Is it possible to give an icon as a birthday gift: the opinion of the church. To whom and what icon is it better to give? Types of personalized icons

Birthday

Wedding and wedding

Housewarming

Easter and Christmas

Icon is a wonderful gift

Choosing a gift is a responsible matter. You always want to please the person to whom the gift is intended, to give a piece of soul, warmth, to evoke a feeling of joy and a smile. Sometimes it’s easy to decide on a gift, but in other cases you have to carefully think through the details. Let's talk about icons. Giving such a gift always raises questions.

What is an icon? This is an Orthodox divine image, this is an image of the face of one or more saints. A piece of our worldview, our soul, our religion. Holy images must be present in every home, and must be consecrated in the church. The icon helps family members, provides invisible support and provides spiritual support. People turn their eyes, prayers and souls to the images; through icons they thank the saints or ask for help.

Is it possible to give icons as a gift? Signs from time immemorial have been divided into two sides. Most people approach such a gift with respect and reverence, while others with distrust and fear.

Where did the statement come from that icons cannot be given as gifts, no one can say with certainty. One can only assume that the very personification of a deity is comparable to idolatry. However, the church unequivocally refutes such a theory, believing that by concentrating on the divine face, a person creates inside himself a kind of dome through which the devil cannot break through. The devil easily penetrates into a person’s head, where chaos reigns. The Church is generally against any kind of superstition, considering it a sin.

So, giving icons is allowed. Now let’s try to figure out who can give an icon to, and in what cases such a gift would be appropriate.

Child Baptism

Previously, for the baptism of a baby, it was customary to give a “measured” icon, the size of the newborn baby. Now this is rarely done, however, the tradition still exists. You need to order such a gift in advance so that the icon painter has time to make it on time. Sometimes they give you a certificate confirming that the workshops are already working on creating the image.

Who is depicted on the “measured” icon? You can order the image “St. Guardian Angel" or "St. Stylian" (patron of children). Babies are still so fragile and defenseless, and looking at the image of their Angel, the child subconsciously begins to communicate with him, feeling support and warmth.

When asked which icon is given as a christening gift to a boy and which to a girl, any icon painting workshop will be happy to tell you. Nowadays it is not customary to name a child by the calendar, that is, by the name of the saint on whose day he was born, but this saint is usually present on the icon, since the child’s birthday is still given from above. They write the Guardian Angel, the saint in whose honor the child is named, and for girls they sometimes write “Virgin Mary”.

Having decided to do little man such a gift, there is no longer any need to doubt whether it is possible to give icons as a gift. Signs and other superstitions should in no way affect thoughts godparents. The soul must be pure and not clouded by doubts. This image of saints will protect and protect the baby throughout his life. He will turn to him with prayers, requests and thanks. The “measured” baptismal icon will become a family heirloom, while preserving the warmth of the soul of its donors.

Birthday

Which icon should I give for my birthday? Firstly, you need to definitely have only kind, heartfelt feelings for the person who is given such a gift. It is important to understand that such gifts are not given just like that; you cannot buy an icon as a souvenir. This is a part of the soul, it is forever. Some feelings of indifference or indifference towards a person should become a clear signal that you should choose another gift that does not carry such strength and power. Secondly, the person to whom the gift is intended must be a believer, so that the holy face can bring peace and spiritual support to his home.

But you can and even should give icons from the heart. The main thing here is to choose the right image, depending on who it is intended for. To a relative, colleague or just an acquaintance. We will offer several options. Depending on the type of hobbies and activities, you can choose which icon to give to a woman and which one will be more successful for a man.

« St. Sergius of Radonezh». A mentor in studies, given to schoolchildren

« St. Tatiana». Patron of students, given to applicants and students

« St. George the Victorious» given to conscripts into the Army

« Holy Archangel Michael» leads the heavenly army and patronizes all military personnel.

"St. Joseph Volotsky" Business Assistant. Patron of Orthodox entrepreneurs.

"St. Nicholas the Wonderworker" and "Guardian Angel" protect the driver on the road.

"Holy Mother of God " Everlasting color» Patron of femininity and chastity.

