The icon of the Savior is the central image in Orthodoxy. Since ancient times, it has been kept in every home. She was especially loved and revered, because this is the image of the Lord. There are many images of the Savior. And most of them are assigned miraculous powers. Icons radiate peace and exude incense. They cure many ailments, not only mental, but also physical.
Symbol and meaning of icons
Since ancient times, believers began to depict God, the Saints and the Mother of God. Over time, the church took control of this art and established certain rules and boundaries that had to be respected in the painting. The icon is a kind of intermediary between the spiritual divine world and man. Thanks to the holy image, any prayer will ascend to heaven much faster.
The icons of the Orthodox Church are full of various metaphors and associations, each element and each detail has its own hidden, but large enoughmeaning. Any image carries a kind of code that reveals the essence of the church, man and faith. For example, the cross is martyrdom, the pointing finger is God's providence, and the Saint with a spear is victory over evil. In addition, on some ancient icons you can see a vine and grapes - a sign of the church.
The symbolic language of icon painting covers not only gestures and positions of saints. It determines the composition itself, the image technique and even the colors. However, all this is subject to separate church canons. This is done in order to eliminate the dual meaning and protect believers from the manifestation of heresy.
The history of the appearance of the first miraculous icons
Healing and helping images, according to church men, take their power from God's grace. Many miraculous icons are recognized in the Orthodox Church, more precisely, about 1000. Basically, these are images of Christ and the Virgin.
Many legends say that the first miraculous image is the cloth with which Jesus wiped his face, and an imprint was left on it. It is also called the Mandylion. Initially, the ancient Edessa king Avgar was healed from him. He was sick with leprosy.
One of the first mentions of miraculous icons is also the myrrh-streaming of the Pisidian icon in the 6th century. Then oil flowed from the hand of the depicted Virgin. This phenomenon was confirmed at the VII Ecumenical Council.
The most famous miraculous images of the world
History knows many sacred images that helped and still heal many human ailments - both mental andphysical. At the same time, some Orthodox icons heal infertility, others help in marriage and love, others fulfill wishes, etc. Therefore, queues of believers lining up for them, thirsting for specific help. And there are also such icons that almost all Orthodox seek to get to:
- The icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker. Those who are almost desperate turn to this image. And he fulfills any request or prayer that comes from a pure heart. In addition, the Saint is the protector of sailors and travelers.
- Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. One of the most famous images of the Virgin. In modern history, this icon is famous for the fact that during the Great Patriotic War it protected our soldiers and ordinary residents in besieged Leningrad. It is said that this image helps many believers in trouble.
- Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This is one of the oldest and most revered holy images in Russia, one that should be in every Orthodox family. It heals the body and soul, and also protects from evil.
Miraculous icons, as a rule, are accompanied by some signs or significant events. They come to the rescue when believers especially require intercession.
How icons are recognized as miraculous
Many people have heard about the healing properties of this or that divine image. There are also scientifically proven facts of myrrh-streaming and fragrance of images. However, not every such case is recognized by the official church as miraculous. For many centuries in Orthodoxy formedcertain rules and canons, according to which icons are recognized as miraculous.
Peter I can be considered a pioneer in Russia in this matter. It was he who issued a number of specific decrees, thanks to which miraculous icons were removed from private homes and were to be kept exclusively in churches. Therefore, later church images received great chances for recognition.
In addition, in pre-revolutionary, and even modern, Russia, Orthodox icons (photo or original) were placed on a special altar to assess the authenticity of a miracle. There they were sealed, and in front of several witnesses, one of whom must necessarily be in holy orders, they were checked.
Icon of the Savior
This image is the main one in Orthodoxy. Images of Christ were present in all homes, regardless of we alth, from ancient times in Russia. As a rule, the icon of the Savior is made strictly according to generally accepted church canons. This image gives people consolation and faith. Its main elements:
- Nimbus with an inscribed cross and three Greek letters, which denote the expression: "I am that I am."
- Purple tunic (riza). Symbolizes the humanity of the Savior.
- Blue himation (outerwear). Reminds of the divine origin of Jesus.
As a rule, now you can find only two types of images of Christ: in the form of an ordinary person or a baby, and also in the form of the King of Kings. The icon of Christ the Savior is always located on the central dome of any Orthodox church, because it isconsidered the most honorable place.
There are several iconographic types of this icon in the main church canons.
