Where to hang the icon of the Holy Trinity. The mystery of the “Holy Trinity” icon (based on the icon of St. Andrei Rublev)

There are dozens of options that will capture one significant event with paints on boards - the meeting of three wanderers. The history of the shrine is described in chapter 18 of the Book of Genesis and transferred to icons with symbolic meaning, either depicting scenes with Abraham and his wife, wanderers, or depicting the plot of the appearance of three angels before Abraham.

However, the most famous among all the icons is the icon of the Holy Trinity, representing the Trinity of God, painted by Andrei Rublev.

History of the icon

According to historical research, the first mention of the Holy Trinity icon, painted by Andrei Rublev, dates back to 1551, when it was mentioned in an order in the Stoglav Cathedral. There they were talking about a certain shrine of the Trinity (the members of the zemstvo church knew about it), which was fully consistent with the canons and could be taken as an example. In addition, information about the shrine is contained in another source, namely in “The Tale of the Holy Icon Painters,” which speaks of the request of Nikon of Radonezh, the second abbot of the Trinity Monastery, to paint an icon of the Trinity in praise of Father Sergei, but this version raises some doubts, although and is considered generally accepted. In general, the icon of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit has only two possible dates of creation: 1411 and 1425-1427. The first date refers to the construction of a wooden church after a fire, and the second - to the construction of the Trinity Church made of stone. Both numbers are based on the construction of cathedrals, so the question of the exact year of creation of the icon remains open today.

Where there are no inaccuracies is with the author of the Holy Trinity icon. It is definitely Andrei Rublev. Although once, after the cleansing of the icon, some researchers doubted the authorship of the Russian icon painter, seeing Italian motifs in the shrine, but this assumption was soon debunked, and the Italian motifs turned out to be the influence of Byzantine painting.

The meaning of the Holy Trinity icon

As mentioned earlier, the icon of the Holy Trinity has many symbolic images that form a general idea of the event, and also through details reveal the power and significance of the shrine for believers.

The central subject of the composition is the bowl. It reflects the suffering and torment of Jesus Christ, through which He is ready to go through in the name of atonement for human sins. The red liquid that will be poured into the vessel symbolizes God's blood collected after the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross. But even while the cup is not empty, now it contains the head of a calf - the main symbol of sacrifice.

Three angels sit at the table in complete silence, holding a scepter in their hands, denoting power. Their heads are slightly tilted towards each other, and the contours of the figures resemble the key image. Each of them has its own symbol. God the Father in a purple robe in the center blesses, bending two fingers over the bowl. Behind Him grows the Mamre Oak, which in Andrei Rublev takes on the meaning of the Edenic Tree of Life. On the right side of God the Father sits the Holy Spirit, and behind Him is the Christian church, the so-called house of the Holy Spirit. With a gesture of his hand, He blesses and at the same time, in an imperative form, directs the Son through suffering. God the Son sits opposite. His head is humbly lowered, and his gaze, full of readiness, is directed at the bowl. Behind Christ’s back rises a mountain - a symbol of redemption, which He will definitely climb.

What does the icon of the Holy Trinity help with?

As for help, the icon of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is powerful in guiding a person on the righteous path and in cleansing him from sin. The shrine helps those praying during difficult times and inspires hope when it is necessary to overcome difficult life trials. The image of the three Saints supports during times of great excitement and anxiety, and also helps when making important decisions.

Prayer to the icon

Likewise, the celebration of the icon of the Three Angels falls on “Pentecost” (the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ), but believers can read the prayer every day.

