Beautiful decoration of Orthodox churches. Trembling and excitement is experienced by everyone who crosses their threshold. The faces of the saints on the icons, candles and whispers of prayer immerse us in the sacrament of communion with God.
Icon veneration is an important part of the Orthodox faith. The image of saints is a window to the divine world.
The meaning of the icon
Through the icon with the help of prayer, believers turn to Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, saints or angels. The icon is proof of their visible image, so they pray not to the icon, but to the one whose face is present on it.
The first icon was miraculous, and the Savior himself gave it to people. The towel he used to wipe his face showed his image. The sick king Avgar prayed in front of this image and was miraculously healed.
Icons express the essence of Orthodoxy and carry the good news about Christ, testify to the true existence of God and are a guide to him.
How to choose a patron saint
In the traditions of Orthodoxy, name the child after the saint who was honored on his birthday. Therefore, he was considered an intercessor after baptism.
If the ceremony is performed at an older age, thenthe patron is chosen in accordance with his name or with the one that will be given at baptism. There may be several holy namesakes. Therefore, from the list, choose the one whose memory day is closest to the date of birth. Look ahead on the calendar, that is, after the birthday.
This day is considered a name day, and the chosen saint will be an intercessor, helper and spiritual mentor. However, the church does not prohibit choosing the saint who is close spiritually, for example, by profession.
The icon with the image of the patron, on whose day name days are celebrated, is called nominal. It is customary for every Orthodox to have it.
About dimensional icons
The measured icon refers to nominal images. It is written directly for the newborn. It got this name because the size of the board for the icon should correspond to the height of the baby and the width of his shoulders on the eighth birthday, when it is customary to give a name.
Mostly on the icon there is a full-length image of the patron. But sometimes instead of him there may be a Savior or the Mother of God, and on the sides - a guardian angel and intercessors especially revered in the family. The measured icon should be near the baby's cradle or just in his room.
Is it possible to give an icon
The icon can be presented as a gift. But it must be understood that the creed is not a guarantee of the protection and grace of God, and even more so it cannot be a talisman, amulet or a beautiful piece of furniture.
If parents, next of kin or godparents want to introduce the child tofaith, it is better to do this from a very young age. In this case, a measured icon for a baby will be a valuable offering and, along with a pectoral cross, will become a person’s personal shrine.
It is believed that a measured icon can be presented to an adult. Such a gift will be memorable and dear, and daily prayer to the patron saint will become especially gracious.
Special meaning
A measured icon is unique, like a person born into the world. It is believed that she contributes to the formation of a special spiritual connection with her patron. It is not necessary to invest a special mystical meaning in the exact correspondence of sizes. It's just a reminder to the person of how small they were when they were born.
The Orthodox turns to the image on the icon for a blessing or advice, and the intercessor asks for him before God. And if the faith of a praying Christian is deep and true, he will definitely receive support.
Therefore, it is necessary to realize that the icon itself does not help, it invites to prayer, serves as a reminder of God and guides the believer to him.
History of the measured icon
The history of the appearance of dimensional icons, or, as they were also called, "darlings", is attributed to the reign of Ivan the Terrible. It was he who commissioned the painting of the first such icon after the birth of his son. For centuries, the tradition was the prerogative of only the royal family.
Eight dimensional icons have been preserved in the Kremlin museums: three belong to the Rurik family, and five to the Romanovs.
In the era of Peter I, the tradition began to fade due to the introduction toWestern lifestyle. Separate cases of writing measured icons began to appear in families of a non-royal family. The nobles and the nobility thus imitated the old Russian custom.
The revival of interest in this type of icon painting occurs in the 19th - early 20th centuries, but is interrupted by the revolution.
The measured icon for a baby is experiencing the third wave of rebirth these days. Now this tradition has become mainstream.
Production technology
Relatives of the child actually take part in the creation of the icon. First of all, it is necessary to determine what will be depicted on it, that is, the plot: there will be one saint by name and date of birth, or, for example, the Mother of God in the center, and especially revered intercessors in the margins.
