinity"

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

Other holy icons are also venerated. Their name and meaning should certainly be known.

Icon of the name of the Holy Great Martyr Pantileimon

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

Holy Blessed Matrona of Moscow

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

Peter and Fevronia

In the same temple there is an icon of the Holy couple Peter and Fevronia, to whom people turn for help in love and family life.

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

My spirit rejoiced in God My Savior,
that He looked upon the humility of His Servant,
for from now on all generations will call Me blessed.
(Luke 1:47-48)

Tradition dates the first images of the Mother of God to early Christian times, naming the first author of Her icons as the apostle and evangelist Luke, but the icons he painted have not reached our time, and we can only reliably speak about the later lists of first-painted icons of the Blessed Virgin, which reproduce with more or less accuracy the ancient iconographic types created by the beloved physician (Col. 4:14) and the colleague (Phil. 1:24) of the Apostle Paul. L.A. Uspensky says this about the icons attributed to the Evangelist Luke: “The authorship of the holy Evangelist Luke must be understood in the sense that the icons are lists (or rather, lists from lists) of icons once painted by the evangelist” [Uspensky, p. 29].

The earliest known images of the Mother of God date back to the 2nd century. - they are not among the lists of icons of the Apostle Luke; These are images of the Nativity of Christ in the Roman catacombs. As N.P. Kondakov noted, “the main iconographic type of the Mother of God in the second and third centuries remains her original and most important image with the Child in her arms, sitting in front of the worshiping Magi” [Kondakov, p. 14].

The first icons of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared where Her earthly life took place - in Palestine, but already in the first decades of the existence of Constantinople, all the main shrines associated with Her moved to this city - the new capital of the empire that accepted Christ [Kvlividze, p. 501]. In Byzantium, veneration of the Mother of God as the Patroness of the capital developed: Preserve Your City, Most Pure Mother of God; in You, this one reigns faithfully, in You he is established, and through You he conquers, overcomes every temptation... The words of the 9th Canto of the Theotokos of the Great Canon contain a reminder that the veneration of the Most Holy Theotokos in Constantinople was repeatedly tested for loyalty: through the fervent prayer of the inhabitants before the revered icons of the Most Pure Virgin hail persisted. Most of the shrines associated with the Mother of God were located in the church dedicated to Her in Blachernae, a suburb of the capital. Among those who subjected city ​​of temptations, there were also ancient Slavs; their campaigns - both “successful” (ending with the plunder of the city) and unsuccessful ones - were, apparently, the first contacts of our ancestors with the faith and veneration of She who would later choose the Russian land as one of Her earthly inheritances.

After the Third Ecumenical Council (431), which dogmatically established the name of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God, Her veneration became widespread throughout the Christian world. From the 6th century veneration of the Mother of God was no longer conceivable without Her holy icons. The main types of icons of the Mother of God developed in the pre-iconoclastic period and probably represented a creative development of the original images created by the Apostle Luke.

The first scenes depicting the Virgin Mary ("Nativity of Christ" and "Adoration of the Magi") in the Roman catacombs of Priscilla (II-IV centuries) were of a historical nature; they illustrated the events of sacred History, but in essence were not yet the shrines in front of which Christian prayers were offered to the Most Pure Virgin. Kondakov spoke about the development of the iconography of the Mother of God: “The icon of the Mother of God, in addition to the character and type depicted in it, gradually acquires, along with the progress of Christian art and the development of its role in it (approximately from the 5th century), a special feature drawn on her by the very attitude of the prayer minister towards her, according to which she becomes a “prayer" icon. Having begun with an indifferently cold representation of a historical nature, the icon in general, and the icon of the Mother of God in particular, changes, as if according to the demands and needs of the one who prays to her" [Kondakov , With. 5].

Probably, the “line” separating the illustrative-historical images of the Mother of God and prayer icons is the iconographic type “Theotokos on the Throne,” which appeared already in the catacombs of Priscilla in the 4th century. In the unpreserved fresco of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome (432-440), the enthroned Virgin Mary with the Child Christ was represented in the concha of the apse - this temple was the first built after the Council of 431 - and the Church, having overcome the heresy of Nestorius, prayed in to the Most Pure Virgin Mary as the Mother of God [Lazarev, p. 32].

From the middle of the 5th century. images of the Virgin Mary on the throne, and then Her images with the Infant Christ, become typical for painting the altar of churches: the Euphrasian Cathedral in Porec, Croatia (543-553); Church of Panagia Kanakarias in Lythrangomi, Cyprus (2nd quarter of the 6th century); Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna; Church of the Great Martyr Demetrius in Thessalonica (both 6th century). In the VI century. such an image appears on icons (monastery of the Great Church of Catherine in Sinai) [Kvlividze, p. 502].

Another type of image of the Mother of God known since early Christian times is called Oranta. The Most Pure Virgin is depicted in this case without the Infant God, with her hands raised in prayer. Thus, the Virgin Mary is depicted on ampoules from the treasury of the Cathedral of Bobbio (Italy), on the relief of the door of the Church of Santa Sabina in Rome (c. 430), on a miniature from the Gospel of Rabbala (586), on the frescoes of the apse of the monastery of St. Apollonius in Bauita ( Egypt, 6th century) and the San Venanzio Chapel in Rome (c. 642), as well as on the bottoms of glass vessels [Kvlividze, p. 502, Kondakov, p. 76-81]. Our Lady of Oranta often appears in church paintings in the pre-iconoclastic era - usually in the composition of the Ascension of the Lord - and for a long time remains one of the favorite images (Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, Church of the Assumption in Nicaea, Church of St. Sophia in Thessalonica, St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice ).

It is this type of image that is among the first to appear in Rus': in the Transfiguration Church of the Pskov Mirozhsky Monastery, in the Church of St. George in Staraya Ladoga and the Novgorod Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Savior on Nereditsa) [Lazarev, p. 63].

The earliest surviving images of the Mother of God in church painting are the mosaics of the Kyiv St. Sophia Cathedral. The Ipatiev Chronicle reports about the founding of this majestic temple in 1037: “Yaroslav founded the great city of Kyiv... also founded the Church of St. Sophia, the Wisdom of God, as the metropolis.” Another chronicle, Gustynskaya, says that “the beautiful church of St. Sophia” was decorated with “all beauty, gold and precious stones, icons and crosses...” [cit. from: Etingof, p. 71-72]. The mosaics of Sophia of Kyiv were created in 1043-1046. Byzantine masters. The temple was conceived as a Metropolitan Cathedral and fully corresponded to its purpose - it was the main temple of Holy Rus'.

The five-meter image of the Mother of God in Sophia of Kyiv was called the “Unbreakable Wall”. Along the edge of the apse, in which the Mother of God is depicted, there is an inscription: God is in his midst, and does not move, God will help him in the morning(Ps. 45:6). The Russian people, taking their first steps in their Christian history, perceived the Mother of God as their Heavenly Patroness. Our Lady of Oranta, praying with raised hands, was perceived as the personification of the Earthly Church - and at the same time as a Heavenly intercessor and prayer book for the Earthly Church. Images of the Mother of God in the decoration of Sophia of Kyiv appear repeatedly [Lazarev, p. 64].

Another ancient image of the Mother of God also bears the name Oranta - this is the icon “Yaroslavl Oranta” (XII century, Tretyakov Gallery). This iconographic type was known in Constantinople as Blachernitissa. The name Oranta was given to this icon by mistake by one of its first researchers, A. I. Anisimov. The icon was found in the “junk” storeroom of the Spassky Monastery in Yaroslavl. This type in the literature on Byzantine iconography is called the Great Panagia [Kondakov, vol. 2, p. 63-84; 114]. In Ancient Rus', such an image was called the Mother of God the Incarnation [Antonova, p. 52]. Our Lady stands on an oval ornamented red pedestal with her arms raised; On Her chest there is a golden disk with a half-length image of the Savior Emmanuel. The Divine Infant blesses with both hands with a name-based blessing. In the upper corners of the icon there are round marks with images of the archangels Michael and Gabriel holding mirrors with a cross in their hands. In the literature there are different opinions about the time and place of painting of the icon: from the beginning of the 12th century. (Kyiv) until the first third of the 13th century. (Vladimir Rus') [Antonova, vol. 1, p. 51-53; Old Russian history, p. 68-70].

Kondakov points out that this iconographic type with the image of the Mother of God with raised hands and the Eternal Child in a circle on Her chest has examples in early Christian art of the 6th-7th centuries, and then became widespread again in the 10th-12th centuries. [Kondakov, vol. 2, p. 110-111]. In Rus', such an image was found in the unpreserved painting of the Church of the Savior on Nereditsa (1199).

One of the most famous and, undoubtedly, the most revered icon in central Rus' was the icon of the Mother of God, called Vladimir, brought to Rus' in the first third of the 13th century. Her fate was dramatic. In 1155, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky moved it from Vyshgorod to Vladimir, decorated it with an expensive frame and placed it in the Assumption Cathedral, built in the middle of the 12th century. After the murder of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1176, Prince Yaropolk removed the expensive decoration from the icon, and it ended up with Prince Gleb of Ryazan. Only after the victory of Prince Mikhail, the younger brother of Andrei Bogolyubsky, over Yaropolk, Gleb returned the icon and setting to Vladimir. When Vladimir was captured by the Tatars, during the fire of the Assumption Cathedral in 1237, the cathedral was plundered, and the frame was again torn off from the icon of the Mother of God. In 1395, during the invasion of Tamerlane, the icon was brought to Moscow, and on the same day (August 26) Tamerlane retreated from Moscow and left the Russian state. Later, the icon was in the iconostasis of the main church of the country - the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. In 1812, in front of the ancient shrine, taken to Murom, they prayed for deliverance from the invasion two dozen languages. In 1918, the icon was taken from the Assumption Cathedral; now it is in the Tretyakov Gallery. In 1993, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II offered fervent prayers before the Vladimir Icon - the country was in danger of being plunged into the abyss of a new civil war.

The Vladimir icon belongs to the iconographic type of Tenderness (Eleusa). The composition, known since early Christian times, became widespread in the 11th century. Together with Vladimirskaya, another icon of the Mother of God, called Pirogoshcha, was brought to Kyiv (a church was built for it). The Ipatiev Chronicle under 1132 says: “This summer the Holy Mother of God, recommended by Pirogoshcha, was laid in stone.” Images of the Mother of God Eleusa (Merciful), Glycophilus (Sweet kiss; in the Russian tradition Tenderness), also known as Blachernitissa (12th century icon, in the monastery of the Martyr Catherine on Sinai), where the Mother of God and the Child are depicted in mutual caress (fresco of the church of Tokala -Kilis, Cappadocia (10th century), Vladimir, Tolga, Don Icons of the Mother of God, etc.), spread in the post-iconoclast period. This type of image emphasizes the theme of motherhood and the future suffering of the Infant God [Kvlividze, p. 503].

Another well-known - and just as revered in the western borders of Rus' as Vladimir in its central part - is the image of the Virgin Hodegetria, or Guide. It received its name from the Constantinople temple of Odigon, where it was one of the revered shrines.

According to legend, it was written by the Evangelist Luke and sent from Jerusalem by Empress Eudoxia. The earliest image of Hodegetria has been preserved in miniature from the Gospel of Ravbula (folio 289 - full-length). On icons of this type, the Mother of God holds the Child in her left hand, with her right hand extended to him in prayer [Kvlividze, p. 503].

One of the revered images of the Novgorod land was the icon of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, called Ustyug (30s of the 12th century, Tretyakov Gallery). The name is associated with the legend that the icon, located in the St. George Cathedral of the Novgorod Yuriev Monastery, comes from Veliky Ustyug and it was in front of it that blessed Procopius of Ustyug prayed in 1290 for the deliverance of the city “from the stone cloud.” Together with other Novgorod shrines, the icon of the Annunciation was brought to Moscow by Ivan the Terrible [Old Russian history, p. 47-50].

The iconographic original reports about the Ustyug Annunciation: “The Son was imagined in the chest of the Most Pure One,” i.e., the Incarnation is depicted on the icon. As from the conversion of the scarlet, O most pure, intelligent Scarlet of Immanuel, the flesh was consumed within in Thy womb; Moreover, we truly honor Theotokos You(Reverend Andrew of Crete). Icons of the Mother of God, clearly illustrating the dogma of the Incarnation, have enjoyed reverent prayerful veneration since ancient times. Let's call here a fresco from the mid-12th century. in the altar of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Mirozh Monastery in Pskov, as well as the favorite iconographic type of Novgorodians - icons of the Mother of God of the Sign, glorified by many miracles. The portable icon of the Sign (1169), located in the Novgorod Museum, belongs to the iconographic type of Our Lady of the Great Panagia. The name of the icon “The Sign”, established in Rus', goes back to the chronically documented miracle that took place in 1170 from the revered Novgorod icon during the siege of Veliky Novgorod by the Suzdalians. Thanks to Her intercession Mister Veliky Novgorod was freed from trouble.

The Kiev icon of the second half of the 13th century also belongs to the same iconographic tradition. - Our Lady of Pechersk (Svenskaya) with the upcoming Saints Anthony and Theodosius. The icon was located in the Svensky Monastery not far from Bryansk, where, according to legend, the Chernigov prince Roman Mikhailovich, who founded a monastery in that place, was healed of blindness in 1288. The same legend says that the icon was brought to the new monastery from the Kyiv Dormition Pechersk Monastery, where it was painted at the beginning of the 12th century. Venerable Alypius of Pechersk. It should be noted that the Svensk Icon is the oldest image of the founders of Russian monasticism. The text on a fairly well-preserved scroll, which the Monk Anthony holds in his hands, reads: “I pray to you this way, children: let us maintain abstinence and not be lazy, having the Lord as our helper in this” [Old Russian suit., p. 70-72].

One of the early researchers of Russian icon painting, Ivan Mikhailovich Snegirev, in a letter to the founder of Russian archeology, Count A. S. Uvarov, wrote: “The history of icon painting is inextricably linked with the history of our Christianity. It entered Rus' from Byzantium hand in hand with the Cross and the Gospel ". In ancient times, Rus' did not know the iconoclastic heresy - it had to survive this tragedy in the twentieth century. Only a few of those ancient shrines that came to Rus' from Byzantium or were created on Russian soil have survived to this day. And all the more valuable for us, Christians of the third millennium, is knowledge about these shrines, memory and reverent veneration of them.

Bishop Nikolai of Balashikha

Sources and literature:
Antonova V.I., Mneva N.E. Catalog of Old Russian painting of the 11th - early 18th centuries. (State Tretyakov Gallery). T. 1-2. M., 1963.
Djuric V. Byzantine frescoes. Medieval Serbia, Dalmatia, Slavic Macedonia. M., 2000. Old Russian art of the 10th - early 15th centuries. Catalog of the Tretyakov Gallery collection. T. 1. M., 1995.
John of Damascus, St. Three words of defense against those who reject holy icons. Complete collection of creations. T. 1. St. Petersburg, 1913.
Kvlividze N.V. Mother of God: Iconography. PE. T. 5. P. 501-504.
Kolpakova G. S. The Art of Byzantium. T. 1-2. St. Petersburg, 2004.
Kondakov N.P. Iconography of the Mother of God. T. I-II. St. Petersburg, 1914-1915.
Lazarev V.N. History of Byzantine painting. T. 1. M., 1986.
Livshits L.I., Sarabyanov V.D., Tsarevskaya T.Yu. Monumental painting of Veliky Novgorod. The end of the 11th - the first quarter of the 12th century. St. Petersburg, 2004.
Sarabyanov V.D., Smirnova E.S. History of Old Russian painting. M., 2007.
Smirnova E. S. Painting of Veliky Novgorod. Mid-XIII - early XV centuries. M., 1976.
Uspensky L. A. Theology of the icon of the Orthodox Church. Paris, 1989.
Etingof O. E. Image of the Mother of God. Essays on Byzantine iconography of the 11th-13th centuries. M., 2000.

There are icons not only in churches, but also in homes. The image of the Mother of God is considered one of the most powerful, but it is important to know what each image is intended for.

People turn to the icon of the Mother of God for help, protection and consolation. They pray in front of her image to save themselves and their loved ones from all troubles. That is why there is such a variety of images of the Virgin Mary.

Those who want to save their home keep an icon Mother of God. It is known that those who pray to her are protected spiritually and physically from any evil. Since ancient times, people have hung an image above the entrance and asked for its protection. There are more than 800 names of images. Those with a child in their arms relieve ailments and help the soul to see the light. Prayer only reaches if it comes from the heart and with good intentions.

Kinds

Total exists four types of icons Mother of God:

1 The Omen. The Mother of God prays on these icons. They write it to the waist or to its full height. On her chest is an image of the unborn Christ. This icon symbolizes the Immaculate Conception;

2 Hodegetria. Occurs most often. The main idea is that the Mother of God leads to faith. Depicted in full height, waist-deep or shoulder-deep. She has a baby in her arms. She points to him with one. Jesus blesses the mother and the believers;

3 Eleusa. On icons of this type, the Mother of God is always depicted holding a child in her arms. Symbol of the unity of mother and son;

4 Akathist. On them the Virgin Mary is depicted without a child. It is considered a collective image of mothers who worry about their children.

Origins

The first image of the Virgin Mary was found in the second century AD in the catacombs.

Her images were applied to vessels for incense. In the 5th century Mary was granted the right to be called the Mother of God. In the images that have survived, she holds a child in her arms and sits on a throne. Her images were mosaiced in old temples, e.g. Santa Maggiore and in church Panagia Angeloktista. Images of Mary were created in Byzantium. One of the icons was brought to Russia. Was later named Vladimirskaya and began to be considered the standard of icon painting. A copy of Byzantine icons is Novgorodskaya icon.

