December 10 - the feast of the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign": the history and meaning of the image

Every year on December 10, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" - one of the most revered Russian shrines. In 2024, the celebration falls on Tuesday. On the history and significance of the miracle-working image read in the material "Izvestia".

The feast of the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" in 2024: history

The icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" is considered one of the most ancient images of the Virgin Mary. It depicts the Virgin Mary standing or sitting with her hands raised in prayer, and on her chest is a round shield with the baby Jesus blessing her.

Among the earliest surviving images of this type is a 4th century fresco in the tomb of Agnia in Rome. Also known is the Byzantine image of the Virgin Mary "Nikoleia" painted in the 6th century. On this icon the Virgin sits on a throne, holding a shield with the God-baby blessing people in front of her.

In Russia, such icons appeared in the XI-XII centuries. The name "Sign" was given to them in memory of the miraculous rescue of Novgorod in 1170. At that time the country was fragmented into many appanage principalities, which fought fierce battles for land and resources.

According to legend, Novgorod was besieged by the combined forces of several princes loyal to Andrei Bogolyubsky. The townspeople prayed day and night to the Mother of God for protection, for their army was much smaller and could hardly bear to fight such a formidable enemy. On the third day of the siege Archbishop John heard a marvelous voice commanding him to carry to the city wall an icon of the Mother of God from the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior.

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After the prayer service the icon with a procession was carried to the wall. At this moment the enemies let out on procession set of arrows, and one of them has pierced a face of the Mother of God. Tears flowed from the eyes of the Virgin Mary. The image turned towards Novgorod. After that, the soldiers besieging the city were seized with inexplicable fear. In panic they attacked each other, and encouraged by the miraculous sign, the Novgorodians went on the offensive and drove the enemies away.

In gratitude for the miraculous salvation Archbishop John ordered to establish the feast of the Sign of the Mother of God, which eventually became church-wide. In 1356, the Church of the Sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in Novgorod especially for the miracle-working icon. In it the relic stayed until the revolution of 1917. Now the image is kept in Novgorod's St. Sophia Cathedral.

After the events of 1170 the icon "The Sign" gained national fame. Throughout the XII-XIX centuries many copies were made of it. Some of them are also honored as miracle-working. For example, the Kursk-Root Icon (1295), according to legend, was discovered by a hunter in a burned village, and where it lay, a spring began to flow. Before the Abalatsk icon (1637) there were miraculous healings, and the Tsarskoselsky image is considered the main shrine of the Romanov family.

In what helps the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign"

Before the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" believers pray mainly for protection from enemies and various disasters. These can be both real enemies (ill-wishers, envious people, evil tongues, etc.) and spiritual: addictions, sinful tendencies, vicious thoughts. The Virgin Mary is also addressed with requests for healing, strengthening of faith, resolution of conflicts, deliverance from heartache, advice and guidance in difficult situations. The main intercessor of mankind is trusted during wars and natural disasters.

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" December 10: what you can and can not do

The Orthodox Church does not establish strict prohibitions on the feast of the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign". Believers can visit the temple and pray before this image or another icon of the Mother of God. It should also be remembered that the celebration falls on the Christmas fast. Those who observe it can not eat meat, eggs and dairy products. The restriction does not apply to fish and seafood.

In Russia, the holiday was called the Sign. Villagers associated with it various omens and superstitions. Girls on this day did not do needlework, fearing to "sew" the warmth. According to folk beliefs, if someone takes a needle and thread in his hands, severe frosts will begin, which will destroy winter crops and livestock.

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On the Sign they tried not to let beggars and the sick into the house. It was believed that they could bring diseases and poverty. Fishermen did not go fishing, as they believed that fish went to the bottom on the holiday, so there would be no catch.

If a strong north wind blew outside, before the start of morning procedures, peasants went out into the yard and turned to face it, so that the element took all the negativity with it.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and meaning of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow".