The image of the Vladimir Mother of God. How does the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God help?

Rejoice, thou who has loved Orthodox Rus'; Rejoice, you who established the true faith in her... Rejoice, our warm Prayer Book; Rejoice, zealous Intercessor! Rejoice, Most Pure One, flowing mercy to us from Your icon.

From the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos
in honor of the icon of Her Vladimir

The city of Moscow and the miraculous image of the Mother of God of Vladimir are inseparably and forever fused. How many times did She save the white-stone from enemies! This image connected with itself the apostolic times and Byzantium, Kievan and Vladimir Rus', and then Moscow - the Third Rome, “but there will not be a fourth.” This is how the Moscow state was providentially formed, incorporating a mystical connection with ancient empires, historical experience, and traditions of other Orthodox lands and peoples. The miraculous image of Vladimirskaya became a symbol of unity and continuity.

This amazing icon is difficult to describe in words, because they all seem empty before the gaze that looks at us. Everything is in this gaze: life and death, and resurrection, eternity, immortality.

According to the most ancient legend, the holy evangelist, doctor and artist Luke painted three icons of the Virgin Mary. Looking at them, the Most Pure One said: “Let the grace of Him who was born of Me and Mine be with the holy icons.” One of these icons is known to us under the name of Vladimir.

Until 450, this image of the Lady remained in Jerusalem, and then was transferred to Constantinople. In the first half of the 12th century, Patriarch of Constantinople Luka Chrysoverkh sent the icon (together with another image of the Mother of God, known as the “Pirogovaya”) as a gift to Grand Duke Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky, who placed the image in the Vyshgorod nunnery near Kiev, in an area that once belonged to the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga. In 1155, Vyshgorod became the inheritance of Prince Andrei, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky.

Having decided to move to his native Suzdal land, Prince Andrei, without his father’s knowledge, took the icon with him. On the way, he constantly served prayers before her. The residents of Vladimir-on-Klyazma greeted their prince with zeal and joy; From there the prince went further to the city of Rostov. However, having driven no more than ten miles from Vladimir, the horses stood on the banks of the Klyazma and, despite urging, did not want to go further. They harnessed the fresh ones, but even those did not go. Struck, Prince Andrei fell in front of the icon and began to pray tearfully. And then the Mother of God appeared to him with a scroll in her hand and commanded him to leave Her image in the city of Vladimir, and on the site of this appearance to build a monastery in honor of Her Nativity.

The prince placed the icon in Vladimir, and from that time - from 1160 - it received the name Vladimir.

In 1164, this icon accompanied Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky on a campaign against the Volga Bulgars. Before the battle, the prince confessed and took communion; Having fallen before the image of the Mother of God, he exclaimed: “Everyone trusts in You, Lady, and will not perish!” The entire army, following their prince, kissed the miraculous woman with tears and, calling on the Most Pure One for intercession, moved into battle. The wicked were defeated.

After the victory on the battlefield, a prayer service was performed before the holy icon. During it, in full view of the entire Russian army, a miracle was revealed: from the image and from the Life-Giving Cross, a wondrous light appeared, illuminating the entire area.

And at the other end of the Christian world, but exactly on the same day and hour, the Byzantine emperor Manuel saw the light from the Cross of the Lord and, supported by this sign, defeated his Saracen enemies. After the relationship of Prince Andrew with the Emperor of the Second Rome, on August 1, the holiday of the Origin (wearing down) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, known among the people as the First Savior, was established.

Many other miracles were revealed from the miraculous image.

In 1395, Tamerlane with hordes of Tatars approached Moscow. The Christian people had only hope for God's help. And then the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Dmitrievich ordered to bring the icon from Vladimir to Moscow. The Lady’s journey from the banks of the Klyazma lasted ten days. On both sides of the road, kneeling people stood and, stretching out their hands to the icon, cried out: “Mother of God, save the Russian land!” A solemn meeting awaited the Vladimir Icon in the white stone: a religious procession with all the city clergy, the family of the Grand Duke, boyars and ordinary Muscovites came to the city walls on Kuchkovo Field, met and escorted the miraculous one to the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin.

It was August 26th. “The whole city came out in front of the icon to meet it,” the chronicler testifies. Metropolitan, Grand Duke, “husbands and wives, young men and virgins, children and babies, orphans and widows, from young to old, with crosses and icons, with psalms and spiritual songs, moreover, saying everything with tears, who cannot find a person, not crying with silent sighs and sobs.”

And the Mother of God heeded the prayer of those who trusted in Her. At the very hour of the meeting of the miraculous on the banks of the Moscow River, Tamerlane had a sleepy vision in his tent: saints with golden staves were descending from a high mountain, and above them in indescribable grandeur, in the radiance of bright rays, the Radiant Woman was hovering; countless hosts of Angels with fiery swords surrounded Her... Tamerlane woke up, trembling with horror. The wise men he convened, elders and Tatar fortune-tellers, explained that the Woman he saw in a dream is the Intercessor of the Orthodox, the Mother of God, and that Her power is invincible. And then the Iron Lame ordered his hordes to turn back.

Both the Tatars and the Russians were amazed by this event. The chronicler concluded: “And Tamerlane fled, driven by the power of the Blessed Virgin!”

Grateful Muscovites lined up at the meeting place of the miraculous August 26, 1395 Sretensky Monastery: “Let people not forget the works of God.” So, after 242 years of stay on the banks of the Klyazma, the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir moved to Moscow and was placed in the Kremlin Cathedral in honor of the Dormition of the Most Pure One. Moscow owes its blessings for deliverance from the raids of Khan Edigei in 1408, the Nogai prince Mazovshi in 1451, and his father, Khan Sedi-Akhmet in 1459.

In 1480, the Horde Khan Akhmat moved to Moscow and already reached the Ugra River in Kaluga. Grand Duke Moscow John III was waiting on the other side of the river. Suddenly the Tatars were attacked by such strong and unreasonable fear that Akhmat did not dare to go to the Russian army and turned back to the steppe. In memory of this event, a religious procession from the Assumption Cathedral to the Sretensky Monastery began to be held annually in Moscow. And the Ugra River has since been known as the Belt of the Virgin Mary.

In 1521, the Kazan Khan Makhmet-Girey led the Kazan and Nogai Tatars to Moscow. Metropolitan Varlaam and all the people prayed earnestly before the face of Vladimir. Grand Duke Vasily Ivanovich barely had time to gather an army to meet the Tatars at the far frontier, on the Oka River. Holding back their onslaught, he slowly retreated to Moscow.

On the very night of the siege, the nun of the Kremlin Ascension Monastery saw the saints coming out through the locked doors of the Assumption Cathedral, carrying the miraculous Vladimir in their hands. These were the holy metropolitans of Moscow Peter and Alexy, who lived two centuries earlier. And the nun also saw how the Venerable Varlaam of Khutyn and Sergius of Radonezh met the procession of saints at the Spasskaya Tower - and fell prostrate before the icon, praying to the Most Pure One not to leave the Assumption Cathedral and the people of Moscow. And then the Intercessor returned through the locked doors.

The nun hastened to tell the townspeople about the vision. Muscovites gathered in the temple and began to pray fervently. And the Tatars again saw a vision of “a great army, shining with armor,” and they fled from the walls of the city.

So more than once our Fatherland was saved by the people's prayer before the miraculous image of Vladimir. In memory of these deliverances, the celebration of the Vladimir Icon was established: May 21 - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of the Crimean Khan Makhmet-Girey in 1521; June 23 - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of Khan Akhmat in 1480; August 26 - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane in 1395.

