One of the most revered images of Christ in Russia is the icon of the All-Merciful Savior, which was created around the twelfth century, during the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. After his death, he was glorified as a saint for his piety and righteous life.
Pious Prince
Thanks to the same qualities, the ruler received the nickname Bogolyubsky. He was the son of the famous founder of Moscow, Yuri Dolgoruky. Under him, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was in an unprecedented state of prosperity and well-being.
The creation of the icon of the All-Merciful Savior is closely connected with another image revered in Russia - the face of the Mother of God with baby Jesus. The legend tells that during the battle of the troops of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky with the hordes of the Volga Bulgarians, there were clergy in the ranks of Russian soldiers who carried the miraculous icon.
The Triumph of Prayer
A confident victory was won over the enemy. WhenWhen the prince returned to the camp with his troops, he noticed that a radiance emanated from the image of the Blessed Virgin. At the same time, the Byzantine emperor, who was on friendly terms with the Vladimir-Suzdal ruler, won the battle with the Khazars.
Both battles were won thanks to fervent prayer to God before the miraculous image. Having come out victorious, the rulers told each other about the radiance emanating from the icons in their letters. They agreed to establish a holiday in honor of these events, which is celebrated to this day on the first of August according to the old style and on the fourteenth according to the new one. It coincided with the Day of the Origin of the Holy Trees of the Cross of the Lord.
Almighty
By order of Vladimir-Suzdal Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky, the icon of the All-Merciful Savior was also painted.
This image belongs to the iconographic type, which is called "Almighty" by experts. These images are created to glorify the good deeds of the Lord and are designed to show that there is nothing that the Almighty could not do for the sake of his love for people.
On such icons, the Son of God is usually depicted in full growth, or the canvas is a half-length or chest image of Jesus Christ. In his left hand he holds the Holy Scripture in the form of a book or scroll. The right Savior blesses Orthodox Christians with a traditional gesture.
Tutaev's image
During the existence of the icon of the All-Merciful Savior, many lists were made from it. One of the most famous copiesis located in the city of Tutaev.
This settlement before the October Revolution was called Romanov-Borisoglebsk and was formed in the nineteenth century from two other settlements, the names of which were his name. Currently, the city is part of the Yaroslavl region. Since ancient times, Borisoglebsk has been famous for its artistic traditions.
Numerous Russian icon painters created their immortal works here. So, in the fifteenth century, an icon of the All-Merciful Savior was painted for the local church, consecrated in honor of Saints Boris and Gleb. This image of the Savior is a bust of the Son of God, who touches the open Gospel with his left hand, and his right hand is raised for a blessing gesture.
Features of the icon
The creator of this canvas is a follower of the famous Russian icon painter Andrei Rublev, so the image is painted in a similar manner. There are small clouds around the perimeter of the image. Some researchers believe that the disproportionate size of the Gospel and the left hand of Christ blessing it indicates that the artist originally intended to create a different type of icon.
The painter changed his original plan only during the work and added some elements. Before the revolution, the image was covered with a silver riza. The head of the Savior was crowned with a golden crown. This decoration was confiscated in the early twenties of the last century, during a campaign to seize valuables,kept in churches. Initially, this image was intended for the dome of the temple, the so-called sky.
History of the shrine
Later the icon was transferred to the chapel of the cathedral, dedicated to two holy princes from the Rurik family - Boris and Gleb. Some time later, the icon of the All-Merciful Savior was placed on the main iconostasis of the cathedral. In the eighteenth century, Metropolitan Arseniy of Rostov ordered after the restoration to transfer the image to his residence. This patriarch was soon demoted from his rank for criticizing the policies of Empress Catherine II.
After being removed from office, he became a simple monk and spent the rest of his days in a monastery. The icon, which, on his orders, was brought to the office, was in the patriarchal residence for about half a century. When it was decided to return the image to Borisoglebsk, then its refuge was no longer in the church of Saints Boris and Gleb, but the Resurrection Cathedral. The icon of the All-Merciful Savior was brought to the city by a specially organized religious procession. A few miles before the destination, the procession stopped to wash the shrine, which had become dusty on the way.