No one turns to the Saints unless necessary, and it’s also not worth blessing them because it’s necessary. The image of the Trinity will protect and help everyone who truly asks, you just have to say the words of prayer from a pure heart in front of the icon of the Holy Trinity:

To the Most Holy Trinity, the Consubstantial Power, all the good Wines that we will reward You for everything that You have rewarded us sinners and unworthy before, before you came into the world, for everything that You have rewarded us every day, and that You have prepared for all of us in the world to come ! It is fitting, then, for so much good deeds and generosity, to thank Thee not just in words, but more than in deeds, for keeping and fulfilling Thy commandments: but we, having grown up with our evil customs, have cast ourselves into countless sins and iniquities from our youth. For this reason, as unclean and defiled, do not just appear before Thy Trisholy face without coldness, but below Thy Most Holy Name, utter what is sufficient for us, even if You Yourself had not deigned, for our joy, to proclaim that we love the pure and righteous, and repentant sinners are merciful and please accept me kindly. Look down, O Divine Trinity, from the height of Your Holy Glory upon us, many sinners, and accept our good will, instead of good deeds; and give us the spirit of true repentance, so that, having hated every sin, in purity and truth, we may live until the end of our days, doing Your most holy will and glorifying Your sweetest and most magnificent name with pure thoughts and good deeds. Amen.

However, in Orthodox icon painting there are images whose deep meaning is not so easy to immediately understand.

One such example is the icon of the Holy Trinity. Not only are there several different versions of this image, but it is also not always clear who exactly is depicted. Let's try to understand this difficult theological issue.

Who is the Holy Trinity and what are its icons?

The dogma of the unity of the Holy Trinity is one of the most complex and at the same time fundamental postulates of the Orthodox faith. According to him, we believe in One God, who is represented in three persons or hypostases - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Each of the hypostases is God, and God inextricably contains all three persons. There is no hierarchy in the Trinity; God the Son is God to the same extent as God the Father or God the Holy Spirit.

Icon of the Holy Trinity

It is beyond the power of a simple layman to fully understand this teaching; the best theologians of the entire Christian world are racking their brains over this. For an ordinary ordinary person who believes in our Lord Jesus Christ, it is enough to understand that the One God has three persons, each of which is equally God. Canonically, icons can only depict what was revealed to people. Thus, a great miracle was revealed to humanity to see the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, which is why we have a large number of icons with his holy face.

About the icons of Jesus Christ:

As for God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, apparently they never appeared to people. There are places in the Bible where the Lord sent his voice from Heaven, and also the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove. These are all physical manifestations of the other two hypostases that humanity has. In this regard, there is no icon that in its natural form would depict the Holy Trinity (as, for example, there are icons of Christ that reliably repeat His appearance).

All images of the Trinity are deeply symbolic and carry a great theological load. One of the most famous images is “The Hospitality of Abraham.” It depicts a scene from the book of Genesis when the Lord appeared to Abraham in the guise of three angels. It was then that one of the angels announced to Abraham about the imminent birth of his son.

In this image we see three angels sitting at a table and Abraham and Sarah serving them. In the background you can see the Oak of Mamre, the home of Abraham himself, and the mountains. The essence of this image is that symbolically the secret of the Trinity Lord was revealed to Abraham and Sarah in the guise of three angels.

Appearance of the Holy Trinity to Abraham

Icon of St. Andrei Rublev

The essence of the Trinitarian Divine nature is most fully revealed in the image of St. Andrei Rublev. Perhaps this is the most famous and revered icon of the Holy Trinity in our church. The artist abandons the images of Abraham and Sarah, the angels sit alone at the table. They no longer eat the food, but seem to bless it. And there is no food as such on the table anymore - only one cup remains, which symbolizes communion and the Holy Gifts.

Many researchers have tried to unravel the order in which the Monk Andrei Rublev depicted each hypostasis of the Lord. Most experts agreed that in order to emphasize the unity of the Trinity, the artist did not indicate where anyone is depicted.

By and large, for a simple Christian believer it makes no difference where each entity is located. We still pray to the One God, and it is impossible to pray to the Son without also praying to the Father or the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when looking at an icon, it is best to perceive the image as a whole, without dividing it into three different figures.

Even the image itself seems to emphasize the unity of all the characters - the figures of all three angels fit into an invisible circle. In the middle is the Cup, which symbolically points to Christ's Sacrifice for all mankind.

