divination 

The icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir helps in what. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. miraculous icon

A small feature of the Vladimir icon: this is the only image on which the foot of Jesus is visible.

The image of the Mother of God for the Orthodox world is one of the main ones. He is placed along with the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit and the Savior. The Mother of God is an intercessor, a mentor for each individual Christian and the whole country.

Icons of the Mother of God can be found in every church, every home of the Orthodox. Through them, she manifests her will, listens to those who pray, and helps. One of the most revered images - Vladimir. It appears in important historical events in Russia. The icon healed many people from ailments that modern medicine is unable to cope with.

The history of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is very interesting, but no less interesting is its description given by art historians, iconographers and scientists. It is a striking example of Byzantine painting of the XII century, has unique features.

Description

On the Vladimir icon, the Virgin Mary is depicted in a dark red robe. In the arms is the baby Savior. On his clothes there is a small green strip - clave, a symbol of royal power. The background is golden. Monogrammed on the sides.

The iconographic type of the icon is "Tenderness". Experts in icon painting claim that it was made in Byzantium. Estimated time of creation - XI-XII century. The image is a prime example of the changes in the art of that area. Artists, icon painters moved away from deliberate graphics, ceased to oppose lines to volume. Weak, almost invisible strokes are characteristic, which create a feeling of the miraculousness of the shrine. The lines are smooth, flowing from one another.

The “Tenderness” type is characteristic of the way the Mother of God and the Infant Savior are depicted. The Virgin Mary holds Jesus in her arms, her head is bowed to him. The little Savior presses his cheek against his mother's cheek. It is widely believed that just such an image enjoyed special honor in Constantinople. The type was formed in the XI-XII centuries AD. Icons "Tenderness" have a multifaceted symbolism.

Symbolism

"Tenderness" can be interpreted in different ways. On the one hand, it symbolizes the sacrifice made by the mother for the sake of all mankind. Is every mother ready to give her child to torture in order to save someone else? The sacrifice of the Virgin Mary is unlimited. She knew that the Son of God would live a difficult earthly life. Therefore, her mental anguish can be compared with all the pain that her son experienced.

Also icons "Tenderness" - a symbol of maternal love. The Mother of God is the common mother of all Christians, she protects us, helps us in difficult times, intercedes before the Father-Lord for everyone.

The appearance of the shrine in Rus' and the first miracles

This icon was painted presumably in the XII century. According to the legend, this is a list from the image made by Luke during the life of the Virgin Mary. The canvas served as a tabletop from the table at which the Savior dined with Joseph and his mother. In the 5th century, this icon came to Constantinople, and almost 700 years later, the clergyman Luke made a list of it and sent it as a gift to Yuri Dolgoruky.

The son of Yuri, Andrei Bogolyubsky, went with the shrine to the other end of the country in order to establish a kingdom there independent of Kyiv. He was on his way to Vladimir. And here the icon for the first time showed itself as miraculous. Before Andrey had time to move away from the city, the horses stood up as if rooted to the spot. Nobody could move them. Then the horses were replaced, but even these refused to move away from Vladimir. Yuri realized that this was a sign and began to pray fervently. The Mother of God appeared to him, who said that the place of the icon is in this city. It was ordered to build a temple for her. The prince obeyed. Since then, the icon has become known as Vladimirskaya.

Created miracles

Since its appearance in Rus', the Vladimir icon has been revered by all segments of the population - from peasants to princes. History knows at least 3 cases when the Virgin Mary expressed her will several times through the shrine, pardoned entire cities, protecting them from death.

Briefly about the three most famous miracles:

  • Rescue from Khan Mehmet. In 1521, the Tatar leader was going to capture Moscow, he gathered a large army for this. The entire Orthodox population, bishops and government prayed before the icon of the Mother of God. In the end, she saved the city by appearing to Mehmet in a dream with a huge army. He was afraid of this sign and retreated.
  • Salvation from Khan Akhmat. The confrontation was won before it began. Akhmat led troops to the Ugra River and waited for action from the opposite side. The prince did not lead the soldiers on the offensive, but took up convenient positions. Fearing a trap, the enemy retreated. Before that, the Mother of God appeared in a dream to one pious nun, showing that it was impossible to take the icon out of the city. Khan retreated after they stopped the bishops who were about to do this, read a sincere prayer.
  • Salvation from Khan Tamerlane. He stepped back, seeing the Mother of God in his dream.

Icon celebrations are held in honor of each of these miracles.

The Mother of God also responded to the prayers of ordinary people. She healed many from diseases that medicine is not able to defeat: blindness, heart defects, cancer.

miraculous lists

A distinctive feature of the Volokolamsk icon is the image of Saints Cyprian and Gerontius, with whom the arrival of the shrine to Moscow is associated

  • Volokolamsk copy of the icon of the Mother of God is in the Moscow Cathedral of the Assumption. In 1572, she was brought from Zvenigorod to the monastery of Joseph Volotsky. Saints Cyprian and Leonid played an important role in the fate of the Vladimir shrine, therefore they were honored to be included in its list. The first moved the icon from Vladimir to Moscow. At the second time, she finally gained a foothold in the capital, it was decided to leave her here, if not forever, then for a very long time. In 1588, a church was dedicated to the Volokolamsk shrine, and then it was transferred to the Assumption Cathedral. The shrine is considered miraculous.
  • Seliger list. Belonged to the Monk Nil Stolbensky, who lived near Lake Seliger, on Stolbny Island. Kept next to his relics. During the life of the clergyman, they tried to rob him: entering his cell, the criminals saw only an icon. And immediately they were blinded - the Lord protected the Nile, punishing the intruders. They repented, began to tearfully ask the reverend for forgiveness. Having forgiven them, Stolbny prayed to the Lord for the forgiveness of the men. They regained their sight.

On the Seliger icon, the Child is depicted to the right of the Virgin Mary.

The Vladimir icon is most often prayed for the salvation of the soul, guidance on the true path, and the protection of children. The Mother of God is ready to protect everyone who turned to her in sincere prayer. There were cases when she helped even non-Christians.

