Icon of the Mother of God "Healer": the history of the image, prayer on the feast of October 1

The Orthodox Church celebrates the Icon of the Mother of God "Healer" on October 1. This image is known for its miraculous healings and helps in the fight against diseases, as well as in spiritual trials. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Wednesday. Izvestia tells us what the miraculous image is known for and who it helps.

The history of the church holiday on October 1

The history of the icon of the Mother of God "Healer" goes back to the IV century, when it was revealed in Iberia (modern Georgia). It is to this rebirth that the first mentions of it relate. According to legend, the image was revealed during the lifetime of Saint Nino, the equal—to-the-apostles enlightener and heavenly patroness of Georgia, who brought the light of true faith to the country.

Initially, the image was located in the Tsilkan temple in Kartalinia, but then disappeared without a trace. There is no information about exactly what the shrine looked like or by whom it was painted. The icon acquired special significance centuries later thanks to the work "The Watered Fleece" by the famous Russian theologian and 17th-century saint Dmitry Rostovsky.

The book tells the story of the miraculous healing of a priest who was suffering from a serious illness. Despite his infirmity, he continued to attend church services and glorify the Blessed Virgin. One day, when the disease completely overcame him, the Mother of God appeared to him. She sprinkled the sick man with milk from her breast, after which he was healed.

The miracle described by the saint became the starting point for the veneration of the icon. The image of the "Healer" was reintroduced in iconography, becoming one of the most revered in Russia. For Christians, it symbolizes that everyone can find peace of mind and recovery, relying on the mercy of the Mother of God, especially in the most difficult moments of life.

Iconography of the "Healer" image

The icon is not connected with the biblical story and does not belong to any one iconographic type, which is why it stands out from the rest. In the center of the composition, the Virgin Mary is depicted in full height, bending over the patient. Her posture is full of compassion and care, and her face reflects tenderness. She is often depicted with a crown, a scepter and in a royal robe, which symbolizes Her spiritual power and royalty in the spiritual world.

On some lists, you can also see holy healers such as Panteleimon, Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John. They are often present on such icons as heavenly protectors of the sick and suffering. In some versions, an angel is depicted standing at the bedside of the patient.

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Who does the miraculous icon help?

The Icon of the Mother of God "The Healer" is revered as an aid in healing from various diseases, both physical and mental. Believers pray in front of her for deliverance from chronic diseases, mental disorders and mental suffering. Many testimonies of miracles of healing confirm the power of prayer in front of this image.

In addition, the image helps in the fight against temptations, addictions, and also promotes recovery after operations, wounds and injuries. They pray before him for family happiness and the gift of offspring, especially when it takes a long time to conceive a child or with infertility.

Prayers in front of the icon of the "Healer"

"O Most Holy Lady, Queen Theotokos, supreme of all heavenly powers and holiest of all saints! We bow down and worship You before Your all-honorable and all-bearing image, remembering Your wondrous appearance to the ailing cleric Vikenty, and we fervently pray to You, our all-powerful intercessor and helper: just as you gave healing to that cleric from ancient times, so heal our souls and bodies, which are suffering from the wounds of sins and passions of many kinds, deliver us from all misfortunes, Save us from troubles, sorrows and eternal condemnation, from pernicious doctrines and unbelief, from the flattering and brazen attacks of invisible enemies, grant us a Christian end, painless, peaceful, shameless, partaking of the Holy Mysteries, and vouchsafe us to stand at the right hand of the All-righteous Judge at the impartial judgment seat of Christ and hear His blessed voice: "Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." Amen to that."

"Accept, O All-blessed and All-powerful Lady, the Virgin Theotokos, these prayers, which are now offered to You with tears from us, Your unworthy servants, to Your holy image, who send up their songs with tenderness, for You are the One who exists and listens to our supplication. For it is a strange petition to grant fulfillment, to ease sorrows, to grant health to the weak, to heal those who are weak and sick, to drive away demons from demons, to deliver those who are offended from insults, to cleanse lepers and little children, and to free them from bonds and prisons, and all kinds of diverse passions. Your doctor: the whole point is possible through intercession Yours to your Son, Christ our God. O All-holy Mother, Most Holy Mother of God! Do not stop praying for us, Your unworthy servants, who glorify You and honor You, and worship Your Most Pure image with tenderness, and who have irrevocable hope and faith in You, Ever-Virgin, Most Glorious and Immaculate, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

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Where is the icon of the Mother of God "The Healer"?

Today, the most famous icon of the Mother of God, the Healer, is located in the capital at the Church of the Resurrection in Sokolniki. This image has been revered for several centuries and continues to work miracles of healing. There are also several other particularly revered icon lists in Moscow: one in the Alekseevskaya Church of Krasny Selo, the other in the Nikolaevsky Church near the Straw Lodge.

The miraculous image can often be found in temples attached to hospitals, hospitals and medical institutions, where believers can pray for a speedy recovery. For example, in former times, one of the temples of the Old Catherine Hospital on Meshchanskaya Street and the house church at the Emperor Alexander III Police Hospital in Moscow were consecrated in the name of the holy image. Nowadays, a hospital church at the Research Institute of Clinical Psychiatry on Kashirskoye Highway has been consecrated in honor of the icon "Healer".

Earlier, Izvestia told about the history of the miraculous icon "Burning Bush".