The icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos", the meaning of her intercession before God, was valued by people at all times. No believer has ever been left without her help.
The Place of the Protection of the Mother of God in the cycle of the Mother of God holidays
There are special days when the church glorifies the Virgin Mary. They are among the twelve holidays that are dedicated to events from the life of Jesus Christ and his Mother. The Mother of God cycle includes the Nativity of the Virgin, Her Entry into the Temple, as well as the Annunciation and peaceful death - the Assumption - all of them are the most important dates in her life. Orthodox also honor the parents of the Mother of God - Joachim and Anna, celebrate the conception of the Virgin Mary.
The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated with special solemnity by the Church. October 14 is a significant day for Orthodox Christians. After all, the Mother of God at all times was considered the intercessor and protector of people before God. No wonder the icon of the Mother of God IntercessionThe Holy Mother of God is in almost every home.
The Greatness of the Queen of Heaven
The Church believes that the Mother of God is the only person who lived in the world who is able to constantly ask the Lord for the salvation of people. This is the greatness of the Mother of God. Her appearance was already predetermined, like the Incarnation itself. The Old Testament history contains evidence of Mary's childhood and adolescence. When the girl was still a three-year-old child, she herself was able to climb the high steps into the temple, and then the priest, at the direction of the Divine, led her into the Holy of Holies of the temple. All women were forbidden to enter there.
On the images of the Mother of God, three stars are always visible, which are located next to her head and hands. This means that she has always been and remains a Virgin: before Christmas, at Christmas and after the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiness of Mary allowed her to become a vessel of the Divine Spirit and to preserve the mystery of the incarnation of God. Even after her Assumption, she does not leave people, but prays for them, therefore the icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" is especially revered. How does the Mother of God help? Most importantly, the Virgin Mary asks God to save the entire human race.
Celebration of the Intercession on Russian soil
Since ancient times, people remembered the saints of God. On the days of their veneration, they went to the temple and prayed to the saints. The Russian people treated the Mother of God with special awe and love. During the twelfth feasts dedicated to the Virgin Mary, all believers tried to attend services. Especially revered icon "Protection of the BlessedMother of God". From what does the Mother of God protect? Everyone can receive an answer to this question by praying to her.
On this day, people, standing at the divine liturgy, with hope and faith, appealed to the Lady of heaven and earth with requests for protection, patronage, solving important everyday issues. After leaving the temple, the people gave alms to the needy. At present, all traditions have been preserved. Those who cannot go to church on this day pray to the Mother of God at home, since the icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, the photo and meaning of which are discussed in this article, is in almost any Orthodox family.
The history of the appearance of the icon
In the 10th century, the Byzantine Empire was often attacked by barbarians. Once during such a raid, the enemy attacked Constantinople. The people who lived there gathered in the temple and began to offer their prayers to the Mother of God, tearfully asking her to protect them from adversity. By Sunday afternoon, the Mother of God, along with a host of angels and saints, was seen by Andrei the Fool. According to legend, she first walked through the air, and then, on her knees, began to fervently pray to her divine Son for the protection of the people and granting them salvation from the enemy.
Then she took off from her head a wonderful shimmering veil that fell over all those who were praying. The vision disappeared, and the people in the Blachernae Church felt an extraordinary surge of grace and joy. The enemies immediately retreated from the city. The people were saved by the "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" - an icon. About whatpeople pray to the Mother of God, will remain only in their hearts.
This may seem like a miracle at the moment, but there is a lot of historical evidence that the siege actually took place, and then the storm came. Since then, the icon of the Mother of God "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" has been especially revered. What the Blessed Virgin protects from, people can always make sure by praying to her.
Description and meaning of the Icon of the Intercession
Most often, the Mother of God is depicted in full growth. Her head and the upper part of the figure are covered with a huge quadrangular cloth - maforium. The lower garment of the Virgin Mary - the tunic - reaches the floor. Basically, her robes are painted in blue and red-brown colors. The first shows purity and purity, and the second symbolizes that Jesus Christ borrowed flesh and blood from her to come to earth in human form. Three stars on the edges of the maforium testify to the ever-virginity of Mary. In the hands of the Mother of God is a veil - omophorion, which she stretches over the whole earth.
The icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos", the meaning of which is to preserve peace and harmony between people, should take pride of place on the iconostasis of every Orthodox Christian. The main thing is to trust in the mercy of the Mother of God, and she will certainly help in all life's needs.
