November 22 is the Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa": the history of the image

Every year on November 22, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa." In 2025, the celebration falls on a Saturday. Izvestia tells about the history and meaning of the image.

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa" on November 22 — the history of the image

The "Skoroposlushnitsa" icon is located in the Dohiar Monastery on Mount Athos. It is believed that it was written in the 10th century, when the monastery was led by Saint Neophyte. For centuries, the image did not manifest itself in any way. However, in 1664, a miracle happened that made him famous all over the world.

According to legend, one night on the way to the refectory, a monk named Nil heard a voice from the icon, telling him not to walk past it with a lighted splinter, so as not to smoke the image. The monk decided that this was someone's joke, and continued to walk next to the shrine with fire. Soon after, he went blind.

Realizing that this was a manifestation of the wrath of the Mother of God, Neil fell to his knees in front of the icon and began to fervently beg for forgiveness. Once again, he heard a wonderful voice announcing the absolution of sins and the return of his sight. The Mother of God told the monk to tell all the brethren that henceforth her icon would be called "The Quick-Hearer," and all those who came to her would be granted quick mercy.

The spiritual meaning of Christmas Fast 2025: prayers and rules for believers

In Russia, the lists of the miraculous Athos icon have always been much loved. Many of them became famous for miracles. Cases of healing from falling sickness and demonic possession were particularly noted, which strengthened people's faith in the help of the Virgin.

The "Skoroposlushnitsa" icon — meaning

The icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa" belongs to the iconographic type of Odigitria or Guidebook. It shows the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus sitting on her left arm. The Savior clutches a scroll with the Law of God in his left hand, and blesses the faithful with his right hand. The image of the naked feet of Christ is symbolic. It is a sign of simplicity, meekness, and a reminder of the path to Golgotha that the Son of God traveled barefoot.

The Blessed Virgin is dressed in a rich robe, embroidered with gold and precious stones. A crown shines on her head, which refers to the highest status of the Queen of Heaven. With her left hand, the Virgin Mary gently embraces her son, and with her right she points to him, showing the worshippers the way to God.

The miraculous icon "Skoroposlushnitsa" embodies meekness and maternal love. This can be read in the gentle expression of the Virgin Mary's face, condescending even to sinners. The image reminds us that every prayer will be heard and true repentance accepted.

How does the icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa" help?

As in the case of other icons of the Mother of God, you can pray for anything before the "Quick—Hearer" - the clergy emphasize that the Mother of God hears all believers and comes to the rescue in a difficult situation. Nevertheless, it is believed that the main "specialization" of the image is healing from blindness, deafness and epilepsy. This is due to the numerous recoveries revealed by the icon and its lists.

In front of the "Skoroposlushnitsa" icon, they also pray for:

• disaster relief;
• release from captivity, getting rid of false accusations;
• healing from physical and mental ailments;
• success in good deeds;
• finding a family, having a child;
• consolation in sorrow;
• getting rid of addictions.

The appearance of the icon of the Mother of God "The Baby's Leap": how to celebrate this day

What is the holiday dedicated to, where is the icon located, and what is the history of its appearance?

Where is the icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa"?

The original of the "Skoroposlushnitsa" icon resides on the Holy Mount Athos in Greece, in the Dohiar monastery. In Russia, you can find many lists of this image, which are also considered miraculous.

One of the most famous lists is Nevsky Skoroposlushnitsa. It was brought from Mount Athos in 1877 and placed in a small chapel in St. Petersburg. After the fire, in which the icon miraculously survived, it was taken over by the imperial family. By the personal order of Grand Duchess Elizabeth, a temple in honor of the shrine was built on the site of the burnt chapel. It was destroyed in the post-revolutionary years, but the icon has survived again. Today it is located in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

Several dozen churches have been opened in Russia, consecrated in honor of the icon "Skoroposlushnitsa". In particular, one of them is located in Moscow on the Khodynka field.

Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa"

"O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Most High Lord, the Quick-abiding Intercessor of all who seek refuge in You with faith! Look down from the height of Your heavenly majesty upon me, who am not worthy, falling down before Your icon, hear soon the humble prayer of me, a sinner, and bring it to Your Son: beseech Him, that He may enlighten my gloomy soul with the light of His Divine grace and cleanse my mind from vain thoughts, soothe my suffering heart and heal its wounds, and bring it to reason May He forgive me for my good deeds and strengthen me to work with fear, may He forgive all the evil I have done, may He deliver me from eternal torment and not deprive me of His heavenly Kingdom. O Most Blessed Mother of God: You have been pleased to be baptized in Your image, a Quick-hearer, commanding all to flow to You with faith: do not despise me, for I am sorrowful, and do not let me perish in the abyss of my sins. By God, all my hope and hope of salvation are in You, and I entrust myself to Your protection and intercession forever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and significance of the Shuisko-Smolenskaya Icon of the Mother of God.