Days of celebration of the icon:
June 3 - in honor of the salvation of Moscow from Khan Makhmet Giray in 1521.
July 6 - in memory of the deliverance of Rus' from the Khan of the Golden Horde Akhmat in 1480.
September 8 - Meeting of the Vladimir Icon, in memory of the deliverance of Moscow from the troops of Tamerlane in 1395.

WHAT THEY PRAY FOR BEFORE THE VLADIMIR ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

Vladimirskaya Icon of the Mother of God always prayed for the preservation of the country, for help in defense against enemies. This icon is addressed during various disasters and asked for help in healing from illnesses.
The Mother of God through this image helps to reconcile warring people, softens human hearts, helps to make the right decision, strengthens faith.
There were cases when prayers to the Vladimir icon relieved infertility or diseases of the reproductive organs. The icon especially protects mothers and their children, promotes easy childbirth, gives health to babies, and helps with diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system.

It must be remembered that icons or saints do not "specialize" in any particular area. It will be right when a person turns with faith in the power of God, and not in the power of this icon, this saint or prayer.
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THE HISTORY OF THE APPEARANCE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF VLADIMIR

According to legend, the holy image of the Mother of God of this icon was created by the apostle and evangelist Luke right on the surface of the table at which the Savior and the Blessed Virgin served meals:

“Having written Your all-honorable image, the divine Luke, the divinely inspired writer of the Gospel of Christ, depicted the Creator of all in Your hands.”

Seeing the created image, the Mother of God said:

“From now on, all birth will please Me. The grace of Him who was born of Me, and Mine, be in this way.”

At the beginning of the 12th century, a special list was made of this icon, while the Vladimir icon itself was in Constantinople at that time. The list was given as a gift to Yuri Dolgoruky, Grand Duke of Kyiv. The holy icon was brought to Kyiv and placed in the Theotokos Monastery.
Yuri Dolgoruky had several sons, they constantly quarreled with each other because of their father's inheritance. One of the sons, Prince Andrei, was tired of the quarrels of the brothers and in 1155, secretly from his father, taking an icon from the Mother of God monastery, he went to the north of the state in order to create his own principality there, which would be independent from Kyiv.

They made a platform for the icon and took it on a special team. Throughout the journey, Prince Andrei fervently prayed to the Mother of God.
After a rest in Vladimir, the prince was about to continue moving, but having driven quite a bit from the city, his horses stopped. They tried to force them to go further, but all attempts were unsuccessful. Even after the change of horses, nothing had changed - the caravan did not move. Prince Andrei began to fervently pray to the Mother of God, and during the prayer the Tsaritsa herself appeared to him, ordering the miraculous icon to be left in Vladimir, and the cathedral, which the prince would have to build, would become her home. So this image got its name - the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
To Moscow Vladimir icon was moved in 1480. It was placed in the Assumption Cathedral, and in Vladimir there was a list from the icon, written by the Monk Andrei Rublev.

The meeting place (or “meeting”) of the icon in Moscow is immortalized by the Sretensky Monastery, which was erected in honor of this event, and the street was named Sretenka.

Immediately after the revolution, the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin was closed. In 1918, the miraculous image of the Mother of God was transferred to the State Tretyakov Gallery, where the icon was until September 8, 1999. Then it was transferred from the Tretyakov Gallery to the church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi.

SOME MIRACLES THAT WERE CREATED BY THE ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF VLADIMIR

There is a lot of evidence in history about unusual miracles that happened to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
In 1395, Khan Tamerlane attacked Rus' with his troops. At this time, in a religious procession, for more than ten days, they carried the icon from Vladimir to Moscow in their arms. People stood on both sides of the path and prayed to the Holy Image on the icon: “Mother of God, save the Russian land!”. Through these prayers, Tamerlane had a dream that Christian saints descended from the top of a high mountain, they held gold wands in their hands, and a Majestic Woman appeared above them and ordered him to leave Rus' alone. Tamerlane woke up in alarm and sent for interpreters of dreams, who explained to the khan that the radiant Woman was the image of the Mother of God, the protector of all Christians. Stopping his campaign, Tamerlane left Rus'.

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

In 1480, the battle of the Russian troops with the Tatar-Mongols was to take place. Opponents stood on different banks of the river and prepared for battle, but it never took place. This “great standing on the Ugra River” ended with the flight of the Tatar-Mongolians, into which the Mother of God turned them through her Vladimir icon, which was in front of the Russian army.

In 1521, the Khan's troops once again approached Moscow, began to burn the settlements, but unexpectedly moved away 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 feast was established.

The icon of the Vladimir Mother of God has always taken part in the important events of our state. With her, the people went to the Novodevichy Convent to Boris Godunov to put him in the kingdom, this icon met the troops of Minin and Pozharsky, who in 1613 expelled the Polish invaders.

For our country, the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God is of great importance. In times of difficult trials, prayers to her more than once saved Rus' from destructive enemy attacks, which were repelled thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God through Her holy icon.

Interesting fact

Part of the image of the icon of Vladimir (eye and nose) were taken for the logo of the Icon Productions film company created in 1989 by Mel Gibson. This studio has produced films such as The Passion of the Christ and Anna Karenina.

Magnification

We magnify, we magnify Thee, Blessed Virgin, and we honor Your image
holy one, bring healing to all who flow with faith.

VIDEO FILM

One of the first places in the list of the most revered images in Russia is the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. Its significance for the country is enormous. At one time, prayer to her more than once saved Russia from crushing raids by invaders. Only thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God, this was avoided.

The history and significance of the Vladimir icon is majestic, first of all for the Russian people, because it is truly their protector.

The origin and journey of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

An ancient legend tells about the origin of the icon. He wrote it when the Mother of God was still alive. An image was created on the board from the table where the meal of the entire Holy Family took place.

Until 450, the icon was in Jerusalem, in the same year it was sent to Constantinople. It was kept there until about 1131.

In the XII century, the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God was donated to Kievan Rus by Luke Chrysoverg (Patriarch of Constantinople). She was sent to the Theotokos Monastery in Vyshgorod.

When she stayed there for some time, the icon was taken away from there by Andrei Bogolyubsky (son of Yuri Dolgorukov). In his journey, he stops in the city of Vladimir, where he received the sign of the Virgin. On the site of this miracle, a temple was erected, in which the icon remained. Now it has become known as Vladimirskaya.

