August 31 is the Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "Vsetsarina": the history and meaning of the image

Every year on August 31, the Orthodox Church honors the icon of the Mother of God "Vsetsarina". It is believed that the shrine has miraculous powers capable of healing from serious illnesses. In 2025, the date falls on a Sunday. Read about the history and meaning of the image in the Izvestia article.

The feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "Vsetsarina" – 2025: history

The All-Tsaritsa icon (Pantanassa in Greek) was painted in the 17th century. According to legend, it was passed on by Elder Joseph the Hesychast, the spiritual mentor of many monks of Mount Athos, to his disciples. Later, it was brought to the monastery of Vatopedi on the Holy Mountain by another Athonite ascetic, the Monk Joseph Spileot (Caver). Since then, the original icon has been in the cathedral church of the Vatopedi monastery.

The first information about the miraculous power of this icon was documented from the words of Joseph the Hesychast himself. In one of his stories, he described an incident when a young man approached the icon, muttered a spell and was immediately thrown back by an invisible force. At that moment, the face of the Virgin was illuminated with a bright light, and the young man himself collapsed on the stone floor. When he came to himself, he confessed that he was engaged in occult practices and intended to use the power of the holy place for his own purposes. The incident completely changed his life, he repented, rejected the previous path and chose spiritual purification.

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In the Orthodox tradition, the event is celebrated annually on August 29.

After this incident, the monks began to notice that prayer in front of this image brings relief to those who have suffered from spiritual deception. Over time, the All-Tsaritsa icon became a symbol of protection not only from spiritual temptations, but also from bodily suffering. Since the 20th century, miraculous testimonies began to arrive from those who prayed in front of the lists and even photographs of the icon. People reported relief, and sometimes complete disappearance of symptoms of serious illnesses.

Icon of the Mother of God "Vsetsarina" — where it is located in Russia

In Russia, the lists of the All-Tsaritsa icon began to spread at the end of the 20th century. In 1995, a copy of the Athos icon arrived at the Moscow Children's Cancer Center on Kashirskoye Highway. It was created by an icon-painting monk from the Vatopeda brotherhood.

Doctors and parents testified that prayer before him filled the children with hope and inner strength. Subsequently, the list was transferred to the Alekseevsky Monastery, but to this day it is regularly returned to the cancer center for prayer services.

In 1997, another list of the "All-Tsaritsa" was transferred to the Moscow Novospassky Monastery. This image is also revered as miraculous and myrrh-streaming, gathering believers seeking healing, solace and spiritual support.

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There are also lists of the icon in the Serpukhov Vladychny Convent, the Krasnodar monastery in the name of the icon of the Mother of God "Vsetsarina" and other churches and monasteries throughout the country.

Icon of the Mother of God "Vsetsarina" — iconography, meaning

The "All—Tsaritsa" refers to one of the oldest iconographic types, Panahranta (translated from Greek – "All-merciful"), which was formed in Byzantium in the XI-XII centuries. The Most Pure Virgin is depicted in crimson robes on the royal throne, with Christ in her arms with a blessing right hand and a scroll — a symbol of Divine Law. The Mother of God points to her Son as the Only Savior. Two angels are depicted above the throne, guarding and consecrating the icon.

Each element of the composition has symbolic and theological significance. The throne in iconography is a sign of supreme sovereignty. Therefore, the image of the Virgin sitting on it is an indication of her heavenly authority and a special place in the hierarchy of the spiritual world.

At the same time, a line of mercy, compassion and love can be traced on the icon. The regal severity of the pose is softened by the movement of the Virgin, who bowed her head to the Christ Child. Her right hand is raised in a gesture of prayer.

The image creates a living prayer space, and the person standing in front of the icon becomes part of a dialogue, where the worshipper is not just a spectator, but a participant in the sacrament.

How does the miraculous icon "Vsetsarina" help?

Before the image of the "All-Tsaritsa", they traditionally pray for the most important thing — health and healing from serious illnesses. However, her help is multifaceted. It is recommended to address the image with prayer in cases of:

• serious diseases — to gain strength in the fight against the disease, healing and support during therapy;
• various types of addictions — drug, alcohol, gambling;
• spiritual worries and turmoil — to gain peace, strengthen faith and guide on the path of salvation;
• protection from occult practices and the influence of false teachers.

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