It is necessary to mention that there are various non-canonical attempts to depict the three hypostases of God. The mystery of the Christian understanding of God has always attracted many researchers, and they did not always coordinate their views with the canons of Orthodoxy. Therefore, believers should carefully avoid being carried away by such images. You cannot find such icons in churches; you don’t need to have them at home either.

Icon of the Most Holy Trinity by St. Andrei Rublev

Where should the icon of the Holy Trinity be located and how to pray in front of it

If we talk about temples, then in most of them you can find this holy image. If the temple is consecrated in honor of the Holy Trinity, then the main icon will be on the lectern, in a prominent place. Any Christian believer can come to such a temple and venerate the shrine.

Before the image, prayers can be served, and water can be blessed. Such small services give great consolation to the Orthodox who pray at them for what concerns their souls. You can submit notes with the names of relatives and friends, then the priest will offer petitions to God and for them.

Important! The basis of any prayer service is not the fact of submitting a note with names, but a sincere appeal to God by a believer. Therefore, it is very advisable to attend the prayer service in person.

You can also have an icon of the Holy Trinity at home so that you can turn to the Lord in personal prayer at home. For this home, you can equip special shelves for images - home iconostasis. All the icons in the family are placed on it. It is worth remembering that when decorating the iconostasis, the central place should be occupied by the icons of the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by the saints revered in the family.

According to Christian tradition, it is customary to install all iconostases on the eastern wall or corner of the house. However, if for some objective reasons this cannot be done (for example, the eastern side is occupied by a large window or door), then there is no sin in placing home shrines in any other suitable place.

The main rule is that the attitude towards the place where the images are stored should be reverent. You need to keep it clean, wipe off dust in a timely manner, and change napkins. It is completely unacceptable when the owners maintain order, for example, in the kitchen, but at the same time the sacred corner looks neglected and unkempt.

Icon of the Holy Trinity

What does an icon help with?

In near-Christian circles one can often come across the opinion that one can pray in front of certain shrines strictly on certain issues. You can often hear such advice even in front of experienced parishioners and old-timers of churches. This approach does not entirely correctly reflect the essence of the Orthodox faith.

About other famous Orthodox icons:

In all troubles and sorrows in which we ask for spiritual help, only the Lord God can give us an answer. The saints are our helpers who, together with us, can ask the Lord to give us everything we need for our lives. It’s just that a tradition has developed that prayers in front of certain images help in a given situation. But this is not a strict rule, and a person in front of any icon can ask for anything.

Important! The belief that help comes precisely from the icon in front of which a person prays is a pagan approach and distorts the essence of the Orthodox faith.

Therefore, praying in front of the icon of the Holy Trinity at home or in church, a person can ask for everything that lies in his soul. You just have to remember that you cannot go to the Lord with sinful thoughts, dishonest or obviously bad requests.

Most of the holy fathers of the church say that real prayer is one that does not ask for anything, but only thanks God and entrusts His concern for human life. The Gospel says that not even a hair will fall from a person’s head unless it is God’s Will. Therefore, it is best to stand before the shrine with a repentant heart, humility, and the desire to correct your life according to God’s will. Such an appeal will always be heard and a person will feel grace and spiritual help in life.

Video about the icon of the Holy Trinity by Andrei Rublev

The icon "Old Testament Trinity" was painted by the great Russian icon painter, the venerable one. It depicts three angels who, according to the biblical book of Genesis, appeared to the forefather Abraham, taking the form of wanderers. This was the first revelation to believers about the unity of God in three persons.

Unlike earlier icon painters, Rublev did not depict Abraham’s meeting of tired travelers near his home, as described in the Bible. His icon is “theology in color,” revealing the meaning of the Orthodox teaching about the Trinity. We see only three angels at a meal; on the table there is a single cup symbolizing Holy Communion. The basis of the composition is a circle in which the figures of angels seem to be inscribed; this gives the image the character of grace-filled peace in which God dwells. The poses and faces of the angels reflect the perfect love that binds the faces of the Holy Trinity.

Before the October Revolution, the icon was in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, then it came into the possession of the Commission for the Discovery of Ancient Painting and was restored in 1918-1919. Since 1929 in the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Interesting facts about the Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev

The angels on Rublev’s icon represent the persons of the Holy Trinity. The house in the background, located behind the figure of the left angel, indicates God the Father - the creator of heaven and earth. The middle angel is dressed in a cherry tunic and a blue cloak, in which Christ is traditionally depicted. The right angel is painted against the background of a mountain, symbolizing spiritual ascent and enlightenment by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Rublev's Trinity, soon after its writing, began to be considered a model for other icon painters. At the Stoglavy Cathedral, an order was adopted to paint the Holy Trinity “as the Greek icon painters wrote and as Andrei Rublev wrote,” without introducing anything of his own.

Under Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible, the icon was decorated with a gold frame with precious stones, which hid it almost completely: only the hands and faces remained open. The world saw the “Trinity” without the chasuble only in 1904, when it was taken out of its frame for another restoration and photographed. But after that they were placed on salary again - until 1918. Under the frame, the icon quickly darkened and lost the pure and light colors of the original, which were completely restored only during the restoration of 1918.

Until 1918, the icon was renewed several times: under Boris Godunov, in 1635, in 1777, twice in the 19th century and in 1904. The icon was covered with drying oil, and the contours were painted on top, neglecting the details, sometimes even in a different iconographic manner. In order to restore the “Trinity” to its original form, craftsmen under the leadership of the famous restorer Igor Grabar had to remove many layers of drying oil and paint.

The dogma of the trinity of God is one of the main ones in Christianity, regardless of denomination, therefore the Trinity icon has its own symbolic meaning and an interesting history. In this article we will talk about the history, significance and meaning of the Holy Trinity icon, and how it can help Christians.

Basics of Faith

According to Christian doctrine, there cannot be an exact image of God the Trinity. He is incomprehensible and too great, besides, no one has seen God (according to the biblical statement). Only Christ descended to earth in his own form, and it is impossible to directly depict the Trinity.

However, symbolic images are possible:

in angelic form (three Old Testament guests of Abraham);
festive icon of the Epiphany;
the descent of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost;
Transfiguration.

All these images are considered icons of the Holy Trinity, because each case is marked by the appearance of different hypostases. As an exception, it is allowed to depict God the Father as an old man on icons of the Last Judgment.

Famous icon of Rublev

Another name is “The Hospitality of Abraham”, since it depicts a specific Old Testament story. The 18th chapter of Genesis tells how the righteous man received God Himself, under the guise of three travelers. They symbolize the different personalities of the Trinity.

The complex dogmatic teaching about the Christian God was best revealed by Rublev the artist; his Icon of the Trinity differs from other options. He refuses Sarah, Abraham, uses minimal utensils for meals. The main characters do not eat food; they appear engaged in silent communication. These thoughts are far from mundane, which becomes clear even to the uninitiated viewer.

The Trinity Icon of Andrei Rublev is the most famous image painted by the hand of a Russian master. Although very few works by the monk Andrei have survived, the authorship of this one is considered proven.

Appearance of Rublev’s “Trinity”

The image is written on a board, the composition is vertical. Behind the table are three figures, behind you can see the house where the Old Testament righteous man lived, the Mamre oak tree (it still survives and is located in Palestine), and a mountain.

A fair question would be: who is depicted on the icon of the Holy Trinity? Behind the appearance of an angel are hidden the personalities of God:

Father (the figure in the center blessing the cup);
Son (the right angel, in a green cape. Bowed his head, thereby agreeing to his role in the plan of salvation, travelers talk about him);
God the Holy Spirit (to the left of the viewer, raises his hand to bless the Son for the feat of self-sacrifice).

All the figures, although they express something through poses and gestures, are in deep thought, there is no action. Gazes are directed to eternity. The icon also has a second name - “Eternal Council”. This is the communication of the Holy Trinity about the plan of salvation of the human race.