Today, a list is kept there, which was written by Andrei Rublev. The original icon was transferred in 1480 to the Assumption Cathedral, which is located in Moscow. Then the image was transferred two more times: in 1918 - to the Tretyakov Gallery, and in 1999 - to the church of St. Nicholas. In the latter, it is still kept.

The great shrine is the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Many stories have been written about the history and significance of the icon for the Russian people, which happened in ancient times and at the present time.

Miraculous phenomena associated with this icon

There are really a great many of them. And they are connected not only with the original icon, but also with lists of which a large number were created.

In addition to the threefold and recorded salvation of the Russian land from the invasion of a foreign yoke, the Mother of God more than once manifested her will through her. For example, where the icon was supposed to remain (in Vladimir), there was a sign for Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky during prayer.

In addition, even in the temple in Vyshgorod, cases of moving the icon were recorded. She didn't seem to find a place for herself. Three times she was found in different parts of the temple, as a result, after prayer, Andrei Bogolyubsky took her with him to the Rostov land.

Then there were numerous cases of healing of the common people. For example, water that washed the icon could cure the disease. This is how the eyes and hearts were healed.

This is how the Mother of God of Vladimir became. Its significance for both the common people and the greats of this world was undeniable. She witnessed many important actions in Russia. This is the appointment of the patriarchs, and military campaigns. Also, before her, they swore allegiance to their homeland and held the coronation of several monarchs.

Prayer before the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

Prayer to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is truly salvation for a state in which there has been confusion or schism. It will allow passions to subside, temper anger and enmity. In addition, when heretical moods arise, prayer should also be offered to this image.

Many believers turn to the icon during illness, and also, if necessary, make any important decision.

Prayer begins with a respectful appeal: "O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos." Further, he asks to protect people and the Russian land from various shocks, to protect the entire spiritual rank. Prayer to the Mother of God strengthens faith and gives strength to overcome misfortunes and troubles.

The meaning of the icon for Russia

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is the most beloved icon in Rus'. And in fact, she protected her from everything so much, a numerous number of signs, healings were revealed.

Perhaps an interesting sign was that the Mother of God herself chose the place for the stay of her icon, which later became known as Vladimirskaya. This was her appearance to Andrei Bogolyubsky, already mentioned.

Then there were some more signs of her intercession for the Russian land. For example, in 1395, the great invasion of the conqueror Tamerlane was expected, who had already conquered many lands and was approaching the border of the Russians. It seemed that the battle was inevitable, but the universal prayer to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God did not allow this to happen.

According to one version, Tamerlane saw in a dream the Majestic Mother of God, who ordered him to leave this land.

And this happened more than once. The faith of people increased after each successive salvation. became truly miraculous and most revered. A large number of lists were written from it, which are also worshiped by believers. Icons have always been important. The Mother of God of Vladimir in Rus' was especially revered.

Days of celebration

Since the icon is considered a deliverer from external attacks on the Russian land, as well as its protector, the celebration in honor of it takes place three times a year. Each of these dates was chosen for a reason.

  • On August 26, they worship the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God for the liberation from Tamerlane in 1395.
  • June 23 is a celebration in honor of the victory over the Tatar yoke, which happened in 1480.
  • May 21 - celebration in honor of the victory over Khan Mahmet Giray, which took place in 1521.

Prayer to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God saved Russia more than once.

Lists of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

There are numerous listings that have been written from this icon. The most famous are the following:

  • Orange icon. It was written in 1634.
  • Rostov icon. This image dates from the 12th century.
  • Krasnogorsk icon. Its writing dates back to 1603.
  • Chuguev icon. The exact date of creation is not known.

These are not all available lists with icons. The first of them were written when the image had just appeared on Russian soil. Later, lists were also created from it, the most ancient now there are two.

Obviously, such a variety says that the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God is very revered, the significance of which for believers is great.

Iconography of the image

If we talk about writing this image, then his style is referred to as “caressing”. It is characterized by the fact that icons of this type speak of the communion of the Virgin and her Son, that is, this is a deeply human side of the Holy Family.

It is believed that in early Christian art there was no such style of writing icons, it appeared much later.

This style of writing contains two central figures. This is the Mother of God and the baby Jesus Christ. Their faces are closely touching, the Son hugs the Mother by the neck. This image is very touching.

The peculiarity that the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God has, its meaning is the appearance of the baby's heel, which is not on others like this type.

This icon is two-sided. The back depicts a throne and symbols of the Passion. This suggests that the icon itself carries a special idea. This is the future sacrifice of Jesus and the mourning of his Mother.

There is also an opinion that this icon is a list of Our Lady of Caresses from Blachernae Basilica. In any case, the Vladimir image has long become an independent miraculous face.

Other revered icons of the Mother of God

In addition to the Vladimir Mother of God, there are many more miraculous images that are referred to. So, before which icon of the Mother of God, what do they usually pray for?

  • For example, prayer before the Iberian icon helps to increase the fertility of the earth, and it is also a comforter in various troubles.
  • Prayer before the Bogolyubsk icon is help during epidemics (cholera, plague).
  • In case of cancer, prayers are offered to the image of the Mother of God of the All-Tsaritsa.
  • The Kazan icon is a blessing for marriage, as well as a protector from various invasions and in difficult times.
  • The image of the Mother of God "Mammary" is very revered by nursing mothers, and prayers are also offered to him during childbirth.

As you can see, there are a lot of images that help believers with their miracles. You should always pay attention to the meaning of icons. Our Lady of Vladimir is no exception. It’s just that each of the images takes on intercession in different situations. The Mother of God, as it were, covers all the sorrows and sorrows of her subjects, helping them in difficulties.

VERA

"Our Wednesday online" — On July 6, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This holiday was established in memory of the liberation of Moscow from Khan Akhmet in 1480.

Description of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos:

According to legend, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the holy apostle and evangelist Luke during the life of the Mother of God on the board of the table at which the Holy Family had a meal. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God remained in Jerusalem until 450. Under Theodosius the Younger, she was transferred to Constantinople. At the beginning of the 12th century, Patriarch Luke Chrysoverg sent a special list (copy) of it as a gift to the Grand Duke of Kyiv Yuri Dolgoruky.

