Advertising on the portal

Description of the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God - meaning, what it helps with

From ancient times Vladimir icon Mother of God worked miracles and is rightfully considered one of the most revered and famous in Orthodox world. Several major holidays are celebrated in her honor: May 21, June 23, August 25. In memory of the salvation of Moscow from: Muhammad-Girey, Akhmat and Tamerlane, respectively. These days it is customary to read the troparion to the Vladimir Icon.


The meaning of the Vladimir icon

Prayers in front of this icon can protect people from misfortunes; people turn to it for help in the most different situations. There are very difficult periods in a person’s life and then they resort to prayer. Every believer who sincerely asks for help from higher powers receives it. Our Lady of Vladimir is a protector and protects houses from misfortunes, helps in various everyday situations.

Every Orthodox person is simply obliged to have this image at home. Much has been written about the meaning and miraculousness of the icon. different stories, miracles happened hundreds of years ago, and they also happen today.


Miraculousness of the icon

Throughout this time, miracles associated with the Vladimir Icon occurred.

  • Three times people’s prayers to save their own land were heard. Foreigners left Russian soil for various reasons.
  • When the icon was in Vyshgorod, unauthorized movements of the icon were noticed. Three times the image ended up in different parts monastery
  • The water that washed the shrine had medicinal properties, parishioners were repeatedly healed from various bodily ailments.
  • The wife of one of the clergy was expecting a child, she often prayed in front of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, and once, miraculously, her life was saved from a mad horse.
  • The abbess of the monastery was healed of blindness. The girl simply drank water from the holy face and said a prayer.
  • One day, in the city of Vladimir, the Golden Gate collapsed on twelve people, all these people suddenly found themselves under the rubble. One of them read a prayer in front of the image of the Mother of God, then all these people managed to escape. None of them were seriously injured.
  • The baby was washed with holy water, and he was saved from evil spells.
  • The woman had been suffering from a serious heart disease for many years, she gave the priest all her gold jewelry and sent the priest with them to the temple where the icon was located. He brought holy water to the woman, she drank it and prayed, and after a while the woman turned out to be completely healthy.

It's not far yet full list miracles that are associated with the Vladimir icon. Moreover, miracles happened not only associated with the original icon, but also with its numerous copies.


How does the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God help?

This shrine witnessed almost all important events in the history of Russia. She saw military campaigns, how the coronation of monarchs took place, as well as the appointment of many patriarchs. Prayer addressed to the icon helps to calm hostility and reduce the level of anger and passions.

A large number of parishioners turned to the monk for help in order to make a fateful decision, strengthen their own spirit and gain vitality during illness. To the question of how the Vladimir Icon helps, you can answer this way:

  • comes to the rescue when making an important decision, shows the true path;
  • strengthens faith and gives strength that is almost running out;
  • helps in healing diseases, especially people with blindness and various heart ailments are often healed;
  • delivers from evil intentions and sinful thoughts.

Our Lady also helps in establishing a happy marriage, since a happy and strong family is the key to a strong and successful country.

What does the Vladimir Icon look like?

This icon belongs to the “Caressing” type. This image is considered the most lyrical of all images of the Virgin Mary.

Every person can see the face of the Virgin Mary; with her left hand she holds her little son.

They tenderly clung to each other, thereby revealing the other side of the Virgo’s communication with her son. The original icon was painted on a wooden table top.

Throughout the entire canvas, only two figures are depicted: the Virgin Mary and her son. Her head is bowed towards the Infant Christ, who hugs his Mother’s neck with his left hand.

A distinctive feature of this icon from all others is that the leg of Christ is curved so that his foot is visible.

Miracle Lists

Throughout time, a lot has been created large number various lists of the Vladimir icon. Some of them also acquired miraculous properties and received special names:

  • Vladimirskaya-Volokolamskaya, which was created in 1572;
  • Vladimirskaya-Seligerskaya, created in 1528;
  • Vladimirskaya-Oranskaya, dated 1634.

All these images also have miraculous properties, and all Orthodox Christians often come to them to read the akathist to the Vladimir Icon of God.

History of the Vladimir Icon

The legend says that this icon was painted by the Evangelist Luke, using the lid of a dining table as the base. The Most Pure Mother and Joseph the Betrothed took food behind him. And when the Mother of God saw the image, she became very joyful and said the following words: “From now on, all the people will bless Me.”

Initially, the icon was in Jerusalem, later it moved from this city to Constantinople, long time she was there. Then, Yuri Dolgoruky received this icon as a gift from one influential patriarch.

In the city of Vyshgorod (not far from Kyiv), a monastery was recently built, and the image was placed there. Almost immediately, the icon began to become glorified various kinds miraculous deeds. The son of Yuri Dolgoruky very much desired to have such an icon and brought it to the city of Vladimir, where it found new home. It was from then that it received the name - Vladimirskaya.

This icon very often saved soldiers who went to war. In the battle against the Volga Bulgarians, the icon of the Mother of God helped the prince win a difficult victory in battle.