Composition is important for describing the Trinity icon. Its main element is the circle, which clearly expresses the unity and equality of the three hypostases. The bowl is the center of the icon; it is on it that the viewer’s gaze stops. This is nothing more than a prototype of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The cup also reminds us of the sacrament of the Eucharist, the main thing in Orthodoxy.

The colors of the clothes (azure) are reminiscent of the divine essence of the characters in the plot. Each angel also holds a symbol of power - a scepter. The tree here is intended to recall the tree of paradise, because of which the first people sinned. The house is a symbol of the Spirit's presence in the Church. The mountain anticipates the image of Golgotha, a symbol of atonement for the sins of all mankind.

History of the image of the Holy Trinity

The details of the life of the great master are little known. He is hardly mentioned in the chronicles; he did not sign his works (a common practice for that time). Also, the history of writing the masterpiece still has many blank spots. It is believed that the Monk Andrew carried out obedience in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, for which his most famous icon was painted. There are different opinions about the time of creation of the Trinity icon. Part dates it to 1412, other scholars call it 1422.

Realities of life in the 15th century. were far from peaceful, the Moscow principality was on the verge of a bloody war. The theological content of the icon, the unity of the hypostases of the depicted Persons is a prototype of universal love. It was precisely for agreement and fraternal unity that the icon painter called upon his contemporaries. The Old Testament Trinity for Sergius of Radonezh was a symbol of unity, which is why he named the monastery in its honor.

The abbot of the Lavra really wanted to complete the decoration of the Trinity Cathedral, for which he gathered the best. Frescoes were planned on the walls - traditional for that period. Also, the iconostasis needed filling. “Trinity” is a temple icon (the most important), which is located in the bottom row near the Royal Doors (the clergy exits through them during services).

Return of color

In the history of the Trinity icon, an important stage was the rediscovery of long-familiar material. Several decades ago, restorers learned how to remove drying oil from old images. V. Guryanov, under a small fragment of the “Trinity,” discovered a surprisingly vibrant shade of blue (the color of the robes). A whole wave of visitors followed.

But the monastery was not happy about this; the icon was hidden under a massive frame. Work has stopped. Apparently, they were afraid that there would be people who wanted to spoil the shrine (this happened with other famous images).

The work was completed after the revolution, when the Lavra itself was closed. The restorers were amazed by the bright colors that were hidden under a dark coating: cherry, gold, azure. One of the angels is wearing a green cape, in places you can see pale pink. These are heavenly colors that indicate one of the meanings of the Trinity icon. It seems to call the praying person back to where unity with God is possible, this is a real window into another world.

The meaning and meaning of the icon of the Holy Trinity

The icon of the Life-Giving Trinity has several layers of meaning. Approaching it, a person becomes, as it were, a participant in the action. After all, there are four seats at the table, but only three sit at it. Yes, this is the place where Abraham should sit. But everyone is invited to participate. Any person, as a child of God, must strive into the arms of the heavenly Father, into the lost paradise.

The icon of the Holy Trinity is not only a famous image, but also a great work of world art. This is an excellent example of reverse perspective: the lines of the table (or more precisely, the throne) inside the composition go to infinity. If you extend them in the opposite direction, they will point to the place where the observer is standing, as if inscribing him into the composition.

The search for God, on which many spend their entire lives, for Andrei Rublev seems to have a logical conclusion in this work. We can say that the icon of the Holy Trinity became a catechism written in colors, expounded by the great ascetic of the faith. Fullness of knowledge, peace and confidence in God's love fill everyone who looks at the image with an open heart.

Rublev - a mysterious person

The authorship of the great image, one of a kind, was established a century later. Contemporaries quickly forgot who painted the Trinity icon; they were not particularly concerned with the task of collecting information about the great master and preserving his work. For five hundred years he was not mentioned in the calendar. The saint was officially canonized only at the end of the 20th century.

Popular memory almost immediately made the icon painter a saint. It is known that he was a student of Saint Sergius of Radonezh himself. He probably perfectly learned the spiritual lessons of the great old man. And although St. Sergius did not leave theological works, his position is clearly read in the icon created by his disciple. And the people's memory has preserved his monastic exploits.

