Kazan Icon of the Mother of God: the most powerful prayers

One of the most revered shrines in Russia, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, has remained for several centuries the main source to which believers turn in the most difficult circumstances of life. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

The story of the miraculous image

After the devastating fire in Kazan in 1579, which destroyed part of the city, the nine-year-old Matrona saw the Virgin Mary in a dream. She pointed out the place in the ashes where her icon was hidden. When the adults did not believe the girl's words, the phenomenon was repeated three times.

On July 21, 1579, Matrona's mother and her daughter began excavations at the specified location. At a depth of one meter, they found the icon wrapped in an old cloth sleeve. The image retained the freshness of the colors, as if it had been painted recently. The first miracles from the icon were the epiphany of two Kazan beggars.

Full texts of the main prayers

Believers turn to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God with various requests.

The main prayer reads as follows: "O Most Holy Lady, Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love before Your venerable icon, we beseech You: do not turn Your face away from those who run to You, beseech, Merciful Mother, Your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, may He preserve our country in peace, establish our power in prosperity and deliver us from internecine warfare, may He save us And He enlightens us, His faithful servants, and will raise up the fallen, and will resolve the hardened hearts of our brothers and sisters who have fallen away from the Orthodox faith, and will guide us to the path of truth, and will deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes, and from deadly plagues and from all evil. Pray diligently, O Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, and make us worthy to receive a Christian death and inherit the Kingdom of heaven, so that we may be saved by You, and we glorify You with Your Son, who was born of You, and our God, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

The Orthodox tradition includes several prayer addresses:

• A short prayer: "Hail Mary, Full of grace, the Lord is with Thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls. Amen to that.";

• Troparion, voice 4: "Fervent intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High, pray for all of your Son, Christ our God, and grant salvation to all who seek refuge in Your sovereign protection. Intercede for all of us, O Lady Queen and Lady, who in adversity and in sorrow and in pain are burdened with many sins, who come and pray to You with a tender soul and a contrite heart, before Your most pure image with tears, and who have irrevocable hope in You, deliverance from all evils, grant us all benefit and save all, To the Virgin Mother of God: for You are the Divine protection of Your servant";

• Kontakion: "Let us come, O people, to this quiet and kind haven, a speedy Helper, a ready and warm salvation, the protection of the Virgin, let us hasten to prayer and strive for repentance: for the Most Pure Theotokos exudes unfailing mercy to us, precedes us to help and delivers from great troubles and evils Her well-behaved and God-fearing servants."

Miraculous power and historical significance

With the acquisition of the image, numerous healings began, which marked the beginning of local veneration. In 1612, the people's militia led by Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky prayed in front of the Kazan Icon for the liberation of Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders.

The Orthodox Church has established two holidays in honor of the icon — on July 21 in memory of her appearance and on November 4 in gratitude for the expulsion of the interventionists. The image acquired special significance during the war years, when people prayed in front of it for the protection of the Fatherland.

Rules of prayer conversion

Prayer in front of the Kazan Icon is usually offered by lighting a lamp or candle. You can address the Mother of God both in the temple and at home, in a place specially designated for icons. Sincere prayer, uttered with deep faith, has a special power.

The clergy emphasize the importance of not only asking for help, but also gratitude for the benefits they have already received. The prayer for the family contains the words: "Holy Lady, Virgin Mother of God! Accept this hymn of prayer from us, Your unworthy servants, and lift up Your Son to the Throne of God, that He may be merciful to our sins and show His mercy to those who honor Your all-honorable name and worship Your miraculous image with faith and love. Amen to that."

Modern worship and miracles

Currently, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God continues to be one of the most revered images in Russian Orthodoxy. Believers come to the numerous icon lists in churches all over Russia every day. Cases of healing and help after prayer have been recorded.

The Church notes that the power of prayer depends on the sincerity and faith of the worshipper. The prayer for children includes the petition: "O Most Holy Lady, the Virgin Theotokos, save and preserve under Your roof my children (names), all youths, young men and infants, baptized and nameless and carried in the womb. Cover them with the robe of Your motherhood, keep them in the fear of God and in obedience to their parents, give them reason and save them, and lead them to their intended goal. Amen to that." Even a brief appeal to the Mother of God can bring comfort and help.

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