Mother of God with a baby in her arms. What kind of icons of the Mother of God are there? Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”

For our readers: a list of icons of the Mother of God with detailed descriptions from various sources.

The search system is a powerful tool that gives much more results than manually browsing through a list of all the icons. The search system searches not only by main names, but also by rare and rarely used icon names. For example, when looking through the list, you will not find the “Hilendar” icon, while the search system will not leave you without a result, since Hilendar is a rarely used name for the Akathist icon.

List of all icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This list shows only the names of the icons mentioned in the monthly book, as well as locally revered icons for which photographs were found. The names of icons for which there is no image are listed in the list of rare icons of the Virgin Mary.

Icon statuses are explained here.

Miscellaneous (Virgin Mary)

Icons of the Mother of God evoke a special feeling among Orthodox Christians. Photos with the names of the most famous images in Russia are presented on this page.

Through icons, believers turn to the Mother of God with prayers for strengthening faith, healing illnesses, and saving the soul.

How many icons of the Mother of God are there?

No one knows exactly how many different images of the Mother of God have been written. In the monthly book published by the Moscow Patriarchate, 295 names are mentioned.

But according to iconography, the images of the Mother of God are divided into only three types: Oranta (looks with arms raised up), Hodegetria (the baby blesses the Mother of God), Eleusa (tenderness, clinging to each other).

Icons of the Mother of God with photos and descriptions

Below is a list of Holy Faces, the most popular or, on the contrary, little known, whose history or description is very interesting.

"Kazan" Icon of the Mother of God

Celebrated on July 21 and November 4. The miraculous image saved the country in times of unrest, disasters and wars. Its significance is to preserve the country under the shadow of the Mother of God.

The most revered image in Rus'. Found in 1579 in Kazan in a fire during the persecution of Christians. They bless married couples, pray for the healing of eye diseases, and to repel foreign invasion.

Icon of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice”

In 1878, one retired soldier suffering from heavy drinking had an apparition of St. Varlaam to go to the city of Serpukhov and pray there in front of a certain image. This icon turned out to be the now famous “Inexhaustible Chalice”.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Theodorovskaya”

Celebrated on March 27 and August 29. They ask her for a happy marriage and healthy children.

Possibly written by the Apostle Luke. It was located in the 12th century in the city of Gorodets. She miraculously moved to Kostroma: she was seen in the hands of St. the warrior Theodore Stratilates, who walked with her through the city. Hence the name “Feodorovskaya”.

"Sovereign" Mother of God

Celebrated on March 15th. The meaning of the image is that power over Russia passed from the Tsar directly to the Virgin Mary.

Revealed in 1917 in the village of Kolomenskoye, in the Moscow region, on the very day on which Nicholas II abdicated the throne. The Most Holy Theotokos seemed to have received the power from the Tsar.

"Vladimir" icon

Celebrated on June 3, July 6, September 8. The significance of the image for Orthodox Christians in preserving Russia from foreign warriors.

Written by the Apostle Luke on the tabletop of the Holy Family. Saved Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane. Under Soviet rule, she exhibited at the Tretyakov Gallery.

"Tikhvin" Mother of God

This image, according to legend, was written by the evangelist and apostle Luke. He miraculously appeared near the city of Tikhvin. Particularly remarkable among the many miracles revealed by the image was the salvation of the Tikhvin monastery during the Northern War in 1613.

"Three-handed"

So named after a miracle that happened to St. John of Damascus. His severed hand grew back into place through prayer at the image of the Mother of God. In honor of this event, a silver hand was attached to the frame of the image.

"Unexpected Joy"

Celebrated on May 14 and December 22. The meaning of the image lies in the mercy of the Mother of God even towards unrepentant sinners, leading them to repentance.

The icon is named in memory of the conversion of one lawless man, who, with the Archangel's greeting, asked for a blessing for his lawless deeds.

"Blessed Womb"

In the 14th century it was located in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin. Glorified by many miracles.

"Annunciation"

The image is dedicated to the twelfth holiday of the same name.

"Blessed Sky"

Celebrated on March 19th. The meaning of the image is that it is in this form that, according to the assumption, the Blessed Virgin Mary will descend to earth, preparing people for the second coming of Christ.

The image was brought to Moscow by the Lithuanian princess Sofia Vitovtovna at the beginning of the 15th century.

"Joy of All Who Sorrow"

In 1688, the sick Euphemia, a relative of the patriarch, suffering from an incurable disease, was miraculously healed in front of this image.

"Upbringing"

Celebrated on March 18th. The significance of the icon is associated with the upbringing of the younger generation in the Orthodox faith.

This is a Byzantine image known for many miracles. Provides assistance to parents and their children.

"Life-Giving Spring"

Celebrated on the fifth day after Easter. They pray for the preservation of prudence and a sinless life.

The icon is named in memory of the holy source of water near Constantinople. In this place, the Virgin Mary appeared to Leo Marcellus and predicted that he would become emperor.

"Deliverer"

Celebrated on October 30th. In 1841 in Greece, a prayer vigil in front of this image miraculously stopped a locust invasion.

The icon was with the family of Alexander III when their train was wrecked. It was on this day that the name day of the icon began to be celebrated, in commemoration of the salvation of the emperor.

"Key of Understanding"

They pray for children who have difficulty learning. The icon is locally revered and is located in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Appeared in Russia in the 16th century, related to the image of “Addition of mind”.

"Mammal"

The image was transported to Serbia from Jerusalem by St. Savva in the 6th century.

"Fadeless Color"

Signifies the purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"Otrada"

Celebrated on February 3. It means the great mercy of the Mother of God to sinners, despite even her Son.

The image is associated with a miraculous deliverance from the robbers who attacked the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos.

"Assistant in childbirth"

Helps with difficult childbirth.

"Self-Written"

Locally revered on Mount Athos. It miraculously manifested itself in a pious icon painter from the city of Iasi in 1863.

