Christianity, like other religions of the world, has its own unique cultural history, reflected in artistic texts, musical works, sculptures and paintings, architecture. But, perhaps, one of the most striking and significant manifestations of belief are icons.
The Power of the Mother of God
The Mother of God is the second most powerful and significant person in the host of saints of Christianity in general and Russian Orthodoxy. The icon of the Mother of God, and not just one, hangs in every Christian church and temple. It is she who is the link between man and God, to which a mere mortal calls in prayers. She brings human sorrows and sufferings to His throne and prays to her Son for the human race. She, as a Mother, understands the feelings of women about their children, often unreasonable and, alas, unkind. She, a witness to the torments of her own child, sympathizes with the torments of others and brings relief. She, by her own example, gives orders to people - patience, humility, wisdom, forgiveness, love for one's neighbor. Not in vainthey call the Mother of God the intercessor mother, and there are a huge number of churches and icons in her honor in Russia.
One of the most popular images among the people is the icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. Its writing is associated with the miraculous salvation of believers who prayed in one of the temples of Constantinople during the siege of the city by the Saracens. Then, according to legend, the Mother of God covered people with her veil, saving their lives. The city was saved, and subsequently the miracle was repeated in other times and under other tragic circumstances. And from the moment of her first miraculous sign, Holy Mary promises protection to the entire Christian people, regardless of geopolitical and national borders, from enemies - visible and invisible, from human meanness and cruelty and the temptations of all unclean devilry. After some time, the icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos also marked the corresponding holiday, which has been celebrated since the 12th century on October 1 (14). In churches and among the people he is considered great. It just so happened that it was superimposed on the ancient Russian pagan holiday of finishing field work and harvesting. From there, from gray-haired Russia, there is a tradition - to keep the last sheaf removed from the field until the Intercession. And when the holiday came, the peasants gave it to livestock, asking Mother Protector to protect their cattle from winter hunger, death and starvation.
The Icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was the most in demand at that time, unmarried girls and women prayed before it for a kind, hardworking and we althy husband. Lighting candles in front of the image on a holiday, they asked the Blessed One for a family with prosperity, he althy children, well-being for themselves and loved ones. And if a time of hard times came, war or pestilence, the icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was taken out of the church to the people, and the people of the whole village or city, the whole world cried out for protection and mercy. The tradition has been preserved to this day.
Who to contact for help
If you have problems in the family, at work, with he alth or personal life, if there is trouble with loved ones, you should not fall into despair. Remember, if you are a baptized person, that you have your own protector, helper. This is a guardian angel. Who is he? The saint in whose honor you were given a name at birth or baptism. Or the one whose name day is closest to the date of your birth or baptism. The icon of the Guardian Angel should always be in the house, and try to carry a small icon with you. Turn to him in a difficult situation and believe - the Intercessor will help you.
May the forces of heaven protect you, be he althy and happy!