How to pray

Icons of the Mother of God are considered truly miraculous and believers turn to them for help. The Mother of God protects. If you approach her with pure intentions, she will fulfill the request. Simply reading prayers does not work; only sincere faith will help. You can pray at home or in church after the service. The most common:

• From hunger. The harvest increases, income increases;
• For ailments. More often they ask about vision;
• From drunkenness. The drunkard will become a teetotaler forever;
• From grief. The soul calms down;
• To protect your home. Ill-wishers will not pass.

Miracle

Many images are considered miraculous. From Moscow:

• Gracious. Located in the Conception Convent. She grants motherhood to women;
• Tikhvinskaya. Gives protection. It is interesting that under communism the church with this icon was not closed;
• Vladimirskaya from the Church of St. Nicholas. There is a legend that she saved Rus' from enemies three times. This icon is venerated in June-July and September.
• Kazan Mother of God. The first miracle was her rescue from the fire - she remained intact. Heals and protects.

Nobody knows why icons stream myrrh. This usually happens before tragic events. It is interesting that this phenomenon appears only on icons made on wood. The icons streamed myrrh before the events in Georgia, Beslan and Ukraine. The seven-shot icon has been streaming myrrh for 20 years.

Meaning

Icons of the Mother of God symbolize the unity of God and man.

Her image is collective– a mother who forgives her child, understands and protects him. Therefore, there are many icons and holidays dedicated to this image. The clergy instruct that there is no greater pain than the death of one’s own child. The Mother of God went through these torments and teaches humility to believers. She lived in patience, orphaned. The Mother of God married a widower; his children did not love her.

Reading prayers without faith and indifferent visits to the temple will bring nothing. Our Lady teaches people to remain virtuous, to be humble in difficult moments of their lives and to know that everything can turn out for the better.

Traditions

It is customary to draw the throne in Greece and Italy. The Virgin Mary on it or in full growth in Russia was usually depicted on frescoes or iconostases - on large-scale canvases. Icon painters mostly painted it up to the waist or shoulders. She is an intercessor and protects those who ask.

In the Russian tradition, the icon is satellite. They took it with them, prayed before it and passed it on to their descendants. It is believed that the older the image, the more powerful it is. In Russia It is customary to have more than one icon at home, and also in temples there are countless of them. Many images of the Mother of God are considered miraculous.

Canons

In Orthodox iconography, the following are used to depict the Mother of God: details:

• Blue tunic;
• Blue cap;
• Maforius;

Every element on the icon has a meaning.

The stars on maforia signify the stages of life: conception, birth and death. Border- glorification. Handkerchief symbolizes motherhood, divine belonging. Blue- a symbol of virginity, purity. Sometimes tradition is broken to emphasize a particular detail. Our Lady without mafori I am also considered a departure from church canons. In Orthodoxy, the crown is written on top of the scarf. The image of the crown itself came from the west. In early icons the Mother of God was only in maforia.

Holidays

More than two hundred images are recorded in the religious calendar.

One of the important holidays is Protection of the Virgin Mary. It is named after the icon of the same name. On it the Mother of God is depicted in full height. In her hands she holds a cloth with the image of Jesus, sometimes she is depicted without it. One of the most revered icons - Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Semistrelnaya

This image is distinguished from others by a detail: it is pierced by 7 arrows, sometimes with swords in their place.

What does this mean? Typically near the right shoulder three arrows, and the left one has four. There is an image with symmetry - three on each side and one below.

Meaning

When, on the fortieth day of Jesus’ life, they brought him to the Jerusalem temple, the sage Simeon blessed him and told the Mother of God that “a weapon will pierce the soul.” He predicted the suffering of a mother about her son. It is believed that seven arrows are a symbol of sins. In addition, the number seven means completeness, in this case the completeness of maternal grief. The date of its origin is unknown. Some believe that it is five centuries old, others believe that it is more. According to legend, the image was found in the first half of the 19th century on an ordinary wooden board.

The Mother of God turns to her son to intercede for those who sincerely ask. However, she sees the sins of each of those praying and this pierces her like arrows.

Help

This image is one of the most powerful. Prayers at this icon help those who have evil people around them: envious and ill-wishers. It helps to soften hearts, awaken compassion and a desire to do good in people. Anyone who is sick will receive the help of the Mother of God.

Miracles have been witnessed:

• The lame man who found the icon on the stairs of the bell tower was cured;
• Deliverance of the Vologda province from the cholera epidemic.

It is believed that if you place an icon of the Mother of God at home, then it will be protected from bad influences, and the residents will find physical and spiritual harmony.

Who does it help:

• To those who fight. She protects their lives;
• For those who have envious people or enemies;
• Sick of any illness.

Those who hang this icon at home or in their office do not have to worry about safety, since it wards off evil and protects from conflicts. You can hang a small image above the door of your home or on your desk.

Where can I buy

Many people ask: where to buy an icon? This image is quite common, so it is easy to find. Can buy in the church shop. They are available in almost any shopping center. However, before placing it in your home, you need to consecrate it in the church. Some sellers may claim that nothing is counterfeited and the products are sanctified, but it is better not to take risks.

Why is it preferable to buy icons in a temple:

• All icons are consecrated;
• No fakes;
• By purchasing from a temple, you are supporting it and allowing it to grow.

Some people who are fond of needlework embroider icons threads or beads, and also paint.

Where to hang

Owners of this icon say that household members become softer in character and calmer.

The house itself becomes more prosperous, so all believers want to buy it. It is best to place the icon there, where it will be convenient to pray.