"Holy Mother of God "Education" helps parents in raising children

"St. Tryphon" Patron of hunters.

"Guardian angel" Protects his ward and contributes to his affairs.

"St. Efrosin Cook" Cooking assistant in the kitchen.

"Holy Mother of God "Protection" protector and helper to the suffering and needy.

"Holy Mother of God "Mammal" Patron of children, the wish that children grow up in abundance and not experience need.

"St. Apostles Peter and Andrew" Patrons of fishermen.

"Holy Mother of God " Burning bush» will protect you from fire.

"St. Matrona of Moscow" Patron of the suffering, the sick, possessing many miraculous abilities and healing.

"St. Great Martyr Catherine" Patron unmarried girls, helps in finding family happiness.

"Holy Mother of God "Inexhaustible Chalice" to get rid of drug and alcohol addiction.

"Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary" Patron of the family.

There is a huge variety of icons. You just need to choose what exactly you want to wish the person and decide on the purchase. Everyone will find an image to their liking. By giving it, seeing the sincere joy on the birthday boy’s face, all doubts about whether it is possible to give icons as a gift will be dispelled. Signs sometimes do not carry any negative connotation; they simply exist, like myths, without any evidence. An icon is always good and good.

Wedding and wedding

The custom of getting married in Russia arose relatively recently. In the seventeenth century, such rituals were performed exclusively by rich people, and a century later they became firmly established in the everyday life of ordinary people.

The sacrament of wedding is a wonderful rite performed on two people who have decided to devote their worldly and afterlife lives to each other. The purpose of a wedding is to tie the threads of generations into a single whole, in sorrow and in joy.

The most important thing in the ceremony are, of course, the images of the Holy Mother of God and the Lord Pantocrator; they are called the wedding couple. The holy faces are witnesses to the marriage of a couple. Images are selected in advance and this moment is carefully thought through. Since the wedding couple becomes a family heirloom, accompanying the newlyweds throughout life path hand in hand, then usually such a pair is ordered at wooden base, to be able to long-term storage and restoration. Later, the married couple is passed on to the next generation as a testament to their eternal love and vow to the Lord.

Wedding icons- this is the connection between lovers and the Almighty. Every time you look at them, the spouses will remember how they made vows to each other before God. The icon of the Savior reminds the spouse that he bears the cross of God’s marriage until the end of his days. The face of the Mother of God calls the spouse to virtue and motherhood. Having entered into marriage, a woman must become one with her husband, like the Mother of God, who unquestioningly fulfilled the will of the Lord.

With the wedding couple, the priest blesses the spouses, inextricably binding them into a single whole until the end of their days. With these icons, the newlyweds leave the temple to receive the blessing of their parents, who in turn also do this with the help of the consecrated wedding couple. After the blessing, the young spouses kiss the images and parents’ hands, forming a circle of generations and eternal love. When entering your home, you should find a good place for icons, light a lamp. The Almighty and the Mother of God will protect peace and happiness in the home of the newlyweds.

When preparing for the sacrament there are always many questions. Is it possible to give icons as a gift? Signs say that the newlyweds must purchase them themselves for their wedding. However, the church is not so categorical. Wedding icons can be presented by parents, godparents or even close relatives, or they can be purchased independently. There is no clear rule here and cannot be. An icon as a gift should come from the soul, from the heart, and the wedding couple is a stronghold family life, this is a blessing from heaven, a connection between generations.

An important point is the ceremony itself when parents bless their children. How to bless your daughter at a wedding? The parents stand nearby, the father is the first to bless his daughter with the icon of the Mother of God. He crosses her three times with parting words and conveys the image of his mother. The mother does the same. According to some sources, there is an opinion that only the mother should do this alone with her daughter and before the wedding. Perhaps it has to do with the traditions of a certain generation. But in any case, the most important thing is words. The parents' speech must be prepared in advance; one cannot rely on chance. The words spoken during the blessing will forever imprint the holy images. The power of parental guidance and prayer will greatly enhance the actions of holy images. Having received parental approval, it will be easier for newlyweds to follow the path of life.