"Quick to Hear"

Athos icon. From her, a miraculous healing of the disobedient monk’s vision occurred.

"Quiet my sorrows"

Celebrated on February 7th. Relieves mental anguish. Many healings came from her.

Brought to Moscow in 1640 by Cossacks. She poured myrrh in 1760.

"Healer"

Meaning: comfort to the sick. Often decorates hospital churches.

Conclusion

Turning to these icons has always helped Orthodox Christians in difficult moments of life. And now, in the modern world, healings and miracles continue. New miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary appear.

The intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos will continue until the end of the history of the human race.

See also: Catholic iconography of the Virgin Mary Orthodox iconography of the Mother of God- a set of types of images of the Virgin Mary in icon painting and a system for studying them.

The appearance of the Mother of God, in addition to the most ancient images, is known from descriptions of church historians, for example, Nikephoros Callistus, monk Epiphanius, etc. The Mother of God is traditionally depicted in certain clothes: a purple maforia (a married woman’s veil that covers the head and shoulders), and a tunic (long dress) of blue color . Maforium is decorated with three stars - on the head and shoulders. The inscription on the icon is given according to tradition in the Greek abbreviation ΜΗΡ ΘΥ or ΜΡ ΘΥ (Mother of God).

Icons of the Mother of God are designed to reveal the entire Mother of God dogmatics of Christianity. Tradition attributes the first icons of the Mother of God to the Evangelist Luke. The oldest surviving images of the Virgin Mary were found in Roman catacombs and date back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Mary is most often represented seated with the Christ Child in her arms (usually in scenes worship of the Magi), or in a pose Orants.

The image of the Mother of God sitting on a throne with the Child in her arms is often found in Byzantium; in Russian iconography it is known from the ancient Svenskaya (Pechersk) icon, attributed to the first Russian icon painter Alypius, and the new Sovereign icon, which appeared in 1917. It is to the iconography of the Mother of God on the throne that some researchers trace one of the most common types of images - Hodegetria.

Icons of the Mother of God of another common iconographic type - Eleusy (Tenderness), - probably do not appear before the 10th century, but become especially popular in late Byzantine and Old Russian icon painting. The scheme of Our Lady of Oranta was developed in the system of painting the temple, and in icon painting it is known in independent icons under the name The Omen or in complex multi-figure compositions.

Along with the Hodegetria, a similar type of icon of the Mother of God is distinguished Panahranta, which means “All-Merciful.” This type is characterized by the image of the Mother of God on the throne with the Child of God on her knees. The throne symbolizes the royal majesty of the Mother of God.

Another type of image of the Virgin Mary is independently used even less often: this is the so-called “ Deesis"an icon representing the Mother of God without the Child in a prayerful pose and included in the Deesis compositions. Single icons of the Mother of God of this type (as well as the type itself among some researchers) are called Agiosoritissa. In addition, there are many compositions based on liturgical texts and chants, sometimes combined under the general name “akathist icons.” In addition to the icons of the Mother of God, Her iconography includes icons of the Mother of God feasts.

Iconographic type of Orans. Icon of the Great Panagia. Yaroslavl, around 1218

The calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church mentions about 260 revered and miraculous icons of the Mother of God; in general, more than 860 names of Her icons can be counted. For most icons, separate days of celebration are established; prayers, troparia, kontakions, and sometimes akathists are written for them.

Venerated icons of the Virgin Mary

Abalakskaya (Abalatskaya, “The Sign” Abalatskaya)
Augustovskaya
Agiosoritissa
Azovskaya
Akathist Zografskaya
Akathist Hilandarskaya
Albazinskaya (The Word became flesh), Albazinskaya (“The Sign”)
Alexandria
Altar girl (Ktitorskaya, Vimatarissa)
Andronikovskaya
Arapetskaya (Arabian)
Armatiyskaya
Akhtyrskaya
Atskurskaya
Balykinskaya
Barlovskaya (Blessed Womb)
Barskaya
Bugabashskaya
Bakhchisarai
Belynichiskaya
Besednaya
Annunciation (Kyiv)
Annunciation (Moscow)
Annunciation (Ustyug)
Blessed Sky
Bogolyubskaya
Bogorodsko-Ufa
Borkolabovskaya
In sorrows and sorrows Consolation
Valaamskaya
Valanasskaya
Vatopedi
Vertograd prisoner
Leap of the Baby
Recovery of the dead
Byzantine
Vilenskaya
Bethlehem
Vladimirskaya
Blachernae (Vlahernetissa)
Volokolamsk
The one who brought the ecclesiarch to reason
Joy to all who mourn
Joy with pennies to all who mourn
All-Tsaritsa
Vutivanskaya
Galichskaya
Gerbovetskaya
Gerontissa
Mount Nerukosechnaya
Grebnevskaya
Greek Andronikova
Georgian
Damascus
Devpeteruvskaya
Degtyarevskaya
Dalmatian
Sovereign
Dolinskaya
Donskaya
Worthy to eat
Dubenskaya Krasnogorskaya
Yeletskaya
Eleusa
Life-Giving Spring
Zhirovitskaya
Intercessor
The Omen
Iverskaya
Igorevskaya
Jerusalem
Deliverance from the troubles of those suffering
Kazanskaya
Kaluzhskaya
Kasperovskaya
Kozelshchanskaya
Kolochskaya
Konevskaya
Korsunskaya
Kupyatitskaya
Kursk-Korennaya
Lydda
Maksimovskaya
Gracious
Mammal
Moldavian
Moldavian
Monevmasian
Molchenskaya
Montreal Iverskaya
Muromskaya
Burning bush
Unbreakable Wall
Everlasting Color (Fragrant Color)
Inexhaustible Chalice
Continuous Help
Unexpected Joy
Nikopea
He rejoices in You
Ognevidnaya
Hodegetria
Ozeryanskaya
Oranta
Ostrobramskaya
Paraclesis
Peschanskaya
Petrovskaya
Pecherskaya-Svenskaya
Pimenovskaya
Pisidian (Pisian)
Podkubenskaya
Childbirth assistance
Port Arthur
Pochaevskaya
Adding intelligence
Look to humility
Psychosostria (Psychosostra)
Ravensbruck
Saydanayskaya
Svenskaya
Svyatogorskaya
Holy Cross
Svyatorachitsa
Sedmiezernaya
Semistrelnaya
Quick to Hear
Smolenskaya
Breadmaker
Helper of sinners
Starorusskaya
Passionate
Tabynskaya
Tervenicheskaya
Tikhvinskaya
Tolgskaya
Toropetskaya
Three-handed
Fat Mountain
Tenderness
“Tenderness” Pskov-Pecherskaya
Softening Evil Hearts
Ural
"Assumption" Kiev-Pecherskaya
“Assumption” Pskov-Pecherskaya
"Assuage My Sorrows"
Feodorovskaya
Filermskaya
Halkopratiyskaya
Kholmskaya
Healer
Częstochowa
Chirskaya (Pskovskaya)
Economissa
Yaroslavskaya
Yaroslavskaya (Pecherskaya)
Yakhromskaya

Links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Orthodox iconography of the Virgin Mary
List of names of icons of the Mother of God (incomplete)
From Abalakskaya to Yakhromskaya - lists of all known images of the Mother of God on cirota.ru
Kondakov N.P. Iconography of Our Lady
List of miraculous and revered icons of the Mother of God with dates of celebration
Collection of icons of the Mother of God with a brief description and prayers
Icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Orthodox icons

» Icons of the Mother of God

Yakhromskaya (Akhrenskaya)

Yastrebskaya (Arakiotissa)
Yaskinskaya
Yaroslavskaya (Pecherskaya)
Yaroslavskaya
Yanoborskaya
Jacobstadt
Appearance of the South Icon of the Mother of God to the Venerable Dorotheos
Appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Equal to the Apostles Nina
Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to St. Sergius of Radonezh
Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to St. Seraphim of Sarov
Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to St. Kirill of Belozersky in the Simonov Monastery
Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to Saint Dosifei
Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Pochaevskaya Mountain
Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to Cornelius of Komel
Appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Arkhangelsk City in 1919
Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to Athanasius of Athos
Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to the Apostle Andrew on the Kyiv Mountains (Vision to the Apostle Andrew the First-Called of the Mother of God on the Pechersk Mountains)
Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to Alexander Svirsky
Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God to fishermen on the lake
Yurovichskaya Merciful
Economist (House Builder)
Shestokovskaya (Sheltomezhskaya)
Cholskaya (Chelnaya)
Chislenskaya
Chirskaya (Pskovskaya)
Most Honest Cherub And Most Glorious Seraphim
Chernigovskaya Ilyinskaya
Chernigov Gethsemane
Czestochowa Tyvrovskaya
Czestochowa Icon of the Mother of God, meaning and photo
Che Cha Narechem
Chainichskaya (Chainichka Krasnitsa)
Four-part Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Tsilkanskaya (Tsiklanskaya)
Tsesarskaya Borovskaya
Tsesarskaya (Caesarskaya)
Icon of the Mother of God the Healer, meaning and photo
Tsaregradskaya
Tsarevokokshaiskaya (Mironositskaya)
Chrysafitissa
Kholmskaya
Khlynovskaya
Khakhulskaya
Chalcopratian (Agiosoritissa)
Filermskaya
Feodotyevskaya
Feodorovskaya (Syzran)
Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, meaning and photo
Faneromeni (Revealed)

The image of the Mother of God is the most revered among Christians. But they especially love it in Rus'. In the 12th century, a new church holiday was established - the Intercession of the Virgin Mary. An icon with her image became the main shrine of many temples. The Blessed Virgin began to be considered the patroness and protector of Russia. The Virgin Mary "Tenderness" is a copy of a Byzantine image, painted at the end of this century.

In the 14th century, Moscow finally became the center of Orthodoxy in Rus', and the Assumption Cathedral at this time received the name “House of the Virgin”.

Origins of iconography

Historians date the first images of the Mother of God to the beginning of our era. In the catacombs of Priscilla, scenes with images of the Virgin Mary were found, which date back to the 2nd century. At the dawn of Christianity, images of the Blessed Virgin were applied to vessels for incense. Such ampoules, decorated with biblical scenes, were presented around 600 to the Lombard queen Theodelinda.

The first executions of the Blessed Virgin

In 431, the Council of Ephesus confirmed Mary's eternal right to be called the Mother of God. After this significant event, the Icons of the Mother of God appeared in the form familiar to us. Several images from this period have survived. On them, the Virgin Mary most often appears sitting on a throne with a baby in her arms.

Images of the Mother of God are also found in early mosaics that decorate old churches. These include:

the Roman Church of Santa Maggiore (dating from the 5th century);

7th century church of Panagia Angeloktista, located in Cyprus.

But painters from Constantinople were able to give this image a special harmony. The Church of Hagia Sophia is famous for its mosaics of the 9th-12th centuries, in which different types of iconography of the Virgin Mary are found. Byzantium is the birthplace of wonderful images of the Blessed Virgin. One of these icons was brought to Russia. Later it was named Vladimirskaya and became the standard of Russian Orthodox icon painting. The Novgorod icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” is, as already mentioned, a copy of a Byzantine image.

Types of Theotokos Icons

In iconography, there are 4 main groups of images of the Blessed Virgin according to the main idea:

“The Sign” (the truncated version was called “Oranta”). This iconographic type is considered the most rich in theological content. The main theme here is Incarnation.

"Hodegetria", which translated from Greek means "Guide".

“Tenderness” is a name from the Greek “eleus” (“merciful”).

The fourth type is conventionally called Akathist. The main idea of such icons is the glorification of the Mother of God. These images are very diverse.