At the next stage, the icon painters proceed directly to the creation of the image in the traditional technique. Linden, pine, maple or alder boards are taken as the basis, depending on the region where the workshop is located.
In order for the board not to warp, strengthen its back side: a shallow mesh of cuts is applied across the fibers and filled with thin planks of another, harder, type of wood, that is, they are veneered.
Then the board is glued with a special glue based on fish or animal glue, and then the canvas is applied. This is the layer of fabric needed to smooth out the unevenness of the base.
Primer, or, as it is called, gesso, is the next stage of work, it is made on the basis of fish glue and chalk. Layer after layer is applied, each carefully dried and polished.
Thirdthe layer is the painting itself. First, the outline of the drawing is indicated. Then a layer of paint is applied. It is cooked on yolks and has increased strength, called egg tempera.
The finished drawing is covered with drying oil on top so that it remains in its original form for many years.
Where to buy the icon
The production of measured icons is the sphere of activity of icon-painting workshops, which are often under the patronage of a temple or monastery. They are made to order.
On average, the period through which the work will be ready is about a month.
Such an icon cannot be cheap, therefore, in order to have no doubts where to place an order, you must take into account the price and, of course, customer reviews of the finished work that this or that workshop will perform.
The measured icon is made in a style that depends on the school of artists.
There are many of them, they can differ geographically, for example: Novgorod, Moscow, Pskov, Kostroma.
The icons of the schools of different founders also differ in style. They were famous icon painters: Feofan Grek or Andrey Rublev.
Ordering a measured icon in Moscow
A measured icon in Moscow can be made in one of the many workshops. Their works have not only earned grateful customer reviews, but have also been marked and consecrated by the Orthodox Church. The most famous and popular, which, without a doubt, you can trust are the following workshops:
- "Measured Icon" on Serpukhovskayastreet is one of the branches of a whole network of workshops. In addition to Moscow, they are open in Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Krasnoyarsk, Tula and Kaluga. As part of the new project, they offer to order the writing of unique icons by Athos artists, with whom friendly relations have been established. Made in the Byzantine style, the measured icon (the photo cannot convey all its beauty) is a masterpiece of icon painting. It is believed that the images from these places have a miraculous effect.
- The icon-painting workshop "In the name of the Monk Alipy of the Caves" is located at the temple of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow". Respect for traditions and strict observance of the canons distinguish master icon painters.
- The Alexandria icon-painting workshop has a unique style of writing, which is based on ancient traditions, but at the same time it is distinguished by a special realism of images.
- Irina Ilyinskaya's icon-painting workshop. Its founder is the ideological and creative inspirer of a group of artists. One of the areas of activity is the creation of a new iconography, that is, the writing of images of recently canonized saints.
- The icon-painting workshop "Creating a heritage" works in the tradition of the guild of icon-painters in the city of Vladimir. In addition to writing new images, they are engaged in the restoration of old ones. Both can be purchased.
Icons to order in Yekaterinburg
Uniqueness is a feature that distinguishes a measured icon. Yekaterinburg, being the cultural center of the Uralregion, revives lost traditions, including church art.
There are several workshops in the city where artists create true masterpieces of icon painting:
- The workshop "Measured icon" fulfills orders related to the writing of measured, wedding, nominal, and temple icons.
- Workshop "Favor" was organized in 2006. She is engaged not only in the creation of icons, but also in the painting of temples. Adheres to the Moscow and Yaroslavl school of icon painting. Finished works are consecrated by the priests of the Ex altation of the Cross Monastery for men.
- The “Kanon” association is a team of architects, icon painters, wood carvers and gilders who decorate churches and create a single artistic ensemble. In their works based on biblical subjects, they revive the lost Nevyansk style of iconography.
When turning to God or his saints, thoughts should be free from vain deeds, the image on the icon helps to open your heart and focus on sincere and spiritual communication.
Encourage your children to have a respectful dialogue with your patron. These simple words, perhaps far from the correct church prayers, should be filled with respect and reverence for the holy face.