The son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Andrei, later nicknamed Bogolyubsky, traveling from the south of Russia to the north to create a possession independent of Kyiv, took with him the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. After a short rest in the city of Vladimir, Prince Andrei continued his journey, but, having driven a few miles from the city, the horses carrying the icon suddenly stood up, and all attempts to force them to move were unsuccessful. The change of horses also did not lead to anything.

During fervent prayer, the Queen of Heaven Herself appeared to the prince and ordered to leave the Vladimir miraculous icon of the Mother of God in Vladimir, and to build a temple and a monastery in honor of Her Nativity in this place. To the general joy of the inhabitants of Vladimir, Prince Andrei returned to the city along with the miraculous icon. Since then, the icon of the Mother of God began to be called Vladimirskaya.

The Russian Orthodox Church has established a three-time celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Each of the days of the celebration is associated with the deliverance of the Russian people from enslavement by foreigners through prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos. September 8 according to the new style (August 26 according to the church calendar) - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane in 1395. July 6 (June 23) - in memory of the deliverance of Russia from the Horde king Akhmat in 1480. June 3 (May 21) - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the Crimean Khan Makhmet Giray in 1521.

In 1480, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was transferred for permanent storage to Moscow in the Assumption Cathedral. In Vladimir, the exact, so-called "reserve" list from the icon, written by the Monk Andrei Rublev, remained. In 1918, the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin was closed, and the miraculous image was transferred 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.
Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Vladimir" they pray for deliverance from the invasion of foreigners, for instruction in the Orthodox faith, for preservation from heresies and schisms, for the pacification of the warring, for the preservation of Russia.

Prayer of the Mother of God in front of Her icon, called "Vladimirskaya"

O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, All-powerful Intercessor, our shameless Hope! Thanks to Thee for all the great blessings, in the generations of the Russian people from You who were, before Your most pure image, we pray to Thee: save this city (or: this whole, or: this holy abode) and your forthcoming servants and all the Russian land from gladness, destruction , land of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. Save and save, Madam, our Great Lord and Father Alexy, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and Our Lord (name of the rivers), His Grace Bishop (or: Archbishop, or: Metropolitan) (title), and all His Grace metropolitans, archbishops and Orthodox bishops. Give them good governance of the Russian Church, keep the faithful sheep of Christ indestructible. Remember, Lady, and the entire priestly and monastic rank, warm their hearts with zeal for Bose and, worthy of your title, strengthen each and every one. Save, Lady, and have mercy on all Your servants and grant us the path of the earthly field 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 the enemy, prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensibility, on the terrible day of Judgment, vouchsafe us with Your intercession to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God. He deserves all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called the Vladimir

Troparion, tone 4

Today, the most glorious city of Moscow flaunts brightly, as if we perceived the dawn of the sun, Lady, your miraculous icon, to which we now flow and pray, we cry out to you: oh, wonderful Lady Theotokos, praying from you to the incarnate Christ our God, may he deliver this city and all the cities and countries of Christianity are unharmed from all the slander of the enemy, and our souls will be saved, like Mercy.

Kontakion, tone 8

The chosen Voivode is victorious, as if having got rid of the evil ones by the coming of Your honest image, to the Lady Mother of God, we lightly create the feast of Your meeting and usually call Thee: Rejoice, Bride of the Bride.

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called "Vladimirskaya"