Back in the 17th century. Rublev was mentioned in the legend about the great icon painters. He was even depicted on icons, among other ascetics from the Lavra.

Non-canonical images

Many believers have seen an icon called “Trinity of the New Testament.” It depicts a gray-haired old man, Christ and a soaring dove. However, such stories are strictly prohibited in Orthodoxy. They violate the canonical prohibition according to which God the Father cannot be depicted.

In accordance with the Holy Scriptures, only symbolic images of the Lord are permissible, for example, in the guise of an angel or Christ. Anything else is heresy and should be removed from the homes of godly Christians.

The dogma of the Trinity, which is very difficult to understand, looks very accessible in such non-canonical icons. The desire of ordinary people to make something complex simple and clear is understandable. However, you can purchase these images only at your own risk - the cathedral decree prohibits them, even consecrating them is prohibited.

An old image in a new incarnation

In the 17th century In Moscow, icon painter Simon Ushakov enjoyed well-deserved fame. Many images came from his pen, including the Trinity icon. Ushakov took Rublev’s painting as a basis. The composition and elements are the same, but executed in a completely different manner. The influence of the Italian school is noticeable, the details are more real.

For example, a tree has a spreading crown, its trunk has darkened with age. The angel wings are also made realistically, reminiscent of real ones. Their faces have no reflections of internal experiences, they are calm, their features are drawn in detail and volume.

The meaning of the Trinity icon in this case does not change - a person is also invited to become a participant in his own salvation, for which God, for his part, has already prepared everything. It's just that the writing style isn't as elevated anymore. Ushakov managed to combine ancient canons with new European trends in painting. These artistic techniques make the Trinity more earthy and accessible.

How does the icon of the Holy Trinity help?

Since the Trinity is a kind of catechism (only these are not words, but an image), it will be useful for every believer to have it at home. The image is present in every Orthodox church.

The “Trinity” icon helps to better understand the relationship between God and man; in front of it, you can turn to all the divine Persons at once, or to one of Them. It is good to say prayers of repentance, read the Psalms, ask for help when faith is weakening, and also for the guidance of those who have fallen into error and followed the wrong path.

Trinity Day is a moving holiday, celebrated after Easter (50 days later). In Rus', on this day, churches are decorated with green branches, the floor is covered with grass, and priests wear green vestments. The first Christians at this time began to harvest crops and brought them for consecration.

When choosing an icon of the Holy Trinity, you should exercise caution, because non-canonical images are sometimes found even in church shops. It is better to take the image as it was written by Rublev or his followers. You can pray about everything, because the Lord is merciful and will help in any matter if a person’s heart is pure.

Prayers to the icon of the Holy Trinity

Prayer 1

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.

Prayer 2

To the Most Holy Trinity, the Consubstantial Power, all the good Wines that we will reward You for everything that You have rewarded us sinners and unworthy before, before you came into the world, for everything that You have rewarded us every day, and that You have prepared for all of us in the world to come !
It is fitting, then, for so much good deeds and generosity, to thank Thee not just in words, but more than in deeds, for keeping and fulfilling Thy commandments: but we, being aware of our passions and evil customs, have cast ourselves into countless sins and iniquities from our youth. For this reason, as unclean and defiled, do not just appear before Your Trisholy face without coldness, but below Your Most Holy Name, speak to us, even if You Yourself had deigned, for our joy, to proclaim that the pure and righteous are loving, and sinners who repent are merciful and kindly accept. Look down, O Divine Trinity, from the height of Your Holy Glory upon us, many sinners, and accept our good will, instead of good deeds; and give us the spirit of true repentance, so that, having hated every sin, in purity and truth, we may live until the end of our days, doing Your most holy will and glorifying Your sweetest and most magnificent name with pure thoughts and good deeds. Amen.

Most believers choose shrines of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary for home veneration. However, in Christianity there are other relics designed to show the Orthodox the visible face of God, His amazing and powerful essence. It belongs to them. The meaning, what the image helps with - you can learn all this from our article.