Icons are not decoration, so there are some useful tips:

• There should be no items such as cosmetics, figurines, jewelry and other non-religious attributes near the icons;
• It is not allowed to place icons together with non-iconographic images and non-canonical attributes: paintings based on biblical subjects, calendars, books;
• You should not place images of modern idols near the icon: fan posters of various contents or photographs;
• Icons are usually hung on the eastern side to bring in positive energy. Make sure there is free space in front of her;
• It is allowed to keep religious literature, candles and other religious attributes next to the icon;
• To make an iconostasis at home, it is appropriate to use a shelf, a special structure or an icon case. They are usually not hung on nails;
• If several faces are placed, then you need to follow the hierarchy: in the center there are two older faces, and on the left and right there are younger ones next to each other;
• Often hung above the door;
• The place where the icon stands is kept clean.

How to pray

The clergy say that if a person does not know prayers, but believes, then he can pray to the Mother of God, and she will accept his requests.

It is worth praying every day, especially before leaving home. Thoughts must be the most sincere, otherwise she will not hear those asking for help. Requests for healing, for an end to quarrels and conflicts - something that can help Semistrelnaya.

Celebration days

The icons are different, but since they belong to the same type, they decided to honor them on the same days. It happens:

• August 13;
• After Easter on the 9th Sunday;
• The first Sunday after the Holy Trinity.

Notable lists

In Moscow there are two icons that stream myrrh. One is located in the Church of the Archangel Michael, and the other in the village of Bachurino.

It was made to order, but when the owner noticed that the icon was streaming myrrh, I immediately gave it to the church. After this, the icon was recognized as miraculous and it was taken abroad and shown in Russian cities. Another icon is located in the Church of St. Lazarus, which is located in Vologda. It was brought after the war. Pilgrims come to her twice a year.

Another icon is in the Venetian chapel. She was found by Italian soldiers during Second World War. The icon was found in a destroyed house and given to the priest. The Italian forces were defeated, but the priest escaped. Then in Venice built a chapel for the icon. They say that before the war this icon belonged to a monastery.

Kazanskaya

It is believed that Our Lady of Kazan protects from enemies and heals ailments.

Those who are in trouble can ask her for help and protection. This icon can be placed at home or given as a gift. This image belongs to the “Hodegetria” type, that is, its goal is guide a person to the true path.

Story

In the 16th century there was a fire in Kazan. The holy face was discovered by the merchant's little daughter Matrona. In a dream, the Mother of God appeared to her and told her to get the icon from the fire. Surprisingly the image was not damaged and looked new. A convent was built at the site where the icon was discovered. The icon was given to the Assumption Cathedral for storage. However, in the 20th century the icon was stolen and then destroyed. Only copies of the image have survived. After the founding of the temple, Matrona and her mother became abbess.

Celebration dates

It is customary to celebrate this image twice a year:

• 21st of June. On this day, the girl saw a vision of the Virgin Mary. Celebrated since the 16th century;
• November 4. Moscow was liberated by Minin and Pozharsky in the fall of 1612.

Before the decisive battle, people prayed and asked for intercession. After the revolution November 4 ceased to be a holiday, in 2005 it became Day of National Unity. The same service is held on these days.

Icon location

In its early years it was located in Tretyakov Gallery. A copy of it is kept in the home church of the Moscow Patriarch. This copy is gift to the Roman Catholic Church in honor of the end of the rivalry between the churches. The closest copy to the original is stored in Prince Vladimir Cathedral, which is in St. Petersburg.

Meaning

The Kazan Mother of God helps people realize and find their true path through life.

They prayed to her during the Time of Troubles, and thanks to her protection, troops recaptured Moscow from the Polish invaders. Peter I prayed to her before the Battle of Poltava. During the Patriotic War of 1812, she helped soldiers win several victories. Kutuzov prayed to the Mother of God before heading into the army.

Miracles that happened during religious processions are associated with it:

• The unknown pilgrim was cured of his illness;
• The daughter-in-law of a noble man got rid of a leg disease;
• The newborn received his sight;
• Demons came out of several women.

After this, all the sufferers hurried to the icon.

Not only military or political figures, but also ordinary people can rely on the protection of the Kazan Mother of God. If you ask from the bottom of your heart, then she grants her protection to everyone who asks.

How does it help?

Kazan Mother of God helps everyone who believes and asks for help:

• They ask the Kazan Mother of God to bless the marriage of the young;
• Married couples turn to her with a request to find harmony in their relationships and get rid of unhappiness.
• Most of all, she is supportive of children: she protects them from misfortune, evil people and helps them on the path of life;
• They pray to her to help the soldiers and protect their native land;
• It helps you find the right solution and avoid failure. Witnesses say that she came to them in their dreams and told them what to do and how to do it, and what to give up. Thus, a person avoids trouble;
• They pray to her in difficult times, when there is not enough strength to fight. In sorrow, she will comfort the one who asks and give him instructions;
• It helps with weakening faith in the soul and cures ailments. They ask her to get her sight back. Helps you to see spiritually.

The original icon was small in size - approximately 26x22 centimeters;

There were two vestments - for the holidays and for everyday use. The festive one was made of gold, and on top was a frame with precious stones. Casual made of pearls;

Most often they ask her for relief from eye ailments, attacks, or help in difficult times;

In honor of the Kazan Mother of God, the Kazan Cathedral was erected at the expense of Pozharsky;

In the 17th century, the icon became a state-level shrine;

The first set of jewelry was ordered to be made by Empress Anna Ioannovna. She ordered to build a church and move the icon there;

A cathedral was built in her honor in St. Petersburg;

During the terrorist attack in the Winter Palace, the icon was not damaged, although the room where it was located was completely destroyed;

The icon is credited with helping to win the Great Patriotic War. They say that Zhukov himself took her to the front;

The most famous Kazan icons are: the Moscow/St. Petersburg lists and the revealed icon. However, the Moscow list and the revealed icon were lost;

At the beginning of the 20th century, the revealed icon was stolen, later burnt icons were found in the thief’s oven, presumably it was also destroyed;

There is a legend that the abbess of the monastery changed the icon for an exact copy before going to bed in order to protect the shrine from thieves. Therefore, it is believed that the real icon was not stolen;

The list of Moscow was stolen at the beginning of the last century, where it is now is unknown;

The St. Petersburg list survived because the abbot told the Bolsheviks that the list had no value;

One of the lists was taken out of Russia to save it from the Bolsheviks. Kept by the Pope, many years later the list returned to Kazan;

This icon is considered a wedding icon;

The list of icons went to the ISS in 2011;

Monasteries and churches are dedicated to her not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, Finland and Cuba.

