Ostrobramskaya Icon of the Mother of God: origin story

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

In the expanses of the post-Soviet space, the icon of the Mother of God of Ostrobramskaya has become widely known. It can be found in the churches of Lithuania, Russia, Moldova, Poland and Ukraine. Moreover, both Catholics and representatives of the Orthodox faith worship this face.

Ostrobramskaya Icon of the Mother of God: historical background

For a long time this face has been considered miraculous. It is believed that if you pray to the Mother of God for a long time and faithfully, you can get rid of many problems and prevent troubles in the family. The first mention of the phenomenon of the face dates back to 1431. According to legend, the icon "Ostrobramskaya Mother of God" is named after the place of its creation. Historians say that on April 27, at the main gate (called “sharp gates”) leading to the city of Vilna, a face appeared from nowhere, which was subsequently displayed on the canvases of icon painters. The uniqueness of such an image of the face of the Mother of God lies in the absence of a baby in her arms. Indeed, it is the only one in itskind of icon, on which the Holy Mother is reflected without a child. There is another interpretation of the origin of the canvas. Some argue that it was created in ancient Greece specifically for Olgerd in honor of the latter's adoption of the Christian faith.

Ostrobramskaya Icon of the Mother of God: miraculous face

This is one of the richest and brightest frames of the divine picture. The body of the Mother of God is covered with a dress embroidered with silver and gold threads. The figure is hidden behind the floors of heavy solid fabric, you can see only the face and hands crossed on their knees. The Ostrobramsk Icon of the Mother of God personifies all the purity and chastity that a woman should have throughout her life. We can say that the canvas is the ideal of femininity. Some scholars suggest that the icon depicts the moment of the meeting of the Archangel Gabriel with the Virgin Mary. The absence of the corresponding character is explained by the loss of part of the image after a while. Later, icon painters began to depict a lady with a halo and a crown on her head - such a crown was worn by the Polish queen. Subsequently, faces with two crowns appeared: the Queen of Heaven and the Queen of Poland.

Ostrobramskaya Icon of the Mother of God: who helps?

Many women have repeatedly said that it was after sincere and long prayers near this face that many troubles and problems stopped. If we recall the story when the Mother of God was depicted on the gates in order to protect herself from the enemy, thenwe can conclude: indeed, the icon helps to protect the family hearth from the evil eye of ill-wishers. Long contemplation of it allows you to find a long-lost calm, distract from the overwhelming problems and emerging obstacles, allows you to be alone with yourself. As a result of such meditation, the solution to urgent problems will appear as if from nowhere. It is enough to hang an icon near the entrance to the house or at the front door of the apartment, and the situation in the family will begin to change as if by magic. From now on, guests with bad intentions will not be able to disturb your harmony.