Iconographic type “Sign”

In the illustrations of this group, the Holy Mother of God is depicted praying. Depicted in full height or waist-length. On the chest of the Mother of Christ there is a medallion with an image of the unborn praying Mother of God, symbolizing the immaculate conception of Christ, the unity of the mother and the Holy Child. This type includes the Yaroslavl Oranta, the Kursk Root, the Novgorod “Znamenie”. Oranta is a simpler version of the icons, on which the Virgin Mary is represented without a baby and is a symbol of the church.

Iconography "Hodegetria"

A very common type of Mother of God images. Such icons of the Virgin and Child embody the idea that the Mother of God directs us to faith, to Christ. The Mother of God is depicted frontally shoulder-length or waist-length, sometimes in full height. She holds a baby in one hand and points to Jesus with the other. This gesture has deep meaning. The Mother of God seems to show the true path - to God, to faith.

With one hand Christ blesses the Mother, and with her all believers. In the other he holds a book, an unfolded or rolled up scroll. Less often - an orb and a scepter. The most famous icons of the Mother of God of this type are: Smolenskaya, Iverskaya, Tikhvinskaya, Petrovskaya, Kazanskaya.

Iconography of the Mother of God "Tenderness"

Such images are the most lyrical of those depicting the Mother of God and the baby hugging her neck. The images of mother and child are symbols of Christ and the Church of Christ.

A variation of this type is “Leaping”. Here the baby is painted in a freer pose, with one hand touching the face of the Virgin Mary.

In such images, the Most Holy Mary is a symbol not only of motherhood, but of a soul close to God. The mutual touch of two faces is Christ and the Church of Christ, the unity of earthly and heavenly.

There is another variety of this type - “Mammal”. In these icons, the Mother of God breastfeeds a baby. This is how the spiritual nutrition of believers is symbolically depicted.

The Volokolamsk, Vladimir, Yaroslavl icons of the Mother of God belong to this type of image of the holy image.

"Akathist" icons of the Virgin Mary

Images of this type most often carry the features of one of the main ones, but have additional details and details. In iconography these include such icons as the “Burning Bush”, the Mother of God - “Life-Giving Spring”, the Mother of God - “Mountain Not Hand-cut”.

Ostrabramskaya-Vilna, “Softening Evil Hearts” - rare icons of the Virgin Mary, in which she is depicted without a baby. Usually they are also classified as “Akathist”. One of them, the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon of the “Tenderness” of the Most Holy Theotokos, was the favorite image of Seraphim of Sarov, who was canonized after his death. The priest himself called it “The Joy of All Joys” and used it to heal those who came to him for help. And later, before this face, he passed into another world.

Canons of the iconography of the Mother of God, the meaning of the symbols

According to the Orthodox tradition, the following elements are used to depict the clothes of the Mother of God: a blue tunic, a blue cap and a cherry head scarf, otherwise called “maforium”. Every detail has its own meaning. Three gold stars on the maforia are a triple symbol of the immaculate conception, birth and death, the border on it is a sign of glorification. The cloth itself represents motherhood, belonging to God, and the blue color of the clothes represents virginity.

There are known cases of violation of traditions. Icon painters use this to highlight certain features. For example, to emphasize the purity, the Virginity of the Mother of God, she is depicted in a blue robe. Our Lady of Akhtyrskaya is just such an option.

Writing the Most Pure Virgin without maforium is also considered a violation of church canons.

According to Orthodox rules, even the crown, the sign of the kingdom, is usually depicted on top of the plate. This is how the Novodvorskaya and Kholmovskaya icons were written. The crown on the head of the Mother of God came to Eastern Christian iconography from Western Europe; in early images, only maforium covered the head of the Mother of God.

Russian traditions in the iconography of the Mother of God

The image of the Blessed Virgin on the throne is more common among Italo-Greek images. The painting of the Queen of Heaven, sitting on a throne or in full growth, in Russia was mainly used in large-scale compositions: in frescoes or on iconostases.

Icon painters fell in love more with the half-length or shoulder-length image of the Queen of Heaven. This is how conclusions were created that were more understandable and close to the heart. This can largely be explained by the special role of the icon in Rus': it was a life partner, a shrine, a prayer image, and a family value passed down from generation to generation. It is not for nothing that the people perceived the Mother of God as an intercessor who was able to soften the anger of the Terrible Judge. Moreover, the older the image and the more “prayerful” it is, the more power it has.

A large number of believers in churches is a distinctive feature of the Russian land. Many images of the Mother of God are considered miraculous here, which is confirmed by numerous testimonies.

The Mother of God is a witness and participant in Russian history

For many centuries, the history of Russia has been accompanied by icons of the Mother of God, the importance of which cannot be overestimated. One small example is the Feodorovskaya icon:

In 1239, in this image, Prince Yaroslav blessed his son Alexander to marry Princess Paraskevna. This icon accompanied Alexander on all his military campaigns. Later, it was in front of this face of the Mother of God that Saint Alexander became a monk.

In 1613, before this image, Mikhail Romanov, called to the throne by the Zemsky Sobor, accepted the Russian throne. The Theodore Mother of God became a witness to the vows of allegiance to Russia, its people and the Orthodox Church.

In the 18th century, all members of the royal family always came to Kostroma to pay homage to the miraculous ode, from which the history of the Romanov royal dynasty began.

Particular mention should be made of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, donated to Russia by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Luke Chrysovergos, in the 12th century. According to legend, prayers in front of this image more than once saved Moscow from conquerors.

The miraculous power of the Mother of God icons

Many images of the Blessed Virgin Mary are considered miraculous. They are inseparable from the life of Christians. They live with the people and help in their sorrows.

Some Moscow miraculous icons of the Mother of God:

Vladimirskaya, kept in the Church of St. Nicholas. It is believed that she defended Rus' from enemies three times. Therefore, Orthodox Christians honor this icon 3 times a year: in June, July and September.

Tikhvin Icon "Tenderness" of the Blessed Virgin Mary, decorating the temple of the same name in Moscow. In 1941, a plane with this image flew over the capital three times, after which the Nazi offensive on the city was stopped. It is curious that this church did not close even during Soviet times.

Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful”, a shrine of the Conception Convent, which gave many women the happiness of motherhood.

“Seeking the Lost,” the Iveron Mother of God, “Assuage My Sorrows” are only part of the miraculous Moscow images of the Queen of Heaven. It is impossible to even count how many there are on the vast territory of Russia.

Miracles of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

This image deserves special attention. The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God showed a miracle already with its appearance in 1579 after a big fire in the city, when it was found among the ashes absolutely undamaged by the fire.

Numerous healings of the sick and help in business were given by this account to believers. But the most significant miracles of this icon are associated by Russian Christians with the defense of the fatherland from foreign invaders.

Already in the middle of the 17th century, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ordered the installation in honor of her. This happened after the successful birth of the heir to the Russian throne during the all-night service in honor of the Kazan Mother of God. This icon began to be considered the patroness of the royal dynasty.

Commander Kutuzov, going to the battlefields of the Patriotic War of 1812, knelt before this shrine and asked for her intercession. After the victory over Napoleon, he donated to the Kazan Cathedral all the silver taken from the French.

Myrrh-streaming prayer images of the Mother of God

This is one of the greatest miracles associated with icons. An explanation has not yet been found as to why. But this always happens on the eve of tragic events as a reminder of human sinfulness and the need for repentance. What kind of phenomenon is this? A fragrant liquid appears on the images, reminiscent of myrrh. Its consistency and color can be different - from transparent dew to viscous dark resin. It is curious that it is not only images written on wood that give off myrrh. This happens with frescoes, photographs, metal icons and even photocopies.

And similar miracles are happening now. Several dozen Tiraspol icons began to stream myrrh between 2004 and 2008. This was God's warning about the bloody events of Beslan, Georgia, and the Orange Revolution in Ukraine.

One of these images, the icon of the Mother of God “Seven Arrows” (another name is “Softening Evil Hearts”), began to flow myrrh in May 1998. This miracle continues to this day.

Protecting the house - Holy Mother of God

An icon of the Mother of God must be in the home of a believer who cares about the safety of his home.

It is believed that prayers in front of her face protect everyone living in the house physically and spiritually. Since ancient times, it has been customary to place an icon of the Mother of God above the entrance door to the hut and ask her for protection and support. The most favorite versions of the Mother of God: Iverskaya, Semistrelnaya, “The Unbreakable Wall”, “The Burning Bush” and some others. In total there are more than 860 icons of the Mother of God. It is impossible to remember them all, and it is not necessary. When choosing a prayer image, it is important to listen to your soul and follow its advice.

Not only ordinary believers, but also royalty revered the icons of the Mother of God. A photo taken in Tsar Alexander's bedroom confirms this.

Icons of the Virgin and Child provide consolation in sorrow, deliverance from illness, and spiritual insight only to those whose prayers are sincere and whose faith is unshakable. The main thing is that the appeal to the Blessed Virgin comes from a pure heart, and the intentions are good.

Glorification of Our Lady

The universal love of the Orthodox for this holy image is reflected in a large number of church holidays in her honor. In almost every month of the year there is such a day, and sometimes several. About 260 miraculous images of the Mother of God are mentioned in the Russian Orthodox calendar.

A significant Orthodox holiday - the Intercession of the Virgin Mary - became the theme of the icons of the same name. On these depictions the Blessed Virgin is depicted in full height. In her hands in front of her she holds a veil with or without the image of Christ. Discovered at the end of the 20th century, the Port Arthur Icon “The Triumph of the Blessed Virgin Mary” became a symbol of the revival of the spirituality of Russia and a reminder of the significance of this image in the history of the country. She is increasingly ranked among the most revered Russian icons.

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

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

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

1.Hodegetria(Guidebook);

2. Eleusa(Tenderness);

3.Oranta, Panagia and Sign(Praying);

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

5. Agiosoritissa(Intercessor).

First type - Guidebook

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

Meaning This type of icon represents the mutual relationship between mother and son. But the semantic load in this case is not an expression of boundless love, as in other icons of saints, but an indication of Jesus Christ as the Almighty King. From a dogmatic point of view, this is the meaning of the appearance into the world of the Heavenly King and Judge and the indication of him by the Virgin Mary as the true Path for every believer. That’s why this type of iconography is called a Guide.

Second type - Tenderness

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

Third type - Praying

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

Fourth type - All-Merciful

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

Fifth type - Intercessor

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

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

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

Let's consider prayers to the icon of the Mother of God, as well as the most popular icons and signs associated with them.

Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

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

In front of the icon Vladimir Mother of God They pray for the humility of those at war, the propitiation of evil hearts and the healing of the possessed. This icon is especially useful for women, as it helps them get rid of infertility and other diseases of the female genital organs, and promotes easy childbirth and healthy newborns. It also helps get rid of any sadness.

"Quick to Hear"

People resort to this icon with prayer at the hour when an ambulance is needed. They ask her for deliverance from mental and physical ailments, in particular such as paralysis, blindness and cancer. More than once the “Quick to Hear” demonstrated its miraculous power in the liberation of prisoners.

Iveron Icon of God mothers - keeper of the family hearth and amulet of all women. The icon helps to remove the crown of celibacy and meet your betrothed or betrothed. They also ask for the icon for consolation in illness and sorrow.

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

In this article, we examined the meanings of various types of icons depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary, and also noted the miraculous properties of the most popular of them. But no matter what type of holy icon, thanks to faith, sincere prayer and repentance, the image of the Mother of God will never leave a single true believer in trouble and sorrow. Even if you don’t know the canonical prayers, you can simply talk to the icon. It is important that your independent prayerful sighing is frank and that you trust in the power of this or that icon. Both in simple life and when addressing the icon, say more often:“Mother of God, help and have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Orthodox iconography of the Virgin Mary

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

"Oranta" means "praying". The Mother of God is depicted in a prayer pose with raised hands, that is, she expresses the image of Christian holiness and tireless prayer.