Thirty years later there was a terrible fire, then the cathedral in which the icon was located burned down, but it remained completely unharmed. In 1237, Batu attacked the city of Vladimir and completely destroyed it, but this time the icon managed to survive.

The further history of the icon is completely connected with Moscow, where it came only in 1395, when Khan Tamerlane attacked Rus'. The conqueror completely plundered Ryazan and sent his army to Moscow, they destroyed everything in their path. The prince, without wasting a minute, gathered a large army and ordered them to go on the attack to meet the invaders. The Metropolitan at this time called on higher powers to help them. Then the prince and metropolitan decided to move the icon to Moscow.

When the shrine arrived in Moscow and was brought into the cathedral, incredible things began to happen. As the chronicle says, the conqueror simply stayed in one place for several weeks; he did not go on the offensive, but he did not retreat either. But suddenly he was overcome with fear, he turned back and left the Moscow borders.

A little later, when Moscow did not even expect an invasion, suddenly a huge army of invaders appeared in front of the city walls. The then prince realized that he did not have enough time and skills to assemble a worthy army to resist the foreigners and simply left the capital with his family. Vladimir the Brave, who suddenly had to rule Moscow, was an experienced commander and gathered a large army, so much so that the horde did not dare to storm Moscow. However, they began to plunder neighboring cities.

At this time everything Orthodox people They prayed before the Vladimir Icon, calling on the Mother of God to help her people. And again the prayers were heard, Edigei (leader of the Horde) received news of the coup and was forced to leave Russian soil. Thus, the Mother of God once again saved her people from their enemies.

Prayer to the Vladimir Icon

O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, All-Powerful Intercessor, our shameless Hope! Thanking Thee for all the great blessings that the Russian people have received from Thee throughout the generations, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (this whole; this holy monastery) and Thy coming servants and the whole Russian Land from famine, destruction, earth shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare! Save and save, O Lady, our Great Master and Father (name), His Holiness Patriarch Moscow and all Rus' and our Lord (name), His Eminence bishop (archbishop, metropolitan) (title), and all the Eminence metropolitans, archbishops and Orthodox bishops. May they govern the Russian Church well, and may the faithful sheep of Christ be preserved indestructibly. Remember, Lady, the entire priestly and monastic order, warm their hearts with zeal for God and strengthen them to walk worthy of their calling. Save, O Lady, and have mercy on all Your servants and grant us the path of the earthly journey without blemish. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, abstinence in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for our enemies, success in good deeds. Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensibility; on the terrible day of Judgment, grant us, through Your intercession, to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Conclusion

This is very ancient and strong icon, it is one of the most revered faces of the Virgin Mary. Three times, with the help of the icon, it was possible to stop foreign invaders. Huge number people received spiritual and physical strength, praying in front of her.

Image Vladimir Mother of God is one of the most ancient and revered in Rus'. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is considered the patroness of the Russian people and Russia itself. The memory of the Presentation of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is celebrated 3 times a year: June 3(May 21, Old Style), July 6(June 23, O.S.) and September 8(August 26, old style).

At the RDC in honor of the Vladimir Icon Holy Mother of God A temple was consecrated in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

In the DOC, a prayer room was consecrated in the name of the Vladimir Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Edinoverie Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located in the Moscow region.

Image of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Miracles

In 1163–1164, at the initiative of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, the Legend “On the Miracles of the Most Holy Theotokos of Volodymyr Icon” was compiled. Its authors and compilers are considered to be the clergy of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir: priests Lazar, Nestor and Mikula, who came with the prince from Vyshgorod, which he received from his father Yuri Dolgoruky after he occupied Kyiv. The Legend contains 10 miracles that happened according to prayer appeal to the Mother of God in front of Her Vladimir Icon.

  • First miracle: on the way of Prince Andrei from Vyshgorod to Pereslavl on the Vazuza River, the guide, who was looking for a ford, suddenly stumbled and began to drown, but he was miraculously saved through the prince’s fervent prayer in front of the icon he was transporting.
  • Second: the wife of the priest Mikula, who was expecting a child, for the sake of prayer Vladimir image, escaped from a mad horse.
  • Third: in the Vladimir Assumption Cathedral, a man with a withered hand turned to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and began to pray with tears and great faith into a miraculous healing. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky and priest Nestor testified that they saw the Most Pure One herself take the sick man’s hand and hold it until the end of the service, after which he was completely healed.
  • Fourth: Prince Andrei’s wife carried the child heavily, the birth was very difficult. Then (on the day of the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary) the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was washed with water and the princess was given this water to drink, after which it was easily resolved by her son Yuri.
  • Fifth: saving a baby from sorcery thanks to washing with water from the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
  • Sixth: healing of a heart patient from Murom with water from the Vladimir Icon.
  • Seventh: healing from blindness of Abbess Maria from the Slavyatin Monastery near Pereslavl-Khmelnitsky (Ukraine); her brother, Boris Zhidislavich, who was the governor of Prince Andrei, asked the priest Lazar to give him water from the icon, the abbess drank it with prayer, anointed her eyes and received her sight.
  • Eighth: The woman Efimiya suffered from heart disease for seven years. Having learned, from the stories of the priest Lazarus, about healing properties water from the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, she sent many gold jewelry with him to Vladimir to the icon. Having received holy water, she drank it with prayer and was healed.
  • Ninth: a certain noblewoman from Tver could not give birth for three days and was already dying; on the advice of the same Lazar, she made a vow to the Holy Mother of God of Vladimir, and then the birth quickly ended with the successful birth of a son. As a token of gratitude, the noblewoman sent many precious jewelry to the Vladimir icon.
  • Tenth: It happened that the Golden Gate of the Vladimir passage tower, which is still located in the city, fell, and 12 people were trapped under it. Prince Andrei appealed to the Most Pure One in prayer in front of the Vladimir Icon, and all 12 people not only remained alive, but did not even receive any injuries.

The city of Moscow and the miraculous image of the Mother of God of Vladimir are inseparably and forever fused. How many times did She save the white-stone from enemies! This image connected with itself the apostolic times and Byzantium, Kievan and Vladimir Rus', and then Moscow - the Third Rome, “but there will not be a fourth.” So providentially it was formed Moscow State, incorporating a mystical connection with ancient empires, historical experience, traditions of other Orthodox lands and peoples. The miraculous image of Vladimirskaya became a symbol of unity and continuity.

On the Vladimir Icon, the Mother of God is depicted in a dark red maforia with a scarlet border. In his arms is the baby Jesus, hugging his mother’s neck, leaning his cheek firmly against hers. The Savior's clothing bears a clave - a green stripe symbolizing royal power. The background of the icon is gold. This color is a symbol of divine light. The monograms MR FV (short for the Greek “Mother of God”) and IC XC (“Jesus Christ”) are visible on the sides.

The iconographic type of the icon is “Tenderness”. This way of depicting the Mother of God symbolizes her tenderness, love, and care, which Mary conveys not only to the Son of the Lord, but to all of us. After all, every person, one might say, is her child.

If you ask an iconographer about the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, he will briefly give the following description:

  • Manufacturing materials - gesso, gold leaf, tempera, melted gold, wood.
  • Dimensions - 71x57 centimeters.
  • Written around the 12th century. This statement is at odds with the legend about the origin of the shrine.
  • The lines are smooth, the proportions are elongated.
  • The clothes are decorated and there are many small details.

Addition about the creation of the icon and its appearance in Rus'

According to legend, the original icon was painted by Luke on the tabletop at which Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph dined. Seeing the portrait, the Mother of God said: “From now on, all generations will bless Me. May the grace of the One born of Me and Mine be with this icon.” Afterwards, a list was made in Byzantium, which remained there until 450. He was sent to one of the kings of Constantinople.

In 1131, Patriarch Luke Chrysoverg decides to donate the list to Yuri Dolgoruky. His son named Andrei, in church history better known as Bogolyubsky, travels from the south of Rus' to the north. The goal of the campaign was to create a state independent from Kyiv with its center in Muscovy. During the trip, he visits Vladimir and stays there for several days. After leaving with the icon several kilometers from the city, miracles began to happen. The horses refused to go further. It was not a matter of fatigue or hunger - changing horses did not produce results. Then Bogolyubsky began to pray fervently in front of the image. The Mother of God herself appeared to him and said that the shrine should remain in Vladimir. A temple should be built in her honor. The prince obeyed - on for many years the icon remained in the city, healed the sick, and helped those asking in their troubles. Since then, the list began to be called Vladimirsky.

Today the icon is kept in the Church-Museum of St. Nicholas. It is located in Tolmachi, Tver region.

Detailed Description

The iconographic scheme, the basis of the list, includes the figure of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. The son clings to his mother's face and hugs her neck. Mary's head is bowed towards the baby. The Vladimir icon differs, from the point of view of iconography, from others in that the sole of the Savior’s foot is clearly visible on it.

Many experts believe that the icon was originally two-sided. This is evidenced by the geometry of the canvas and the applied details of the image. In Byzantium, similar images were often created.

The symbolism of the icon is deep and multifaceted. The Virgin Mary is a symbol of the soul close to God. The way the Son hugs Mary leads experts to think about his future suffering for all humanity.

Symbolism

From a theological point of view, the icon is interpreted as the purpose of the Child as a sacrifice in the name of all humanity. Similar interpretation due to the fact that on the back there is a symbol of the Passion: a throne with the holy spirit in the form of a dove. Behind the throne are symbols of Jesus' suffering (cross, spear, cane with sponge). Mary caressing the baby and the symbol of the passion together give the icon the following meaning: the mother is imbued with love for her son, but voluntarily gives him up to be tortured, makes her sacrifice in the name of humanity.

Style

The period of icon painting in Byzantine art is characterized by the dematerialization of painting. The images are blurry, there are practically no precise lines. There are a lot of details involved. The clothes of the baby and the Mother of God have many lines, powerless movements, ornamentally placed on the drawing.

The Vladimir icon is an almost canonical example of painting of those times. It is not deliberately graphic; the lines are not opposed to volume. The main means of expression is the connection of weakly induced lines. This creates the impression of not being made by hands.

Miracles created

The Vladimir Icon quickly became famous in Rus' as miraculous. It became one of the most significant shrines in the history of the state and church. Through this image the Mother of God was addressed as ordinary people, as well as the highest spiritual ranks, princes and monarchs. The Virgin Mary heard everyone who came to her with pure intentions and prayed sincerely, with all their hearts.

It seems that this image is in special attention from the Heavenly Queen herself. More than once she herself indicated where he should stay and where he should be moved. Apart from the case of Prince Bogolyubsky, when he was unable to take the shrine away from Vladimir, another miracle was witnessed. The list moved around in the temple without permission. This was noticed three times, after which they prayed in front of the icon and took it to the Rostov region.

Miraculous healings and salvations recorded in the chronicles:

  • The clergyman's wife, being pregnant, prayed at the image of the Virgin Mary. She asked for protection for her and her child, women’s happiness, and health. One day a horse went crazy in the stable. She rushed about, destroyed everything around, threw herself at all the people. It was only by a miracle that the woman who was there was saved from it.
  • Maria, one of the abbess of the monastery, was pardoned - the Mother of God saved her from blindness. The woman, reading a prayer, washed her eyes with water from the icon.
  • One day, the Golden Gate of the tower that controlled the entrance fell. There were 12 people underneath them. While people were gathering and preparing to raise the structure, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky diligently read a prayer. In the end, no one was hurt. They weren't even seriously injured.
  • A certain Efimiya suffered from heart disease. Having learned about the miraculous icon, she sent a priest to Vladimir with rich gifts (gold, jewelry, jewelry). From the monastery they gave her the water that washed the shrine. After the woman drank it and said a prayer, the disease subsided and never returned.

Celebration days and related events

In Russia, the days of the icon are celebrated three times. Each of the days of veneration is associated with a major event in the history of the state.

The shrine became famous not only for its miraculous healings. Through her, the Mother of God spoke God's will, punished sins, and granted pardon. Three times she heard the sincere prayers of the people and the government, defended Russia from numerous troops of foreign invaders.

Celebrations take place:

  • June 3 (old style - May 21). 1521: Khan Mehmet Giray gathered an army and marched on Moscow, burning settlements along the way, killing or capturing residents. His army was huge - the city would not have been able to withstand, it would have fallen during a blockade or battle. Metropolitan Varlaam assembled a prayer service dedicated to asking for forgiveness, remission of sins, and protection from the invader. One of the nuns had a dream in which the icon was taken out of the city. She realized that this could not be done under any circumstances and spoke about her vision. She did it on time: the clergy were just about to leave Moscow, saving the shrine. They were stopped by Varlaam Khutynsky and Sergei Radonezhsky. All together they read a prayer, after which they returned the list to its place. At the same time, the khan had a dream: the Heavenly Queen with a huge army advancing on him. Mehmet Giray realized that she was the intercessor of the Slavs. The troops retreated that same day.
  • July 6 (old style - June 23). 1480: Khan Akhmat gathered a large army to capture Moscow. He stopped on the banks of the Ugra River, then called the “Belt of the Virgin Mary.” On the other hand it gathered Russian army. It was significantly outnumbered by the invader's regiments. The highest spiritual and government officials, all Orthodox people prayed to the Vladimir icon for salvation. The Mother of God appeared to Metropolitan Gerontius. She said the attack was God's punishment for sins. But with sincere prayers the Slavs atoned for their guilt. Gerontius immediately informed the prince that he could advance - the Virgin Mary would help in the battle. But the fight never took place. Russian troops did not reach across the river, but, on the contrary, retreated back, taking up convenient positions for defense. Khan was afraid that he was being lured into a trap. On the night of June 23 (old style) he retreated.
  • On September 8 (August 26), a solemn veneration of the shrine takes place. 1359: Khan Tamerlane captured Ryazan and nearby settlements and went to Moscow. A huge army swept away everything in its path. The Russian army could cope with it only with huge losses. Then the highest clergy of Vladimir organized a liturgy, a prayer ceremony and a religious procession with the icon to Moscow. Christians gathered on both sides of the road. They fell on their faces and asked the Mother of God for only one thing: to save Moscow. At the same time, Tamerlane had a dream: a huge mountain from which priests were descending. In their hands are golden staves, and the Mother of God hovers above their heads. The priests of the khan, having learned about the dream, unanimously declared that it was prophetic and advised them to retreat.

It is believed that to this day, through the Vladimir Icon, the Mother of God protects Russia.

Many people specially come to the Church-Museum of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi at the State Tretyakov Gallery to venerate and pray to the famous Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

It is believed that it is miraculous - it protects from troubles and danger, and heals diseases.

