The Orthodox Church honors the Mother of God above all saints, glorifies Her more than Angels, Archangels and all the incorporeal powers of Heaven. Believing Christians have always expressed their love for the Mother of God, which was manifested in numerous hymns dedicated to Her.
Mother of God icons in Orthodoxy
There are several hundred different icon-painting images of the Mother of God, revered by the Orthodox and recognized by the Holy Church as miraculous. They even pray to the Most Holy Theotokos for the salvation of the soul, although it is customary to ask only the One God for this.
Many times the Mother of God showed the power of Her intercession through miraculous icons, thereby showing her great love for all Orthodox Christians. One of these icon-painting images is the icon of the Mother of God "Healer", a photo of which is presented below. Let's talk about it in more detail.
Icon of the Mother of God "Healer"
The history of the Mother of God icon "Healer" begins in the 4th century. Many Christians prayed before the miraculous image, asking for salvation and intercession. The Most Holy Theotokos always heard sincere prayers, helping every Christian in need. The historical events preceding the appearance of this icon are described in the work of St. Demetrius of Rostov "Irrigated Fleece".
According to church tradition, the details of this event are as follows. One pious clergyman named Vikenty Bulvinensky, who lived in Kartalinia (Georgia) in the 4th century, used to make a warm and sincere prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos when leaving the temple. But one day he was visited by a serious illness caused by a lesion of the tongue. At the same time, the clergyman experienced unbearable pain and periodic clouding of reason. In brief minutes, when the pain subsided, he came to his senses and prayerfully turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help.
Once, after another suffering, the clergyman saw an angel near his bed, praying to the Mother of God for Vincent's recovery. The Blessed Virgin immediately heard the request and Herself came to heal the sick. After this miraculous vision, Vincent fully recovered, and the pain and suffering ceased. The clergyman told about the miracle that had happened, and this event became the reason for writing the icon.
Mother of God "Healer" on the holyThe icon is depicted standing at full height at the bed of a lying patient, but this image belongs to a later time. The original of the Kartalin "Healer" was lost, and the description of its image remained unknown. The icon of the Mother of God "Healer" is glorified as miraculous, its celebration takes place on October 1.
18th century miraculous list
At the end of the 18th century in Russia, a list from this icon was also glorified by great miracles. Since ancient times, many believers have come with heartfelt prayers to the miraculous image. Christians from many Russian cities came to venerate the holy icon, receiving numerous healings from mental and physical illnesses. The icon of the Mother of God "Healer" was kept in the Moscow Alekseevsky Convent. After the revolution, it was moved to the Church of the Resurrection in Sokolniki.
The Icon of the Mother of God "Healer" even today helps all Orthodox Christians who diligently pray. Thanks to faith and hope, many are healed with various he alth problems, as well as with a lack of mother's milk, with difficult childbirth, etc.
Popular veneration of the Mother of God
For a long time in Russia, special love and reverence was paid to the Most Holy Theotokos, which was reflected in the numerous hymns dedicated to Her. One of such laudatory works is the akathist to the icon of the Mother of God “The Healer”, which describes the history of the glorification of the icon, as well as various miracles arising from it.
There are many iconicimages revealed to the Christian world under various circumstances. The miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Healer" is considered one of the most revered in Orthodoxy, since through it the Mother of God constantly shows various miracles of healing and help to believing Christians.
Earthly life of the Queen of Heaven
There is very little information about the earthly life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The gospel narratives describe only a few moments related to Her activities:
- The birth of Jesus Christ.
- Youth of the Savior.
- The first miracle of the Savior performed in Cana of Galilee.
- The only time was during the preaching of Jesus Christ (Matt. 12:49-50).
- Standing at the Cross.
Why is there so little information about the Mother of God that has survived to this day? This is due to the Christian character of the Blessed Mother of Christ, manifested in such features as silence and modesty. Having great piety and faith in the One God, She was deeply humble and patient.
The role of the Virgin in saving the world
The role of the Mother of God in the people's mind is connected with the salvation of mankind. For many millennia, the people of God have been waiting for the promised Savior, hoping for deliverance from sin and eternal death. Through His prophets, the Lord repeatedly promised that the Savior would be born of a Virgin. Therefore, the Jewish people respected women giving birth so much and despised the barren, revering them as sinners.
Thanks to the humility and holiness of the Most Holy Theotokos, our salvation, which occurred through earthly things, became possible.incarnation of the Son of God. Being the Mother of God's Son, the Blessed Mary became the true Mother of all Christians. During the miraculous incarnation of the Savior, the Mother of God showed true humility, patience, taking upon herself voluntary torment in anticipation of the Divine Sufferings of Her Son. Thanks to the Mother of God, today we all have the opportunity to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Besides, after the Holy Assumption, the Most Holy Theotokos repeatedly appeared to many people, giving help through the appearance of icons. The history of each individual icon is a description of the events and miracles revealed during the glorification of various images of the Mother of God. And in each individual case, the Mother of God showed Herself as the great intercessor of Orthodox Christians, helping, healing, comforting, supporting and saving the faithful children of the Church of Christ.
That is why the love for their Heavenly Mother, the Virgin Mary, is so strong in Russia. That is why Her icons are so revered and glorified.
Help of the Mother of God
Prayer to the "Healer" - the icon of the Mother of God - gives Christians faith in the real help of the Virgin, thanks to which many believers find comfort in sorrows, and also receive real healing from various diseases.
The Most Holy Theotokos, being the Mother of God Himself, is closer to Him than all the saints. The Lord Jesus Christ, dying on the Cross, entrusted the Most Holy Theotokos into adoption of all mankind. The Virgin Mary became the true Mother of all people, constantly showing Her great love and help to all those who ask. Maternal prayer always works miracles, and the prayer of the Virgin beforeThe throne of God has special power and boldness.
Prayer of the Mother of God "Healer"
There is a pious custom to perform a special prayer in front of the icon of the Virgin. Many clergy also advise asking the Most Holy Theotokos in your own words, the main condition is that the prayer comes from the heart, be sincere and full of humility.
The Prayer of the Mother of God "Healer" is set forth in Orthodox prayer books and akathists. Its meaning is very deep - here are listed the numerous miracles revealed by the Mother of God through Her holy icon. Also, a request is made to the Mother of God that She does not stop praying to her Son for sinful people who have faith, hope and hope.
Prayer to the "Healer" - the icon of the Mother of God - helps everyone who believes in Her holy help. The Mother of God, through the prayers of Christians, gives them true consolation in sorrows and sorrows, supporting them on a difficult life path.
Conclusion
The veneration of the Mother of God was known in the first centuries of Christianity. In the Roman catacombs, which were the first churches for Christians, during excavations, wall frescoes of the Blessed Virgin Mary were discovered. This confirms the ancient tradition of the icon-painting of the Queen of Heaven as a sign of Her deep veneration among Christians.
Icons of the Mother of God reveal Christian dogma to believers. According to patristic literature, "The Holy Virgin transcends everything and everyone in the majesty of her dignity." Church prayers are calledThe Blessed Virgin "The Most Gracious Queen", "Hope", "Intercessor of Orphans", "Representative of Wanderers", "Joy of the Sorrowful", "Patroness of the Offended".
The Mother of God the Healer is a great helper to all believing Christians in our days, showing various miracles of healing to all those in need.