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

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

The icon of the Smolensk Mother of God repeats the ancient Constantinople image of Hodegetria, a copy of which was brought from Greece by the wife of Vladimir the Great - Anna - and later placed by Vladimir Monomakh in the Smolensk Cathedral Church. The Tikhvin Mother of God and similar icons of Lydda and Rome reflect the iconography of the miraculous image of the Mother of God, imprinted on the column of the temple in Lydda during the lifetime of the Apostles of the Savior. The Iveron Icon of Mount Athos was also highly revered in Rus', a copy of which was commissioned in 1648 by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and then placed in the Novodevichy Convent.

On the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”

The Blessed Virgin is depicted bending towards the Child. The face of Christ touches the cheek of the Mother of God. This iconographic version received in the Greek tradition the name “Glycophylussa”, or Our Lady “Sweetly Kicking”. Although exactly such images are not known in early Christian art, in the first centuries there were images with a meaning similar to the Tenderness. For example, in the Roman catacombs of Saint Priscilla, an image of the Virgin Mary is preserved, bending towards the Child and breastfeeding Him (III century).

The Icon of Our Lady of Tenderness expresses not only the idea of Love, but also the idea of Suffering. In the Eastern Christian liturgical tradition there is a parallel between the Christmas and Passion events. Epiphanius of Cyprus in his Homily for Holy Saturday, comparing the Nativity of Christ with the burial of the Savior, writes that Christ is born and buried in a stone cave, reclines in a manger, as in a tomb, is anointed with myrrh during burial, receiving it as a gift from the Magi at Christmas.

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

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

Basic elements of the iconography of the Virgin Mary

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

2. Maforium (from Greek - cape) - outerwear of married women.
As a married woman, the Most Pure One has a veil on her head that falls over her shoulders, according to the custom of Jewish women of that time. This blanket, or cape, is called maforium in Greek. Maforius is usually written in red (a symbol of suffering and a memory of royal origin). The lower garments are usually written blue (a sign of the heavenly purity of the most perfect of people).
The Maphorium of the Theotokos has been located in the Blachernae Church of Our Lady in Constantinople since 474.

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

4. Stars on maforia have two meanings:

* this is a symbol of the purity of the Ever-Virgin “before Christmas, at Christmas and after Christmas”,
* symbol of the Holy Trinity.

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

5. The inscription MR OU is an abbreviation for the words “Mother of God,” and IC XC is an abbreviation for the Savior.
The Mother of God in Russian icons is always in sadness, but this sadness can be different: sometimes sorrowful, sometimes bright, but always filled with spiritual clarity, wisdom and great spiritual strength. The Mother of God can solemnly “reveal” the Child to the world, she can gently, press her Son to Herself, or lightly support Him - She is always full of reverence, worships her Divine Child and meekly resigns herself to the inevitability of sacrifice. Lyricism, enlightenment and detachment are the main features characteristic of the image of the Virgin Mary.

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

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

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

1. “Praying” (“Oranta”, “Panagia”, “Sign”)

Our Lady of Oranta the Great Panagia.

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

The Mother of God is depicted on the icon from the front, usually waist-length, with her arms raised to the level of her head, spread to the sides and bent at the elbows. (Since ancient times, this gesture has meant a prayerful appeal to God). On Her bosom, against the background of a round sphere, is the Savior Emmanuel.
Icons of this type are also called “Panagia” (Greek for “all-holy”).

On Russian soil this image was called “The Sign,” and this is how it happened.
On November 27, 1169, during the assault on Novgorod by Andrei Bogolyubsky’s squad, residents of the besieged city brought an icon to the wall. One of the arrows pierced the image, and the Mother of God turned her face to the city, shedding tears.
Tears fell on the phelonion of the Novgorod Bishop John, and he exclaimed:

“Oh, wonderful miracle! How do tears flow from a dry tree? To the queen!
You give us a sign that by this you pray before Your Son for the deliverance of the city.”

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

In the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv (11th century) there is one of the most famous mosaic images of Oranta (the height of the figure is 5 m 45 cm). One of the epithets assigned to this image is “The Unbreakable Wall”.

What distinguishes Oranta from other iconographic types of images of the Virgin Mary is its majesty and monumentality. Her pose is extremely static, the composition is symmetrical, which corresponds to the designs of wall paintings and mosaics, decorative and applied art, while in icon painting independent images of the Virgin Mary Oranta without the Child are used extremely rarely. This image is part of complex compositions, for example, in the iconography of the Ascension or Intercession holidays.

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

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

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

2. “Guidebook” (“Hodegetria”)

Our Lady of Smolensk. Beginning of the 16th century.

Iconographic type “Guide” (“Hodegetria”) On this icon we see the Mother of God, whose right hand points to the Infant Christ seated on his left hand. The images are strict, straightforward, the heads of Christ and the Blessed Virgin do not touch each other.
The Mother of God seems to be telling the entire human race that the true path is the path to Christ. In this icon she appears as a guide to God and eternal salvation. This is also one of the oldest types of image of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to go back to the first icon painter - the Holy Apostle Luke.

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

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

3. “Tenderness” (“Eleusa”)

Our Lady of Tolga. Around 1327

Iconographic type “Tenderness” (“Eleus”) On the “Tenderness” icon we see the Child Christ, his left cheek resting on the right cheek of the Mother of God. The icon conveys the tender communication of the Mother and Son.

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

Of the icons of this type, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God enjoys the greatest veneration.
It is probably no coincidence that this particular icon became one of the greatest shrines. There are many reasons for this: ancient origin, inspired by the name of the Evangelist Luke; and the events associated with its transfer from Kyiv to Vladimir, and then to Moscow; and repeated participation in saving Moscow from the terrible raids of the Tatars... However, the very type of image of the Mother of God “Tenderness” apparently found a special response in hearts, the idea of sacrificial service to her people was close and understandable, and the high sorrow of the Mother of God bringing her son into the world cruelty and suffering, Her pain was in tune with the feelings of all Orthodox Christians.