Theological meaning of the relic - what does the “Holy Trinity” mean?

The dogma that the Lord is one in three persons is the essence of Orthodox teaching, but it is quite difficult to comprehend this position. Often Christians limit themselves to recognizing such mysteries as incomprehensible, but this does not help cope with the inquisitiveness of the mind. And although faith is not expected to pose logical difficulties - it rather helps to understand what a person is doing in this world, why he came here and what is the purpose of all his actions - those who sincerely seek God try to answer such questions.

Anyone who has at least once tried to understand the surrounding universe, people and himself knows how many mysteries and secrets the Universe holds. This understatement is the bridge connecting the Creator and the world He created. And the more closely, carefully and attentively a Christian looks at such things, the more harmony, wisdom and beauty he will notice. Such patterns are too perfect to arise as a result of a simple coincidence of circumstances. Realizing this is the first step on the path to the Lord.

However, such insights are only the beginning of knowledge. Reading theological literature, listening to sermons, and, of course, contemplating holy relics will allow you to move forward. Through them, masters convey to people a part of heavenly existence, the postulate of unity and love, and teach them to show moral firmness, spiritual fortitude and moral purity. For example, having learned who is depicted on the “Holy Trinity” icon, you will be able to delve deeper into the mystery of the Creed, feel joy, harmony and grace.

The Church Fathers believe that the two main properties of the Holy Trinity are completeness and love. Therefore, the Lord grants every Christian free will, without needing either his good deeds or the observance of rites and rituals. However, the Creator is able and willing to embrace the human race with His kindness and mercy - for this He sacrificed His Only Begotten Son. And, although people cannot offer anything to God, they are able to feel their involvement in Him, responding with the same love and devotion.

Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov claims that the dogma of the unity of the Creator is best understood through comparison with the human soul. So, looking at this photo - the image depicted on it is poured out of Polesie amber in accordance with all Orthodox canons - you can imagine God the Father as mind, God the Son as thought and word, and God the Holy Spirit as the human spirit. If mind, thoughts and spirit reside in people at the same time, then the three faces of the Lord can form one being without mixing with each other. And here is how St. sang the Creator. Ioannikis: “My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit: Holy Trinity, glory to Thee!”

Icon “Holy Trinity” - what does it protect against?

This image is unique in its iconography and symbolism. It allows you to appeal to the Primary Source of all things, to the powerful and perfect God, whose love and mercy protect the believer from any troubles, problems and troubles. The relic bestows special grace on Christians, giving them strength to change spiritually, choose the righteous path, strengthen their faith, and get rid of doubts, temptations and anxieties. In addition, she reminds that every person carries a piece of the Lord's secret within himself - which means that he must be treated with love and respect. Understanding this is the main guarantee of the salvation of the soul, standing above any prayer exercises.

Before this image, both petitionary and thanksgiving prayers are offered. First, you should read an akathist dedicated to all three faces of the Creator, and then separate psalms and praises for God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Where to hang the Holy Trinity icon in the house? It is best to place it in the eastern (“red”) corner, opposite the front door. Then the first glance of every member of the household and guest will be turned to the divine faces, overshadowing Christians with their grace and protection. Another important nuance is that this relic is located above other works, even if it is the image of Jesus Christ. Thus you pay tribute to the power, incomprehensibility and omnipotence of the Lord. And when commemorating the shrine (it is celebrated on the Feast of Pentecost, on the 50th day after the Resurrection of the Son of God), it is decorated with green tree branches, flowers and aromatic herbs. This tradition symbolizes the new hope that has come to people with the Holy Spirit.

How does the icon of the Holy Trinity help? It is often used as a confessional - it is believed that such prayers are addressed to the Lord himself and are no less effective than those offered in the temple. In addition, the relic is called upon in the most hopeless, dramatic and difficult situations - it miraculously contributes to their resolution, saving people from any dangers, disasters and diseases. Therefore, a shrine made with love and care from natural solar gems will be an excellent gift for any Christian and a wonderful addition to your home iconostasis. And ours will help you buy it