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History and meaning of the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God. The history of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God: the great defender of Russian lands

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 practically a 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. Highest spiritual and government officials, all Orthodox people They 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 the Mother of God protects Russia through the Vladimir Icon.

Days for celebrating the icon:
June 3 – in honor of the rescue of Moscow from Khan Makhmet-Girey in 1521.
July 6 - in memory of the liberation of Rus' from the Khan of the Golden Horde Akhmat in 1480.
September 8 - Presentation of the Vladimir Icon, in memory of the liberation of Moscow from the troops of Tamerlane in 1395.

WHAT DO YOU PRAY FOR BEFORE THE VLADIMIR ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

Vladimirskaya Icon of the Mother of God always prayed for the preservation of the country, for help in protecting it from enemies. People turn to this icon during various disasters and ask for help in healing from illnesses.
Through this image, the Mother of God helps to reconcile warring people, softens human hearts, helps to accept right decision, strengthens faith.
There were cases when prayers to the Vladimir Icon relieved infertility or diseases of the reproductive organs. The icon especially protects mothers and their children, promotes easy childbirth, gives health to babies, and helps with diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system.

It must be remembered that icons or saints do not “specialize” in any specific areas. It will be correct when a person turns with faith in the power of God, and not in the power of this icon, this saint or prayer.
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HISTORY OF THE APPEARANCE OF THE VLADIMIR MOTHER OF GOD

According to legend, the holy image of the Mother of God of this icon was created by the Apostle and Evangelist Luke directly on the surface of the table at which the Savior and the Blessed Virgin were having meals:

“Having written Your all-honorable image, divine Luke, divinely inspired writer Christ's Gospel, depicted the Creator of all in Your hands.”

Seeing the created image, the Mother of God said:

“From now on, everyone will please Me. May the grace of Him who was born of Me and Mine be with this image.”

At the beginning of the 12th century, a special list was made of this icon; the Vladimir Icon itself was in Constantinople at that time. The list was given as a gift to Yuri Dolgoruky, Grand Duke of Kyiv. The holy icon was brought to Kyiv and placed in the Mother of God Monastery.
Yuri Dolgoruky had several sons, they constantly quarreled with each other over their father's inheritance. One of the sons, Prince Andrei, was tired of the brothers' quarrels and in 1155, secretly from his father, taking an icon from the Mother of God Monastery, he headed to the north of the state to create his own principality there, which would be independent of Kyiv.

They made a platform for the icon and transported it on a special sled. Throughout the entire journey, Prince Andrei fervently prayed to the Mother of God.
After resting in Vladimir, the prince was about to continue moving, but having driven quite a bit from the city, his horses stopped. They tried to force them to move on, but all attempts were unsuccessful. Even after changing horses, nothing changed - the caravan did not move. Prince Andrei began to fervently pray to the Mother of God, and during prayer the Queen herself appeared to him, commanding that the miraculous icon be left in Vladimir, and that the cathedral that the prince would have to build would become its home. So this image received the name - the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
To Moscow Vladimir icon was transported in 1480. It was placed in the Assumption Cathedral, and in Vladimir there remained a copy of the icon written Rev. Andrew Rublev.

The meeting place (or “presentation”) of the icon in Moscow is immortalized by the Sretensky Monastery, which was erected in honor of this event, and the street was named Sretenka.

Immediately after the revolution, the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin was closed. In 1918, the miraculous image of the Mother of God was transferred to the State Tretyakov Gallery, where the icon remained until September 8, 1999. Then it was moved from the Tretyakov Gallery to the Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi.

SOME MIRACLES THAT THE ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF VLADIMIR WORKED

In history there is a lot of evidence of unusual miracles that occurred with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
In 1395, Khan Tamerlane and his troops attacked Rus'. At this time, in a procession of the cross, for more than ten days, they carried the icon in their hands from Vladimir to Moscow. People stood on both sides of the path and prayed to the Holy image on the icon: “Mother of God, save the Russian land!” Following these prayers, Tamerlane had a dream that Christian saints descended from the top of a high mountain, in their hands they held rods of gold, and a Majestic Woman appeared above them and told him to leave Rus' alone. Tamerlane woke up in alarm and sent for dream interpreters, who explained to the khan that the radiant Woman was the image of the Mother of God, the protector of all Christians. Having stopped his campaign, Tamerlane left Rus'.

In 1451, during the Tatar attack on Moscow, Metropolitan Jonah carried the icon in a procession along the city walls. At night, the attackers heard a loud noise and decided that Prince Vasily Dmitrievich was coming with his army to help the besieged; in the morning they lifted the siege and retreated from the city walls.

In 1480, a battle between Russian troops and the Tatar-Mongols was supposed to take place. The opponents stood on different banks of the river and prepared for battle, but it never took place. This “great stand on the Ugra River” ended with the flight of the Tatar-Mongols, to which the Mother of God turned them through her Vladimir Icon, which was in front of the Russian army.

In 1521, the Khan’s troops once again approached Moscow, began to burn the settlements, but unexpectedly withdrew from the city without causing significant harm to the capital. This event is also associated with protection miraculous icon, in whose honor her third holiday was established.

The icon of the Vladimir Mother of God has always taken part in important events of our state. With it, the people went to the Novodevichy Convent to Boris Godunov to install him as king; this icon met the troops of Minin and Pozharsky, who in 1613 expelled the Polish invaders.

For our country, the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God is of great importance. During times of difficult trials, prayers to her more than once saved Rus' from destructive enemy attacks, which were repelled thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God through Her holy icon.

Interesting fact

Part of the image of the Vladimirskaya icon (eye and nose) was taken for the logo of the film company Icon Productions, created in 1989 by Mel Gibson. This studio has produced films such as The Passion of the Christ and Anna Karenina.

GREATNESS

We magnify, we magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and we honor Your image
Holy One, grant healing to all who come with faith.

VIDEO

Rejoice, thou who has loved Orthodox Rus'; Rejoice, you who established the true faith in her... Rejoice, our warm Prayer Book; Rejoice, zealous Intercessor! Rejoice, Most Pure One, flowing mercy to us from Your icon.

From the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos
in honor of the icon of Her Vladimir

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.

This amazing icon is difficult to describe in words, because they all seem empty before the gaze that looks at us. Everything is in this gaze: life and death, and resurrection, eternity, immortality.

According to the most ancient legend, the holy evangelist, doctor and artist Luke painted three icons of the Virgin Mary. Looking at them, the Most Pure One said: “Let the grace of Him who was born of Me and Mine be with the holy icons.” One of these icons is known to us under the name of Vladimir.

Until 450, this image of the Lady remained in Jerusalem, and then was transferred to Constantinople. In the first half of the 12th century, Patriarch of Constantinople Luka Chrysoverkh sent the icon (together with another image of the Mother of God, known as the “Pirogovaya”) as a gift to Grand Duke Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky, who placed the image in the Vyshgorod nunnery near Kiev, in an area that once belonged to the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga. In 1155, Vyshgorod became the inheritance of Prince Andrei, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky.

Having decided to move to his native Suzdal land, Prince Andrei, without his father’s knowledge, took the icon with him. On the way, he constantly served prayers before her. The residents of Vladimir-on-Klyazma greeted their prince with zeal and joy; From there the prince headed further to the city of Rostov. However, having driven no more than ten miles from Vladimir, the horses stood on the banks of the Klyazma and, despite urging, did not want to go further. They harnessed the fresh ones, but even those did not go. Struck, Prince Andrei fell in front of the icon and began to pray tearfully. And then the Mother of God appeared to him with a scroll in her hand and commanded him to leave Her image in the city of Vladimir, and on the site of this appearance to build a monastery in honor of Her Nativity.

The prince placed the icon in Vladimir, and from that time - from 1160 - it received the name Vladimir.

In 1164, this icon accompanied Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky on a campaign against the Volga Bulgars. Before the battle, the prince confessed and took communion; Having fallen before the image of the Mother of God, he exclaimed: “Everyone trusts in You, Lady, and will not perish!” The entire army, following their prince, kissed the miraculous woman with tears and, calling on the Most Pure One for intercession, moved into battle. The wicked were defeated.

After the victory on the battlefield, a prayer service was performed before the holy icon. During it, in full view of the entire Russian army, a miracle was revealed: from the image and from Life-giving Cross A wondrous light began to dawn, illuminating the entire area.

And at the other end of the Christian world, but exactly on the same day and hour Byzantine emperor Manuel saw the light from the Cross of the Lord and, reinforced by this sign, defeated his Saracen enemies. After the relationship of Prince Andrew with the Emperor of the Second Rome, on August 1, the holiday of the Origin (wearing down) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, known among the people as the First Savior, was established.

Many other miracles were revealed from the miraculous image.

In 1395, Tamerlane with hordes of Tatars approached Moscow. The Christian people had only hope for God's help. And then the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Dmitrievich ordered to bring the icon from Vladimir to Moscow. The Lady’s journey from the banks of the Klyazma lasted ten days. On both sides of the road, kneeling people stood and, stretching out their hands to the icon, cried out: “Mother of God, save the Russian land!” A solemn meeting awaited the Vladimir Icon in the white stone: a religious procession with all the city clergy, the family of the Grand Duke, boyars and ordinary Muscovites came to the city walls on Kuchkovo Field, met and escorted the miraculous one to the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin.

It was August 26th. “The whole city came out in front of the icon to meet it,” the chronicler testifies. Metropolitan, Grand Duke, “husbands and wives, young men and virgins, children and babies, orphans and widows, from young to old, with crosses and icons, with psalms and spiritual songs, moreover, saying everything with tears, who cannot find a person, not crying with silent sighs and sobs.”

And the Mother of God heeded the prayer of those who trusted in Her. At the very hour of the meeting of the miraculous on the banks of the Moscow River, Tamerlane had a sleepy vision in his tent: saints with golden staves were descending from a high mountain, and above them in indescribable grandeur, in the radiance of bright rays, the Radiant Woman was hovering; countless hosts of Angels with fiery swords surrounded Her... Tamerlane woke up, trembling with horror. The wise men he convened, elders and Tatar fortune-tellers, explained that the Wife he had seen in a dream was the Intercessor of the Orthodox, the Mother of God, and that Her power was invincible. And then the Iron Lame ordered his hordes to turn back.

Both the Tatars and the Russians were amazed by this event. The chronicler concluded: “And Tamerlane fled, driven by force Holy Virgin!»

Grateful Muscovites lined up at the meeting place of the miraculous August 26, 1395 Sretensky Monastery: “Let people not forget the works of God.” So, after 242 years of stay on the banks of the Klyazma, the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir moved to Moscow and was placed in the Kremlin Cathedral in honor of the Dormition of the Most Pure One. Moscow owes its blessings for deliverance from the raids of Khan Edigei in 1408, the Nogai prince Mazovshi in 1451, and his father, Khan Sedi-Akhmet in 1459.

In 1480, the Horde Khan Akhmat moved to Moscow and already reached the Ugra River in Kaluga. Grand Duke Moscow John III was waiting on the other side of the river. Suddenly the Tatars were attacked by such a strong and causeless fear that Akhmat did not dare to go to the Russian army and turned back to the steppe. In memory of this event, a religious procession from the Assumption Cathedral to the Sretensky Monastery began to be held annually in Moscow. And the Ugra River has since been known as the Belt of the Virgin Mary.

In 1521, the Kazan Khan Makhmet-Girey led the Kazan and Nogai Tatars to Moscow. Metropolitan Varlaam and all the people prayed earnestly before the face of Vladimir. Grand Duke Vasily Ivanovich barely had time to gather an army to meet the Tatars at the far frontier, on the Oka River. Holding back their onslaught, he slowly retreated to Moscow.

On the very night of the siege, the nun of the Kremlin Ascension Monastery saw the saints coming out through the locked doors of the Assumption Cathedral, carrying the miraculous Vladimir in their hands. These were the holy metropolitans of Moscow Peter and Alexy, who lived two centuries earlier. And the nun also saw how the Venerable Varlaam of Khutyn and Sergius of Radonezh met the procession of saints at the Spasskaya Tower - and fell prostrate before the icon, praying to the Most Pure One not to leave the Assumption Cathedral and the people of Moscow. And then the Intercessor returned through the locked doors.

The nun hastened to tell the townspeople about the vision. Muscovites gathered in the temple and began to pray fervently. And the Tatars again saw a vision of “a great army, shining with armor,” and they fled from the walls of the city.

So more than once our Fatherland was saved by the people's prayer before the miraculous image of Vladimir. In memory of these deliverances, the celebration of the Vladimir Icon was established: May 21 - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of the Crimean Khan Makhmet-Girey in 1521; June 23 - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of Khan Akhmat in 1480; August 26 - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane in 1395.

A special edition of the Vladimir Icon is called the “Tree of the Moscow State”. The first such icon was painted at the end of Ancient Rus', in 1668, by the royal icon painter Simon (Pimen) Ushakov for the Trinity Church in Nikitniki in Kitay-Gorod. It depicts Saints Peter and Alexy watering a lush tree growing from behind the Kremlin wall; on the branches there are medallions with a host of Russian saints, and in the center there is an oval image of Vladimirskaya. Just as in the icon “Praise of the Mother of God” the biblical prophets are written with unfolded scrolls, on which the words of the akathist are inscribed, so in this image heavenly patrons The Russians glorify and praise the Most Pure One, praying to Her for intercession for the Russian state.

Troparion, tone 4

Today the most glorious city of Moscow brightly flaunts, as if we have received the dawn of the sun, O Lady, Thy miraculous icon, to which we now flow and pray to Thee, we cry out to thee: O Most Wonderful Lady, Mother of God, pray from Thee to the incarnate Christ our God, that He may deliver this city and all Christian cities and countries are unharmed from all the slander of the enemy, and our souls will be saved by the Merciful.

Prayer

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: all this; 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, Madam, our Great Lord and Father (name of rivers), His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', and our Lord (name of rivers), Most Reverend Bishop (or: Archbishop; or: Metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend 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; 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.

One of the first places on the list of the most revered images in Russia is the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. Its significance for the country is enormous. At one time, prayer to her more than once saved Russia from crushing raids by invaders. Only thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God this was avoided.

The history and significance of the Vladimir Icon is majestic, first of all for the Russian people, because it is truly their protector.

The origin and journey of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

An ancient legend tells about the origin of the icon. He wrote it when the Mother of God was still alive. An image was created on a board from the table where the entire Holy Family had a meal.

Until 450, the icon was in Jerusalem; in the same year it was sent to Constantinople. There it was kept somewhere until approximately 1131.

In the 12th century, the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God was donated Kievan Rus Luke Chrysovergos (Patriarch of Constantinople). She was sent to the Mother of God Monastery in Vyshgorod.

When she had been there for some time, the icon was taken away from there by Andrei Bogolyubsky (son of Yuri Dolgorukov). On his journey, he stops in the city of Vladimir, where he received the sign of the Mother of God. On the site of this miracle, a temple was erected, in which the icon remained. Now it began to be called Vladimirskaya.

Today, there is a list there that was written by Andrei Rublev. The original icon was transferred in 1480 to the Assumption Cathedral, which is located in Moscow. Then the image was transferred two more times: in 1918 - to the Tretyakov Gallery, and in 1999 - to the Church of St. Nicholas. It is still stored in the latter.

The great shrine is the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Many stories have been recorded about the history and significance of the icon for the Russian people, which happened in ancient times and in modern times.

Miracles associated with this icon

There are really a great many of them. And they are connected not only with the original icon, but also with the lists that were created large number.

In addition to the threefold and recorded salvation of the Russian land from the invasion of foreign yoke, the Mother of God more than once manifested her will through her. For example, where the icon should have remained (in Vladimir), there was a sign for Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky during prayer.

In addition, even in the temple in Vyshgorod, cases of moving the icon were recorded. She seemed to find no place for herself. She was found three times in different parts temple, in the end, after prayer, Andrei Bogolyubsky took her with him to the Rostov land.

Then there were numerous cases of healing of ordinary people. For example, water washing an icon could cure a disease. This is how healing of the eyes and heart took place.

This is how the Vladimir Mother of God became. Its significance both for the common people and for the greats of this world was undeniable. She witnessed many important actions in Russia. This includes the appointment of patriarchs and military campaigns. They also swore allegiance to their homeland before her and carried out the coronation of several monarchs.

Prayer before the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

Prayer to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is truly salvation for a state in which there has been turmoil or schism. It will allow passions to subside, anger and enmity to moderate. In addition, when heretical sentiments arise, one should also offer prayer to this image.

Many believers turn to the icon during illness, and also when necessary to make any important decision.

The prayer begins with a respectful address: “O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos.” Next, he asks to protect people and the Russian land from various shocks, to protect the entire spiritual rank. Prayer to the Mother of God strengthens faith and gives strength to overcome adversity and troubles.

The meaning of the icon for Russia

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is the most beloved icon in Rus'. And in fact, she protected her from everything so much; numerous signs and healings were revealed.

Perhaps an interesting sign was that the Mother of God herself chose the place for her icon, which later became known as the Vladimir icon. This was her already mentioned appearance to Andrei Bogolyubsky.

Then there were some more signs of her intercession for the Russian land. For example, in 1395, a great invasion of the conqueror Tamerlane was expected, who had already conquered many lands and was approaching the Russian border. It seemed that the battle could not be avoided, but the universal prayer to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God did not allow this to happen.

According to one version, Tamerlane saw the Majestic Mother of God in a dream, who ordered him to leave this land.

And this happened more than once. People's faith increased after each successive salvation. became truly miraculous and most revered. A large number of lists were written from it, which are also worshiped by believers. It's always been important value icons The Vladimir Mother of God was especially revered in Rus'.

Days of celebration

Since the icon is considered a deliverer from external attacks on the Russian land, as well as its protector, celebrations in its honor take place three times a year. Each of these dates was chosen for a reason.

  • On August 26, the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God is venerated for liberation from Tamerlane in 1395.
  • On June 23, a celebration takes place in honor of the victory over the Tatar yoke, which happened in 1480.
  • May 21 is a celebration in honor of the victory over Khan Mahmet-Girey, which occurred in 1521.

Prayer to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God has saved Russia more than once.

Lists of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God

There are numerous copies that were written from this icon. The most famous are:

  • Orange icon. It was written in 1634.
  • Rostov icon. This image dates back to the 12th century.
  • Krasnogorsk icon. Its writing dates back to 1603.
  • Chuguev icon. Exact date creation is unknown.

These are not all available lists of icons. The first of them were written when the image had just appeared on Russian soil. Later they also created lists from it; now there are only two of the oldest.

Obviously, such diversity indicates that the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, whose significance for believers is great, is highly revered.

Iconography of the image

If we talk about writing this image, then its style is classified as “caressing”. It is characterized by the fact that icons of this type speak of the communication of the Mother of God and her Son, i.e. it is deeply human side Holy Family.

It is believed that this style of painting icons did not exist in early Christian art; it appeared much later.

This style of writing contains two central figures. This is the Mother of God and the baby Jesus Christ. Their faces are closely touching, the Son puts his hand around the Mother’s neck. This image is very touching.

The peculiarity that the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God has, its meaning is the appearance of the baby’s heel, which is not found on others similar to this type.

This icon is double sided. The reverse depicts the throne and the symbols of the Passion. This suggests that the icon itself carries a special idea. This is the future sacrifice of Jesus and the mourning of his Mother.

There is also an opinion that this icon is a copy of Our Lady of Caress from the Blachernae Basilica. Anyway Vladimir image has long become an independent miraculous face.

Other revered icons of the Mother of God

In addition to the Vladimir Mother of God, there are many more miraculous images that are consulted. So, in front of which icon of the Mother of God do they usually pray for what?

  • For example, prayer in front of the Iveron icon helps to increase the fertility of the earth, and it is also a comforter in various troubles.
  • Prayer before the Bogolyubskaya icon is a help during epidemics (cholera, plague).
  • At cancer diseases They offer prayers to the image of the Mother of God, the All-Tsarina.
  • The Kazan icon is a blessing for marriage, as well as a protector from various invasions and in difficult times.
  • The image of the Mother of God “Mammal” is very revered by nursing mothers, and prayers are also offered to him during childbirth.

As you can see, there are a lot of images that help believers with their miracles. You should always pay attention to the meaning of icons. The Vladimir Mother of God is no exception. It’s just that each of the images takes upon itself intercession in different situations. The Mother of God seems to embrace all the sorrows and sorrows of her subjects, helping them in difficulties.

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered Orthodox icons. Her story is mysterious. According to legend, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on the board of the table at which Jesus Christ, the Mother of God and Joseph the Betrothed had a meal. Until 450, the image remained in Jerusalem, then it was transported to Constantinople, and in the 12th century it came to Rus'.

Orthodox Christians believe that the icon, painted two millennia ago, has reached us in its original form. However, impartial scientists date the Mother of God of Vladimir beginning of XII centuries and believe that if it is related to the icon painted by the Evangelist Luke, it is only a copy of its more ancient copies. According to art historians, the Mother of God of Vladimir was painted in Byzantium.

Around 1131 Patriarch of Constantinople Luke Chrysoverg sent it to Kyiv as a gift to Prince Mstislav. The icon was placed in the Mother of God Monastery in the town of Vyshgorod, from here Ukrainian name This icon is Our Lady of Vyshgorod. In 1155, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky moved it to Vladimir, which is why in Russia the icon is known as the Vladimir icon. The shrine was kept in the main temple of the city - Assumption Cathedral. The prince ordered to decorate it with an expensive frame, the production of which, according to legend, took 5 kilograms of gold.

In 1237, Vladimir was captured by the Mongol Khan Batu. His troops plundered the Assumption Cathedral, smashed many icons, but only removed the frame from the Mother of God of Vladimir, and left the image itself unharmed.

Many miracles are associated with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. In 1395, during the devastating invasion of Rus' by Khan Tamerlane, the shrine was brought to Moscow to protect the city from the enemy. Ruining one city after another, Tamerlane's troops, having reached the outskirts of Moscow, stopped and, after standing in one place for two weeks, turned back. According to legend, Tamerlane had a vision: a woman appeared before him. high mountain, from which the saints in golden robes descended, and in the sky, surrounded by radiance, the Mother of God appeared and ordered the commander to leave the borders of Rus'. Tamerlane was seized with inexplicable fear, and he gave the order to retreat.

The miraculous salvation of the city from destruction was associated with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. At the meeting place (“Sreteniya”) of Muscovites with the miraculous shrine, the Sretensky Monastery was erected, which gave the name to Sretenka Street.

Icon Our Lady of Vladimir(detail)

In 1451, another miraculous deliverance of Moscow from the invaders took place. The Nogai prince Mazovsha with his army besieged the city. The Muscovites, whose forces were too small to resist the enemy, decided to resort to the help of their Heavenly Protectress. They took the Vladimir Icon from the Assumption Cathedral, where it had remained since the invasion of Tamerlane, and performed with it religious processions along the walls of the city, praying for the intercession of the Mother of God. The next day, the countless hordes of Mazowsha retreated. The legend says that the invaders heard an unusually loud noise. They decided that a huge army was approaching them and fled in fear.

The next miracle associated with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God occurred in 1480, during the epoch-making “standing on the Ugra River,” which put an end to the Tatar-Mongol yoke in Rus'. Grand Duke Ivan III refused to pay tribute to the horde, and Khan Akhmat sent his troops to punish the recalcitrants. The Russian and Tatar armies met on the Ugra River, and no one dared to be the first to cross the water barrier. The Russian wars kept the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in the forefront. The Tatars never dared to attack. They retreated and never returned to Russian soil.

The miraculous salvation of Rus' from the invasion of the Crimean Khan Makhmet-Girey in 1521 is also associated with the Vladimir Icon. The enemy's army of one hundred thousand, sweeping through the Russian lands like a devastating whirlwind and reaching Moscow, suddenly turned back. This miracle, like other supernatural deliverances from invaders, is considered by Orthodox Christians to be the work of the Mother of God the Intercessor.

After so many miracles associated with the Vladimir Icon, it began to be revered as one of the main Russian Orthodox shrines. Before her, they took an oath of allegiance to Russia, performed prayer services, went on military campaigns, and elected patriarchs and metropolitans.

Until 1918, the image was kept in Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, from where, after the closure of the temple, it was moved to the Tretyakov Gallery. Today the Vladimir Icon is located in the Church-Museum of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi. Her luxurious precious frame became a separate exhibit that added to the collection of the Armory Chamber.

Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Video

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God belongs to the iconographic type of Eleus or “Tenderness”. The Child Christ pressed his cheek to the cheek of his mother, whose head was bowed towards her son. The Vladimir icon differs from other icons of the Eleus type in that left leg the baby is bent in a special way and we can see her foot.

Over the nine centuries of its existence, the Vladimir Icon was recorded at least 4 times with new painting, and also survived several restorations. During one of the renovations at the beginning of the 15th century, a plot depicting Etymasia, the throne prepared for the second coming of Christ, and the instruments of the Passion of Christ, was written on the back side of the icon board.

The last large-scale restoration of the icon was carried out in 1919 with the aim of freeing ancient painting from later layers. Unfortunately, only small scattered fragments remain from the original letter.

From the Vladimir Icon it was written huge amount lists. Many of them are revered as miraculous, for example, the widely known Pskov-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” (1524). In addition, the famous shrine became the basis for the creation of new iconographic subjects, such as “The Tale of the Vladimir Icon,” “The Vladimir Icon with an Akathist,” “The Presentation of the Vladimir Icon,” and “Praise to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.” Tree of the Russian State."

Based on materials from the works of I. I. Mosin. For other articles about ancient Russian art, see below, in the block “More on the topic...”