Three times a year there is a day dedicated to this unique icon– June 3, July 6 and September 8. And each date is associated with a miracle that occurred thanks to this sacred artifact.

And today we will talk about the origin of the icon, what it is famous for, and how to ask for its help.

Origin of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

It is generally accepted that this holy image was written by the Evangelist Luke on the tabletop at which Jesus Christ, his mother Mary and her husband Joseph took their meals. As the Bible says, the Mother of God herself blessed the icon and said: “From now on, all generations will bless Me. May the grace of Him who was born of Me and Mine be with this icon.”

However, most likely, we are not dealing with the work of Luke himself (according to numerous studies, not a single one of his creations has survived to this day), but with the so-called “list”. And art historians date the icon to the 12th century AD. However, this does not make it any less valuable and miraculous. Whoever was the author of this work, he managed to put light and some heavenly power, protecting and preserving not only people, but also the whole country.

It is worth adding that according to the iconography, the icon belongs to the type of Eleus, that is, “Tenderness,” and conveys the tenderness connecting the Mother of God and her divine child. In addition, there is an opinion that initially the icon was double-sided, since the shape of the ark and the husk is the same on both sides.

The path of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the miracles performed by it

The icon appeared in Russia around 1131. It was given as a gift to Yuri Dolgoruky by the Byzantine Patriarch Luke Chrysoverg. She was placed in the convent of the Mother of God in Vyshgorod, not far from Kyiv. However, she did not stay there long. In 1169 (according to some sources - in 1160) Andrei Bogolyubsky stole the icon (according to other sources, he simply took it with him when leaving Suzdal) and transported it to Vladimir, which is why since then it has been called Vladimir.

As the legend says, Bogolyubsky did not plan to leave the icon in Vladimir, but was passing through this city, but the horses stood up and refused to go further. They were replaced, but the result was the same - the horses did not move. Then Andrei realized that the Mother of God herself was showing him the place where she wanted to stay. And within two years, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was erected in Vladimir.

But the icon did not stay there either. When Tamerlane went to war against Rus' in 1395, Vasily I ordered the holy image to be delivered to Moscow to protect the city from the usurper. And the Mother of God stood up for the Russians - Tamerlane did not reach Moscow, but turned his army away from Yelets and set off on the return journey. There is another legend: the conqueror fell asleep in his tent, and the Mother of God appeared to him in a dream, surrounded by heavenly army, and ordered him to leave Rus'. In honor of this event, the day of the icon is celebrated on September 8.

The following miracles occurred when the icon helped get rid of the army of Khan Akhmat in 1480 (commemorated on July 6), and in 1521 - from Makhmet-Girey (celebrated on June 3). In both cases, such a feeling was found on the warriors and their leaders. strong fear that they preferred to retreat. They say that Girey’s fighters also had a vision - an innumerable number of either people or angels dressed in golden robes.

In addition to the fact that the icon protected Rus', it also saved itself more than once. So, she was not damaged in a terrible fire and survived when Batu’s soldiers ravaged Vladimir. And wherever it was - in Vyshgorod, in Vladimir, in the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow, everywhere the residents received help and intercession.

How and when to contact an icon

It is generally accepted that the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God helps on any day, but on dates of special commemoration its power increases many times over. There is an akathist consisting of 27 kontakia and ikos praising the Mother of God and asking her for protection for our country and for its inhabitants.

If you do not know all these words by heart, then memorize at least the first kontakion and turn it to the holy image when you want to gain the protection of the Mother of God:

“To the chosen Voivode, our Intercessor, looking at the original written image of Thy, we sing songs of praise to Thy servants, O Mother of God. But You, who have an invincible power, preserve and save those who cry out with gratitude to You: Rejoice, Most Pure One, who flows forth mercy to us from Your icon.”

However, even if you express your requests in ordinary, familiar language, the Mother of God will not refuse to help you, the main thing is that your words come from the heart. You can also read one of the many prayers to the Mother of God. And don’t forget to place candles in front of the icon. Their number is at your discretion.

How does the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God help?

It is believed that the icon not only protects the country and heals illnesses, but also helps with quarrels in the family, inspires answers to difficult questions and facilitates important decisions. They pray to her to receive insight - both physical and spiritual, as well as for problems with the heart, again in terms of health, and in the absence or loss of faith. She especially protects mothers and their children, grants easy childbirth to pregnant women and healthy babies, relieves infertility and diseases of the reproductive organs.
Visit the Church-Museum of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi on June 3, pray to the Intercessor, and may her Grace be with you.

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God depicts the Mother of God. It is one of the most revered relics of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: legend

According to pious tradition, the image of the Mother of God of Vladimir was written by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior dined with the Most Pure Mother and the righteous Joseph the Betrothed. The Mother of God, seeing this image, said: “From now on, all my people will please Me. May the grace of Him who was born of Me and Mine be with this image.”

Until the middle of the 5th century, the icon remained in Jerusalem. Under Theodosius the Younger, it was transferred to Constantinople, from where in 1131 it was sent to Rus' as a gift to Yuri Dolgoruky from the Patriarch of Constantinople Luke Chrysoverkh. The icon was placed in a nunnery in the city of Vyshgorod, not far from Kyiv, where it immediately became famous for its many miracles. In 1155, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky, St. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, wanting to have a famous shrine, transported the icon to the north, to Vladimir, and placed it in the famous Assumption Cathedral, which he erected. From that time on, the icon received the name Vladimir.

During the campaign of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky against the Volga Bulgarians in 1164, the image of the “Holy Mother of God of Vladimir” helped the Russians defeat the enemy. The icon survived the terrible fire on April 13, 1185, when it burned down Vladimir Cathedral, and remained unharmed during the destruction of Vladimir by Batu on February 17, 1237.

The further history of the image is entirely connected with the capital city of Moscow, where it was first brought in 1395 during the invasion of Khan Tamerlane. The conqueror with an army invaded the borders of Ryazan, captured and ruined it and headed his way to Moscow, devastating and destroying everything around. While Moscow Grand Duke Vasily Dmitrievich gathered troops and sent them to Kolomna; in Moscow itself, Metropolitan Cyprian blessed the population for fasting and prayerful repentance. On mutual advice, Vasily Dmitrievich and Cyprian decided to resort to spiritual weapons and transfer the miraculous icon of the Most Pure Mother of God from Vladimir to Moscow.

The icon was brought into the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The chronicle reports that Tamerlane, having stood in one place for two weeks, suddenly became afraid, turned south and left the Moscow borders. A great miracle happened: during procession with a miraculous icon, heading from Vladimir to Moscow, when countless people were kneeling on both sides of the road and praying: “Mother of God, save the Russian land!” Tamerlane had a vision. Before his mind's eye appeared high mountain, from the top of which saints with golden rods descended, and above them the Majestic Woman appeared in a radiant radiance. She ordered him to leave the borders of Russia. Waking up in awe, Tamerlane asked about the meaning of the vision. They answered him that the radiant Woman is the Mother of God, great Protectress Christian. Then Tamerlane gave the order to the regiments to go back.

In memory of the miraculous deliverance of Rus' from the invasion of Tamerlane, a solemn ceremony was established on the day of the meeting in Moscow of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God on August 26 / September 8 church holiday The meeting of this icon, and at the meeting place itself a temple was erected, around which the Sretensky Monastery was later located.

For the second time, the Mother of God saved Rus' from ruin in 1480 (commemorated on June 23 / July 6), when the army of the Khan of the Golden Horde, Akhmat, approached Moscow.

The meeting of the Tatars with the Russian army took place near the Ugra River (the so-called “standing on the Ugra”): the troops stood on different banks and were waiting for a reason to attack. In the front ranks of the Russian army they held the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, which miraculously put the Horde regiments to flight.

Third celebration Vladimir Mother Bozhei (May 21 / June 3) recalls the deliverance of Moscow from the defeat of Makhmet-Girey, Khan of Kazan, who in 1521 reached the borders of Moscow and began to burn its suburbs, but suddenly retreated from the capital without causing harm to it.

Many events took place before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. major events Russian church history: the election and installation of St. Jonah - Primate of the Autocephalous Russian Church (1448), St. Job - the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (1589), His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon (1917), as well as in all centuries before oaths of allegiance to the Motherland were taken and prayers were held before military campaigns.

Iconography of the Vladimir Mother of God

The icon of the Vladimir Mother of God belongs to the “Caressing” type, also known under the epithets “Eleusa” (ελεουσα - “Merciful”), “Tenderness”, “Glycophilus” (γλυκυφιλουσα - “Sweet kiss”). This is the most lyrical of all types of iconography of the Virgin Mary, revealing the intimate side of the Virgin Mary’s communication with Her Son. The image of the Mother of God caressing the Child, his deep humanity turned out to be especially close to Russian painting.

The iconographic scheme includes two figures - the Virgin Mary and the Infant Christ, their faces clinging to each other. Mary's head is bowed towards the Son, and He puts his hand around the Mother's neck. Distinctive feature Vladimir icon from other icons of the “Tenderness” type: left leg The Christ Child is bent in such a way that the sole of the foot, the “heel,” is visible.

This touching composition, in addition to its direct meaning, contains a deep theological idea: the Mother of God caressing the Son appears as a symbol of the soul in close communion with God. In addition, the embrace of Mary and the Son suggests the future sufferings of the Savior on the cross; in the Mother’s caressing of the Child, his future mourning is foreseen.

The work is permeated with completely obvious sacrificial symbolism. From a theological point of view, its content can be reduced to three main themes: “the incarnation, the predestination of the Child to the sacrifice and the unity in love of Mary the Church with Christ the High Priest.” This interpretation of Our Lady of Caress is confirmed by the image on the back of the icon of the throne with the symbols of the Passion. Here in the 15th century. they painted an image of the throne (etimasia - “prepared throne”), covered with an altar cover, the Gospel with the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, nails, a crown of thorns, behind the throne - Calvary Cross, a copy and a cane with a sponge, below is the floor of the altar flooring. The theological interpretation of etymasia is based on Holy Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers. Etymasia symbolizes Christ's resurrection and His judgment over the living and the dead, and the instruments of His torment are the sacrifice made to atone for the sins of mankind. The juxtaposition of Mary caressing the Child and the turnover with the throne clearly expressed sacrificial symbolism.

Arguments have been put forward in favor of the fact that the icon was double-sided from the very beginning: this is evidenced by the identical shapes of the ark and the husks of both sides. In the Byzantine tradition, there were often images of a cross on the back of Mother of God icons. Starting from the 12th century, the time of the creation of the “Vladimir Mother of God,” in Byzantine murals, the etymasia was often placed in the altar as an altar image, visually revealing the sacrificial meaning of the Eucharist, which takes place here on the throne. This suggests the possible location of the icon in antiquity. For example, in the Vyshgorod monastery church it could be placed in the altar as a double-sided altarpiece icon. The text of the Legend contains information about the use of the Vladimir icon as an altar icon and as an outside icon that moved in the church.

The luxurious attire of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which she had according to the news of the chronicles, also does not testify in favor of the possibility of its location in the altar barrier in the 12th century: “And there were more than thirty hryvnias of gold on it, in addition to silver and in addition to expensive stones and pearls, and Having decorated it, put it in your church in Volodymeri.” But many of the external icons were later strengthened precisely in iconostases, like the Vladimir Icon in the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow, originally placed to the right of the royal doors: “And having brought in<икону>to the supreme temple of her glorious Dormition, which is the great Cathedral and Apostolic Church Russian Metropolis, and placed it in an icon case on the right side of the land, where to this day it stands visible and worshiped by all” (See: Book Degree. M., 1775. Part 1. P. 552).

There is an opinion that the “Vladimir Mother of God” was one of the lists of the icon of the Mother of God “Caressing” from the Blachernae Basilica, that is, a list with the famous ancient miraculous icon. In the Legend of the Miracles of the Icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, she is likened to the Ark of the Covenant, like the Virgin Mary herself, as well as her Robe, which was kept in the rotunda of Agia Soros in Blachernae. The Legend also speaks of healings that are accomplished mainly thanks to the water from the ablutions of the Vladimir Icon: they drink this water, wash the sick with it, and send it to other cities in sealed vessels to heal the sick. This miracle-working of waters from the washing of the Vladimir icon, emphasized in the Legend, could also be rooted in the rituals of the Blachernae sanctuary, the most important part of which there was a chapel of a spring dedicated to Our Lady. Constantine Porphyrogenitus described the custom of washing in a font in front of a marble relief of the Mother of God, from whose hands water flowed.

In addition, this opinion is supported by the fact that under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in his Vladimir principality, the cult of the Mother of God, associated with Blachernae shrines, received special development. For example, on the Golden Gate of the city of Vladimir, the prince erected the Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Mother of God, directly dedicating it to the relics of the Blachernae Temple.

Style of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

The time of painting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, the 12th century, refers to the so-called Komninian revival (1057-1185). This period in Byzantine art is characterized by the extreme dematerialization of painting, carried out by drawing faces and clothes with numerous lines, whitening slides, sometimes whimsically, ornamentally placed on the image.

In the icon we are considering, the most ancient painting of the 12th century includes the faces of the Mother and the Child, part of the blue cap and maforium border with a gold assist, as well as part of the ocher chiton of the Child with a gold assist with sleeves to the elbow and the transparent edge of the shirt visible from under it, a brush left and part right hand The baby, as well as the remains of the golden background. These few surviving fragments represent a high example of the Constantinople school of painting of the Komnenian period. There is no deliberate graphic quality characteristic of the time; on the contrary, the line in this image is nowhere opposed to volume. The main means of artistic expression is built on “the combination of insensible flows, giving the surface the impression of not being made by hands, with a geometrically pure, visibly built line.” “The personal letter is one of the most perfect examples of “Comnenian floating”, combining multi-layered sequential modeling with the absolute indistinguishability of the stroke. The layers of painting are loose, very transparent; the main thing is in their relationship with each other, in the transmission of the lower ones through the upper ones.<…>Complex and transparent system the relationship of tones - greenish sankira, ocher, shadows and highlights - leads to a specific effect of diffused, flickering light.”

Among Byzantine icons Komninian period, the Vladimir Mother of God is also distinguished by the characteristic the best works this time deep penetration into the area human soul, her hidden secret suffering. The heads of Mother and Son pressed against each other. The Mother of God knows that Her Son is doomed to suffer for the sake of people, and sorrow lurks in Her dark, thoughtful eyes.