Kondak 1
Chosen Voivode, our Intercessor, looking at Your first-written image, we sing laudatory singing Thy servants, Bogomati. But you, as if you have an invincible power, save and save thankfully crying out to You: Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Ikos 1
The Angelic Forces in Heaven silently sing of Thee, Most Pure, seeing the Divine Glory, by which Thy Son glorify Thee; but you didn’t leave us, earthly ones, like a kind of ray, sending down to us your icon, written by St. Luke. Thou once spoke of her: "In this manner, may my grace and power remain." The same faithful Thy servants, for all days and in every place, the fulfillment of Thy words is sighted, to Thy whole-bearing image we flow and, as Samey Ty, who is with us, we cry out: Rejoice, Queen of Angels; Rejoice, Lady of the whole world. Rejoice, ever-glorious in Heaven; Rejoice, and magnified on earth. Rejoice, thou who bestowed Thy grace on Thy icon; Rejoice, thou who didst set the thuja for the salvation of men. Rejoice, quick giver of God's goodness; Rejoice, zealous novice of our prayers. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 2
Seeing many miracles, from the holy icon of Thy brought to Vyshgrad, the noble prince Andrey was inflamed in spirit and implored Thee, say Thy holy will and bless him to depart within the limits of Rostov. The same, having improved what you want and take your icon, going on your way, rejoicing and singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2
All people will understand Your wondrous procession, Queen of Heaven, from Kyiv to the land of Rostov, who is sick, I will be healed and other signs and wonders will happen to all who flow in faith to Your image. For this reason, I sing to You: Rejoice, for the wonders of the procession of Your icon signified; Rejoice, healer of many who are weak. Rejoice, you who do not reject our sighs; Rejoice, recipient of our unworthy prayers. Rejoice, Mother of Thy bounty pouring out on us; Rejoice, Thy icon for us to do good. Rejoice, in the situation of beings, granting first aid; Rejoice, you who restore hope to the desperate. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 3
By Thy strength we protect, noble prince Andrei, the limit of Vladimir is reached and here Thy good will, Lady, is known. In the night vision, having appeared to him, you commanded not to leave this place and place your miraculous icon here, in the city of Vladimir, let it be a blessing to our northern country and your people as a cover, crying out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3
Having in yourself a blessed treasure - your Vladimir icon, our Fatherland prospers from strength to strength. In the days of circumstances and misfortunes, you did not leave our kind, Mistress, and in good time you were near, by Your all-powerful intercession, Your faithful people are interceding, singing Ty: Rejoice, the wrath of God, righteously moved upon us, satisfying; Rejoice, for mercy to us sinners, bowing the Lord. Rejoice, for you hearken to the humble prayers of your servants; Rejoice, as you hasten to give us your consolation. Rejoice, as by Thy icon you protect us from all troubles; Rejoice, for you destroy the intrigues of the enemy. Rejoice, in the hour of sorrow, Thy people strengthen; Rejoice, giving a quiet and serene life to those. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 4
The noble prince Andrei passed through a storm of doubtful thoughts, from a multitude of enemies there was no time: You, All-Perhaps, with a wondrous sign from Your icon, you foreshadowed a glorious victory for that. By the same faith, being renewed and daring about Your name, sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4
Hearing the rebels the murder of the faithful Prince Andrei, the city of Vladimir rushed to plunder, but Thy miraculous icon, worn out on a stack of hail, suddenly saw, touched by the heart and fell on his knees in his sin, repenting. Pious people, rejoicing at such a grace-filled appearance from Your icon, singing a song of thanksgiving to You: Rejoice, quenching civil wars; Rejoice, softening of hardened hearts. Rejoice, for you return those who have gone astray to the right path; Rejoice, as you protect us from vain temptations. Rejoice, destroyer of all-spiritual evils; Rejoice, soul-harming teaching of convicting. Rejoice, showing us the path to the Kingdom of Heaven that is not forbidden; Rejoice, eternal peace and giver of joy to us. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 5
The godly star our father was your icon, the Lady, even with the light lead, many times the victory of the kingdom, I am able from weakness, I will put to flight the regiments of strangers and find the path to dark prosperity and heavenly salvation. For the sake of duty, the Russian land praises Thee, singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5
Having once seen the people of Vladimirstia in a miraculous vision, their city is lifted up in the air and Your icon is on top of it, like the sun, shining, with tenderness of understanding, Lady, the relentless cover of Your city of them and, Your merciful providence is glorifying about them, chanting Ty: Rejoice, Mother of Mercy ; Rejoice, Source of miracles. Rejoice, our vigorous Guardian; Rejoice, city of our Protection. Rejoice, raising our mind to the heavenly treasure; Rejoice, planting love for God in the hearts of the faithful. Rejoice, instructing the unfaithful; Rejoice, enlightener of false meanings. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 6
Preacher of Thy unspeakable miracles, Lady, appear Thy cathedral church in the city of Vladimir, adorned with Thy holy icon. With the permission of God, all its splendor was once in the fires of perishing, but your holy icon, as if the bush is unburned, abide, and having seen and felt your presence, the faithful will sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 6
Ascension packs the light of your icon, the Mother of God, in the days of the fierce invasion of Batyev. If for the wickedness of the Hagarites and burning down with fire Your cathedral church and St. Vladimir and the people praying in the church, slaying and betraying everything to the final destruction, both Your icon and the packs are unharmed, striving to sing to You: Rejoice, Kupino Burning: Rejoice, Unexpected Treasure. Rejoice, indestructible Steno; Rejoice, Refuge to all who trust in Thee. Rejoice, thou who didst preserve thy icon intact in the flame; Rejoice, for you left us for consolation and salvation. Rejoice, Thou art our Protection; Rejoice, Thou art unceasing joy of all the pious. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 7
Although the Grand Duke Vasily obtained protection for his capital city, commanded Thy Vladimir Icon to be brought to Moscow. And at the meeting of her, the prince and saint of Moscow Cyprian diligently went out with the consecrated Cathedral and all the multitude of people, bowing to the ground before her, as if to Thee, the Most Pure One, who comes to them, calling to Thee: “O Mother of God, save the Russian land”, together and more pleasing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7
You created a new sign, Immaculate, on the day of the celebration of the meeting of Your icon of Vladimir in Moscow: in a formidable vision, like the almighty Queen, with many armies of Heaven, you appeared with the saints of Moscow to the impious Agarian Khan and commanded you to depart from the Russian land. Then faithful Thy people, having seen the enemy put to shame and fleeing, with joy I will sing to Thee: Rejoice, invincible victory; Rejoice, Queen of the Heavenly Powers. Rejoice, formidable disgrace of the enemy; Rejoice, Unexpected Joy of Your servants. Rejoice, Hope of all those without hope; Rejoice, salvation of those descended to the bottom of hell. Rejoice, having gladdened Moscow with the coming of Your icon; Rejoice, Thy intercessor and the city of Vladimir did not leave. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 8
The Orthodox Church brightly glorifies the strange victory with Your all-powerful help, the Lady, without battle, and to this day. We celebrate the meeting of Your icon of Vladimir and all His faithful children convene Your mercy thankfully confess, but to Your Son and God we sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 8
God sanctify all of You, Immaculate, and like Your Mother in a ready refuge and a warm cover is a gift to all of us. The same from the lesser of the earth and the unknown, the city of Moscow, blessed by You, will be exalted, piously honor Your icon; all the Russian tribes have gathered together and their region over the surrounding languages ​​from the sea to the sea, and even to the end of the earth, proclaim the faith of Christ to everyone, crying out to you: Rejoice, our land has been taken away; Rejoice, affirmation of the Church. Rejoice, praise of our prayer books. Rejoice, salvation of your people; Rejoice, our terrifying enemies. Rejoice, thou who drives away the regiments of aliens. Rejoice, for by Thee Orthodox Rus' is contained; Rejoice, for in Thee the Christian race boasts. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 9
Every angelic nature praises Thee, Mother of God, at the throne of Your Son, who is coming and praying for our country and all Christians. But we, Thy people, understanding the action of Thy prayers, flow to Thy miraculous icon with love and diligently cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9
Vitiy of the earthly art is not sufficient to praise Thee, Most Holy All-Immaculate, and count the wonders of Your icons, the image of the Orthodox Church is magnified, our cities are affirmed and all Divine Christians rejoice. The same for your much love for us and all your mercy, receive from us this laudatory singing: Rejoice, the Cathedral of the saints who shone in our country, surrounded and glorified;
Rejoice, thou who didst receive prayers, our representatives, Russian miracle-workers. Rejoice, thou who propitiated God by thy intercession for us; Rejoice, Thy honest cover overshadowing us forever. Rejoice, glorious Defender of our country; Rejoice, calling upon Thee as an ambulance Helper. Rejoice, grace-filled strengthening of those who work; Rejoice, undoubted salvation of repentant sinners. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 10
Seeking salvation, we resort to You, Merciful Mother, and, Your miraculous icon is now present, all Your mercy, revealed by our father, we remember with love. May it not be in vain, Lady, and our hope in You, in our weakness, have mercy and save those who cry to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and an intercession to all who with faith resort to Thee, Blessed Otrokovitsa, always for Thy mercy to the Christian race showed Thou and our father many-part and variety of benefactors, from the invasion of foreigners and from all misfortune and need of those delivering. Do not be poor even now, Mistress, quenching the fierce uprisings of sin upon us and the clouds of temptations of marriage, For you with skill to sing: Rejoice, Mother of God, motherly love for us, sinners, extending; Rejoice, filling up our infirmity with Your strength. Rejoice, thou who teaches us the mercy of God; Rejoice, thou who excites us to the work of mercy. Rejoice, placing the fear of God in the hearts of the faithful; Rejoice, calling sinners to repentance. Rejoice, long-suffering to our inattention; Rejoice, you who lift us up from the sleep of laziness. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 11
Singing laudatory praise of Muscovite people, Your salvation was once improved: on top of it, with radiant clothes, a garment, Your temple and the city of Moscow from the burning of Your fiery robe you protected. Remain persistent, O Almighty, from this place now and grant us to see Your deliverance, let us sing with rejoicing: Alleluia.