VIDEO: Intercessor. Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Intercessor / Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the center of the plot of the picture is the Vatican list of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - the main Orthodox shrine of Kazan.

Iverskaya

The icon received its name from the monastery in which it is located. It stands on the sacred Mount Athos. People call her the Gatekeeper.

Basically, it helps in getting rid of diseases and protecting the home from unwanted guests. The monks said that she warns of negative events that will happen in the world soon.

Where is it stored?

First mentioned in the 9th century. During that period, images of saints were mocked and were subject to destruction. According to legend, the image was saved by a widow, but they found out about it. The soldiers burst into the woman's house and pierced the image, it bled. The woman prayed to the Mother of God and went to the water. When the icon touched the water, it floated vertically. The rumor about this reached Mount Athos. The widow's son became a monk on the mountain.

Not far from her, hundreds of years ago, a ship with Mary moored. In the 5th century a monastery was created. One day the monks saw a column of fire from the water. They tried to approach the image, but it floated away as they approached. The monks prayed to God to give them the icon. After some time, the Mother of God appeared to the elder and said: that he will give them the icon. But for this he must come to her by sea.

The brothers positioned themselves on the shore and began to pray while the elder walked on the water. After receiving it, she was kept in the chapel and prayed for three days. After that, she was moved to the temple, and a source appeared in the place where she was. Then it appeared above the gate, it was removed and returned to its place, but the image again appeared above the gate.

The Mother of God again appeared to the elder and said that there was no need to protect her, she herself would be the guardian of the monastery. The monks built a church above the gate and the image is still there. She is honored on Tuesday of Bright Week. Then a procession of the cross is made to the place where the elder received the shrine.

N.V.Kvlividze

Iconography of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Images of the Mother of God occupy an exceptional place in Christian iconography, testifying to Her significance in the life of the Church. The 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 incarnate...” (kontakion of the 1st week of Lent), therefore, for the first time, Her image appears in such scenes as “The Nativity of Christ” and “The Adoration of the Magi.” From here other iconographic themes subsequently develop, reflecting the dogmatic, liturgical and historical aspects of the veneration of the Mother of God. The dogmatic meaning of the image of the Mother of God is evidenced by Her image in the altar apses, since She symbolizes. The history of the Church from the prophet Moses to the Nativity of Christ appears as the action of Providence about the birth of She through whom 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 hagiographic cycles of the Virgin Mary. 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 appeared in various forms. Temples are dedicated to her. Her images occupy the most important place in the system of temple decoration, largely determining its symbolism. The iconography of the Mother of God is distinguished by the variety of types; icons and objects of plastic art, including decorations of the Mother of God images, are widespread. Icons of the Mother of God and their liturgical veneration contributed to the formation of developed liturgical rites, gave impetus to hymnographic creativity, and created a whole layer of literature - legends about icons, which in turn was the source of 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. A significant center of veneration of the Mother of God was Constantinople, where the most ancient icons and shrines of the Mother of God were collected, churches were built in Her honor, and the city was conceived under the protection of the Blessed Virgin. After the Third Ecumenical Council, the veneration of the Mother of God became widespread throughout the Christian world. From the 6th 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 Mary developed already in the pre-iconoclastic period, the earliest are found 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 Priscilla’s catacombs (2nd half of the 2nd century – 1st half of the 3rd century) interpreted as an image of the Virgin Mary; Also in the catacombs of Priscilla, a fresco representing the Virgin Mary on the throne in the scene of the “Adoration of the Magi” (IV century) has been preserved. The determining role in the formation of the iconographic type “Virgin on the Throne” was played by the paintings 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 concha (not preserved). The image of the Virgin Mary on the throne, placed from the 5th century. in the conchs of the altar apses, replaced the images of Jesus Christ located there in an earlier era (Cathedral of St. Euphrasian in Porec (Croatia), 543–553; Panagia Kanakarias in Lithrangomi (Cyprus), 2nd quarter of the 6th century). Images of the Virgin and Child enthroned are also found on the walls of the central naves of basilicas (Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, 6th century; Martyr Demetrius in Thessalonica, 6th century; Felix and Adauctus in the catacombs of Priscilla in Rome, 6th century), on icons (for example, from the monastery of the Great Church of Catherine on Sinai, 6th century), as well as in works of small plastic art (for example, ampoules of Monza (treasury of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Monza in Italy), diptychs (avory , VI century, State Museums of Berlin)).

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

One of the most common is the image of the Mother of God Hodegetria, named after the Constantinople temple in which this revered icon was located. According to legend, it was written by the Evangelist Luke and sent from Jerusalem to the Emperor. Evdokia. The earliest image of Hodegetria has been preserved in miniature from the Gospel of Ravbula (Fol. 289 - full-length). In icons of this type, the Mother of God holds the Child in her left hand, with her right hand extended to Him in prayer.

During the period of iconoclastic persecution, the miraculous image of the Mother of God, according to legend, which 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 miraculous image, brought from Palestine by Patriarch Herman, is revered as the miraculous Lydda (Roman) icon of the Mother of God (an image of Hodegetria with the Child on her right hand).

The image of the Mother of God of Nikopeia, holding with both hands, like a shield, a medallion with the image of the Infant Christ, was especially revered in Constantinople. This image is first found on the seals of the Emperor. Mauritius (582–602), whom, according to legend, the icon accompanied in wars. The establishment of the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary 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 paintings of the monastery of St. Apollonia in Bauita and the church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Rome (8th century). In the East during this period, the image of the Virgin Mammal was widespread (frescoes of the monasteries of St. Jeremiah in Saqqara (5th century) and St. Apollonius in Bauita), emphasizing the theme of motherhood and the incarnation of God.

The types of images of the Virgin Mary that appeared in early Christian art received further distribution and development in the art of Byzantium, the Balkans, and Ancient Rus'. Some iconographic versions have been preserved almost unchanged, for example, the image of the Mother of God on the throne with the Infant Christ sitting frontally on the Mother’s lap. She holds Him with her right hand at the shoulder and with her left at the leg. 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 katholikon of the Hosios Loukas monastery in Phokis (Greece), 30s of the 11th century; in the church of Martyr George in Staro Nagorichino (Macedonia ), 1317–1318; in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary 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 11th century) of the Mother of God Nikopeia, holding the image of the Child in a medallion, however, in the post-iconoclast period, the type of Mother of God Nikopeia (full length) with the Child depicted not in the medallion became widespread (for example, in Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Nicaea, 787 (not preserved); in Hagia Sophia of Constantinople, 1118; in the cathedral of the Gelati Monastery, ca. 1130). The type of the Virgin Mary with the image of the Child in a medallion is known in several variants: with the image in front of the chest, in the height of Oranta, Blachernitissa (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 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 (known in Russian tradition like the “Sign”, for example, the icon of the Mother of God from the St. Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod, around 1160; mosaic of the narthex of the Chora Monastery (Kakhrie-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, images of the Mother of God Eleusa (Merciful), Glycophilus (Sweet kiss; in the Russian tradition Tenderness), also known under the name Blachernitissa (12th century icon, monastery of Martyr Catherine on Sinai), where the Mother of God and the Child are depicted in mutual caress, spread ( fresco of the church of Tokaly-kilise, Cappadocia (10th century), Vladimir, Tolga, Don icons of the Mother of God, etc.). This type of image emphasizes the theme of motherhood and the future suffering of the Infant God, most clearly expressed in Pelagonitis, a miraculous image from the Pelagonian diocese in Macedonia. In the Russian tradition, this icon was called “Leaping” (fresco of the monastery of the Church of Martyr George in Staro-Nagorichino (Macedonia), 1317–1318; icon from the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Zrze (Macedonia), XIV century), since the Baby on it is depicted breaking out from the hands of the Mother of God. The theme of Christ's suffering is also expressed in the iconography of the Passionate Virgin Mary, usually presented in the type of Hodegetria (fresco of the Church of Panagia Arakos in Lagoudera) or Tenderness (Russian icon of the 13th century, TGOM; icon of the 15th century (Byzantine Museum)), with angels on the sides, which holding the instruments of passions.

In addition to the frontal position, images of the Mother of God in prayer can represent a figure in a 3/4 turn. Such images have been known since pre-iconoclast times. The hands of the Mother of God are stretched out prayerfully to Christ, for example, in the images of the Mother of God of Agiosoritissa (Chalcopratia) (mosaic in the Church of the Great Martyr Demetrius in Thessalonica, 6th century (not preserved), miniature from the Christian topography of Cosmas Indicopleus (Vat. gr. 699 . Fol. 76, 9th century); icon of the 12th century (monastery of the Martyr Catherine on Sinai); icon from the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, 14th century) and in the compositions of the Deesis, as well as the Mother of God Paraklisis (Intercessor), holding holding a scroll with the text of a prayer addressed to Christ (mosaic of the church of Martyr Demetrius, 7th century; Bogolyubskaya Icon of the Mother of God (Assumption Cathedral of the Princess Monastery in Vladimir, mid-12th century); icon from the cathedral in Spoleto (Italy); 12th century ., fresco of the cathedral of the Mirozhsky monastery in Pskov, XII century; mosaic of the Church of Martorana in Palermo (Sicily), XII century).

Often the names of certain iconographic types are identified with epithets of the Mother of God 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 mentioned icon of the Eleusa type from the VMC monastery. Catherine in 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 (12th century) it is written guarantor, intercessor or patroness; images of Hodegetria may have the inscriptions “Eleusa” (Khilandar Monastery, Athos, XIV century), “Beautiful” and “Soul Savior” (both - XIV century, museum in Ohrid (Macedonia)); “The Most Graceful” and “The Tsarina of All” (both – 16th century, STsAM), etc.; on the icon of the Mother of God Oranta with the image of the Child in front of the chest there is the inscription “Guide” (XV century?, TsAK MDA).

Symbolic epithets of the Mother of God can be the name of a certain iconographic type. Such 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 waist-deep in a phial (a bowl with a fountain), without the Child, with her hands raised in prayer (mosaic of the Chora Monastery in Constantinople; 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 Athos, 1423; Russian icon 1675, Central Museum of Art and Culture). Icons based on literary epithets of the Mother of God, such as “The Unfading Flower”, “Blessed Womb”, “Seeking the Lost”, “Joy of All Who Sorrow”, “Support of Sinners”, “Burning Bush”, “Mountain”, were especially widespread in the Russian environment. not hand-cut”, “Impenetrable Door”, etc.

The richest source of the Mother of God iconography are liturgical texts, primarily hymnographic ones. The heyday of this type of iconography occurs at the end. XIII-XVI centuries Lengthy poetic cycles dedicated to the Mother of God are illustrated, both the Akathist of the Mother of God, and individual hymns, the central image of which is the Mother of God, for example, the stichera “What shall we bring to Thee, O Christ” (“Cathedral of Our Lady” - fresco of the Church of the Savior of the Žiča monastery (Serbia), 13th century .; fresco of the Church of the Virgin Mary Perivelept in Ohrid, 1295; icon of the late XIV - early XV centuries, Tretyakov Gallery); honoree of the liturgy of St. Basil the Great “Rejoices in You” (late 15th century icon, Tretyakov Gallery); fresco of the Nativity Cathedral of Ferapontov Monastery, 1502); the verse “It is worthy to eat” (icon of the mid-16th century, Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin), the Mother of God of the 1st hour “What shall we call Thee” (icon of the 17th century, Central Museum of Art and Culture). The liturgical images also include “Praise of the Mother of God,” based on the chant “Above the prophets foretell Thee” (14th-century icon and 15th-century fresco from the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin; 16th-century icon, Russian Museum). The theme of the icons is the events celebrated by the Church, associated with the veneration of the Mother of God and shrines - “Protection of the Most Holy. Mother of God" (stamp of the west gate of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin in Suzdal, XII century; icon of the XIV century, NGOMZ; icon of the XIV century, Tretyakov Gallery), "Position of the robe of the Most Holy. Mother of God" (XV century, TsMiAR).

