Prayers to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: words that change fate
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates on June 3 the Day of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This is one of the most revered images of the Virgin Mary, which is called the intercessor of the Russian land. It is believed that prayer in front of him helps in a variety of life circumstances — from family and personal difficulties to requests for protection and peace. Read more about this in the Izvestia article.
When are the days of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God celebrated?
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God three times a year — on June 3, July 6 and September 8. These dates are associated with events in Russian history, which the church tradition considers as evidence of the intercession of the Mother of God.
The holiday on June 3 is established in memory of the events of 1521, when the Crimean Khan Mahmet Giray made a campaign on Russian lands. At that time, Grand Duke Vasily III was fighting for Smolensk with the Polish king and Grand Duke Sigismund I of Lithuania, whose ally was the Crimean Khanate. Tatar troops ravaged towns and villages, approaching Moscow.
According to church tradition, on the night of the siege of the capital, a nun at the Kremlin Ascension Monastery had a vision: through the closed doors of the Assumption Cathedral, Saints Peter and Alexy, who lived two centuries earlier, came out with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in their hands. At the Saviour's Gate, they were met by the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh and Varlaam of Khutyn, who prostrated themselves before the icon and began to pray to the Mother of God not to leave the Assumption Cathedral and the Moscow people.
After that, according to legend, the saints returned to the temple with the icon. The nun told the residents of the city about the vision, and the Muscovites gathered for prayer. On the same night, the Virgin appeared to Khan Mahmet Giray in a dream, surrounded by a heavenly host, after which the Tatar troops retreated.
In the Orthodox tradition, this event is considered only one of the miracles associated with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
Miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
The legends about the miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God date back more than a century, Natalia Fominykh, a religious scholar, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, professor at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, told Izvestia.
According to her, in 1132, Patriarch of Constantinople Luke Chrysoberg sent an icon from Constantinople to Kiev as a gift to Vladimir Monomakh's son, Grand Duke Mstislav. The shrine was placed in the Vyshgorodsky monastery near Kiev.
— Very soon there was a rumor that the icon has miraculous powers. That is why Andrei Bogolyubsky secretly took her out of Vyshgorod, intending to deliver her to the Rostov-Suzdal Principality. During the trip, the prince stopped on the banks of the Klyazma River near Vladimir. Then one of the most famous miracles happened: the horses suddenly refused to move on. They tried to get them drunk, replace them with others, but nothing helped. Andrei Bogolyubsky fell down to the icon and prayed fervently, asking the Mother of God to show him the right path. According to legend, the Mother of God appeared to him and ordered him to leave the icon in Vladimir," the religious scholar said, adding that the prince also decided to make Vladimir the capital, which was probably also influenced by the appearance of the Virgin.
At the place where this happened, Andrei Bogolyubsky founded Bogolyubovo and erected a white stone temple there, where the icon stayed for some time. Later, he built the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir and moved the shrine there.
The next miracle related to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God occurred during the construction of the Golden Gate in Vladimir.
— During the work, there was a collapse, many people were trapped under the rubble. The prince was grieved by what had happened and began to pray in front of the icon for the salvation of the victims. After some time, he was informed that the people trapped under the rubble of the vault had miraculously survived," Natalia Fominykh said.
Andrei Bogolyubsky deeply revered the Vladimir Icon and believed in its intercession, so he often took the shrine with him on military campaigns. One of the most famous is considered to be the campaign against Volga Bulgaria in 1164. Before the battle, the prince prayed in front of the icon of the Mother of God, and the soldiers offered prayers with him. After the victory, a thanksgiving prayer service was held. According to legend, during the divine service, an extraordinary radiance emanated from the icon, which was seen by the prince and his retinue.
Another miracle associated with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is the salvation of Russia from the invasion of Tamerlane. In 1395, a huge army of the conqueror approached the Russian borders. Dmitry Donskoy's son, Grand Duke Vasily Dmitrievich, decided to meet the enemy on the banks of the Oka River.