Ikos 11
Thou hast shone a light of joy, O Lady, and in thy days, when by the sight of God the ancient beauty of the Church return to us again, and the Holy Cathedral to the city of Patriarch Moscow, affirm the whole country of our one shepherd and prayer book. But you, the Most Pure, from your icon of Vladimir the lot of the primacy of this chosen one of yours gave you, but the wasted sheep of the verbal flock of the Church of Russia will gather packs together. For this sake we cry out to Thee: Rejoice, joy of those who mourn; Rejoice, shelter of the overwhelmed. Rejoice, you did not leave us in adversity; Rejoice, in our humiliation the light of hope shone upon us. Rejoice, having looked upon the humble; Rejoice, thou who didst magnify the lowly. Rejoice, praise to our Church:
Rejoice in Your people's joy. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 12
Thy grace is not taken away from us, the mercy of the Source, as if in the days of hard times of our saints Job and Hermogenes, you heard the Russian land from the final plunder, but you saved the Orthodox faith in it from destruction, but let us sing to God deliverance: Alleluia.

Ikos 12
Singing of Thy innumerable mercy, from the years of ancient times to our kind, and until now not impoverished, we praise Thee, Most Pure, as our vigilant Guardian and intercession, and Thy Mother's love to the flock of Thy Son, with boldness, if and the servants of the key Esma, we cry to Thee: Rejoice, thou who didst love Orthodox Rus'; Rejoice, having established the true faith in her. Rejoice, having preserved our fathers in piety; Rejoice, you who did not reject our impotence. Rejoice, our unshakable affirmation; Rejoice, our shameless Hope. Rejoice, our warm prayer book; Rejoice, diligent Intercessor. Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding mercy from Your icon.

Kondak 13
O All-Mother, the All-Merciful Intercessor, the Virgin Mother of God, with Your usual mercy, this little prayer of ours is accepted, as if it were ancient, so now have mercy on our Russian land and deliver Thy servants from all troubles, crying out about You: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God depicts the Mother of God. It is one of the most revered relics of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: Tradition

According to pious tradition, the image of the Mother of God of Vladimir was written by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate with the Most Pure Mother and the righteous Joseph the Betrothed. The Mother of God, seeing this image, said: “From now on, all birth will please Me. The grace of Him who was born of Me, and Mine, be in this way.”

Until the middle of the 5th century, the icon remained in Jerusalem. Under Theodosius the Younger, it was transferred to Constantinople, from where in 1131 it was sent to Rus' as a gift to Yuri Dolgoruky from the Patriarch of Constantinople Luke Chrysoverha. The icon was placed in a maiden monastery in the city of Vyshgorod, not far from Kyiv, where it immediately became famous for many miracles. In 1155, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky, St. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, wishing to have a glorified shrine in his place, moved the icon to the north, to Vladimir, and placed it in the famous Assumption Cathedral erected by him. Since that time, the icon has received the name of Vladimirskaya.

During the campaign of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky against the Volga Bulgarians, in 1164, the image of the "Holy Mother of God of Vladimir" helped the Russians to defeat the enemy. The icon was preserved during a terrible fire on April 13, 1185, when the Vladimir Cathedral burned down, and remained unharmed during the ruin of Vladimir Batu on February 17, 1237.

The further history of the image is already entirely connected with the capital city of Moscow, where it was first brought in 1395 during the invasion of Khan Tamerlane. The conqueror with his army invaded the borders of Ryazan, captured and ruined it and directed his way to Moscow, devastating and destroying everything around. While the Moscow Grand Duke Vasily Dmitrievich was gathering troops and sending them to Kolomna, in Moscow itself, Metropolitan Cyprian blessed the population for fasting and prayerful repentance. By mutual advice, Vasily Dmitrievich and Cyprian decided to resort to spiritual weapons and transfer the miraculous icon of the Most Pure Mother of God from Vladimir to Moscow.

The icon was brought to the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The chronicle reports that Tamerlane, having stood in one place for two weeks, suddenly became afraid, turned south and left Moscow. A great miracle happened: during the procession with the miraculous icon, heading from Vladimir to Moscow, when countless people knelt on both sides of the road and prayed: “Mother of God, save the Russian land!”, Tamerlane had a vision. Before his mind's eye appeared a high mountain, from the top of which saints descended with golden rods, and above them in a radiant radiance appeared the Majestic Wife. She ordered him to leave the borders of Russia. Waking up in awe, Tamerlane asked about the meaning of the vision. He was told that the radiant Wife is the Mother of God, the great Protector of Christians. Then Tamerlane ordered the regiments to go back.

In memory of the miraculous deliverance of Rus' from the invasion of Tamerlane on the day of the meeting in Moscow of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God on August 26 / September 8, a solemn church feast of the Presentation of this icon was established, and a temple was erected at the very place of the meeting, around which the Sretensky Monastery was later located.

For the second time, the Mother of God saved Rus' from ruin in 1480 (commemorated on June 23 / July 6), when the army of Khan of the Golden Horde Akhmat approached Moscow.

The meeting of the Tatars with the Russian army took place near the Ugra River (the so-called “standing on the Ugra”): the troops stood on different banks and waited for a reason to attack. In the front ranks of the Russian troops they kept the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, which miraculously put the Horde regiments to flight.

The third celebration of the Mother of God of Vladimir (May 21 / June 3) commemorates the deliverance of Moscow from the defeat by Makhmet Giray, Khan of Kazan, who in 1521 reached the limits of Moscow and began to burn her settlements, but suddenly retreated from the capital without harming her.

Before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, many important events of Russian church history took place: 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), His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon (1917 .), as well as in all centuries, oaths of allegiance to the Motherland were taken before it, prayers were performed before military campaigns.

Iconography of the Mother of God of Vladimir

The icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir belongs to the “Carssing” type, also known under the epithets “Eleusa” (ελεουσα - “Merciful”), “Tenderness”, “Glycofilus” (γλυκυφιλουσα - “Sweet Kiss”). This is the most lyrical of all types of iconography of the Virgin, revealing the intimate side of the communication of the Virgin Mary with her Son. The image of the Mother of God caressing the Infant, his deep humanity turned out to be especially close to Russian painting.

The iconographic scheme includes two figures - the Mother of God and the Infant Christ, clinging their faces to each other. Mary's head is bowed to the Son, and He embraces the Mother by the neck with his hand. A distinctive feature of the Vladimir icon from other icons of the “Tenderness” type: the left leg of the Christ Child is bent in such a way that the sole of the foot, the “heel”, is visible.

In this touching composition, in addition to its direct meaning, there is a deep theological idea: the Mother of God, caressing the Son, appears as a symbol of the soul, which is in close communion with God. In addition, the embraces of Mary and the Son suggest the future sufferings of the Savior on the Cross; in the caressing of the Infant by the Mother, his future mourning is foreseen.

The work is permeated with a completely obvious sacrificial symbolism. From a theological point of view, its content can be reduced to three main themes: "the incarnation, the predestination of the Infant to sacrifice and the unity in love of Mary the Church with Christ the High Priest." This interpretation of the Mother of God Caressing is confirmed by the image on the back of the icon of the throne with the symbols of the Passion. Here in the 15th century they painted an image of the throne (etimasia - “the throne prepared”), covered with an altar cover, the Gospel with the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, nails, a crown of thorns, behind the throne - the Calvary cross, a spear and a cane with a sponge, below - the floor of the altar flooring. The theological interpretation of etimasia is based on Holy Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers. Etimasia symbolizes Christ's resurrection and His judgment on the living and the dead, and the instruments of His torment - the sacrifice made for the atonement of the sins of mankind. The juxtaposition of Mary caressing the Child and the turnover with the throne clearly expressed the sacrificial symbolism.

Arguments have been put forward in favor of the fact that the icon was two-sided from the very beginning: this is evidenced by the same forms of the ark and the husks of both sides. In the Byzantine tradition, images of the cross on the back of the Virgin icons were not uncommon. Starting from the 12th century, the time of the creation of the “Vladimir Mother of God”, in Byzantine murals, etimasia was often placed in the altar as an image behind the altar, visually revealing the sacrificial meaning of the Eucharist taking place here on the throne. This suggests the possible location of the icon in antiquity. For example, in the Vyshgorod monastery church, it could be placed in the altar as a double-sided altar icon. The text of the Legend contains information about the use of the Vladimir icon as an altar and remote icon that moved in the church.

The luxurious attire of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which she had, according to the chronicles, also does not testify in favor of the possibility of its location in the altar barrier in the 12th century: decorate yu, put in the c (e) rqui of yours in Volodimer. But many of the portable icons were later strengthened precisely in iconostases, like the Vladimir icon in the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow, originally placed to the right of the royal gates:<икону>to the blessed temple of her glorious Assumption, which is the great Cathedral and Apostolic Church of the Russian Metropolis, and put it in a kiot on the right land, where it still stands visible and worshiped by all ”(See: Book of Power. M., 1775. Part 1 pp. 552).

There is an opinion that the "Vladimir Mother of God" was one of the lists of the icon of the Mother of God "Carssing" from the Blachernae Basilica, that is, a list from the famous ancient miraculous icon. In the Tale of the Miracles of the Icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir, she is likened to the Ark of the Covenant, like the Virgin Mary herself, as well as her Robe, which was kept in the rotunda of Agia Soros in Blachernae. The Legend also speaks of healings that are performed mainly thanks to the water from the ablutions of the Vladimir Icon: they drink this water, wash the sick with it, and send it to other cities in sealed vessels to heal the sick. This miraculous work of waters from the washing of the Vladimir icon, emphasized in the Legend, could also be rooted in the rituals of the Blachernae sanctuary, the most important part of which was the chapel of the spring dedicated to the Mother of God. Constantine Porphyrogenitus described the custom of bathing in a font in front of a marble relief of the Mother of God, from whose hands water flowed.

In addition, this opinion is supported by the fact that under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in his Vladimir principality, the cult of the Mother of God, associated with the Blachernae shrines, received special development. For example, on the Golden Gates of the city of Vladimir, the prince erected the Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Mother of God, directly dedicating it to the relics of the Blachernae Church.

Style of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

The time of writing the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, XII century, refers to the so-called Komnenos' revival (1057-1185). This period in Byzantine art is characterized by the extreme dematerialization of painting, carried out by drawing faces, clothes with numerous lines, whitewash engines, sometimes whimsically, ornamentally lying on the image.