A special edition of the Vladimir Icon is called the “Tree of the Moscow State”. The first such icon was painted at the end of Ancient Rus', in 1668, by the royal icon painter Simon (Pimen) Ushakov for the Trinity Church in Nikitniki in Kitai-Gorod. It depicts Saints Peter and Alexy watering a lush tree growing from behind the Kremlin wall; on the branches there are medallions with a host of Russian saints, and in the center there is an oval image of Vladimirskaya. Just as in the icon “Praise of the Mother of God” the biblical prophets are written with unfolded scrolls, on which the words of the akathist are inscribed, so in this image the heavenly patrons of Rus' glorify and praise the Most Pure One, praying to Her for intercession for the Russian state.

Troparion, tone 4

Today the most glorious city of Moscow brightly flaunts, as if we have received the dawn of the sun, O Lady, Thy miraculous icon, to which we now flow and pray to Thee, we cry out to thee: O Most Wonderful Lady, Mother of God, pray from Thee to the incarnate Christ our God, that He may deliver this city and all Christian cities and countries are unharmed from all the slander of the enemy, and our souls will be saved by the Merciful.

Prayer

O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, Almighty Intercessor, our shameless Hope! Thanking Thee for all the great blessings that the Russian people have received from Thee throughout the generations, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (or: all this; or: this holy monastery) and Thy coming servants and the whole Russian land from famine, destruction , land of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. Save and save, Madam, our Great Lord and Father (name of rivers), His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and our Lord (name of rivers), Most Reverend Bishop (or: Archbishop; or: Metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend Metropolitans , archbishops and Orthodox bishops. May they govern the Russian Church well, and may the faithful sheep of Christ be preserved indestructibly. Remember, Lady, the entire priestly and monastic order, warm their hearts with zeal for God and strengthen them to walk worthy of their calling. Save, O Lady, and have mercy on all Your servants and grant us the path of the earthly journey without blemish. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, abstinence in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for our enemies, success in good deeds. Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensibility; on the terrible day of judgment, grant us, through Your intercession, to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Among Russian believers, the most beloved and revered is considered Vladimir icon Mother of God. Its significance for Rus' is enormous. She saved the country from enemy attacks more than once, thanks to her the Russians avoided enslavement.

History of the icon

Church tradition says that the Holy Face was painted by the Apostle and Evangelist Luke after the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven on an ordinary board from the table at which Mary, Joseph and Jesus ate. Until 450, the image rested on Jerusalem soil, and then was transferred to Constantinople. In the 12th century, the icon was brought as a gift by Patriarch Luka Chrysoverkh to Grand Duke Yuri Dolgoruky.

Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

In the monastic monastery of the city of Vyshgorod, Lik became famous for many miraculous events. But in 1155, Andrei Bogolyubsky, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky, transported the icon to Vladimir. For this occasion, the shrine began to be called Vladimir. The image was decorated with gold and silver, pearls and precious stones.

In 1164, during the military campaign of Prince Andrei against the Bulgarians, the Mother of God helped the Russians defeat the enemy. Her Face was preserved even in the strongest fire that raged in the cathedral. It remained safe and sound during the destruction of the city by Batu in 1237.

In 1395, the icon began to be kept in Moscow so that it would survive the invasion of Tamerlane. He invaded the Ryazan lands, ruining them, and soon went to Moscow, destroying and ruining everything that came along his route. Grand Duke Vasily Dmitrievich gathered troops, at the same time Metropolitan Cyprian was blessed for the post and service. The Moscow prince and metropolitan decided to use spiritual powers, so the image of the Most Pure Virgin was transferred from Vladimir to Moscow. The icon was kept in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. A miracle happened and Tamerlane left the Moscow borders. As it turned out, during the procession with the Mother of God of Vladimir to Moscow, pilgrims and people standing on both sides of the road along the procession’s route prayed to the Mother of God to grant peace to the Russian Land.

In turn, Tamerlane had a vision: he saw a huge mountain, with saints descending from its top, holding golden rods in their hands. The radiant Virgin rose above the saints, commanding him to leave Russian borders. Later he realized that the Wife is the Mother of God, a Christian protector and intercessor. He understood everything and ordered his army to go back. In memory of this event, a church celebration of the icon was established.

In 1480, the Mother of God saved Russia from the invasion of the troops of the Khan of the Golden Horde, Akhmat. Russian troops met the Tatars near the Ugra River. The fighters positioned themselves on both sides of the river and waited for the attack to begin. Russian soldiers held the Vladimir Icon in their hands and the Queen of Heaven put the Horde horde to flight. In honor of the miraculous event, a second celebration of the image was established.

In 1521, the Kazan Khan Makhmet-Girey moved to Moscow. The area through which the Tatars passed was a terrible sight: ruins could be seen on the sites of cities and villages, the property of the inhabitants was plundered, the elderly and children were mercilessly beaten, and then killed or sold into slavery. The attack was unexpected and people were very afraid that Moscow would also be ruined. Meanwhile, the khan reached the borders of Moscow and began to burn the city. But suddenly a miracle happened and the enemy troops began to retreat from the capital. And again the Mother of God helped. On this occasion, the Church established a third celebration.

Icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

Important events in Russia took place before the face of Vladimir:

election of patriarchs;
taking an oath of allegiance to the Fatherland;
prayers before military campaigns.

And at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War people day and night begged the Queen of Heaven for the intercession of Christ. Even Stalin himself at night, furtively from prying eyes, came to the temple and prayed to the Mother of God for help, and then gave the order to load the Holy Face into a plane and personally flew with it around the capital.

Iconography of the image

The icon depicts the tender “communication” of the Mother of God with the Son - the human side of family relationships. The Virgin and Child are in close contact, Jesus puts his arm around Mary's neck.

A special feature of the Vladimir Icon is the image of the Baby’s heel.

The icon has two sides, on the second the throne and symbols of the passion are depicted. This idea is not accidental and means the upcoming sacrifice of Christ and the mourning of the Son by the Mother.

This is interesting! No ancient icons like the Vladimir icon have survived to this day. Over many centuries, the image was restored several times, several layers of paint were applied to it. But what is surprising is that the faces of Christ and the Virgin Mary still remain in their original form.

During the entire existence of the image, none of the icon painters decided to tint or correct them.

What does Vladimirsky Lik help with?

The main thing is sincere faith in the power and mercy of the Queen of Heaven, which She reveals to humanity through the iconographic image. The Most Pure Virgin helps:

prayer before the icon affirms Orthodox spirit and gives it durability;
delivers the prayer book from heretical attacks;
protects Rus' from enemies, instilling courage and bravery in the hearts of warriors;
protects against military conflicts, external threats and internal unrest;
promotes reconciliation with the enemy;
provides guidance before making a difficult decision;
eliminates uncertainty and doubts;
gives peace and tranquility;
protects marriage and family from discord;
grants spouses love, unity, understanding and respect;
heals diseases;
grants spiritual and physical insight;
helps in difficult childbirth;
protects mothers and their children in a special way;
heals infertility and ailments of the female genital organs.

The image of the Vladimir Mother of God is the greatest fruit of reflection on the life of Christ on earth, the great humility of His Most Pure Mother, the earthly path they traversed and sacrificial love.

Important! Miraculous Face kept in the Moscow Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. His memory is celebrated annually on June 3, July 6 and September 8.

Video about the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

The icon of the Vladimir Mother of God is considered the main protector of Russia, as evidenced by numerous historical information. This image is related in its type to the icons of Eleus, that is, “Tenderness” - the Infant God touches the cheek of the Mother of God, and she, in turn, bows her head to her Son. All possible maternal pain in the world is concentrated in the face. Another significant detail of this particular icon, which is not present in images similar to this type, is the manifestation of the Baby’s heel. In addition, it is worth noting that the icon is double-sided and on the other side the throne and the Symbols of the Passion are depicted. It is believed that the icon contains a deep idea - the suffering of the Mother of God because of the sacrifice of Jesus. A huge number of listings have been made from the original image.

It is worth understanding what the Presentation of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God means. This is the most important celebration of this image, since it was on this day that the Moscow people were able to defend themselves from the troops of Tamerlane. It is believed that this happened only thanks to prayers near the miraculous image. This celebration is celebrated on August 26th. Another holiday of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, associated with the deliverance of Rus' from the Golden Horde of Akhmat, is usually celebrated on July 6. The icon is also venerated on May 21 in honor of the salvation of the Russian people from Khan Makhmet-Girey.

The history of the appearance of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

According to existing tradition, the image was painted by the Apostle Luke back in the days when the Mother of God was alive. The basis was taken from the board from the table where exactly the Holy Family's meal took place. Initially, the image was in Jerusalem and in 450 it was redirected to Constantinople, where it stood for about 650 years. One day the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God was presented Kievan Rus and she was sent to Vyshgorod. After some time, Andrei Bogolyubsky took it from there, who carried the image during his travels. While staying in Vladimir, he saw the sign of the Mother of God, and then it was decided to build a temple in this place, where the image remained. It was from then on that the icon began to be called Vladimir. Today in this temple there is a list made by Rublev, and the original is placed in the Church of St. Nicholas.

How does the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God help?

For several centuries this image has been revered as miraculous. A huge number of people turn to the icon in their prayers and ask for deliverance from various diseases. The Vladimir Mother of God shows her greatest power in the treatment of diseases associated with the cardiovascular system. They offer petitions before the icon to protect themselves from various tragedies, problems and enemies.

Prayer in front of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God helps you understand your emotional experiences and see that very “bright ray in the dark kingdom.” If you place this image at home, you can try to emulate those at war, soften human anger and strengthen faith.

The Legend contains miracles related to with the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir:

The guide of Prince Andrei, while traveling from Vyshgorod to Pereslavl, while crossing the river, stumbled and began to drown in the river. To save his escort, the prince started in front of the icon, which allowed him to survive.
Prince Andrei's wife had a difficult birth, and it happened on the day of the Assumption Holy Mother of God. The miraculous icon was washed with water, and then given to the princess to drink. As a result, she gave birth to a healthy baby.

This is only a small list of miracles that are associated with the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. She helped a huge number of people get rid of serious illnesses and avoid death.

The holy image more than once helped the Russian army to win decisive battles - this is one of the most revered shrines of the Russian Orthodox Church, which established a threefold celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

How the Holy Image ended up in Rus'

According to legend, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke during the earthly life of the Mother of God on the board of the table at which the Savior, the Most Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph dined.

The Virgin Mary, seeing Her image, said: “From now on, all generations will bless Me. May the grace of the One born of Me and Mine be with this image.”

The icon of the Mother of God remained in Jerusalem until 450, then it was transferred to Constantinople. At the beginning of the 12th century Patriarch of Constantinople Luke Chrysoverg sent a special list (copy) of it to Kyiv as a gift to the Holy Prince Mstislav.

After arriving in Rus', from 1131 the icon was in the Mother of God Monastery, which was located in one of the northern suburbs of Kyiv - Vyshgorod. Rumors about her wonderful creations circulated throughout Rus'.

How the icon got its name

Vyshgorod became the inheritance of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, son of Yuri Dolgoruky, in 1155. Having decided to move to his native land of Suzdal, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky took the icon with him and prayed earnestly in front of it on the way.

After resting in Vladimir, the prince was about to continue moving, but having driven quite a bit from the city, his horses stopped. All attempts to force them to move on were unsuccessful. Even after changing horses, nothing changed.

The surprised prince began to fervently pray to the Mother of God, and during prayer the Mother of God appeared to him, who commanded him to leave the miraculous icon in Vladimir and build a cathedral that would become its home. The prince placed the icon in Vladimir and since then the image has received the name - the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

Patroness of the Russian people

The icon was first brought to Moscow in 1395, when the conqueror Khan Tamerlane (Temir-Aksak) and his hordes invaded Russian lands, took the city of Yelets and headed towards Moscow.

Moscow Prince Vasily Dmitrievich, who ruled from 1389 to 1425, went with an army to Kolomna and stopped on the banks of the Oka.

The Grand Duke prayed to the saints of Moscow and St. Sergius about the deliverance of the Fatherland and wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow, Saint Cyprian, so that the upcoming Dormition Fast would be devoted to fervent prayers for pardon and repentance.

To Vladimir, where the famous miraculous icon, the clergy were sent. After the liturgy and prayer service on the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the clergy accepted the icon and carried it to Moscow with a procession of the cross. Countless people on both sides of the road, on their knees, prayed: “Mother of God, save the Russian land!”

According to legend, at the very hour when the residents of Moscow met the icon on Kuchkovo Field, Tamerlane was dozing in his tent - in a dream he saw a great mountain, from the top of which saints with golden staffs were walking towards him, and above them the Majestic Woman appeared in a radiant radiance , who ordered him to leave the borders of Russia.

Waking up in awe, Tamerlane asked about the meaning of the vision, to which those who knew answered that the radiant Woman is the Mother of God, the great Protector of Christians. Then Tamerlane gave the order to the regiments to turn back.

In memory of the miraculous deliverance of the Russian land from Tamerlane, the Sretensky Monastery was built on Kuchkovo Field, where the icon was met, and on September 8 a celebration was established in honor of the meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

One of the greatest shrines in Russia

The icon of the Vladimir Mother of God has always taken part in important events Russian state and is considered one of the greatest shrines in Russia.

Thus, during the Tatar attack on Moscow in 1451, Metropolitan Jonah carried the icon in a procession along the city walls. At night, the attackers heard a loud noise and decided that Prince Vasily Dmitrievich was coming with his army to help the besieged; in the morning they lifted the siege and retreated from the city walls.

And in 1480, a battle between Russian troops and the Tatar-Mongols was supposed to take place - the opponents stood on different banks of the river and prepared for battle, but it never took place.

This “great stand on the Ugra River” ended with the flight of the Tatar-Mongols, to which the Mother of God turned them through her Vladimir Icon, which was in front of the Russian army.

Once again, enemy hordes approached Moscow in 1521, began to burn the towns, but unexpectedly withdrew from the city without causing significant harm to the capital. This event is also associated with the protection of the miraculous icon, in honor of which its third holiday was established, which is celebrated on June 3.

With the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, the people went to the Novodevichy Convent to Boris Godunov to install him as king. This icon was met by the troops of Minin and Pozharsky, who in 1613 expelled the Polish invaders and so on.

The most important events of Russian church history also took place before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Including the election and installation of St. Jonah - Primate of the Autocephalous Russian Church (1448), St. Job - the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (1589), and His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon (1917).

On the day of celebration in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Rus' was enthroned - June 3, 1971.

Moving to a new home

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was transferred for permanent storage to the Moscow Assumption Cathedral in 1480. In Vladimir there remains an exact copy of the icon, written Rev. Andrew Rublev.

artist Andrei Rublev's horse "Our Lady of Vladimir" (1408)

In 1918, the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin was closed, and the miraculous image was moved to the State Tretyakov Gallery. On September 8, 1999, the miraculous icon was transferred from the Tretyakov Gallery to the Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, connected to the museum by a small corridor.

Description of the Holy Image

According to art historians, the icon was painted in the 12th century, presumably in Constantinople. The icon belongs to the ancient type of images of the Mother of God, which is called “Eleusa”, that is, “Merciful, Tender.”

These are the most tender icons of the Mother of God, on them the Most Holy One clung to her Son, and He to Her. They seem to be conducting some kind of internal dialogue among themselves, and the one praying becomes, as it were, a participant in this conversation between the Mother and the Infant God.

