Ancient Russian icon. The first Christian icons. Encaustic icon painting

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The earliest prayer icons that have survived to this day date back to the period no earlier than the 6th century. They were made using the encaustic technique (gr. ἐγκαυστική - burning out), when the paint was kneaded on heated wax. It should be noted that all paints consist of paint powder (pigment) and a binder - oil, egg emulsion or, as in this case, wax.

Encaustic was the most common painting technique ancient world. It was from ancient Hellenistic culture that this painting came to Christianity.

Encaustic icons are characterized by a certain "realism" in the interpretation of the image. The desire to document reality. This is not just a cult object, it is a kind of "photo" - a living evidence of the real existence of Christ, the Virgin, saints and angels. After all, the holy fathers considered the very fact of the true incarnation of Christ to be the justification and meaning of the icon. The invisible God, who has no image, cannot be depicted.

But if Christ was truly incarnate, if His flesh was real, then it was pictorial. As later wrote Rev. John of Damascus: “In ancient times, God, incorporeal and without form, was never portrayed. Now, when God appeared in the flesh and lived among people, we portray the visible God. It is this testimony, a kind of "documentary" that permeated the first icons. If the gospel literally, the good news is a kind of reportage about the incarnate Lord, crucified for our sins, then the icon is an illustration of this reportage. There is nothing surprising here, because the very word icon - εἰκών - means "image, image, portrait."

But the icon conveys not only and not so much the bodily appearance of the depicted. As the same Rev. John: "Every image is the discovery and indication of the hidden." And on the first icons, despite the "realism", the illusory transmission of light and volume, we also see signs of the invisible world. First of all, it is a halo - a disk of light surrounding the head, symbolizing the grace and radiance of the Divine (St. Simeon of Thessalonica). In the same way, the icons also depict symbolic images of incorporeal spirits - angels.

The most famous encaustic icon now is probably the image of Christ the Almighty, kept in the monastery of St. Byzantine Empire, did not suffer from iconoclasm).

The Sinai Christ is painted in the free pictorial manner inherent in the Hellenistic portrait. Hellenism is also characterized by a certain asymmetry of the face, which in our time has caused a lot of controversy and inspired some to search for hidden meanings. This icon, most likely, was painted in one of the workshops of Constantinople, as evidenced by the high level of its execution.

Christ Almighty. VI century. Monastery of St. Catherine. Sinai

The same circle, most likely, also includes the icons of the Apostle Peter and the Mother of God on the throne, accompanied by saints and angels.

Apostle Peter. VI century. Monastery of St. Catherine. Sinai

The Theotokos with the upcoming Saints Theodore and George. VI century. Monastery of St. Catherine. Sinai

The Mother of God is depicted as the Queen of Heaven, seated on a throne, accompanied by saints dressed in court robes and angels. Mary’s royalty and humility are both interestingly demonstrated: at first glance, she is dressed in a simple dark tunic and maforium, but its dark purple color tells us that this is purple, and purple robes in the Byzantine tradition could only be worn by the Emperor and Empress.

A similar image, but painted later in Rome, represents the Mother of God - already without any hints - in full imperial vestments and a crown.

Mother of God - Queen of Heaven. Early 8th century. Rome. Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastavere

The icon has a ceremonial character. It follows the style of ceremonial imperial images. At the same time, the faces of the depicted characters are filled with softness and lyricism.

Mother of God - Queen of Heaven. Angel. Fragment

The image of the saints in court clothes was supposed to symbolize their glory in the Kingdom of Heaven, and to convey this height, the Byzantine masters resorted to familiar, understandable forms for their time. The image of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, now kept in Kyiv in the Bogdan and Varvara Khanenko Museum of Art, is executed in the same style.

Sts. Sergius and Bacchus. VI century. Kyiv. Museum of Arts. Bogdan and Varvara Khanenko

But, in addition to the refined art of the cultural centers of the Empire, early iconography is represented by more ascetic style, which is distinguished by greater sharpness, a violation of the proportions of the depicted characters, an emphasized size of heads, eyes, and hands.

Christ and St. Mina. VI century. Paris. Louvre

Such icons are characteristic of the monastic environment of the East of the Empire - Egypt, Palestine and Syria. The harsh, sharp expressiveness of these images is explained not only by the level of provincial masters, undoubtedly different from the capital, but also by local ethnic traditions and the general ascetic orientation of this style.

Bishop Abraham. VI century. State Museums of Dahlem. Berlin.

Without any doubt, one can be convinced that long before the iconoclastic era and the 7th Ecumenical Council, who condemned iconoclasm, there was a rich and varied tradition of icon painting. And the encaustic icon is only a part of this tradition.

To date, the oldest icon depicting Christ (in the iconography of Pantokrator) is an icon discovered in the Sinai monastery in the 19th century.

The icon was created in Constantinople in the middle of the 6th century and sent by Emperor Justinian as a gift to the Sinai monastery, for which at that time he was building a basilica and fortified walls.

It was established that, presumably in the 13th century, the icon was updated (drawn) with tempera painting. The original wax surface was cleaned during the restoration of the icon in 1962.

Restoration in 1962 revealed the original appearance ancient icon, which has been preserved almost completely, with the exception of a small loss in the part of the halo to the right of us. Late Byzantine records covered the most unusual detail of early iconography - an ancient background with a spatial niche and golden stars. The inscription “Jesus Christ the Lover of Man” was also introduced, which was absent initially, reflecting the late medieval perception of this image of Christ, in which they saw mercy and hope for salvation.

It is assumed that the source of the chosen type of Christ, shown as a handsome and majestic man in his prime, with a short broad beard and hair flowing to his shoulders, could be the image of Olympian Zeus, widely known throughout the Greco-Roman world from the many-copied sculpture by Phidias. Fame, a rare resemblance, the testimonies of contemporaries do not allow us to doubt that the conversion was conscious and, apparently, the image of Christ Pantocrator (“Almighty”) was supposed to supplant the image of the king of the gods in the ideas of recent pagans. At the same time, it is possible that the “authenticity” of the image could be confirmed in the images of the most ancient miraculous icons, which, according to the Byzantines, were created not by the will of man, but by the providence of God and, accordingly, had a special authenticity. In 574 such miraculous image Christ of Camuliana was solemnly transferred to Constantinople, where he became the palladium of the empire. At the end of the 7th century, the image of Christ, ascending to one of these miraculous icons, first appeared on the gold coins of Justinian P. It is noteworthy that this main image Empire, which acquired the status of a state symbol, belonged to the same iconographic type as Christ Pantocrator on the Sinai icon.

In the image of Christ, the ideas of kingdom and priesthood are iconographically emphasized. He is shown in a dark lilac (purple) chiton and himation, the color of which in Byzantium was unequivocally associated with imperial power. The half-figure of Christ is shown against the background of the sky with golden stars - a transparent symbol of eternity and the cosmos. The lower part of the background shows an ornate architectural niche with windows. In our opinion, this unusual building, reminiscent of a palace, a portal and a church apse at the same time, created the image of Jerusalem on the Mountain - heavenly kingdom, in which the depicted Christ Pantokrator rules. In his left hand he holds a huge book in a precious frame, decorated with a large cross. The book embodies the image of the Teaching, the Holy Scriptures, the "Word of God", and through the cross reminds of the Redeeming Sacrifice. In addition, it represents not just a code, but a liturgical gospel brought into the church at the Small Entrance and placed on the altar. It is significant that already early Byzantine authors interpreted this gospel carried in procession as an image of Christ appearing in the world in the majesty of heavenly glory.

Christ with the liturgical gospel, pressed with the front side to his chest, was associated with the high priest - the bishop who blesses the faithful during the service. The gesture of the two-fingered blessing is also expressive. In an era when there were the most different forms and there were images of blessing even with one index finger, the gesture of the Sinai Pantokrator is perceived as a formula acquired for centuries, which has a deep dogmatic content. As we know from medieval interpretations, three connected fingers symbolized the Holy Trinity, two raised and intertwined fingers, located one below the other, spoke of the mystical union in Christ of the divine and human nature. The gestures of Christ's hands embodied the most important ideas of the doctrine of the God-Man, incarnated on earth as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The hardest task creating an image, both earthly and heavenly, is solved in the Sinai icon with the help of a number of artistic techniques. One of them is a combination of multidirectional movements, the so-called contraposto, well developed in ancient Greek sculpture: the body is slightly turned in one direction, and the head in the other. There is an internal dynamic that removes the impression of the hieratic stiffness of the frontal pose and gives the whole plasticity of the figure activity and life-like persuasiveness.

Another technique is a deliberately asymmetric interpretation of the face of Christ, which consists of two halves of different character. The left one is calm, strict, detached, with a natural outline of a wide-open eye and an even arch of the eyebrows. The picture completely changes on the right side of the face - the eyebrow is raised and dramatically curved, it is echoed by a much more expressive drawing of the eye, as if peering intently. The icon painter seeks to create an image of the God-man, in which thoughts of an omnipotent cosmocrator, a strict vessel and a philanthropic, compassionate Savior would coexist at the same time and without contradiction. It is interesting that such an asymmetric interpretation of the face will become distinctive feature images of Pantocrator in the domes of Byzantine churches.

Scientists find in this icon the influence of the Fayum portrait

These icons have protected Russia for centuries. They stopped armies, healed the sick, and saved them from fires.

1. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

According to legend, the Vladimir icon Mother of God was written by the evangelist Luke himself. It was brought to Russia at the beginning of the 12th century as a gift to Prince Mstislav.

The icon was recognized as miraculous after it three times withdrew the invaders from Moscow.

Now the icon is in the church-museum of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi at the Tretyakov Gallery.

2. Icon "Trinity"

The famous icon "Trinity" was painted by Andrei Rublev in the 15th century for the iconostasis of the Trinity Cathedral. Over the 600 years of its existence, the icon has been renovated five times, but after the restoration in 1919, the author's layer was rediscovered.

Now the icon is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

3. Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

The Kazan icon of the Mother of God was found on the ashes in 1579 after the Mother of God appeared three times in a dream to the girl Matrona. Today, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most popular in Russia. It is believed that it was her patronage that helped Pozharsky's militia to expel the Poles from Moscow.

Of the three miraculous lists, only the St. Petersburg one has survived to our time, now it is stored in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

4. Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God

It is generally accepted that Tikhvin icon The Mother of God was found in Tikhvin in 1383. The icon is revered as miraculous. According to legend, it was her intercession in 1613 that helped save the Tikhvin Assumption Monastery from the invasion of the Swedes.

Now the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God is in the Tikhvin Assumption Monastery.

5. Smolensk Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

Smolensk icon Holy Mother of God was brought to Russia in the 11th century. Many miracles were attributed to her, including the salvation of Smolensk from the invasion of Batu Khan in 1239.

There are many lists Smolensk icon, but the prototype was lost during the occupation of Smolensk German troops in 1941.

6. Iberian Icon of the Mother of God

The Iberian icon in the 9th century was kept in the house of a pious widow, who saved it from destruction by lowering it into the sea. Two centuries later, the icon appeared to the monks of the Iberian Monastery on Mount Athos.

In the 17th century, a copy of the miraculous icon was brought to Russia. Today you can bow to the image in the Novodevichy Convent.

7. Don Icon of the Mother of God

The Don Icon of the Mother of God is two-sided, on the back is depicted the Assumption of the Mother of God. The authorship of the icon is attributed to Theophanes the Greek. According to legend, the Cossacks presented this miraculous icon as a gift to Dmitry Donskoy before the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380.

To date, the icon is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery and leaves it every year on September 1 (August 19, old style). On this day, the image is transported to the Donskoy Monastery for the celebration of the festive service.

8. Icon of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos

The Icon of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos dates back to the 12th century. In 1170, when Andrei Bogolyubsky besieged Velikiy Novgorod, during the procession along the walls, the icon was pierced by a random arrow. The icon wept, and the troops of Bogolyubsky fled in horror.

Until now, the image is stored in Sophia Cathedral in Veliky Novgorod.

9. Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God

The icon was found in the forest near Kursk on the day of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in 1295. In place of the acquired image, a spring immediately began to spring.

According to legend, after the Tatar-Mongol raid, the icon was cut in half, but as soon as its parts were combined, it miraculously “grown together”.

In 1920, the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God was taken out of Russia by the Wrangel army. Since 1957, it has been kept in the Cathedral of the Sign of the Synod of Bishops in New York.

10. Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God

The exact date of the writing of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God is unknown, but the first mention dates back to the 12th century. The icon is considered miraculous, it was saved from the fire several times, and in 1613 nun Martha blessed her son Mikhail Romanov with this icon when he was elected to the kingdom.

You can bow to the miraculous icon in Bogoyavlensko-Anastasin convent in Kostroma.

11. Pskov-Pechersk icon "Tenderness"

The icon "Tenderness" is a copy of 1521 from the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. According to legend, the Pskov-Caves icon protected Pskov from the siege of the Polish King Stephen in 1581.

Now the icon is in the Assumption Cathedral of the Pskov-Caves Monastery.

12. Saint Nicholas (Ugresh icon)

The Ugresh icon appeared to Dmitry Donskoy on his way to Kulikovo Field in 1380. Later, a monastery was founded at that place, in which the image was kept until the closing of the monastery in 1925.

Now the miraculous icon is in the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

13. Icon "Savior of Eleazar"

The manifest image of the Savior of Eleazar was acquired in November 1352. The icon was recognized as miraculous, and the tree on which the icon was found was walled up in the vault of the temple built at the place where the icon was found.

Since August 2010, the icon of the Savior of Eleazarovsky has been kept in the Savior-Eleazarovsky Monastery near Pskov.

14. Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Nikola Mozhaisky)

The icon was painted in the first half of the 17th century with the famous carved sculpture depicting Nicholas the Wonderworker with a sword in his hands. In 1993-1995, the icon was restored, revealing the lower layers of paint.

Now the image is in the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit in Mozhaisk.

15. Icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows

The revealed image of the Icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows was found in the bell tower in Vologda. Long years parishioners walked along it, mistaking it for a floorboard. The image was recognized as miraculous during the cholera epidemic in 1830.

To date, the revealed image has been lost, but one of the famous lists, the myrrh-streaming icon of the "Seven Arrows", is located in the Church of the Archangel Michael in Moscow.

16. Icon of the Holy Matrona of Moscow

Matrona of Moscow was canonized only in 1999, but her icon, painted in the 21st century, has already been recognized as miraculous. The list contains a particle of the cover and relics of the saint.

You can bow to the shrine in the Intercession Monastery in Moscow.

17. Icon of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg

Blessed Xenia of Petersburg was canonized in 1988, but they began to venerate the blessed one during her lifetime.

The most famous image is located in the Smolensk Church in St. Petersburg, where everyone can bow to him.

18. Icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord

The icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord was painted in 1403. For a long time Theophanes the Greek was considered its author, but recent studies have shown that an unknown icon painter of the same period painted the icon. The creation of the image is associated with the restoration and re-consecration of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Pereslavl-Zalessky.

From the 20th century famous icon stored in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

19. Icon of St. Spyridon Trimifuntsky

One of the miraculous images of Spyridon Trimifuntsky is located in the Church of the Resurrection of the Word on the Assumption Vrazhek. Inside the icon is an ark with the relics of the saint.

20. Icon of St. Basil the Blessed in prayer to Christ

The icon was painted in late XVI century for the Cathedral of the Intercession-on-the-Ditch, which is better known as St. Basil's Cathedral.

The icon is still kept in its original place and is one of the oldest images of the temple.

21. Savior Not Made by Hands Simon Ushakov

The Icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands was painted by Simon Ushakov in 1658. The icon painter was criticized for the uncharacteristic depiction of the face of Christ, but later this particular image became the most popular in Russia.

Now the icon is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

22. Icon of the Savior in the Force by Andrey Rublev

The icon of the Savior in Strength was painted by Andrei Rublev and his apprentices for the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir in 1408.

The icon can be seen in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

23. Icon of Seraphim of Sarov

One of the most revered icons of Seraphim of Sarov is kept in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow. The image is exact list from the cell icon of Shegehumenia Tamar and contains a rosary, part of the saint's mantle and part of the stone on which he prayed for a thousand days.

October 08, 2013

One way to know God

An icon is an image, an image. In Christianity, an icon is a written person or event associated with various bible stories. Icons in Russia have always been revered, they prayed to them, asked them for help.

Art critics consider images created according to standards to be icons. They must be made on lime board with the addition of letters and signs. But religion believes that sculptures, mosaics and paintings, as well as any images, can be icons, but on condition that they are given the veneration indicated by the Seventh Ecumenical Council.

The icon is one of the options for knowing God, the way to unite with him. Exist the following types icons: didactic (they literally describe biblical traditions), symbolic (allegories), mystical (images on the icon actualize their presence not essentially, but by action, carry energy) and, finally, liturgical (similar to mystical ones, participate in the formation of the liturgical space as "heaven on earth").

In Peru and Rome

According to their functions, icons carry liturgical, theological and symbolic, aesthetic and missionary functions.

But do people know which is the oldest icon? It was found in Peru. This icon is the oldest in the world. This icon was created even before our era. True, the icon is unusual for modern representation. It is made on an ancient bowl that was used in the temple. Scholars believe that the icon was painted by a civilization that preceded the Inca civilization. When they dug up the bowl, they also found household items of the temple. This suggests that the first images of the deity appeared a thousand years earlier than previously thought.

But there is also a very old icon, familiar to the eye. And not even alone. In 2010, Italian restorers discovered images of the four apostles - John, Peter, Andrew and Paul. Frescoes were found in the tomb of the aristocracy in Rome. During the study, which was conducted for two years, it was revealed that the icons were created in the fourth century AD. For two whole years the restoration of the icons went on. They were processed with a special laser that burned the layers of calcium carbonate on the frescoes. Also, the original colors of the icons were restored.

What did the apostles look like?

It is these icons, according to scientists, that gave the usual images of the four apostles. The faces of the saints were painted in Rome. Icons of the fourth century depicting St. Paul were not found in an isolated case. Previously, they were found in the same way. The difference is that this icon shows Paul alone. Thus, it turns out that this is his first icon.

It is worth recalling that an apostle is a messenger. Apostles are the disciples of Jesus. The Bible speaks of twelve direct disciples, broad sense there are apostles from seventy.

Interestingly, the apostle Paul was called after the Resurrection. In fact, he was not part of the direct disciples of Christ, but all the same, he is revered in the same way as the Apostle Peter. also the apostle Paul, also called Saul, considered himself an apostle of the Gentiles.

Apostle Peter

The Apostle Peter was born and lived in the family of a simple fisherman. Peter's original name is Simon. When he grew up, he got married. Together with his brother, he continued the family business and became a fisherman. Jesus, meeting Peter and Andrew, called them to follow him. Peter remained with his teacher until the end, becoming one of the favorite followers. Peter was very hot-tempered.

When Jesus was arrested, it was Peter who denied Christ three times, but then repented. After the resurrection of Christ, Peter became a preacher, performed amazing miracles. During the period of persecution, Peter was crucified on an inverted cross. It was his dying wish, he believed that he was not worthy to die like Jesus.

The oldest icon is not alone. At different religions have their oldest icons. Yes, it is interesting to look at ancient creations, but it is important that people believe in God, pray to God through icons.

Antique icons - the history of icon painting in Russia

The icon is a relief pictorial image of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God or the Saints. It cannot be called a picture, since it reproduces not what the artist has before his eyes, but a fantasy or a prototype that must be taken into account.

The history of icon painting goes back to ancient times and originates in early Christianity in Russia. This art is multifaceted and unique. And no wonder, since it fully reflects the glorious traditions and spirituality Russian people. This is both a cult object for the Orthodox and a cultural national treasure.

There is no strict chronology here, however, it is generally accepted that the first icons in Russia began to be used in the 10th century, when Christianity was adopted. Iconography remained the center of ancient Russian culture until the 17th century, when in the Petrine era it began to be replaced by secular types of fine art. Although Christian temples were present in Kyiv before, only after 988 the first stone church was built. Painting works were carried out by specially invited masters from Byzantium. Sometimes the most important parts of her painting were carried out using the mosaic technique.

Prince Vladimir I from Chersonese brought to Kyiv many shrines and icons. Unfortunately, over the years they have been lost. In addition, not a single icon of that time has survived from Chernigov, Kyiv, Smolensk and other southern cities to this day. However, one can talk about icon painting, given the numerous wall paintings. The most ancient icons in Russia could be preserved in Veliky Novgorod (on the territory of St. Sophia Cathedral).

By the beginning of the 13th century, the maximum flowering of domestic icon painting was observed near the artistic center of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. However, the invasion of Russia by Batu had a negative impact on the further development of icon painting. The harmony characteristic of Byzantium was gone from the icons, numerous writing techniques began to be simplified and conserved. But the artistic life was not completely interrupted. Russian masters continued to work in Rostov, in the Russian North and in Vologda. Rostov icons were characterized by significant expression, activity of images and sharpness of performance. This iconography has always stood out for its artistry, subtlety, and refined combination of colors.

But since the end of the 14th century, the entire artistic life of Russia has been concentrated in Moscow. It was here that numerous craftsmen worked: Serbs, Russians, Greeks. Theophan the Greek himself worked in Moscow. The icons of that time were able to prepare a serious basis for the flourishing of Russian icon painting at the beginning of the 15th century, in particular, the brilliant icons of Andrei Rublev. The increased importance of the master was given to paints and color scheme. It is not surprising that the Russian ancient iconography is a complex and great art.

In the icons of those times, the most important place was occupied by a variety of purple tones, shades of the heavenly, blue vault (they were used to depict a glow, thunderstorms). Novgorod icon painting of the 15th century was able to preserve the habitual love for light and bright colors. Intensive and defiant feeling color was characteristic of the Pskov school. In comparison with the sonorous color of Novgorod, famous tones dominate in it, with great moral tension in the faces of the saints. As for the era of Rublev, its main task was to revive faith in man, in his kindness and moral strength. Artists of that period possible ways tried to convey that icon painting is an art where every detail has great meaning.

To date, one of the most significant Orthodox believe such icons:

1. "Vladimir Mother of God". During the appeal to this icon, believers pray for deliverance from the invasions of enemies, for the strengthening of faith, for the preservation of the integrity of the country and the reconciliation of the warring. The history of this icon has its own roots in the distant past. It is considered to be the greatest shrine of the Russian land, which testifies to the special patronage of the Mother of God over Russian Empire in the XIV-XVI centuries during the raids of the Tatar hordes. There is a legend that this icon was created during the life of the Mother of God herself. The modern Orthodox Church associates any of the days of the three-time celebration of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God with the deliverance of the people from enslavement through prayers that were addressed specifically to this icon.

2. "Savior Almighty". This icon is often called "Savior" or "Saviour". In the iconography of Christ, this is the central image representing Him as the Heavenly King. It is for this reason that it is customary to put it at the head of the iconostasis.

3. "Kazan Mother of God". During the appeal to this icon, believers pray for the healing of the disease of blindness, asking for deliverance from enemy invasions. The Kazan Mother of God is considered an intercessor in difficult times. She blesses the young who have decided to marry. The presented icon is also asked for happiness and family well-being. That is why it is often hung by the crib. Today, the icon of the Kazan Mother of God is found in almost any church. The image of the Mother of God can also be found in most believing families. During the reign of the Romanov dynasty, such an icon was one of the most revered and important shrines, which allowed it to be considered the patroness of the royal family.

4. "Savior Not Made by Hands". In accordance with church tradition, the image of the Savior was considered the first icon. There is a legend that this happened during the earthly existence of the Savior. Prince Avgar, who was the ruler of the city of Edessa, was seriously ill. Hearing about the healings that Jesus Christ performed, he wanted to look at the Savior. He sent messengers for a painter to make a portrait of Christ. But the artist failed to fulfill the task, because the radiance came from the face of the Lord so strongly that the creator's brush could not convey His Light. However, the Lord wiped His pure face with a towel, after which His Image was displayed on it. Only after receiving the image was Avgar able to heal from his own illness. Today, prayers are addressed to the image of the savior, as well as requests for guidance on the true path, for getting rid of bad thoughts and saving the soul.

5. Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Nicholas the Wonderworker is known as the patron saint of all who are constantly on the road - pilots, fishermen, travelers and sailors, is the most revered saint in the world. In addition, he is the intercessor of those who have been unjustly offended. He patronizes children, women, innocently convicted and the poor. Icons with his image are the most common in modern Orthodox churches.

Seven-shot icon of the Mother of God

The history of the discovery of this icon goes back far into the past. It is believed that about four hundred years ago it was found on one of the bell towers of the Church of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian in Vologda region. Then, a peasant who had been suffering from lameness for a long time had a dream in which he had a long-awaited cure for his illness. A divine voice in a dream told him that if you make a prayer near the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, then the disease will leave him, the location of this shrine was also revealed to him.

Twice the peasant came to the bell tower at the local church and told about his dream, but no one then believed his stories. Only on the third time, after much persuasion, the sufferer was nevertheless allowed to go to the belfry. What was the surprise of the local residents, ministers of the Church, when on the stairs, instead of one of the steps, an icon was found, which everyone took for an ordinary perch. She looked like a canvas pasted on an ordinary wooden board. It was washed from dust and dirt, restored as far as possible, and then a prayer service was held to the Seven-shot Mother of God. After that, the peasant was healed of a painful illness, and the icon began to be revered by the clergy along with the rest. So, in 1830, cholera raged in the Vologda province. took the lives of many thousands of people. believing locals spent procession around the settlement, together with the icon, performing a prayer service to the Most Holy Theotokos. After some time, the number of sick people began to decline, and then the attack completely left this city forever.

After this incident, the icon marked many more truly miraculous healings. However, after the revolution of the seventeenth year, the Temple of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian, where the icon was located, was destroyed, and the icon itself disappeared. At present, the myrrh-streaming Icon of the Seven-shot Mother of God is located in Moscow at the Church of the Archangel Michael.

The very image of the Mother of God is quite interesting. Usually, on all icons, She appears with the Savior in her arms, or with angels and saints, but here the Mother of God is depicted in complete solitude, with seven swords thrust into Her heart. This image symbolizes Her heavy suffering, indescribable grief and deep sadness for her Son during her stay on earth. And this icon was painted on the prophecy of the holy righteous Simeon, cited in Scripture.

There is an opinion of some clergy that the seven arrows piercing the chest of the Virgin represent the seven most important human passions, sinful vices. There is also an opinion that the seven arrows are the seven holy sacraments.

Before this icon, it is customary to pray for the propitiation of evil hearts, in times of epidemics of disease, they also pray for the military, repaying their debt to the Motherland, so that the enemy weapon bypasses them. The one who prays, as it were, forgives the offenses of his enemies and asks for softening of their hearts.

The day of veneration of the Icon of the Seven-shot Mother of God is considered August 13 according to the new style or August 26 according to the old one. During prayer, it is desirable that at least seven candles be placed, but this is not necessary. At the same time, the prayer of the Long-suffering Mother of God and the Troparion are read.

At home, a specific location of the icon is not prescribed, so it can be located both on the iconostasis and in any other place, for example, on the wall at the entrance to main room. However, there are several tips for its location: it should not hang or stand near the TV, there should not be any photographs or images, posters around it.

The seven-shot image is a reflection of the gospel narrative about the arrival of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem on the 40th day after His birth. The holy elder Simeon, who served in the temple, saw in the Infant the Messiah expected by all and predicted trials and sufferings for Mary, which would pierce her heart like a weapon.

The icon of the Seven Arrows depicts the Mother of God alone, without the Infant Jesus. Seven swords or arrows piercing her heart (four swords on the left, three on the right) are a symbol of the sorrows that the Mother of God endured in her earthly life. The weapon itself, symbolically depicted with seven swords, means the unbearable mental anguish and sorrow that the Virgin Mary experienced during the hours of torment on the cross, crucifixion and death on the cross of her son.

According to the Scriptures, the number seven symbolizes the fullness of something: seven deadly sins, seven basic virtues, seven church sacraments. The image of seven swords is not accidental: the image of the sword is associated with the shedding of blood.

This icon of the Mother of God has another version of the iconography - "Simeon's Prophecy" or "Tenderness of Evil Hearts", where seven swords are located on both sides of three and one in the center.

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows is of Northern Russian origin, associated with its miraculous appearance. Until 1917, she stayed in the church of St. John the Evangelist near Vologda.

There is a legend about her miraculous acquisition. A certain peasant, who for many years was seriously suffering from incurable lameness and prayed for healing, had a Divine voice. He ordered him to find among the dilapidated icons that were kept on the bell tower of the Theological Church, the image of the Mother of God and pray to him for healing. The icon was found on the stairs of the bell tower, where it served as a step simple board covered with dirt and rubbish. The clergy cleansed the image and served a prayer service in front of it, and the peasant was healed.

Before the image of the Seven-shot Mother of God, they pray for the appeasement of the warring, for gaining the gift of patience in case of bitterness of the heart, in case of enmity and persecution.

Icon of the Holy Archangel Michael

Michael is considered a very important person in the heavenly hierarchy, the word Archangel means "leader of the angels." He is the main leader among the angels. The name Michael means "one who is like God."

Archangels have always been considered warriors and protectors of Heaven. Of course, the main patron and protector Christian faith Great Archangel Michael. It is worth noting that the Holy Archangel Michael is one of the most famous angels, he is also called the Archangel, which means that he is the most Chief of all disembodied forces.

According to Holy Scripture and tradition, he has always stood up for humanity and will always continue to serve as one of the main defenders of the faith. In front of the icons with the Archangel Michael, people ask for protection from the invasion of enemies, civil war, and to defeat opponents on the battlefield.

The Cathedral of Michael and all the incorporeal forces of heaven is celebrated on November 21, on September 19 the miracle of the Archangel in Colossae is celebrated. The mention of Michael can be seen for the first time in Old Testament, although Michael is not mentioned by name in the text, it was said that Joshua “looked up and saw a man standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand.”

In the book of Daniel, Michael appears along with the Archangel Gabriel to help defeat the Persians. In a later vision, she told Danilo that “at that time (the end of time) Michael, the Great Prince, will protect the people. A difficult time will come, such as has not been since the beginning of time ... "Thus, one can understand that Mikhail plays one of key roles as the protector of Israel, its chosen people, and the Church.

The Fathers of the Church also attribute the following event to Michael: During the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, he walked in front of them, in the form of a pillar of cloud during the day, and at night in the form of a pillar of fire. The strength of the great commander-in-chief was manifested in the destruction of 185 thousand soldiers of the Assyrian emperor Sennacherib, also the wicked leader Heliodor.

It is worth mentioning that there are many miraculous cases associated with the Archangel Michael, the protection of three young men: Ananias, Azarias and Misail, who were thrown into a red-hot furnace for refusing to bow to an idol. By the will of God, the commander-in-chief Archangel Michael transports the prophet Habakkuk from Judea to Babylon to give food to Daniel in the lions' den. Archangel Michael argued with the devil over the body of the holy prophet Moses.

During New Testament times, the holy Archangel Michael showed his power when he miraculously saved young man, which was thrown into the sea by robbers with a stone around his neck, on the shores of Athos. This story is in the Patericon of Athos, from the life of St. Neophyte.

Perhaps the most famous miracle associated with the great Saint Michael the Archangel is the salvation of the church at Colossae. A number of pagans tried to destroy this church by directing the flow of two rivers directly at it. The archangel appeared among the waters, and, carrying the cross, directed the rivers under the earth, so that the church remained standing on the ground and was not destroyed thanks to Michael. In the spring, the water of these rivers after this miracle event is said to have healing powers.

Russian people revere the Archangel Michael along with the Mother of God. The Most Pure Theotokos and Michael are always mentioned in church hymns. Many monasteries, cathedrals, churches are dedicated to the commander-in-chief of the forces of heaven, the Holy Archangel Michael. In Russia there was no city where there was no church or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

On the icons, Michael is often depicted holding a sword in his hand, and in the other he holds a shield, a spear, or a white banner. Some icons of Archangel Michael (or Archangel Gabriel) show angels holding an orb in one hand and a staff in the other.

Icon of the Kazan Mother of God

The most common and revered in Russia Orthodox icons These are icons of the Mother of God. Tradition says that the first image of the Mother of God was created by the Evangelist Luke during the life of the Mother of God, she approved the icon and informed her of her strength and grace. In Russian Orthodox Church there are about 260 images of the Mother of God glorified by miracles. One of these images is the icon of the Kazan Mother of God.

According to iconography, this image belongs to one of the main six iconographic types, which is called "Hodegetria" or "Guide". The Old Russian version of this icon, painted by a monk-icon painter in the image of the Byzantine Hodegetria, is distinguished by warmth, softening the regal posture of the original from Byzantium. The Russian Hodegetria has not a waist, but a shoulder image of Mary and the Infant Jesus, thanks to which their faces seem to come close to those who are praying.

In Russia, there were three main miraculous icons Kazan Mother of God. The first icon is a prototype miraculously revealed in Kazan in 1579, which was kept in the Kazan Mother of God Monastery until 1904 and was lost. The second icon is a list of the Kazan image and was presented to Ivan the Terrible. Later, this icon of the Mother of God was transported to St. Petersburg and transferred to the Kazan Cathedral during its illumination on September 15, 1811. The third icon of the Kazan Mother of God is a copy of the Kazan prototype, was transferred to the militia of Minin and Pozharsky and is now stored in Moscow in the Epiphany Cathedral.

In addition to these main icons of Our Lady of Kazan, a large number of her miraculous lists. Prayer before this image helps in all human sorrows, sorrows and hardships. Russian people have always prayed to her for the protection of their native land from foreign enemies. The presence of this icon in the house protects his household from all troubles, she points out, like a guide, the right path in making difficult decisions. Before this image, the Mother of God is prayed for with eye diseases. According to legend, during the miraculous acquisition of the prototype in Kazan, a miracle of insight happened from the blindness of the poor Joseph, who had been blind for three years. This icon blesses the young for marriage, so that it is strong and long.

The celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God takes place twice a year: in honor of finding the image on July 21 and in honor of the liberation of Russia from the Polish intervention on November 4.

Iberian Icon of the Mother of God

The Iberian Icon of the Mother of God, revered in Russia as miraculous, is a list from the most ancient icon, which is kept in the Iberian Monastery in Greece on Mount Athos and dates back to the 11-12th century. According to the iconographic type, she is Hodegetria. According to legend, the icon of the Mother of God, saved from iconoclasts during the reign of Emperor Theophilus (9th century), miraculously appeared to the Iberian monks. They placed her in the gate church and named her Portaitissa or Goal Keeper.

In this version of the Hodegetria, the face of the Virgin Mary is turned and inclined towards the Infant Jesus, who is presented in a slight turn towards the Virgin Mary. The Mother of God has a bleeding wound on her chin, which, according to legend, was inflicted by the opponents of the icons.

The miraculous image was well known in Russia. During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, the monks of the Iversky Monastery made a list from the prototype and delivered to Moscow on October 13, 1648. In the 17th century. The Iberian Mother of God was especially revered in Russia.

The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Iberia helps repentant sinners find the path and strength to repentance, relatives and friends pray for the unrepentant. The image protects the house from the attack of enemies and natural disasters, from fire, heals from bodily and mental ailments.

The celebration of the Iberian Icon is held on February 25 and October 26 (the arrival of the icon from Athos in 1648).

Icon of the Intercession of the Virgin

The icon of the Protection of the Virgin is dedicated to the great church holiday in Russian Orthodoxy - the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. In Russia, the word "cover" means cover and patronage. On October 14, Orthodox people pray to the Heavenly Intercessor for protection and help.

The Intercession icon depicts the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God, which happened in the 10th century in the Blachernae Church in Constantinople, besieged by enemies. During the all-night prayer, blessed Andrei saw the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God surrounded by angels, apostles and prophets. The Mother of God removed the veil from her head and spread it over the worshipers.

Two centuries later, in the 14th c. in honor of this holy event in Russia, a divine service was composed, main idea which was the unity of the Russian people under the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, for whom the Russian land is Her earthly lot.

There were two main types of Intercession icons: Central Russian and Novgorod. In Central Russian iconography, which corresponds to the vision of blessed Andrei, the Mother of God herself bears the cover. On the Novgorod icons, the Mother of God appears in the form of Oranta, and the veil is held and stretched over her by angels.

Prayer before the image of the Protection of the Virgin helps in everything, if the thoughts of the prayer are good and pure. The image helps to overcome our external and internal enemies, is a spiritual shield not only over our heads, but also over our souls.

Icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker

Among the numerous icons of saints in Orthodoxy, one of the most beloved and revered by believers is the image of St. Nicholas the Pleasant. In Russia, after the Mother of God, this is the most revered saint. In almost every Russian city there is a St. Nicholas Church, and the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is in every Orthodox church in the same limit with the images of the Mother of God.

In Russia, the veneration of the saint begins from the time of the adoption of Christianity, he is the patron saint of the Russian people. Often in iconography he was depicted from Christ to left hand, and on the right - the Mother of God.

Saint Nicholas the Pleasant lived in the 4th century. From a young age he served God, later became a priest, and then - the archbishop of the Lycian city of Myra. During his life, he was a great shepherd who gave consolation to all those who mourn and led the lost to the truth.

Prayer in front of the icon of St. Nicholas protects from all misfortunes and helps in solving any problems. The image of Nicholas the Wonderworker protects those traveling by land and sea, protects the innocently convicted, those who are threatened with a needless death.

Prayer to Saint Nicholas heals from illnesses, helps in enlightening the mind, in the successful marriage of daughters, in ending civil strife in the family, between neighbors, and military conflicts. Saint Nicholas of Myra helps in the fulfillment of desires: it is not for nothing that he was the prototype of Santa Claus, fulfilling Christmas wishes.

The Day of Remembrance of St. Nicholas the Pleasant is celebrated three times a year: on May 22, spring Nikola (the transfer of the relics of the saint to Bari in Italy in order to avoid their desecration by the Turks), on August 11 and December 19 - winter Nikola.

Russian icons in high resolution». Album creation: Andrey (zvjagincev) and Konstantin (koschey).