In the icon we are considering, the most ancient painting of the 12th century includes the faces of the Mother and the Child, part of the blue cap and the border of the maforium with a gold assist, as well as part of the ocher, with a gold assist tunic of the Infant with a sleeve to the elbow and a transparent edge of the shirt visible from under it, a brush left and part of the right hand of the Infant, as well as the remains of a golden background. These few surviving fragments are a high example of the Constantinopolitan school of painting of the Komnenos period. There is no deliberate graphic character characteristic of the time; on the contrary, the line in this image is nowhere opposed to volume. The main means of artistic expression is built on "the combination of insensible fluids, giving the surface the impression of miraculousness, with a geometrically clean, visibly built line." “The letter of the personal is one of the most perfect examples of “Komnin's floats”, combining multi-layered successive modeling with the absolute indistinguishability of the brushstroke. The layers of painting are loose, very transparent; the main thing is in their relationship to each other, in the translucence of the lower ones through the upper ones.<…>A complex and transparent system of the correlation of tones - greenish sankire, ocher, shadows and highlights - leads to a specific effect of scattered, flickering light.

Among the Byzantine icons of the Komnenos period, the Vladimir Mother of God is also distinguished by the deep penetration into the realm of the human soul, its hidden secret sufferings, characteristic of the best works of this time. The heads of Mother and Son pressed against each other. The Mother of God knows that Her Son is doomed to suffer for the sake of people, and sorrow lurks in Her dark, thoughtful eyes.

The skill with which the painter was able to convey a subtle spiritual state, most likely, served as the origin of the legend about the painting of the image by the Evangelist Luke. It should be recalled that the painting of the early Christian period - the time when the famous evangelist-icon painter lived, was the flesh of the flesh of the art of late antiquity, with its sensual, "life-like" nature. But, in comparison with the icons of the early period, the image of the Vladimir Mother of God bears the stamp of the highest “spiritual culture”, which could only be the fruit of centuries-old Christian thoughts about the coming of the Lord to earth, the humility of His Most Pure Mother and the path they traveled of self-denial and sacrificial love.

Honored miraculous lists with icons of the Vladimir Mother of God

Over the centuries, many lists have been written from the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Some of them became famous for miracles and received special names depending on the place of origin. It:

  • Vladimir - Volokolamsk icon (commemorated Mr. 3 / 16), which was the contribution of Malyuta Skuratov to the Joseph-Volokolamsk monastery. Now it is in the collection of the Andrei Rublev Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art.
  • Vladimirskaya - Seligerskaya (memory D. 7/20), brought to Seliger by Nil Stolbensky in the 16th century.
  • Vladimirskaya - Zaonikievsky (memory M. 21. / In. 3; In. 23 / Il. 6, from the Zaonikievsky monastery), 1588.
  • Vladimirskaya - Oranskaya (memory M. 21 / In. 3), 1634.
  • Vladimirskaya - Krasnogorskaya (Chernogorskaya) (memory M. 21 / In. 3). 1603.
  • Vladimir - Rostov (commemorated Av. 15/28), XII century.

Troparion to the Icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir, Tone 4

Today, the most glorious city of Moscow flaunts brightly, / like the dawn of the sun, O Lady, Your miraculous icon, / to her now, flowing and praying to You, we cry out to you: / oh, wonderful Lady Theotokos, / pray from you to our incarnate God, / may deliver the city this and all the cities and countries of Christianity are unharmed from all the slander of the enemy, // and our souls will be saved, like Mercy.

Kontakion to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, Tone 8

The victorious Chosen Voivode, / as if they were delivered from the evil ones by the coming of Your honest image, / Lady Theotokos, / we lightly create the feast of Your meeting and usually call Thee: / Rejoice, Bride Unbrideed.

Prayer to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, Omnipotent Intercessor, our shameless Hope! Thanking Thee for all the great blessings, in the generations of the Russian people from You who were, before Your most pure image, we pray to Thee: save this city (or: this whole, or: this holy monastery) and Your coming servants and all the Russian land from gladness, destruction , land of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. Save and save, Madam, our Great Lord and Father Kirill, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and Our Lord (name of the rivers), His Grace Bishop (or: Archbishop, or: Metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend Metropolitans, Archbishops and Orthodox bishops. Give them good governance of the Russian Church, keep the faithful sheep of Christ indestructible. Remember, Lady, and the entire priestly and monastic rank, warm their hearts with zeal for Bose and, worthy of your title, strengthen each and every one. Save, Lady, and have mercy on all Your servants and grant us the path of the earthly field 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 the enemy, prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensibility, on the terrible day of Judgment, vouchsafe us with Your intercession to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God. He deserves all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

______________________________________________________________________

These long and numerous movements of the icon in space are poetically interpreted in the text of the Tale of the Miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which was first found by V.O. Klyuchevsky in Milyutin's Chetia-Minei, and published according to the list of the collection of the Synodal Library No. 556 (Klyuchevsky V.O. Legends about the miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. - St. Petersburg, 1878). In this ancient description, they are likened to the path that the solar luminary travels: “When God created the sun, he did not set it to shine in one place, but, going around the whole Universe, it illuminates with rays, so this image of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is not on one place… but, bypassing all countries and the whole world, enlightens…”

Etingof O.E. To the early history of the icon "Our Lady of Vladimir" and the tradition of the Blachernae cult of the Theotokos in Rus' in the 11th-13th centuries. // Image of the Mother of God. Essays on Byzantine iconography of the 11th-13th centuries. - M .: "Progress-Tradition", 2000, p. 139.

Ibid, p. 137. In addition, N.V. Kvilidze published a painting by the deacon of the Church of the Trinity in Vyazemy at the end of the 16th century, where on the south wall there is a liturgy in the temple with an altar, behind which is the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir (N.V. Kvilidze. Newly discovered frescoes of the altar of the Church of the Trinity in Vyazemy. Report in the Department of Old Russian Art at the State Institute of Art Studies, April 1997).

Etingof O.E. To the early history of the icon "Our Lady of Vladimir" ...

Throughout its history, it was recorded at least four times: in the first half of the 13th century, at the beginning of the 15th century, in 1521, during alterations in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin and before the coronation of Nicholas II in 1895-1896 by the restorers O. S. Chirikov and M. D. Dikarev. In addition, small repairs were carried out in 1567 (in the Miracle Monastery by Metropolitan Athanasius), in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Kolpakova G.S. Art of Byzantium. early and middle periods. - St. Petersburg: Publishing House "Azbuka-Klassika", 2004, p. 407.

Ibid, p. 407-408.

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