The icon is double-sided: on the front side is the image of the Mother of God with the Child, on the back is the throne and instruments of the Passion of Christ. The background is light ocher, the soil is lilac, with brown “marbled” stains, the fields are dark ocher, the inscriptions (IC XC. NI KA) are red.

Copies were often written from the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, some of which received special names and are miraculous.

An exact copy of the miraculous Vladimir Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also located in Cathedral"Sameba" (Holy Trinity). The gift of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' was delivered to Georgia in September 2009.

What does it help with?

The Mother of God of Vladimir helps every believer who turns to Her with sincere prayer - She is an intercessor and protector, protects the home and helps in many everyday needs.

The Blessed Virgin Mary helps to find true path, accept right decision, gives strength to overcome a difficult period of life, strengthens faith, protects against hostility, and delivers from sinful thoughts and turmoil.

The Mother of God also heals from physical ailments; people especially often pray to Her for the healing of diseases of the heart and eyes, which symbolizes insight not only physical, but also spiritual.

Our Lady also promotes a happy marriage, for strong family ties, without quarrels and discord, are the key to a strong country.

Prayers

First prayer

Oh, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, All-Powerful Intercessor, our shameless Hope!

We thank You for all the good deeds that the Russian people have received from You, from ancient times to this day from Your miraculous icon that perishes. And now, Blessing the Lady, look upon us, Thy sinful and unworthy servants, show us Thy mercy and pray to Thy Son, Christ our God, that we may be delivered from all evil and that every city and village, and our entire country, will be saved from famine and destruction. , coward, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. Ask Orthodox Christian prosperity and peaceful life, health, long life, good haste and salvation in everything. Preserve and make wise the shepherds of the Church, who are worthy to shepherd the flock of Christ and the right to rule the word of truth; Strengthen the Christ-loving All-Russian army, give the spirit of advice and reason to the military commander, the mayor and everyone who is in power; send down Thy holy blessing upon all Orthodox Christians who worship Thy and pray before Thy celibate icon. Be our Intercessor and Intercessor before the Throne of the Most High, where you stand. To whom shall we resort if not to You, Lady? To whom shall we bring tears and sighs, if not to You, Most Holy Theotokos? There are no imams of any other help, no imams of any other hope, except for You, Heavenly Queen. We flow under Your protection, through Your prayers send us peace, health, fruitful lands, good dissolution of the air, deliver us from all troubles and sorrows, from all ailments and illnesses, from sudden deaths and from all the bitterness of enemies, visible and invisible.

Enlighten and teach us, O All-Merciful Intercessor, how to sinlessly pass the path of this earthly life; You weigh all our weaknesses and our sins, but you also weigh our faith and see our hope; grant us correction of sinful lives and soften evil heart our.

Strengthen the right faith in us, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, patience and love, in good deeds prosperity; Deliver us from temptations, from destructive, soul-harming teachings, from unbelief, corruption and eternal destruction. We therefore ask You, Most Pure Lady, and falling before Your holy icon, we pray, have mercy on us and have mercy on us, on the terrible day of judgment, through Your intercession and intercession, make us worthy to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God, to Him belongs all glory and honor. and worship, with His Originless Father, and His Most Holy and Good and Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer

To whom shall we cry, Lady? To whom shall we resort in our sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept our crying and sighing, if not You, most immaculate, the hope of Christians and refuge for us sinners? Who is more in Your favor? Incline Your ear to us, Lady, Mother of our God, and do not despise those who require Your help: hear our groaning, strengthen us sinners, enlighten and teach us, Queen of Heaven, and do not depart from us, Thy servant, Lady, for our grumbling, but be our Mother and Intercessor, and entrust us to the merciful protection of Your Son: arrange for us whatever Your holy will pleases, and lead us, sinners, to a quiet and serene life, may we cry for our sins, may we always rejoice with You , now and ever and forever. Amen.

The material was prepared based on open sources