Alcoholism is a disease that cripples not only the body, but also the soul. Unfortunately, today this disease has become a real disaster for the nation. Of course, it is necessary to fight alcoholism first of all with medical methods. However, it is quite obvious that in this case one cannot do without spiritual help. The Orthodox Church in the fight against drunkenness has just a huge experience. It is believed, for example, that prayer to the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" can help to give up this addiction.
Peasant's dream
Prayers near this miraculous image are held in many churches of our country. The story of the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" is very unusual and interesting. At the end of the 19th century, a peasant in the Tula province (Ephraim district), returning from military service, began to drink bitterly. His illness developed so severely that he was left completely without a livelihood. However, this did not stop him. The peasant continued to drink until his legs were gone. But even after that, he did not give up his bad habit.
One day a gray-haired old man appeared to him in a dream and advised him to go to the city of Serpukhov, to the Vladychny Monastery. There, at the behest of the saint, the peasant was to say a prayer in front of the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" from drunkenness. At first, the retired soldier did not pay much attention to this dream. But when the elder appeared to him for the second and then the third time, he nevertheless decided to obey him.
The way to Serpukhov and healing
According to church tradition, the peasant, who decided to get rid of drunkenness, because he could no longer walk, went to the place indicated to him on all fours. On the way to Serpukhov, he visited villages where he stayed for the night. In one of the villages, he was received by an old woman. Taking pity on the drunkard, she rubbed his legs with some kind of ointment. Thanks to this, the peasant overcame the rest of the way on his own two feet.
The then unknown icon "The Inexhaustible Chalice" the monks, at the request of the visitor, found hanging on the wall in the passage leading from the temple to the sacristy. After the peasant prayed before this image, he was indeed healed of his addiction. When they brought him to the shrine of St. Varlaam, he recognized in this saint the elder from his dream.
The fame of the miraculous image quickly spread throughout Russia. The icon, of course, was transferred to the temple. People came to the monastery in thousands in order to recover from alcoholism or to rid their loved ones of this bad habit. Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God "Inexhaustible Chalice" helped just a huge numberbelievers.
Image Description
This icon is (according to the type of writing) the image of the Virgin Mary Oranta. This is the name of those icons on which the Mother of God does not sit with the baby in her arms, but stands, raising her hands to heaven, as if praying for sinners. The difference between the image under consideration and other Orants lies in the fact that on it Christ is depicted immersed in a bowl standing on the table in front of the Mother of God. This symbolizes communion. The day of the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" is traditionally considered May 18 - the day of the death of Varlaam Serpukhovsky. In the Vysotsky Monastery (where the image is today) on Sundays after the Liturgy, a prayer service is performed, and then an akathist is pronounced. At the end of it, the names of those who wish to be healed of drunkenness are read out. Of course, this akathist can also be read in other churches in Russia.
The fate of the icon in Soviet times
This miraculous image was kept in Vladychny Monastery until 1919. After the revolution, this monastery, like many others, was closed. At the same time, the icon was transferred to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the White on the street. Kaluga. In 1929, the Soviet authorities decided to close this church as well. Almost all the icons in it were subsequently burned. Apparently, the same fate befell the miraculous image. All that remains of such a once revered image of the Virgin Mary as the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" is a photo. Prayer to this image helped hundreds of people to be healed. However, this miraculous icon, after the closing of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas Bely, no one will ever againsaw.
The veneration of the "Inexhaustible Chalice" image was restored only in 1992. Since the original disappeared, the priests decided to make an exact copy of it. The image was recreated (according to photos taken before the revolution) by the domestic icon painter A. Sokolov. He was consecrated in the Vysotsky Monastery in May 1993. Since then, the prayer to the icon "The Inexhaustible Chalice" has been recited constantly in the monastery, and the flow of pilgrims has not dried up.
Robe for the icon
They say there were many healings from drunkenness before the image of the "Inexhaustible Chalice". So, for example, it was this icon that helped the Moscow merchant Stefan Fedorov get rid of hard drinking. In a fit of gratitude, this we althy citizen ordered a beautiful iconostasis for the image, and also placed an expensive riza on it.
The wonders of the new look
Despite the fact that the image available today in the Vysotsky Monastery is just a list, it still helps people heal from alcoholism. The first miracle before the "Inexhaustible Chalice" happened in 1995. During one of the divine services, an unknown person placed a shrine wrapped in fabric at the entrance to the church. A few days later, a new icon arrived at the temple - the "Inexhaustible Chalice". The priests decided to try on the discovered kiot for her. And surprisingly, it fit her perfectly.
As for healings from drunkenness, since the existence of the new icon, the number of people who have rid themselves of cravings for alcohol has been in the hundreds. Reading a prayer beforeThus, people are cured not only from the "green snake", but also from other addictions - smoking and even drug addiction.
Prayer in front of the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice": where it is allowed to pronounce
Of course, in order to heal yourself or heal your loved one, it is best to go to the Vysotsky Monastery to see the image itself. The monastery has a special pilgrimage building, where those who wish to turn to the Mother of God can stay for three days. You can also simply order a prayer service by e-mail of the monastery or by phone.
According to many believers, not only the "Inexhaustible Chalice" located in the Vysotsky monastery, but also any other such icons, helps against drunkenness. Of course, in order for the prayers uttered before the image to be heard, it is necessary to wish for healing yourself. And, of course, the patient needs humility.
Praying to the Mother of God for healing from drunkenness, smoking or drug addiction should be daily in the morning and evening. This can be done both in church and at home. It is allowed to pray even a photograph of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” located in the Vysotsky monastery, found, for example, on the Internet. But it is better, of course, to acquire a real consecrated image. Actually, the prayer itself to the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" can be read by one person or two.
Which prayer to say
In order to be healed of alcoholism, you can even just ask the Mother of God about it in your own words. However, it is better, of course, to read beforelike a prayer. In this case, the appeal will be heard faster. In a church or at home, you can say a prayer to the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" in Russian or in the old church. The following words are traditionally read:
In order for the prayer in front of the icon of the Virgin "Inexhaustible Chalice" to work faster, you need to say it by candlelight (of course, consecrated in the church). Such an appeal to the Blessed Virgin from drunkenness very often helps. If a miracle happens, in the future the same prayer should be read periodically for prevention. In this case, the healed person will never return to his addiction.
What else can you pray for before the image
Of course, you can turn to the Mother of God before the image of the "Inexhaustible Chalice" not only to heal someone from drunkenness, smoking or drug addiction. There is evidence that this icon also helps in solving various kinds of housing issues. If you, for example, cannot sell or exchange an apartment in any way, you definitely need to buy such an icon and periodically pray in front of it. This image can also help in the event of any other everyday problems. It is also believed that prayer to the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" contributes to healing not only from alcoholism itself, but also from those diseases that arise against its background.
Image today
After the icon "The Inexhaustible Chalice" was consecrated in 1993 and decorated with a chasuble, a small reliquary with a piece of the belt of the Blessed One was inserted into its lower left cornerMother of God. Since 2000, the image of the "Inexhaustible Chalice" began to periodically stream myrrh. Also, some priests and believers note that sometimes the eyes of the Blessed Virgin seem to come to life.
Prayers in front of the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" (from alcoholism and other misfortunes), thus, helped many people. But, of course, for a miracle to happen to you, you need a lot of spiritual work and boundless faith in the Creator. In any case, this image, which is now in the Vysotsky Monastery, although it does not represent any special historical value, is, of course, one of the main shrines of the Russian Orthodox Church.
