There are a large number of revered images of the Virgin, as for many believers she is support in various life situations. This article will consider the Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God in its various versions, since there are quite a few images that came out of this island.
The first appearance of the icon
The first Cypriot icon of the Mother of God in its most famous form was revealed in 392. It happened in the city of Larnaca in the place where Lazarus was buried. The monastery of Stavruni was built on this site, and after that a church was specially built, where the icon began to be kept. They placed it on the gates of the church, with which the first miracle was connected.
Once a man, an Arabian, was passing by this church. What caused his act is not entirely clear, perhaps he just wanted to mock. One way or another, he fired an arrow that hit the knee of the Mother of God icon. Immediately, a large amount of blood poured onto the ground, and a person after a whiletime died on the way, never reaching his home.
To this day, the original icon has not been preserved. However, in the same temple, a copy of it was preserved in mosaic form on the wall.
Stromynskaya Icon of the Mother of God
The Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Stromyn is one of the lists of the first image, which have spread to many Orthodox churches. It depicts the Mother of God, sitting on a throne, and in her arms is a Baby. Nearby are two holy martyrs - Antipas and Photinia.
Little is known for certain about his appearance in Russia. According to one legend, it was with this copy of the icon that Sergius of Radonezh blessed Abbot Savva of the Stromynsky Monastery. In 1841, the image became miraculous when an eighteen-year-old girl was healed in front of him from an illness that threatened her with death. It was about this icon that the voice spoke in a dream. At his command, she had to take the image into the house and serve a prayer service in front of him. After doing everything, the girl was completely healed. This event led to the fact that believers began to come to the icon in droves, asking for protection and deliverance from bodily ailments.
The days of the celebration of the icon are the twenty-second of July and the first Sunday of Great Lent. In the village of Stromyn, another day is set - the sixteenth of February. It was on this day that the first healing took place.
Other Listings of the Cypriot Icon
The Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God has other lists. By the way, that in their writing theymay vary, but all will have the same name. For example, there are lists where the Mother of God does not sit on the throne, but Peter the Athos and Onufry the Great are on the sides. On some images, the Child holds a scepter in his hands. Another version of the image, also common, where the Mother of God sits on a throne, and the Child is in her arms. Around are angels with palm branches.
So, one of the lists is located in Nizhny Novgorod and became famous for many miracles. On this icon, the Mother of God is depicted sitting on a throne, wearing a crown on her head. The Child sits in her arms, blessing with her right hand. His head is uncovered.
Another list is in Moscow, in Golutvin, in the church of St. Nicholas. And the last, fairly well-known similar image can also be found in Moscow, in the Assumption Cathedral. It depicts the Mother of God with the Child, below is the orb.
Besides this, some ancient copies of the icon can be found in the museums of Russia, which are kept there as the greatest shrines.
How does prayer help the icon?
Prayer to the Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God is help to a person during ailments, especially if he is sick with paralysis or other diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system. Prayer especially patronizes and protects the image during epidemics, if they already exist. They also ask to get rid of them.
How to pray to an icon?
You should know that there is no such thing as a special akathist to the Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God. If you would like to pray beforeway, then you can read any troparion, kontakion or prayer appeal from another icon of the Mother of God. It won't be a mistake. There are also two special prayers for this icon, as well as its magnification.
However, if you want to find an akathist - the canon of the Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God, then in principle you can use the one that is read before all such images.
The Gracious Icon of the Mother of God (Kykk)
The most famous Cypriot icon of the Mother of God in Cyprus today is the image of the “Merciful”. This is an ancient image that was painted by Luke. To date, the icon is in the imperial monastery. It was there that a temple was erected in her honor.
Now the image is closed so that the faces are not visible. However, this does not detract from her miraculous abilities. Even non-believers turn to her for help, and grace descends on everyone.
Many lists were written from the Kykkos icon, which today are in many places. For example, there is it in Thessaloniki, in the temple of the icon of the Mother of God “Desnoy”. It also exists in Russia. One is in the women's Nikolsky Monastery, another one is in the Zachatievsky Monastery in Moscow. Memorial Day falls on November 12th and December 26th.
Akathist to the icon
So, as is clear from the above material, it is impossible to find an akathist to the “Cyprus” icon of the Mother of God, which would be written specifically for her, since it does not exist. However, it is for the image of the Virgin"Merciful." The Akathist is quite long, and, in principle, it can be read for those icons of the Theotokos that do not have their own.
Miracles performed near the icons
All the listed icons are miraculous. Of course, events were not always recorded, but some of them still survived. For example, those miracles that took place near the Stromynsk icon were recorded. The very first was the miracle of the healing of the girl, which is described above.
Another event was the full recovery of the peasant Alexei Porfiryev, who had suffered from paralysis for a long time, having completely lost his mobility. After a prayer service near the icon, he regained his former mobility and was able to continue living fully.
Such healings have happened more than once. It was with motor problems that the power of the icon manifested itself most strongly. According to the chronicles, this happened at least two more times, when the believers were completely cured of the relaxation of the arms and legs.
A very big healing happened to the other list as well. Prayers to the Cypriot icon, which is located in Nizhny Novgorod, in 1771, the invasion of the pestilence epidemic, which claimed many lives, was stopped. There have also been many healings due to her help. At that time, the icon passed from house to house, where people performed prayers before it. Numerous healings took place in this way.
No less significant are the miracles of the Kykkos Icon. For the first time they are mentioned at the time when the icon moved to Constantinople, because, despite numerous attacks, it arrived at its destination safe and sound. However, in the twelfth centuryshe was taken to Cyprus. This was preceded by a chain of amazing events. The ruler of Cyprus was punished with paralysis for beating an old man in anger. Subsequently, he repented, and the elder told him about his vision. The ruler had to bring to Cyprus the icon of the Mother of God from Constantinople. On his way, he found the emperor's daughter in the same condition as he was. It was a sign. The icon was taken away and brought to the island, where it continued to perform its miracles.
Conclusion
The Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God is a special miraculous image that has many lists throughout the Orthodox world. Each of them finds its response in the souls of those who pray. Its special significance is also evident from the fact that this image was often executed in the form of a mosaic or painting on the altar parts of the temple. The symbolism of the icon is quite simple. This is the Incarnation, through the Queen of Heaven, as well as the path of righteousness. All this gives hope and instills faith.