4. “The All-Merciful” (“Panahranta”, “The All-Tsarina”)

Iconographic type “The Queen of All” Icons of this type have one common feature: the Mother of God is depicted sitting on a throne. On her lap she holds the Christ Child. The throne symbolizes the royal glory of the Mother of God, the most perfect of all people born on earth.
Of the icons of this type in Russia, the most famous are “Sovereign” and “Vsetsaritsa”.

5. “Intercessor” (“Agiosortissa”)

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

Glorious names of the Blessed Virgin
Mother of Holy Russia, Mediatrix of Salvation, Hodegetria-Guide, Intercessor, Mother of Holy Orthodoxy, New Eve, Immaculate Beginning, Mother Intercessor, Mother of Salvation Descending from Above, Lady of Heavenly Constantinople, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Sovereign, Queen of the World, Our Mother and Lady, Mother of new life, Mary Victory, Intercessor, Co-redemptrix, Distributor of grace-filled mercies and gifts, First Abbess, High Priest of Melchizedek, Mount Uninvaded, Tower of David, Living Book of Life, Mystical Rose, Unfading Flower, Gardener of the Garden of Eden, Queen of the Highest Jerusalem, Mary - The Ark of Salvation of the Last Times, Mother of the Gospel of Love, Teacher of the Apostles and Teachers, Strengthening the Martyrs, Victorious in War, Living Church, Burning Bush, Fiery Throne of the Godhead, Tabernacle of the Last Days, Woman Clothed with the Sun, Bride of the Lamb..."

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

About 500 miraculous icons of the Most Pure Virgin were revealed in Holy Rus' - a great evidence of Her living, unceasing presence in the land of Her destiny. Miraculous icons are manifestations, outpourings of the Mother of God’s love and Light. The sign of the irresistible Protection and instruction of the faithful (speculation, theology in color, a great many revelations and appearances of the Holy Virgin were given through icons) and a formidable denunciation of the wicked, primarily the “Christian” Pharisees and scribes. (See, for example, “The Legend of the Miracle-Working Icons of the Mother of God and Her Mercies to the Human Race”).

The church is unthinkable without icons. It's empty. And not only visually, but also spiritually. After all, icons are not just images of saints or biblical events. Icons are images of purity, piety, and high spirituality. Everything we all need to strive for daily and hourly.

By praying before them, we trust in the grace of God. From history we know a huge number of cases of healing of the sick, victories in military battles, protection from disasters that occurred through prayers in front of icons.

Each of us, even the person farthest from faith, probably knows at least a few icons. Everyone knows the list of the Trinity, the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Matrona of Moscow. Many people are well aware of the kind and soulful look of Father Seraphim and the modest clothes in which Mother Ksenia of Petersburg is depicted on canvas.

And we all know that there are a lot of icons with the name “Mother of God”: Vladimir, Kazan, Tikhvin and many others. There are several hundred of them. Some estimates bring this number to half a thousand. But the Mother of God was One. So why are there so many of her images in Orthodox iconography?

Let's try to go a little deeper into history and answer this question. Or at least let’s try to get closer to a correct understanding of such a huge number of images of the Virgin Mary.

The Most Holy Theotokos is the Receptacle of the Incontainable. This is what the Church says about Her. She contained, endured and gave life to the Uncontainable - God, the Savior, Who came to this world to preach the Gospel and save us all. It is not easy to imagine and understand this, even if a person by nature has an excellent imagination. She is the Receptacle of the Universe.

The Mother of God became the Mother of each of us. Her Veil, kind, maternally tender and reliable, envelops and shelters each of the believers from troubles. Her care and prayers at the throne of God do not remain unheard or unfulfilled. She is the main intercessor for each of us at the Throne of Her Holy Son.

Remember the Gospel story when, being nailed to the Cross, Jesus turns to the Mother of God and St. John the Theologian: “Woman! Behold Your son. Then he says to the disciple: Behold your Mother!” It was precisely at this moment that the Most Holy Theotokos, in the person of the Evangelist John, adopted all humanity, fulfilling the will of Her Divine Son.

A little later, the apostles dispersed to different countries of this vast world to preach the Word of God, to fulfill the covenant of Christ.

The Mother of God turned to the holy evangelist Luke, who was not only an intelligent and competent doctor, but also a very gifted artist, with a request to paint Her portrait. Naturally, everyone knows the modesty and meekness of the Virgin Mary. And without the influx of the Holy Spirit such a request would not have come from Her. But it was the Holy Spirit who put this request into the mouth of the Mother of God.

She sat down at a source of water, a river, the water of which was pure and very transparent. Apostle Luke looked not at Her, but at the reflection in the water. And as a result, he painted several amazing images, some of which have survived to this day. Among them is perhaps the most famous icon in Russia - Our Lady of Vladimir.

Seeing Her image on the icons, She said Her prophetic word: “From now on, all generations will bless Me.”

The Mother of God appeared to different people in different parts of the earth. Helping, healing, warning, calming. And people sometimes saw different images of Her, imprinted them and worshiped them.

Even some of the names of the icons of the Mother of God contain references to the circumstances in which the Mother of God revealed herself to people: “Quench my sorrows,” “Joy to all who mourn.” And other names of the icons of the Mother of God remind us of the place where the Most Holy Mother of God revealed herself to the world: Tikhvin, Vladimir, Kazan. The third group of icons of the Mother of God is associated with the names of people in whose lives Her image played an important role. For example, Kostroma was saved by the Theodore Icon, which was defended by the valiant Theodore Stratilates, who appeared from heaven and frightened the Tatars. The Don Icon was presented by the Cossacks to Dmitry Donskoy before the start of the Battle of Kulikovo, which he successfully won.

Now let's take a little more detailed look at how the Mother of God appears before us in the icons.