How to bless your son at a wedding? Parting words from the parents are given to the groom in almost the same way as to the bride. Only the groom is blessed before leaving home to pick up the bride, and this is done with an icon of the Savior.

After the end of the wedding sacrament, the parents meet the newlyweds, bless them together and can give them inherited and family icons.

There are times when parents are not present. Then the blessing is received from godparents or congenial people, whose opinion is especially valuable for the newlyweds. The Church does not forbid this.

As for the guests, relatives, relatives and friends of the young spouses, they, in turn, can also present as wedding gift icons. You just need to understand which icon to give for a wedding. A holy image is not a piece of furniture, not a painting, you cannot take it and put it out of sight; you need to offer prayers to it, thank you for your help and ask for assistance. Let's consider some options as a wedding gift.

« St. Peter and Fevronia of Murom» - guardians of the family hearth

« Feodorovskaya icon» — an assistant to expectant mothers in raising children and creating family comfort.

« Holy Trinity» - wish God's blessing young people's home

« Cover. Mother of God» - the desire to remain under the protection of the Mother of God.

"Home iconostasis" — as a symbol of the beginning of a new family.

« Image of the holy forefathers » — wish for young people to become a large family

« Conception of John the Baptist » — is also a wish for a speedy addition to the family.

E These are just some of the options that can be given as wedding gifts to friends and family. Nowadays, there are many art workshops open where they will help you make a choice and produce them as desired in a short time.

Housewarming

So, we figured it out, Is it possible to give icons as a gift? Signs and superstitions very often originate from ancient times. Almost no new signs appear, only the old ones become overgrown with an ever-larger cocoon of human slander and fears.

As for housewarming, there is a sign. It turns out that even in times gone by, people gave the “Pokrov” icon as a housewarming gift. Mother of God" to wish the new residentswarmth and comfort in the family.Now they don’t just give her as a housewarming gift. Relay race of good deeds, good intentions read further.

Choosing an icon as a housewarming gift is not as difficult as for a baptism or wedding. The main thing is not to prevaricate and present the gift correctly. How to give an icon, what to say at the same time, you need to think about it in advance. You cannot give it with poems from the Internet. You definitely need to think through your speech; it will have an enhancing effect on the gift. Only from the heart, only from the soul, only the most important and intimate.

Easter and Christmas

Icons can be given for any reason or without reason, out of the kindness of your heart. In the question of whether icons can be given as gifts for any holiday, signs are meaningless. This is perhaps one of the warmest and most thoughtful gifts in the world. Let's consider several holiday dates.

Easter- one of the favorite Orthodox holidays. It is celebrated by the whole family, young and old. What icons should I give for Easter?

« St. Mary Magdalene» It is with Mary Magdalene that the custom of dyeing eggs is associated.

« Family icons» They are written by special order, and all the saints in whose honor the family members are named by baptism are present. This image is a unique heirloom for the family and is powerful.

« Guardian angel» appropriate for any holiday.

"Resurrection of Christ" will give the family a special unifying beginning and eliminate discord.

Christmas- a very revered and important holiday in the life of Orthodox people. What icons are given for Christmas?

"The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ"- the best gift for a wonderful holiday for a person who is a believer and appreciates such holidays.

"Icon of the Virgin and Child"- this is also a holiday of the Mother of God, so it will come in handy

"Guardian angel" - the recipient will always like the image of his guardian

"St. Matrona of Moscow"— everyone’s favorite saint is suitable for any occasion.

To all the Great Ones Orthodox holidays The gifted icon will please a believer. Special days are conducive to accepting such gifts. Having cast aside all doubts about whether it is possible to give icons as a gift, forgetting omens and superstitions, feel free to choose and give the holy face.

Icon is a wonderful gift

So let's summarize some results.

Icons can be given for any holiday.

Holy images must be consecrated in the church ( AND Sometimes people make icons on their own and the question arises whether it is possible to give icons, beaded, threads, carved from wood, cast from metal.It’s possible, but it needs to be sanctified)

Icons are given sincerely with a light heart and best wishes.