The forces were unequal, so the prince relied on God's help and ordered the transfer of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God to Moscow. The residents of the city solemnly greeted the shrine and began to pray in front of the image for the salvation of the Russian land.
According to church tradition, at this time Tamerlane had a dream. He saw the Mother of God on a high mountain surrounded by the heavenly host. She menacingly ordered him to leave the Russian lands. Upon waking up, Tamerlane told his advisers about the vision, after which he decided to retreat.
In the Orthodox tradition, this event is considered the miraculous intercession of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. In memory of him, the Grand Duke and the inhabitants of Moscow erected a temple, and later the Sretensky Monastery was founded at the meeting place of the icon.
— There are many such military stories in which the intercession of the Vladimir Icon is associated with the salvation of the Russian land. According to church tradition, these are the events of 1480, when the confrontation with Khan Akhmat ended during the stand on the Ugra, and the events of 1451, when Tsarevich Mazovsha approached the walls of Moscow. According to legend, the enemy heard an unusual noise and decided that the city was being defended by a large army, although in fact Muscovites at that time were performing a common prayer in front of the image of the Mother of God.
Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky himself was considered a witness to many miracles. Researchers associate his name with the creation of the "Legend of the Miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God" — a monument of ancient Russian literature, which contains stories about events committed through prayers in front of this image.
— When the shrine was moved to Moscow, many residents of Vladimir began to ask for the image to be returned to their city, because they believed that it was there, according to the will of the Mother of God, that the icon should reside, — Natalia Fominykh said.
According to her, the most persistent petitioners were punished and imprisoned. However, the Mother of God did not abandon them with her intercession and performed a new miracle. According to legend, one day the sexton of the Assumption Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin saw two identical Vladimir icons of the Mother of God side by side. Amazed by what he saw, he called other witnesses. Soon, the Grand Duke, the metropolitan and many people arrived at the cathedral, who also witnessed this unusual phenomenon.
The arrested petitioners were also brought to the cathedral, offering them to choose the image they wanted to take to Vladimir. They pointed to one of the icons, and a few days later the shrine was solemnly escorted from Moscow. The Grand Duke brought the icon to the Sretensky Monastery and handed it over to the residents of Vladimir.
The stories about the miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God include numerous stories of personal healings. So, according to legend, in the Assumption Cathedral of Vladimir there was a miracle of healing a man with a "dry" hand. During the divine service, the Mother of God appeared to him and held his sore hand until the end of the liturgy, after which he fully recovered.
Another legend is connected with the wife of Andrei Bogolyubsky. On the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, the icon was washed with water, and the princess drank this water. After that, she safely gave birth to her son Yuri.
The legends also mention a resident of Murom who suffered from a heart ailment. After she drank the water used to wash the icon, the woman was healed.
Another story tells about a Tver boyar who was between life and death for three days during a difficult birth. The priest advised her to take a vow to the Vladimir Mother of God. According to legend, after prayer and this vow, the woman safely gave birth to a son and recovered.
What do they pray for in front of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God?
The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God belongs to the most profound and lyrical type of icons, called "Tenderness" in Russia. The Mother of God is gently hugging the Christ Child to herself, and with childlike tenderness He hugs Her neck and touches Her face with His cheek. A characteristic feature of this image is the slightly bent leg of a Baby, from under whose clothes a small foot (heel) is visible.
Christ looks at His Mother with love and trust, and Her gaze is turned to the worshipper.
— No matter from which side you look at the icon, it seems that the Mother of God is looking at you all the time, her face is turned towards you, and she answers your prayers, — said religious scholar Fomina.
According to her, it is believed that prayer in front of this image is especially associated with requests for mercy, love, protection for children and maternal intercession. Also, given the historical veneration of this icon as the patroness of the Russian land, they pray before it for the protection of the country from external enemies and for the preservation of peace.
On a more personal level, the Mother of God is addressed in difficult life periods, asking for help in trials, for the mitigation of hostility and reconciliation between people. They also pray for the strengthening of faith, spiritual fortitude and inner peace.
Prayers for family well-being, family preservation, as well as for health and healing from diseases occupy a special place. In church tradition, the Vladimir Icon is associated with help in various ailments, including heart diseases, difficult childbirth, and vision problems.