Traditionally, She is depicted in certain clothes: maforia, tunic and shawl. Maforium is outerwear. When unfolded, it has the shape of a circle. There is a round hole in the middle for the head. The maforium was worn over a tunic, a long undershirt. Her color on the icons of the Mother of God is blue, as a symbol of virgin purity. On some icons the color varies to blue, sky or sea green.

A woman must cover her head. And the Mother of God gives us an example in each of Her icons. We see on Her head a scarf or cap in which the hair is collected and which is covered with a veil on top. The tones of the board are red. On the one hand, this is the color of the royal origin of the Mother of God, and on the other, the color of blood, which, like flesh, was borrowed from Her by Her Divine Son.

The edges of the plates are bordered with golden fringe as a sign of the glorification of the Queen of Heaven and Her presence in the Divine Light.

Starting from the 6th century, the inscription on the icon “Mother of God” is given according to tradition in Greek abbreviation.

Some may object to me that not all icons depict female faces with a headdress. Yes it is. There are some exceptions. In these cases, the plate can be replaced with a crown, crown, or diadem.

There is only one case when there is no headdress on the icon of a woman. This is how they write about Mary of Egypt, guided by her ascetic and penitent lifestyle.

“And a prayer image, and a life partner, and a shrine, and the main wealth”

But let's return to the icons of the Mother of God. Her icon in Rus' has always been very loved by the people. It was a prayer image, a life partner, a shrine, and the main wealth that was reverently passed on from generation to generation. Her image captivated the Russian soul: simple, folk, compassionate and believing.

Let us remember how the ministry of Christ began, according to the Bible? From the transformation of water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. And this miracle is performed by Christ at the request of the Mother. And He, yielding to Her in intercession for the common people who do not have enough wine, transforms barrels of plain water into a most wonderful and delicious drink. Such that even the master of the feast admires it!

The main types of icons of the Mother of God are Oranta, Hodegetria and Tenderness. It was the Apostle Luke, already described above, who laid down this division into types. Let's talk about each of them.

Oranta

Oranta. This word is translated as “Praying One.” This is exactly how the first Christians depicted the Mother of God: from the front, waist-length, with raised arms bent at the elbows.

Icons of this type are also called Panagia, and in Rus' this image is called the Sign, in memory of the storming of besieged Novgorod, when tears flowed from the image of the Virgin Mary pierced by an arrow.

Another well-known icon of this type is the Kursk Root. She was found in the forest, not far from Kursk, which was burned by the Tatars on the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was this icon that healed the future Venerable Seraphim of Sarov when he was still a child and, due to a terrible illness, was ready to say goodbye to life. Today this icon is in New York, but about ten years ago it was brought to Russia for veneration.

Hodegetria

Hodegetria. This word translates as “Guide”. This type of icon presents us with the Mother of God holding the Divine Child in her left hand and pointing at Him with her right. Their heads don't touch.

In Rus', the most famous representatives of this type of icons include the Smolensk, Iveron, and Tikhvin icons of the Mother of God, as well as the Three-Handed Woman and the Helper of Sinners.

The Iveron Icon was kept in the house of a pious widow, who saved it from destruction by lowering it into the sea. Two centuries later, the icon appeared to the monks of the Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos. Later, the list of the miraculous icon was delivered to Russia. Today you can venerate the image in the Novodevichy Convent. Everyone who lives in Moscow or will be visiting there has this unique opportunity.

Speaking of the Iveron Icon. The bleeding wound on the cheek of the Mother of God takes us back to the times of iconoclasm, when this image was attacked by those who rejected the icon: from the blow of a spear, blood flowed from the icon, which plunged everyone who saw it into simply indescribable horror. In memory of this, the wound remained in the image of this icon.

Tenderness. The word speaks for itself. The Child Christ places His left cheek on the right cheek of the Mother of God. This is a symbol of the most tender communication between Mother and Son. And one cannot help but be touched by this. But there is another meaning in this. Christ is God, and the Most Holy Theotokos symbolizes the Church. Therefore, the icon not only shows the tender and loving relationship between Mother and Son, but also reflects the fullness of love between God and man in the bosom of the Mother Church.

This is a combination of two principles: divine and human, heavenly and earthly. This is unity in the contact of faces and halos.

One of the most famous icons of this type in Rus' is the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. And it is probably no coincidence that this particular icon became one of the greatest shrines of Russia. Its authorship is attributed to the Apostle Luke. She repeatedly saved Moscow either from fires or from Tatar raids.

Very often this icon is present at the sacrament of the Wedding. Now it is located in the Church-Museum of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi at the Tretyakov Gallery.

Other famous icons of this type include the Don, Pochaev and Zhirovitsk icons of the Mother of God.

The Pochaev icon was first mentioned in chronicles of the 16th century. Noblewoman Anna Goyskaya presented the image to the monks of the Assumption Pochaev Lavra. The icon was recognized as miraculous when its patronage saved the monastery from the Turkish siege. The image is still kept in the Assumption Pochaev Lavra in Ukraine.

The Most Holy Theotokos showed us these and many other icons for prayer and help. We honor the “Burning Bush” and pray to it that God will save our houses from fires. People offer their prayers to the “Tsaritsa”, asking for help in healing from cancer. Those who want to overcome the disease of alcoholism pray to the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon.

But it is very important to know and never forget that no matter what image we pray to, we have ONE Mother of God. And praying to Her, turning to Her for help and intercession, we must try to live as correct a Christian life as possible, so as not to offend the Most Holy Mother and Her Divine Son with our unworthy behavior.

All the icons of the Mother of God, without exception, teach us this with great love.

And the last remark that I want to make when talking about the iconography of the Most Holy Theotokos. Her iconography also includes icons of the Mother of God feasts, the days of the annual liturgical circle established in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. These include such holidays as the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Entry into the Temple, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Assumption.

May the Most Holy Theotokos always protect you! Pray to Her for your most secret things and believe that She will not leave you without her intercession!

Peace to your homes!

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