In addition to liturgical texts, the basis of the Mother of God icons can be historical narratives. For example, the miraculous Pskov-Pokrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God depicts the events of the siege of Pskov by the troops of Stefan Batory in 1581 (comes from the Church of the Intercession of Prolom, stolen during the Great Patriotic War, from September 7, 2001 in the Trinity Cathedral of Pskov.

In close connection with the formation of the iconography of the feasts of the Mother of God is the development of the life cycle of the Mother of God; its images are based on the apocryphal Proto-Gospel of James, the Word of the Apostle John the Theologian on the Dormition, the Word of St. John of Thessalonica and a number of other texts telling about the events of the life of the Mother of God from Her conception by the barren Anna to the Assumption. Individual images of apocryphal subjects were known already in the pre-iconoclastic period, for example, a plate with scenes of the Annunciation and the Trial of Conviction by Water (VI century, GMVI). In the painting of the Kyzylchukur church (Cappadocia; 850–860), the earliest life cycle of the Virgin Mary is preserved, including 10 scenes from the Annunciation to Anna to the Entry of the Virgin Mary into the temple. The same subjects are presented in the miniatures of the Minology of Basil II (Vat. gr. 1613, 976–1025) and the mosaics of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Daphne (c. 1100). In the painting of the Cathedral of St. Sophia of Kyiv (30s of the 11th century), the proto-Gospel cycle, ending with the scene of “The 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 of the 12th century) a cycle located in the southwest. compartment, included more than 20 compositions (16 saved); in the Novgorod churches of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary at the Antoniev Monastery (1125), the Annunciation in Arkazhi (80s of the 12th century), the Savior on Nereditsa (1199, frescoes not preserved), St. George in St. Ladoga (2nd half of the 12th century) the hagiographic cycle of the Mother of God is in the altar. The proto-evangelical cycle may include compositions: the bringing of gifts by the righteous Joachim and Anna, the rejection of gifts, the crying of Joachim and Anna, the prayer of Anna, the prayer of Joachim, the test of the scriptures, the gospel to Anna, the gospel to Joachim, the meeting of Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate, the Nativity of the Most Holy One. Mother of God, caressing Mary, feeding Mary, the first seven steps of the Most Holy. Theotokos, presentation to the elders, introduction to the temple, prayer for the rods, presentation of Mary to Joseph, Joseph leading Mary to his house, Annunciation at the well, meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, Joseph's reproaches, Joseph's dream, trial of reproof by water.

In the XIII-XIV centuries. The life cycle of the Mother of God is expanded by the narrative of the Dormition of the Mother of God, which includes scenes: farewell to the women of Jerusalem, farewell to the apostles, the ascension of the Mother of God and the presentation of the belt, the transfer of the body of the Mother of God to the burial place, the cutting off of the hands of the wicked Authonia by an angel, the apostles at the empty tomb of the Mother of God. One example of such a lengthy cycle is the painting of the Church of the Virgin Mary Periveleptus (St. Clement) in Ohrid (1395). Scenes from the Proto-Gospel and Assumption 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-Gospel cycle are presented on the vaults and walls of the exonarthex.

In the XV-XVI centuries. In Russian art, icons of the Mother of God with scenes of life in stamps are becoming widespread. Similar images were known in Byzantine art (diptych of the 12th century, State Museum of Berlin). On Russian icons, among the subjects of the Assumption cycle, the following stand out: The Prayer of the Mother of God on the Mount of Olives, the Annunciation of Death, The Position of the Robe and Belt of the Mother of God (Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God with the marks of the Life, 15th century, NGOMZ; Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, 16th century, Tretyakov Gallery). Hagiographic icons of the Mother of God were the basis for the development of a fundamentally new type of icon with a legend of miracles. This iconographic type, known in Byzantine art, was developed in Rus' in the 2nd half. XVI-XVII centuries, which is associated with the liturgical veneration of miraculous icons and the compilation of special services for 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 editions of the text (“Vladimir icon with the marks of the legend of Temir-Aksak”, XVI century, PGKhG; “Vladimir icon with 64 marks of the Legend of her miracles”, XVII century. , Central Historical Museum; Tikhvin icon, 16th century, Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin; Tikhvin icon from Balakhna with scenes of the siege of the monastery by the Swedes, 17th century, Central Historical Museum; Tikhvin icon with life and miracles in 99 stamps, 17th century, Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin; Kazan Icon, 17th century, SIHM; Tolga Icon, 17th century, YAHM cf.: Theodorovskaya Icon, 2001, Pakhomiev Nerekhta Convent of the Kostroma Diocese).

Often the subject of a separate icon was an episode from the legend of the miracles of another image of the Mother of God. For example, the Besednaya Icon depicts the miracle of the appearance of the Mother of God to sexton George, the story of which is contained in the legend of the Tikhvin Icon; The plot of the icon “The Presentation of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God” (XVI century, Central Museum of Art and Culture) is an episode from “The Tale of the Miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.”

The iconography of the Mother of God images was significantly enriched in later times. In the XIX-XX centuries. the icons of the Mother of God “Tenderness” of Seraphim-Diveyevo (the cell of St. Seraphim of Sarov) became famous, on which the Mother of God without the Child is represented with her arms crossed on her chest, with a halo surrounded by fiery tongues, “The Spreader of the Loaves” (the name was given by St. Ambrose of Optina), where the appearance in the heavens of the Mother of God blessing the fields, found in the village of Kolomenskoye “Derzhavnaya”, is captured. The attitude of the Russian Church to the images of the Mother of God is deeply and accurately expressed in the words of the hymn to the Mother of God: “And to this day with mercy.”

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