Gifts can only be given to Orthodox Christians who believe in the Lord.

Icons are given for life, so you need to choose durable ones, for example, painted in oil or made on a wooden base.

You can give the icon to yourself.

You cannot silently give images of saints; you need to think through the words in advance.

When receiving an icon as a gift, they usually thank you and apply it to the image.

It happens that icons are given by a person for whom the recipient does not feel sympathy. What to do if a bad person gives an icon? Firstly, you can refuse the gift. Secondly, the gift can be attributed OK to the temple. And it is very important to understand that the icon itself does not and cannot have any color other than positive. Not possible through her bring some negativity into the house. If the person giving the gift had such thoughts, they will turn against him, since icons are given only from a pure heart.In order not to be tormented by doubts and to calm your heart, you can go to the temple and consecrate the icons, talk with the priest. Having heard the opinion of the clergyman, usually everythingfears dissipate.

Choose icons, give them as gifts, make your loved ones happy, offer prayers and don’t forget to thank the Lord for your day, for living parents, for healthy ones children, for family happiness and a roof over your head.As you know, we scream for help, ask, beg with tears, but we offer few words of gratitude. Love the Lord and your neighbors.

From our article you will find out whether it is possible to give icons for the holidays, and also get acquainted with the opinion of the church on this matter.

Orthodox icon- this is not just an image of a face, but a shrine that helps human soul cope with all life's temptations and troubles. That is why a consecrated Orthodox icon is an ideal gift for loved ones. With its help you will get closer loved one to God and give him the opportunity to communicate with him as often as possible.

But still, before presenting such a gift, first ask the hero of the occasion how he feels about this kind of gifts. After all, if a person for some reason is far from Christian faith, then your surprise will not bring him much benefit.

Is it possible to give icons as a gift: signs

Signs about Orthodox shrines

• Probably, each of us has heard that a donated Orthodox shrine can bring disaster to the person who accepted it as a gift. Our grandmothers took this sign quite seriously, so most often they acquired images for themselves in church. Now let's figure out what their fear was based on.

• Previously, it was believed that it was through the icon that envious people brought damage to a person. And since it was most often hung in the most visible place, the damage acted faster and people began to quarrel and get sick for no reason. But in fact, this sign has no basis in reality. After all, if a brother, sister or mother gives you such a surprise, they are unlikely to try to harm your family with their gift.

• Moreover, such a gift is presented only to the sanctified, which means that it can protect you from the most evil intentions. There is also an opinion that you cannot give hand-embroidered or painted icons. It is believed that due to the fact that they were made not by clergy, but ordinary people, you cannot turn to God through them. Some believers generally consider this a very great sin.

• But in fact, even an embroidered icon can become a real Orthodox shrine. Simply, before giving a gift to a person, it will need to be brought into the temple and consecrated. After the priest performs the necessary ritual on it, it will be no different from the icons that are sold in the church.

Is it possible to give an icon for a birthday?

Birthday icons

Birthday- this is a special event in the life of every person, that’s why you want to receive the most sincere gifts on this holiday. And what could be more soulful than an Orthodox icon? Such a gift will show the hero of the occasion how warmly and well you treat him. And most importantly, it will remind him of your friendship all his life.

And you shouldn’t listen to people who say that you can’t give icons as gifts. Believe me, if you do this with the most sincere feelings, then your gift will bring exclusively positive emotions to the birthday boy. But if you have already decided to give an icon for your birthday, then take its choice very seriously.

Since there are shrines that can be given exclusively to men or exclusively to women, it would be better if, before you finally decide on your choice, you try to study this issue more deeply.

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God

Shrines that can be given to women:

• Kazan Icon of the Mother of God(capable of healing from illnesses and giving family well-being)
• Vladimir icon(relieves heart disease and conveys mothers’ prayers for children)
• Icon of the Mother of God of Three Hands(will help get rid of sad thoughts and protect the house and its household from everything bad)
• Iveron icon(you need to pray to this image for forgiveness of your sins)
• Bethlehem icon(given to those women who dream of children and family well-being)

Shrines that can be given to men:

• Savior Not Made by Hands(should be given to those representatives of the stronger sex who do not have the opportunity to attend church often)
• Face of Saint Nicholas(a great gift for those men who travel a lot or simply have work that involves traveling)
• Guardian Angel Icon(will help protect your loved one from temptations and troubles)
• The image of the Patron Saint in business(will help you choose the right direction in life, and can also help you sort out family matters)

Is it possible to accept an icon as a gift?

Orthodox shrine best received as a gift

• As mentioned above, you should not believe in signs that a donated icon can cause harm to a person or his environment. If you know the giver of this gift very closely and are absolutely sure that he has exceptionally warm feelings for you, then you can safely accept his surprise. If you have any doubts, then just take the gift and go to church, tell the priest about everything that worries you, and ask to bless the gift.

• Yes, and do not forget that such a surprise cannot be accepted as an ordinary gift. The usual words of gratitude in such cases are not spoken for the icon. If you want her to really bring only positive emotions to your home, then thank not only the donor, but also God for this gift, and be sure to venerate the face of the Saint with your head. But whether to take an icon as a gift from strangers or unfamiliar people is up to you to decide.

• If you feel that they are giving it to you with the purest intentions, then you can accept the gift. If you have even the slightest doubt, then try to tactfully refuse the gift. After all, if you take it and then realize that it was given as a gift malicious intent, it will be quite difficult to get rid of it. You cannot simply throw an icon into the street or burn it. Such actions are considered a very strong sin. To get rid of such a gift you will have to go to church and ask the clergy to take it from you.

Why and for what purpose do they give an icon?

Icons are given to show respect and favor

In the old days, icons were given exclusively for weddings, christenings and housewarmings, and this was done mainly by parents, godparents or simply the closest relatives. It was believed that in this way it was possible to protect the house and its household from damage and the evil eye. Nowadays, few people pay attention to signs and most often give icons solely because such a gift is considered very fashionable.

But any clergyman will tell you that you need to give such a gift wisely. If you just want to give a gift to yourself to a loved one, then present him with an intercessor icon. This image is selected by date of birth or by the name of the Guardian Angel. If you know that a person needs to heal mental wounds or get rid of some physical illness, give him Mother of God of Pochaev. She will be able to restore health to a person and restore his faith.

Also, with the help of an icon, you can try to bring a relative who is very far from God to faith. But keep in mind that you should present such a gift only if you are absolutely sure that it will not bring discord to your friendship. In general, an Orthodox icon presented for a birthday, wedding or christening is a guarantee that the heroes of the occasion will have a long and happy life

What icon do parents give newlyweds for their wedding?

Icons for newlyweds from parents

Nowadays, not a single wedding is complete without a wedding ceremony, so the parents of the newlyweds are obliged to ensure that the newly formed family has its own personal wedding couple. If they wish, parents can give their children the icons with which they themselves were married, but it will still be better if they buy the icons in the church and consecrate them Saint and Our Lady.

It is believed that these two shrines are able to protect a young family from discord and give them family well-being. You can also choose icons as a wedding couple Peter and Fevronya. It is these saints ancient Rus' were considered patrons of married couples. In addition, a good gift from parents can be Fedorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God.

She is considered the best assistant to expectant mothers, and also helps to conceive and bear a baby without any problems. In addition, parents can give it as a wedding present. image of the Holy Forefathers. Such a symbolic gift may be a wish that the newly formed family in the future become the ancestor of a strong and united clan.

In principle, there are no special rules that would say that only the above-mentioned icons can be given for a wedding celebration. If you walked into a church and liked e.g. image of Ksenia of Petersburg, then feel free to buy it too. The main thing is that your gift is given with the purest thoughts and good wishes and, of course, it must have been consecrated even before the wedding.

What icons are given to a boy and a girl for christening?

Shrine for a child's baptism

• For the baptism of a child, as for any important event in life, one must prepare very seriously. Moreover, both parents and godparents should do this. Of course, the most the best gift For little man there will be an Orthodox icon. Such a gift in the future will protect the baby from everything evil and bad, and will also help his fragile soul move in the right direction.

• Godparents should definitely give the baby Measuring icon. It is generally accepted that it must be made to order so that its dimensions strictly correspond to the height of a small person. But if for some reason you do not have the opportunity to make such an image, then calmly buy a ready-made one from the church, consecrate it and give it to your child for christening. It might be a good option Nominal icon. It should depict the face of the Saint, who is the patron saint of the baby.

• Such an image is also necessarily consecrated in the temple before the christening and is presented to the child after the ritual itself. Usually such a gift is placed near the baby’s crib so that he can look at it freely. It is believed that in this way the child, albeit still unconsciously, will communicate with his Guardian Angel.

In addition, the following shrines can be given at christenings:

• Panteleimon the Healer
• Matrona of Moscow
• Our Lady
• Nicholas the Wonderworker

What kind of icon do you give as a housewarming gift?

Tolga prayer icon

The best housewarming gift is Icon of the Mother of God "Protection". It is believed that with her holy cover she can protect the house from fire, and from water, and from an evil gaze. It is best to give such a gift without witnesses and preferably before guests begin to gather in the house. Ideally, of course, with this image the family should enter new house and only after that begin to settle in it.

Therefore, if you have the opportunity to give a gift before the housewarming, then be sure to do it. If you know that the owners already have such an image, then you can purchase a so-called folding for them. This shrine consists of three connected icons, which depict Christ, Mother of God and Nicholas the Wonderworker. Such a gift can replace an iconostasis, which is simply a must-have in every believing family.

Shrines that can be given as housewarming gifts:

• Image with a cross(will protect the house from envy and filth)
• Icon "Unbreakable Wall"(will protect your home from thieves and natural disasters)
• Image "The Burning Bush"(this gift can protect the house from fire and thunderstorms)
• Icon "Impenetrable door"(can take people with bad thoughts away from you)
• Image of the “Bread Spreader”(will help you find strength to overcome spiritual and material difficulties)

What icons are given for a wedding?

Wedding icon

• As mentioned a little above, the best wedding gift can be icons of the Saint and the Mother of God or image of Peter and Fevronya. But such a gift can only be given to newlyweds by parents or godparents. The rest of the guests can present the spouses with icons that will protect their young family.

• For example, you can give your spouses image " Unexpected joy» . Before him, the bride and groom will be able to ask God for a peaceful marriage for themselves and happy life for their future children. Such a gift should be placed in the marital bedroom and every morning or evening you should thank the Saint for the day lived in peace and harmony.

• But, perhaps, the most powerful intercessor of married couples is considered icon of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow. This saint can help in solving almost all family problems. People turn to her if they cannot conceive a child, beg her for health for a loved one and always ask her to protect the family from anger and envy. Therefore, if you want the newlyweds to live happily ever after, then give them exactly this image.

Is it possible to give icons: the opinion of the church

The Church allows you to give icons to your family and close friends

• People began giving icons as gifts in ancient times. At that time, shrines were very expensive as most were decorated with gold or silver. Therefore, such a gift was a fairly good investment. Most often, the image was placed in the “red corner”, and this was done so that visiting guests could see it.

• And although modern shrines can be made of wood and paper, in their beauty and spiritual content they are in no way inferior to ancient images. Therefore, in our time, people do not stop giving them to each other, and they do it with great joy. Moreover, absolutely all priests recommend the icon as a spiritual gift that can cleanse a person’s soul from bitterness and anger.

• In view of this, if you decide to give a loved one Orthodox icon, then feel free to buy it and do not pay attention to any bad omens. The main thing is to give your gift with pure thoughts and best wishes.

Orthodox priests do not recognize omens, since they consider them the slyness of the unclean. The icon is the personification of holiness and purity. Where did the sign come from that a donated icon could bring trouble? In the old days, they tried to refuse donated icons, considering them damaged. Signs: is it possible to give icons as a gift? Let's consider the issue in detail.

There was a popular belief among the people that an icon given as a gift would bring misfortune to the house. After accepting such a gift, quarrels and scandals began in the house, household members fell ill with serious illnesses, or even went to another world. This was due to the damage that evil people pointed through the icon.

However, in modern world You don’t have to be afraid of such surprises, especially if the icon is given by relatives or close people with good wishes and from the bottom of their hearts. Representatives Orthodox Church think that the consecrated icon is brought into the house God's grace, cleanses from negativity and blesses those living in the house.

Icons must be given according to the rules established by the church:

• on birthdays they present personalized icons;
• icons are given to a sick person to help in healing;
• Colleagues and bosses should be given icons that help in work and business;
• family people are given icons that bless the family hearth;
• young girls are given images of holy saints, and young men are given images of holy saints of God.

It is customary to give icons for a wedding, but this should be done by the parents of the newlyweds or close relatives. For the bride they choose the image of the Virgin Mary, and for the groom - Jesus Christ.

Holy images can be given at any time, however, more Icons dedicated to an important event - birth, wedding, christening - are endowed with a strong beneficial effect.

You should also know where the icon should be located in the house. For this purpose, there used to be a “red corner”, that is, the most prominent place in the house.

Is it possible to give hand-made icons that have not been consecrated in the church? An unconsecrated image does not carry within itself positive energy, therefore, homemade icons must be consecrated in the church.

Icons for women and men

It is believed that icons corresponding to a person’s gender can be given as a gift.

For women:

• Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - for family well-being and healing from illnesses;
• Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God - for the well-being of children;
• Three-Handed Icon - to protect the home and liberate from depression;
• Iveron Icon of the Mother of God - for deliverance from sins;
• The Bethlehem Icon of the Mother of God is for those who want to start a family.

For men:

• Savior Not Made by Hands - for home prayers;
• Icon of St. Nicholas - for those whose work involves traveling;
• Icon of the Guardian Angel - for protection from troubles and temptations;
• The image of the patron saint is for family well-being and choosing the right path in life.

Is it possible to accept an icon as a gift from a stranger? If doubts arise about the sincerity of the donor, you need to take the shrine to the temple for consecration. The church servants will perform the consecration ceremony, and the icon will bring goodness.

When accepting a shrine as a gift, do not forget to thank God. After the words of thanksgiving, apply the forehead to the icon. Remember that you cannot burn or throw away the shrine. As a last resort, take it to church.

Wedding icons

It is customary to give as a gift for a wedding images of the Mother of God and the Saint, which the priest consecrated with a special ceremony. These two shrines, according to legend, protect a young family from strife and divorce.

Can be given to young people images of Fevronya and Peter who are considered patrons married couple. A good gift from parents would be Fedorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, which helps conception and protects mother and child from adversity and disease.

The image of the holy forefathers will help strengthen family relationships, promotes prolongation of the family. Do not forget to conduct a special ceremony of consecration of icons on the eve of the wedding celebration.

Icons for christenings

Christening - an important event in the life of a little man, his parents and godparents. The main christening gift should be an icon that will protect the baby from adversity and help him take the path of truth. According to tradition, godparents give a child a measured icon, which is made to order and corresponds to the height of the child. However, you can also give a Measured Icon purchased in the church.

Would be a good christening gift Nominal icon, patroness of the little man. A personalized icon will accompany an Orthodox Christian throughout his life. She is considered a protector, intercessor; you can ask your patron for the fulfillment of desires. A personalized icon is placed near the child’s bed so that its face looks at the baby.

You can also give as a christening gift:

• Image of Panteleimon the Healer;
• Image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker;
• Image Mother of God;
• Image of Matrona of Moscow.

Do not forget to consecrate the icons in the church first.

Housewarming

A new house must have its own patron, so it is customary to give icons as a gift for housewarming. It is usually customary to give icon of the Mother of God of the Intercession, which protects the house from troubles and damage. According to tradition, the icon is given before moving into a new house; new residents must enter the room already with the icon.

Another patron of new settlers is considered Folder. These are three images united in one icon - the Mother of God, the Wonderworker and Christ. The folding can replace the iconostasis, which, according to tradition, is required in every Orthodox home.

What else can you give for housewarming:

• Icon of the Unbreakable Wall - for protection against thieves and evil;
• Icon Impenetrable Door - protects from enemies and intruders;
• Icon of the Burning Bush - for protection from fires;
• An image with a cross is a talisman against evil and misfortune;
• Icon of the Spreader of the Loaves - for protection from spiritual and material poverty.

Remember that icons in the house cannot be hung on the wall - they are placed. In the presence of holy faces, one must not swear, spit, or behave unworthily. If a party is planned in the room, it is better to take the icons to another room. Bad omen A cracked icon is considered to mean illness or death of a relative.

It is not for nothing that the Holy Scripture says that you need to honor your parents in order to prolong your days on Earth. In the same way, it is not without reason that one of the most revered icons is the image of the Virgin Mary.

In ancient pagan cults, a special place was always given to the parent, Mother Earth, who gave life to all things.

That is why during the holidays you should pay special attention to gifts for your mother. Icon as a gift for mom – great option for a birthday, housewarming, anniversary, professional holiday or important religious event. Actually, it depends on the occasion which icon to give to your mother. For example, for a birthday it is appropriate to give an icon with a guardian angel, and for a housewarming - an image that protects the house and strengthens family ties.

As we noted above, the most the best option is an icon depicting your mother's guardian angel. Such images protect a person, give him peace of mind and tranquility. You can always turn to such a face in difficult times, ask for help and advice.

Also a great option an icon of the Matrona of Moscow can be considered a gift to a mother, because it is this saint who is called upon to help in Hard time. If you give your mother such an image, it means you are expressing your sincere affection, respect and love.

If in your home they play a significant role material goods, then you should give an icon of St. Nicholas the Pleasant in honor of the holiday.

The Iverskaya and Kazan Mothers of God are called upon to help with everyday affairs and the preservation of the family hearth, and the Mother of God of Tikhvin will be able to emphasize your relationship with your parents, because this icon marks the strengthening of such ties.

Icon for prayer for health

No matter how sad it may sound, people are not getting younger, and over time they are increasingly overcome by illnesses. If you understand that your mother needs divine help in matters of health, then it is best to give an icon of Panteleimon the Healer. Also, the icons mentioned above help to gain health.

But the most important icon to which you should turn when you are ill is the image of the Savior Jesus Christ. After all, he was the messenger of God on Earth, who atoned for all sins for us.

Now you know which icon to choose for your mother for her birthday. And a semi-antique icon workshop, which you can find on the Internet, can make them for you!

Many Orthodox people know that icons have miraculous powers. But we are not always exactly sure which icon to buy for our parents or other family members. In that brief description we will look at what icons can be given to parents, father and mother separately.

The clergy say that you can give any icon that you like, but the main thing in this is purity of heart and intentions. But there are those who are convinced that only special family icons are suitable for this.

For parents, the best option would be a family icon, which will protect their union and protect the family line from adversity. Such icons are very complex and labor-intensive to make, so they must be ordered in advance. But if you no longer have time to make such an icon, you can do differently.

A wonderful gift for parents is the icon of Peter and Fevronia. Orthodox people know how much these saints experienced on the path to unity. They are the patrons of the family. Often, family icons also depict deceased parents who will be able to protect the family even after death.

An author's family icon is a work of art that requires considerable skill from the master. The workshop produces family icons, choosing the name of the patron of each parent. This is possible even if such images are very rare.

In order not to rush into finding a suitable icon, it is worth agreeing with the master in advance about the execution of the work. There are also many universal icons that can be given to parents. For this occasion, icons of saints Faith, Hope and Love, the Holy Trinity, an icon depicting saints Cyril and Julia are suitable.

As a gift to parents you can purchase an icon of the Matrona of Moscow, the Nativity of Christ, Holy Mother of God. Good gift- an icon that depicts many saints, for example, a family icon with saints Lyudmila, Pelagia, Anna, Sergius, Maria and other saints.

If you need an icon for your parents, you can buy it in the antique workshop “Icon”. The workshop offers services for making individual icons for your family. If this is not necessary, just look through examples of work in the portfolio and select suitable option to give to parents!