Savior Not Made by Hands
This shrine is considered the very first in the world. History tells that the Icon of the Savior has two legends about its origin. One of them tells about the time of Christ's life in Osroene. The local king Augar V suffered for a long time from the terrible "black leprosy". Suddenly he heard about an extraordinary miracle worker who visited his city. The king sent his painter Ananias to Jesus with a request to heal him. However, the artist was still unable to approach the Son of God - he was surrounded by a crowd of believers and admirers. Desperate, he decided to draw Christ, but he could not portray the face. Finally, the Savior himself invited him to his place. To reward the painter, he asked to bring water, washed himself with it and wiped himself with a brush. Miraculously, the water turned into paints, and the image of Christ appeared on the canvas. Having received the ubrus, King Avgar was healed and got rid of the ancient idols.
Another legend says that the holy image appeared on a handkerchief with which the Savior wiped his face before Calvary during his prayer. Only after the Ascension was this gift given to Ananias.
Savior Almighty
This is one of the fundamental images of Christ in icon painting. It is designed to show the saving, generous and creative God, who holds the whole vast world in his hand. Here he is depicted with a blessing right hand and the Gospel. Simultaneously iconThe Savior shows all the boundless goodness and compassion of God.
This image in iconography began to form in the VI century. At this time, almost all the holy images were created in Constantinople. That is why the face and robes of Christ took on a single form, which we now see in the church.
In Russia, the painting appeared around the 11th century. According to legend, the Almighty Savior was considered a prayer icon for Russian princes. It was even placed near the tombs of the Yaroslavl rulers Vasily and Konstantin.
The Savior on the Throne
In this image, the Lord is depicted on the throne in full growth. Here he is shown not only as the ruler of the whole world, but also as the only judge. His right hand is also raised in blessing, while his left hand holds an open gospel. The throne symbolizes the vast universe and determines the royal glory and power of the Lord.
However, this image is not the only one. There is another Orthodox icon - the icon of the Savior on the throne, where with his right hand he points to the Gospel. This is how the Lord determines the priority and supremacy of the sacred ecclesiastical authority over the secular. There is a legend that tells about a certain Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos. He independently painted the icon of the Savior on the throne, but quarreled with one Greek priest and decided to punish him for disagreeing. At night, Manuel had a dream in which God was punishing him for interfering in church affairs. Waking up, the emperor found numerous wounds on his body. And, looking at the icon, he saw that the Savior had changedhand position. Now he pointed to the lines of the open Gospel. It is known that this icon was called "Manuilov Savior", or "Savior Golden Robe" (for the rich gilded setting).
The Savior is in power
This is one of the most symbolic images of the Lord. This icon of Christ the Savior has not yet been completely unraveled and is interpreted in different ways. Here the Almighty sits in full growth on the throne. In his hands is the open Gospel. And the most remarkable thing is that he is always depicted against the background of a red square with slightly elongated ends. The square here symbolizes the Earth. In addition, at the ends of it are depicted an angel, a lion, an eagle and a calf. It is generally accepted that these are symbolic images of devoted evangelists - Matthew, Mark, John and Luke. They seem to spread the teachings of Christ throughout the world.
A blue oval is drawn on top of this red square. This is our spiritual world. It depicts angels, symbolizing all the powers of heaven. A red rhombus is again drawn over this oval. It defines the world invisible to man.
There is a belief that in this image Jesus will appear at the end of time, at the Last Judgment.
Savior Emmanuel
As a rule, Jesus is depicted on all icons in a mature image, when he was baptized, performed miracles and was martyred. However, there are exceptions. The icon of the Savior, whose significance is difficult to overestimate, depicts Christ in infancy and adolescence. He is presented both in composition with other saints, and separately. At the same time, the image of the Lord in these paintingscommonly called "Savior Emmanuel".
This icon symbolizes the predestination of everything on Earth, the fulfillment of the highest divine plan. The first such images appeared in some Italian mosaics in the 6th-7th centuries. In Russia, Emmanuel was written along with two angels.
The story of this image is based on some biblical texts. Emmanuel means "God with us". On most icons, Jesus is depicted as a child of 12 years old. He has a rather wise and adult expression of his gaze for childhood. Otherwise, it is described in the same way as the adult image of Christ.
Saved Good Silence
He is also called the Angel of the Great Council. This is an icon of the Savior (photo or any other image of him), showing Christ before his earthly incarnation. He is represented by an angel - a young man with large wings behind his back. Above his head he has a cross-shaped or a special octagonal halo. It consists of red and black squares superimposed on each other. The colors represent the divinity and incomprehensibility of the Creator.
In Russia, this angel was depicted to the waist, with a special eight-pointed halo and folded hands. The icon became most famous and popular in the 18th-19th centuries. The image of Christ symbolized humility and inaction before the intended trials and even death.
This icon enjoyed honor and respect, both among the Old Believers and the pilgrims. However, it has not received due distribution, and it is rather difficult to find its old samples.