Traditions
According to legend, a miraculous spring arose at this place, which exists to this day. This event was reflected in the church tradition. Every year on the tenth Sunday after the feast of Easter, a procession is performed, during which the icon of the All-Merciful Savior is solemnly carried out of the Resurrection Cathedral and passes through the city in a procession.
Until the end of the nineteenth century, the route of this procession ran only along the right side of the river. And during the celebration of the nine hundredth anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, a tradition was established to pass along the other bank.
Trace of many centuries
The icon of the All-Merciful Savior in the Resurrection Cathedral was painted in the fifteenth century by a famous icon painter. This master is known for his righteous life and glorified after death in the face of the saints of the Russian land. In the photo of the icon of the All-Merciful Savior, it is noticeable that the image has darkened greatly from time to time. This happened for the reason that, according to the technology of the fifteenth century, all faces were covered with sunflower oil on top. The same thing happened with other images of the main temple of the men's monastery in the city of Borisoglebsk, to which the icon belonged at that time.
After several centuries, they were all purified from sunflower oil. Only the icon of the All-Merciful Savior in Tutaev remained with its outer covering. Because of this, the image has noticeably darkened over several centuries of its existence. However, this circumstance does not reduce the effect that the icon has on people praying in front of it.
About the pilgrimage to the icon
Both group and individual pilgrimages and excursions conducted by some organizations are regularly made to this image. The Tutaev Icon of the All-Merciful Savior makes a colossal impression due to its enormous size.
It is three meters high. At the moment, the image is placed on a speciala metal structure that allows you to transfer the icon on the days when the procession is held. Also, under the iconostasis, on which the miraculous image is located, there is a manhole through which, according to tradition, all visitors to the temple pass on their knees. For the centuries-old existence of this passage, two stripes from the knees of the worshipers were worn in the floor under the icon.
The icon of the All-Merciful Savior. What to pray before her?
It is believed that this image contributes to heartfelt prayer for he alth, both bodily and spiritual. It is necessary, however, to remember that it is necessary to turn to the Lord God, who is depicted, and not to the icon itself as such. The face of Jesus Christ is called to promote correct prayer. Only one that is done with due repentance, humility and reverence can be called such.
That is, it should be pronounced thoughtfully. A person who turns to God needs to be in a state of concentration on his communion with the Almighty. It should also be remembered that the very word "prayer" is the same root as the verb "pray", that is, tearfully ask for something. This means that this is not just a conversation with the Lord God or any saint, but an appeal that has the character of a heartfelt request.
Pride of the city
The Resurrection Cathedral of Tutaev, which now houses the icon of the All-Merciful Savior, is the main temple of this settlement. It rises above the rest of the buildings and serves as an architectural dominant. There are two churches in this temple - upper and lower.
Firstthe room is not heated. The icon is there only in the warm season. The miraculous image is transferred to the lower temple in winter.
Icons in Kizhi
The icon of the All-Merciful Savior is widely revered by the people.
Prayer for this image can be offered not only in Tutaev. Many lists from the miraculous image are also in other cities of Russia. It is known that some astronauts before their extraterrestrial expeditions came to pray in front of the holy image in Tutaev. However, the icon of the All-Merciful Savior exists not only in this version.
An image with the same name is known, which is located in the city of Kizhi. It would be more accurate to say that in this settlement there were originally two images. In one of the churches of this city before the revolution there was an icon of the All-Merciful Savior, which had a rich golden kiot, as well as a robe made of precious materials. A cross on a ribbon was suspended from the holy image.
Protection from enemies
Today, only one icon of the All-Merciful Savior in Kizhi has been preserved, which is located in another church in the city. This is an image of the Savior, where several saints are painted in the background, as well as landscape details. All the nuances of the picture are spelled out very clearly, in a skillful subtle manner. From this we can conclude about the professionalism of the painter.
The writing of icons in Kizhi is dated by experts around the end of the sixteenth century. It was the time of the attack on Russia by Lithuanian and Polish troops. The icons were the defenders of the city from foreign invaders. Processions with these images were regularly held aroundsettlement for its consecration.
The icons of the All-Merciful Savior both in Kizhi and in Tutaev are among the most revered images of Jesus Christ among Orthodox people around the world. How does the icon of the All-Merciful Savior help? It contributes to the right attitude to prayer for he alth.
