The icon "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary" stands out noticeably among other important ones, since it depicts earthly human life. Although no specific significant festive event was captured, it is permeated with intimate details that reveal everyday nuances. The icon of the Nativity of the Mother of God introduces us to the family of Anna and Joachim, involving us in the ongoing sacred event.
What is depicted on the icon
Saint Anna is located on the left side of the icon. Joy on her face. On the right, maids go to Anna and bring her food and drink. The servants are not fictional characters, therefore they are depicted extremely vividly with detailed drawing. In the lower right corner are midwives preparing water to bathe a newborn baby. And it cannot be said that at least one trifle and detail is superfluous, all these details of what is happening turn it into a holy sacrament, of which every observer and present is a part. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary marks the beginning of not only family happiness, domestic, but alsouniversal, because very soon people will meet with the Great King.
Despite the fact that the Mother of God is the main figure of the icon, she is depicted not in the center, but in the hands of a midwife, wrapped in a diaper or waiting for her ablution. By this, the icon "Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos" indicates to people that one must always remain humble and modest. And this is despite its importance and significance.
The beginning of the story about the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Virgin Mary was born at a time of moral and moral human decadence, from which they did not have the strength to get out on their own. The knowledgeable minds of that time declared that only the Lord could save the world. The Son of God desired to come to people in human form and return them to the righteous path. And for the role of his mother, he chose Mary, the only worthy among others. Her parents were Anna and Joachim, who lived in Nazareth. They were from a noble family, rich and hardworking, but they were not known for this. They were known as a pious couple, donating 2/3 of their income to the poor and to the temple. For many years they tried to have a child, but in vain. Anna and Joachim spent all their time in prayer. Anna promised the Lord that if he sends a child to her, she will give it to him for service. On one of the days of fervent prayer, an angel descended to Anna to inform her that God had heard her and would give her a daughter. Nine months later, Maria was born to the spouses. Her name means "lady", "queen", and thisit is no coincidence, because she was destined for a great mission to become the Queen of heaven.
When the girl was 3 years old, she was brought to the temple, having been bailed out by the High Priest Zechariah. So she stayed there. About Maria, one can only say that even among the other girls living with her, she stood out for the greatest zeal, diligence and holiness. She prayed three times a day, read the scriptures and did needlework in her free time.
She lost both her parents at the age of nine.
The meaning of the icon
According to the words of Metropolitan Anatoly of Surozh, the event that the icon "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin" marks, becomes the beginning of the elimination of the distinction between God and man. Before it all happened, there were many miracles and signs from above, foreshadowing a great day. Even the Old Testament mentioned the coming of the Messiah. Speaking of the significance of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one cannot fail to notice that this event was accompanied by an endless series of miracles, starting with the fact that she was born to the old barren Anna.
True, she was barren only for the ignorant, in fact she was chaste, the same as her daughter Maria. Thanks to such an event as the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the world was presented with an icon, the meaning of which lies in the principles of piety, contrary to parting words to people about regular childbearing. But by doing so, she says that with the blessing of the Lord, bestowed at the time of the wedding, an immaculate conception is also possible.
People, celebrating this bright day of the Nativity of the Mother of God, rejoice and thank her for interceding and praying for the entire human race, endowing everyone with boundless maternal love.
How the icon protects
The icon "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary", the description of which is given above, helps everyone who turns their prayers to her, as she hears everyone. She averts trouble and protects. People come to her with a wide variety of requests, but first of all they ask for the salvation of the human soul, for the eradication of doubts in it that destroy its temptations, for guidance on the true path, which will certainly lead to salvation and healing.
Fulfillment of what requests the icon helps to fulfill
The icon "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary" helps to cope with many earthly troubles. The photo of those praying once again shows how many people rely on her protection and support.
After all, with her arrival in this sinful world, hope for salvation comes into it, for life in better times, but already together with the Savior Jesus Christ. If you carefully read the prayers addressed to the Queen of Heaven, it becomes clear that there are no impossible requests for her.
But most often she is called upon with prayers for the salvation of a lost soul, deprived of strength and faith. The icon "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (photo presented in the article) helps childless couples who have been suffering fromthis trouble, as well as those in whose families there are conflicts and discord. As a rule, petitioners turn not only to the Virgin Mary, but also to her parents Anna and Joachim.
Glinskaya Icon of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
At the beginning of the 16th century, this icon appeared before beekeepers who were busy setting up beehives in the forest. In 1648, the Glinskaya Hermitage appeared on that very spot, which received its name in honor of the boyar family of the Glinskys, who own local lands. The icon healed so many people, as a result of which it became famous, but, regrettably, it has not survived to this day. It depicts an arch with three spans, against which Saint Anna, who had just given birth to a baby, and her husband were placed on a high bed.
To the right below is a font, and next to it is a midwife holding a newborn in her arms. The icon "Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos", painted in the Glinsky style, differs from the classical version by the presence of the God of hosts on it. Since 1994, the Glinsk Hermitage has belonged to the church and is located on the territory of Ukraine.
Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God
Approximately in the 4th century, the feast in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was first held, and since then every year on September 21 (September 8, old style), people, rejoicing and rejoicing, continue to praise the Virgin Mary.
This day is doubly significant for the Russian people, because it was on September 8, 1380 that Russian troops won the battle with Khan Mamai on the Kulikovo field. itthe event was the beginning of the formation of a unified Russian state and put an end to internecine wars and strife between the princes.