They also pray before the icon for justice and protection of those who suffer unfair insults or are in a difficult life situation, asking for comfort and support.
— And, of course, when a person goes through trials or suffers undeserved insults, when he is sure that he is right, you can also offer a prayer in front of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. She will definitely protect all those who are unfairly offended," the religious scholar noted.
How to recite prayers in front of an icon at home
There is a special prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. It can be read in front of the image, but it is also allowed to address the Mother of God in her own words — from a pure heart, with sincere faith. It is believed that one can ask Her for help in various life difficulties, about which evidence of her intercession and assistance to people has been preserved.
— If a person sincerely makes a request, even in his own words, he will certainly receive an answer, — Natalia Fominykh noted.
Prayer in front of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God .
"O All-merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, all-powerful Intercessor, our shameless hope! We thank You for all the benefits that Russian people have received from You throughout the generations, from ancient times and now from Your miraculous icon. And now, O Most Gracious Lady, look down upon us, your sinful and unworthy servants, show us Your mercy, and pray to your Son, Christ our God, that He may deliver us from all evil, and preserve every city and spring and our whole country from famine, destruction, cowardice, flood, fire and sword, invasion. foreign and internecine warfare. Preserve and wise the pastors of the Church, who worthily shepherd the flock of Christ and have the right to rule the word of truth. Strengthen the Christ-loving All-Russian army, inspire the spirit of counsel and reason with the military commander, the mayor and all who are in power. Send down Your holy blessing to all Orthodox Christians who worship and pray before Your holy icon. May you be our Intercessor and Intercessor before the throne of the Most High, so that you may live. To whom will we turn, if not to You, Lady? To whom shall we bring tears and sighs, if not to You, Most Holy Theotokos? Not imams of other help, not imams of other hope, except for You, Heavenly Queen. We're coming under Your roof. Through Your prayers, grant us peace, health, fruitfulness of the earth, healthfulness of the air, deliver us from all troubles and sorrows, from all illnesses and diseases, from sudden death and from all the bitterness of enemies visible and invisible. Give us understanding and teach us, O All-merciful Intercessor, to walk the path of this earthly life without sin. You weigh our infirmities, you weigh our sins, but you also weigh faith and hope. In the meantime, grant us the correction of our sinful lives and soften our evil hearts. Strengthen the right faith in us, and put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, patience and love, and success in good deeds. Deliver us from temptations, from pernicious spiritual teachings, from unbelief, corruption and eternal destruction. We beseech Thee, O Most Pure Lady, and we beseech Thee before Thy holy icon: have mercy on us and have mercy on us, but on the Terrible Day of Judgment, through Thy intercession and intercession, make us worthy to stand at the right hand of Thy Son, Christ our God, and to Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Beginningless Father and the Most Holy and Good and By His consubstantial Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos for deliverance from troubles and enemies
"O Most Holy Lady, Theotokos! Raise us up, servant of God (names), from the depths of sin and deliver us from sudden death and from all evil. Grant us peace and health, Lady, and enlighten our minds and eyes of the heart, which lead to salvation, and vouchsafe us, Your sinful servants, the kingdom of your Son, Christ our God.: For His kingdom is blessed with the Father and His Most Holy Spirit."
Short prayers: troparion, kontakion and magnification
Troparion, glas 4
"Today the most glorious city of Moscow is brightly adorned, for having received the sun's dawn, O Lady, Your miraculous icon, to which we now, flowing and praying, cry out to You: O most pure Lady Theotokos, pray from You to the incarnate Christ our God, that this city and all Christian cities and countries may be delivered unharmed from all slander. He will save our enemies and our souls, for He is Merciful."
Kontakion, glas 8
"To the victorious Voivode, for having been delivered from evil by the coming of Your honorable image, O Lady Theotokos, we lightfully celebrate the feast of Your presentation and usually call You: hail, Bride of the Unknown."
Greatness
"We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Maiden, and we honor Your holy image, by which you bring healing to all who flow with faith."
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