Iconography of the Intercession
The very miracle of the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Andrew the Fool, unfortunately, was not captured in Byzantine images. In Russia over timeTwo types of icons dedicated to the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos were formed: Central Russian and Novgorod. This began to happen after the introduction of the holiday by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, who, after hearing the story of the vision of the holy fool, paid attention to this event. Thus, he entrusted the Mother of God with the care of all our land.
In the Central Russian (Vladimir-Suzdal) iconographic tradition, the connection of the Bogolyubskaya icon of the Mother of God with the "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" is traced. On this type of image, the Heavenly Queen herself holds the cover, at her foot sits Roman the Melodist. Novgorod icons are distinguished by the image of the Mother of God in the form of Oranta (praying). Angels hold a veil over her. Every detail of her image is thought out by artists, because the icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos", the meaning and meaning of which lies in the heavenly help of the Intercessor of all Christians, gives people hope for the mercy of the Lord.
The Mother of God is the protector of the Russian land
With the beginning of the adoption of Christianity, people gradually came to realize that they need the help of the Lord and the intercession of the Virgin. The Russian people believed with all the frankness and sincerity that they were capable of, that the Lord would protect them from any troubles and misfortunes. The Mother of God was considered an intercessor in the face of her Son for all those who truly believe in him and want to save their souls in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven later. In most Orthodox churches there is an icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. What does the Lady protect from?heaven and earth Russian people? We have always had many troubles and sorrows: hunger, wars, natural disasters.
And the Virgin Mary never leaves people in grief. From ancient times, the icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" was considered the intercessor of the Cossacks. How does the Mother of God help soldiers? During the invasion of enemies and all kinds of oppression, when they had to go to fight for their native land, they went into battle with faith in God and hope in his mercy and returned with victory. Then they, being in the temple, thanked the Mother of God and the Lord.
In what cases does the Mother of God help?
There is hardly an Orthodox person who has never experienced the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The holiday itself, called the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the icon that people pray for - all this suggests that people often resort to the help of the Queen of Heaven. In our time, people ask her for a successful marriage, protection from harassment at work and service, for the healing of diseases, for peace in the family.
It is the "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" - an icon (which means "image" in Greek), which helps people become cleaner and kinder. Expressing their gratitude, they bring decorations to the temple: rings, earrings, chains and other donations. There are also certain thanksgiving prayers dedicated to the glorification of the Virgin.
Traditions related to the Veil
People have had their ownfeatures of the celebration of October 14th. On this day, it was customary first of all to glorify the Mother of God. In the red corner, along with others, stood the icon "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos", the significance of which for the Russian people was simply invaluable. Also required:
- first visit the divine liturgy, and then be sure to give alms to the poor and wretched, standing at the entrance to the temple;
- bake pancakes, putting them around all the corners of the apartment, and then leave an offering to the brownie;
- take a branch of an apple tree, set it on fire and smoke the whole house in order to attract prosperity;
- cook a lot of delicious food and make a fun feast with all your family and friends.
Folk omens on Pokrov
Our ancestors built their predictions in the course of observations and rarely made mistakes. People believed that if the weather is good on Pokrov, it is warm outside, then the winter will not be too cold. When you find out which side the wind is blowing from, you have to wait for frost from there, if it is an eastern direction, then cold weather will subsequently come. They basically started on October 14, so those who did not insulate the house were freezing in winter. The smartest people used apple tree branches to heat the stove that day, drawing heat into the hut.
"Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos" - an icon that means and symbolizes peace and harmony. All Russian girls knew the answer to the question of why she should pray. They tried not to be sad on such a day, but spent it cheerfully. It was believed that this would attract the groom. For the holiday, they put candles to the image of the Queen of Heaven, because the first one who does this will get marriedEarlier then others. The icon of the Mother of God "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos", the meaning of the holiday itself - all this is very important for the Russian people. People also believed that there would be many weddings if it snowed on Pokrov all day long.
Famous temples and monasteries in honor of the Intercession
Everyone in Russia has ever heard of St. Basil's Church, which is located on Red Square in Moscow. Initially it was the Pokrovsky Cathedral. It was built under Ivan the Terrible in memory of the victory of the Russians over the Kazan Tatars.
The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is depicted in all school textbooks. It harmonizes perfectly with the surrounding nature. The church was erected during the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky, and it is considered the pearl of Russian architecture.
The Intercession Monastery in Suzdal was founded in 1364. The rise of the monastery is associated with the name of Vasily III, who donated a large amount for its maintenance. Currently, this convent is active. You can always visit it to pray there and see the preserved ancient architectural buildings.
In conclusion, it must be said that the feast of the "Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos", the icon, meaning, prayer addressed to the Virgin should be familiar to all true believers.