The skill with which the painter was able to convey the subtle spiritual state, most likely, served as the origin of the legend about the painting of the image by the Evangelist Luke. It should be recalled that the painting of the early Christian period, the time when the famous evangelist icon painter lived, was flesh and blood of the art of late antiquity, with its sensual, “life-like” nature. But, in comparison with the icons of the early period, the image of the Vladimir Mother of God bears the stamp of the highest “spiritual culture”, which could only be the fruit of centuries-old Christian thoughts about the coming of the Lord to earth, the humility of His Most Pure Mother and the path they traversed of self-denial and sacrificial love.

Revered miraculous lists with icons of the Vladimir Mother of God

Over the centuries, many copies have been written from the Vladimir Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some of them became famous for their miracles and received special names depending on their place of origin. This:

  • Vladimir - Volokolamsk icon (memory of Mr. 3/16), which was the contribution of Malyuta Skuratov to the Joseph-Volokolamsk monastery. Nowadays it is in the collection of the Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after Andrei Rublev.
  • Vladimirskaya - Seligerskaya (memory D. 7/20), brought to Seliger by Nil Stolbensky in the 16th century.
  • Vladimir - Zaonikievskaya (memory M. 21. / John 3; John 23 / Ill. 6, from the Zaonikievsky monastery), 1588.
  • Vladimirskaya - Oranskaya (memory M. 21 / John 3), 1634.
  • Vladimirskaya - Krasnogorskaya (Montenegorskaya) (memory M. 21 / John 3). 1603
  • Vladimir - Rostov (memory Av. 15/28), XII century.

Troparion to the Icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir, tone 4

Today the most glorious city of Moscow is brightly adorned, / as if we have received the dawn of the sun, O Lady, Your miraculous icon, / to which we now flow and pray to You we cry out: / O, most wonderful Lady Theotokos, / pray to You, our incarnate God, / may He deliver the city this and all Christian cities and countries are unharmed from all the slander of the enemy, // and our souls will be saved by the Merciful.

Kontakion to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, tone 8

To the chosen victorious Governor, / as those who were delivered from the evil ones by the coming of Your honorable image, / Lady Theotokos, / we brightly celebrate the celebration of Your meeting and usually call You: // Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.

Prayer to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, All-Powerful Intercessor, our shameless Hope! Thanking Thee for all the great blessings that the Russian people have received from Thee throughout the generations, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (or: this whole, or: this holy monastery) and Thy coming servants and the whole Russian land from famine, destruction , land of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. Save and save, Lady, our Great Lord and Father Kirill, His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and our Lord (name of the rivers), His Eminence Bishop (or: Archbishop, or: Metropolitan) (title), and all the Eminence metropolitans, archbishops and Orthodox bishops. May they govern the Russian Church well, and may the faithful sheep of Christ be preserved indestructibly. Remember, Lady, the entire priestly and monastic order, warm their hearts with zeal for God and strengthen them to walk worthy of their calling. Save, O Lady, and have mercy on all Your servants and grant us the path of the earthly journey without blemish. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for More Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, abstinence in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for our enemies, success in good deeds. Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensibility, and on the terrible day of Judgment, grant us through Your intercession to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God. To Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

______________________________________________________________________

These long and numerous movements of the icon in space are poetically interpreted in the text of the Legend of the Miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which was first found by V.O. Klyuchevsky in Milyutin’s Chetya-Minea, and published according to the list of the collection of the Synodal Library No. 556 (Klyuchevsky V.O. Tales of the Miracles of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. - St. Petersburg, 1878). In this ancient description they are likened to the path that the sun's luminary takes: “When God created the sun, he did not make it shine in one place, but, going around the entire Universe, it illuminates with its rays, so this image of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is not in one place... but , going around all countries and the whole world, enlightens..."

Etingof O.E. TO early history icons of the “Vladimir Mother of God” and the traditions of the Blachernae cult of the Mother of God in Rus' in the 11th-13th centuries. // Image of the Mother of God. Essays on Byzantine iconography of the 11th-13th centuries. – M.: “Progress-Tradition”, 2000, p. 139.

Ibid., p. 137. In addition, N.V. Kvilidze unveiled the painting of the deacon of the Trinity Church in Vyazemy at the end of the 16th century, where on the southern wall there is a liturgy in a church with an altar, behind which is an icon of Our Lady of Vladimir (N.V. Kvilidze. Newly discovered frescoes of the altar of the Trinity Church in Vyazemy. Report in the Department of Ancient Russian Art V State Institute art history April 1997).

Etingof O.E. To the early history of the icon “Our Lady of Vladimir”...

Throughout its history it was recorded at least four times: in the first half of the 13th century, at the beginning of the 15th century, in 1521, during alterations in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin and before the coronation of Nicholas II in 1895-1896 by restorers O. S. Chirikov and M. D. Dikarev. In addition, minor repairs were carried out in 1567 (at the Chudov Monastery by Metropolitan Athanasius), in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Kolpakova G.S. Art of Byzantium. Early and middle periods. – St. Petersburg: Publishing house “Azbuka-Classics”, 2004, p. 407.

Ibid., p. 407-408.

You have read the article "". You may also be interested in: