Folk signs: is it possible to give people icons for their birthdays? Is it possible to give icons: the opinion of the church. Church icons and signs

Everyone else can give the husband and wife icons that will patronize the young family. For example, " Unexpected joy " This image will help spouses live in love, happiness and mutual respect. long years, and also grants protection from troubles and adversities to their future children. It is better to place such an icon in the bedroom.

The most powerful shrine for newlyweds is considered “ Matrona of Moscow" You can ask this saint for health for the whole family, prosperity, deliverance from evil and envy. Matrona also helps with conceiving a child.

For housewarming

Icons will help protect your home and maintain comfort in it.” Intercession», « Unbreakable Wall», « Apostles Peter and Paul", you can also give icons depicting Christ, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker as a housewarming gift.

How to choose an icon as a gift

The Church believes that giving icons is a rather complicated and very delicate matter. After all, if you give a person an image of a saint about whom he knows nothing, you can put the recipient in an uncomfortable position. Therefore, we need to clearly understand to whom and why we present such a holy gift.

Here is a short “guide” to choosing an icon as a gift for family and friends.

To a woman

• « Everlasting Color" is one of the most beloved patron icons among women. External grace, youth, chastity - this is the meaning of this face.
• « Upbringing"- for mothers this icon will become a good helper in raising daughters and sons.
• « Cover“is a strong icon for protection, because any woman is a gentle creature that needs constant care.
• Icon " Saint Euphrosynus the Cook“- such a gift is appropriate for good housewives who love to cook. All dishes in the company of Euphrosynus will become even tastier.

To a man

• Nicholas the Wonderworker will protect those who drive a lot and love to travel.
• Saint Joseph of Volotsky– this image is suitable for business men. This is the patron saint of entrepreneurs and business.
• Saint Tryphon– you can give an icon with his face to a man who is fond of hunting. But any man can - after all, everyone by nature is a hunter, a getter, a conqueror.

To mom

• Icon " Our Lady" - the best gift for mom. Yes, icon Vladimir Mother of God helps get rid of fears, troubles and misfortunes. And the icon Kazan Mother of God- intercessor in sorrows and sorrows.
• « All-Tsaritsa“- this face bestows healing.
• « Unexpected joy" - a symbol of spiritual rebirth. She helps any wish come true unexpectedly.

To dad

• Icon of the Holy Great Martyr St. George the Victorious– suitable for a man who is active and engaged in entrepreneurship.
• Icon " Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called» will help the fishing enthusiast with a good catch.

son

• If a child is in school, the best gift would be an icon with a face Sergius of Radonezh- He is a study assistant.
• If your son is going to enter university or is already a student, the image will become his patron. Saint Tatiana.
• In the army, the saints will help his son and intercede for him St. George the Victorious or archangel Michael.

Daughters

• Icon " Tenderness"can be an excellent gift for a young lady who dreams of great love.
• To preserve youth and blooming species Saint images are suitable for a young girl Ksenia of Petersburg or Paraskeva Fridays.

How to accept an icon as a gift

It is very important to accept the icon with a bright feeling, with a smile and reverence. And thank for such a gift not only the one who gives it, but also God: you need to put your forehead to your face and cross yourself.

If you are sure that the donor wishes you only happiness, you can safely accept the icon. If a shadow of doubt creeps in, it is better to take it to church and perform the rite of consecration there.

You cannot throw away, re-gift or burn an icon - this is considered a very serious sin. If you can’t shake the feeling that you want to get rid of such a gift, you just need to take it to the church, talk to the priest and leave it in the temple.

You should treat an icon as a gift very carefully: you need to give and accept such a gift with bright feelings. Then the holy face will protect the family of the recipient for many years.

If your mother is a believer, then the icon will be a good gift for her, especially on her birthday, name day or any religious holiday. The holy image will help you better tune in to prayer, establish “spiritual contact” with the one depicted on the icon, and thereby become closer to God.

The question often arises about which icon is best to give to mom as a gift? In Christianity, there are thousands of holy images that you can purchase in church stores or have them made to order, but some of them are especially popular as gifts for mom. Among them, of course, are icons of the Mother of God, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and personalized icons.

Icons of the Mother of God

The image of the Virgin Mary, as a gift to a mother, is especially appropriate. After all, who else but Her, who herself experienced all the joy of motherhood and all the pain of suffering for her beloved Son, should pray to Orthodox mothers?! After all, who, if not She, will help and console any mother who turns to her with prayer. The Mother of God is asked for help and intercession in case of any sorrows and misfortunes, especially concerning family and children.

As a gift, you can choose any image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, however, most often the mother is given the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Tradition tells that this icon was painted by the Evangelist Luke from the Mother of God herself during her life on earth. The Vladimir icon is considered not only the patroness of any Orthodox family, but also Russia itself as a whole, because this image has more than once shown miracles associated with victories over the enemies of Russia. Before him they pray for peace in the family and country, protection from enemies and ill-wishers, strengthening of the Christian faith and a strong, happy family.

Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker many centuries ago gained special love among Orthodox believers. Such popularity of this saint is due to the countless number of cases of miraculous help that came to him through prayers. Russian Christians have long noticed that after turning to St. Nicholas the Pleasant, almost all seemingly hopeless and insoluble problems are quickly resolved. Our mothers those who know Nicholas as great God's Pleasant and a quick helper in all sorrows and sorrows, they often pray to His holy image, asking for intercession with God in any life problems.

Therefore, the icon of St. Nicholas is one of the most valuable and wonderful images that you can present to your mother as a gift.

Nominal icon

Icons as a gift for mom in stock and to order

You can purchase an icon as a gift for your mother in our icon-painting workshop “Creating a Heritage.” We will be happy to make an Orthodox image for you to order or we will offer ready-made icons from stock. Each such icon (no matter whether it was painted individually for you or not) is a genuine work of art, one of a kind. It will be a priceless gift for any Orthodox mother.

Our icon painters belong to the Vladimir school of Orthodox icon painting, which at all times, from Ancient Rus' to this day, was considered the largest, oldest and most revered in our country. The brushes of our artists belong to thousands of icons, which are now carefully preserved in churches and homes around the world.

It’s easy to order an icon:

• Choose the image you need;
• Contact us by phone, e-mail or by submitting an online application:
• We will call you back and agree on the desired plot and signature;
• From 2 weeks to 3 months (depending on the complexity of the plot and execution technique), the icon painter will work on the image;
• Upon completion of the work, the image will be consecrated in the Church of St. Basil the Great ( Vladimir region), if you wish, you can take part in this bright event;
• After this, you can pick up the finished icon in person, or we will deliver it to you by mail anywhere in Russia or the world.

Create a spiritual legacy with us!

When we are going to congratulate our family and friends on their birthday, we often get lost and don’t know what gift to choose for this occasion. In Rus', there has long been a tradition of giving holy images. Now, with the revival of spirituality, many customs that existed earlier have begun to return, pre-revolutionary Russia. Therefore, believers often wonder whether it is possible to give icons for a birthday?

Most of us choose gifts for our loved ones with love, wanting to express our best sincere feelings. If the future birthday boy is a pious person, a believer, he will be pleased to accept the icon as a gift. The main thing is to choose correctly what will please and inspire him most. The variety of church faces is so great that you can easily get confused. Let's try to figure out what is best to choose in each specific case.

Through the iconographic faces there is a reunion with the Lord, the Mother of God, and the saints. You can pray without them. You can pray anywhere, at any time, in any environment. But when a consecrated image is before the eyes, a person concentrates more, gathers himself, and mentally ascends to the Prototype that is depicted on it.

Iconographic faces occupy an important place in the life of every Orthodox person. Whether a person is born or dies, starts a business or sets out on a journey, holy images always and everywhere accompany him. The faces were always protected and passed on from generation to generation. When escorting a warrior to war, they blessed him with a shrine. And he knew that he was not going to war alone, but with God, because services were held in churches, mothers and wives prayed. That's why Russian army became invincible.

Do they give icons?

It is customary for Orthodox believers to give images of saints for the most important events in life:

• christening;
• wedding;
• Day Angel;
• on major Orthodox holidays;
• to temples and monasteries as a donation;
• in many other cases.

Is it possible to give icons as a gift if you need to congratulate a loved one on their birthday?

Priests, hierarchs and church historians all unanimously argue that it is possible and even necessary to do this.

This is an ancient pious custom inherent in the Russian person, who, in the breadth of his soul, wants to give his neighbor the best that he has.

Informative! Why and what should be in every home?

How holy images were valued in Rus' is evidenced by the fact that when drawing up a will, an inventory of property, they were always written down in first place as the most valuable thing on this list. The surviving wills of the great princes, for example, Dmitry Donskoy, his father Ivan Ioannovich, dated 14–15 centuries, and other documents of later times testify to this. Iconographic faces also occupied a significant place in the bride’s dowry.

Attention! If you want to give an icon-painted face as a gift for your birthday, first consult with a priest and find out the church’s opinion on this matter. They give only a consecrated image purchased in the temple.

To whom and what icon is it better to give?

It must be remembered that the image of saints is not an interior item, but serves completely different purposes - spiritual. Is it possible to give an icon as a gift? The main purpose of an iconographic image is to revive the faith and prayer of an Orthodox person.

By giving faces to our loved ones, we bring the spiritual spirit closer to them. angelic world so that at any moment when they are visited by difficulties or illnesses, they can turn to their heavenly patrons. So, let's try to figure out whether it is possible to give icons as a gift, and which holy images are best to prefer:

1. In every Orthodox home, as a rule, there is a triptych: the Savior, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Pleasant. Saint Nicholas is revered in Rus' like no other. Almost every family has experience of his spiritual help. Therefore, if the birthday person has not yet managed to establish a prayer corner in his home, you can give him these images.
2. So that there is prosperity in the house and poverty and problems go away, you can give a list from the miraculous image “The Spreader of Loaves”. As a rule, this face is hung in the dining room or kitchen, for prayer, according to the apostles, must be done in every place. With its help, poverty is overcome, prosperity appears in the house, and troubles go away.
3. If there are children in the house, it is good to give the iconographic image “The Entry of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple.” It depicts pious parents who lead their child to God from a very young age. Looking at the holy faces, you begin to think about raising your own children and about your parental responsibilities that God has entrusted to us.
   
4. It is a great consolation for every person to look at the iconographic image dedicated to the Feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God. Any despairing soul will find peace and tranquility by looking at the holy face. He will drive away the darkness of hopelessness, dispel gloomy thoughts, because the Diligent Intercessor herself has spread her cover over us.
5. A young woman, girl, or little girl will love the face of the Mother of God “Tenderness” of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery. It personifies the purity and chastity of youth, femininity, which are so characteristic of an early age. Looking at the bright face of the Mother of God and praying before it, the child will strive for the same sinlessness that is characteristic of the Virgin Mary.
6. Any pious person will want to have at home an iconographic image of his Heavenly patron, the saint in whose honor he was named at baptism. If the birthday person does not yet have such a face, then you should give it to him. Prayer before him is the most confidential.
7. You can give images of all those saints who patronize family members, or order the painting of a family icon. As a rule, the Savior and the Mother of God are located in the center, and next to them (to the right and left) are selected saints, patrons of family members. Prayer in front of such an iconographic image has the character of conciliarity, since petitions are offered not only for oneself, but also for relatives and friends. If a replenishment occurs, a new heavenly patron is added.
   
8. You should quietly find out which saint is closest to the future birthday boy. If a person is sick with something, as a rule, he prefers to turn to the Orthodox saint-doctors Panteleimon, Luke Voina-Yasenetsky, Agapit of Pechersk and others. Many Russian people have a special love for Father Seraphim, since for them he is the personification of all of Russia. With a warm prayer in front of the image of the saint, you can express your love for the fatherland, for everything Russian and Orthodox.
9. If an iconographic image is presented to a colleague or boss at work, you can choose the saints who patronize the profession to which these people dedicated themselves. For example, if this is trade, you can pray to Saints John of Sochavsky, Joseph of Volotsky, Spyridon of Trimifuntsky and others. The patroness of the missile forces is the Great Martyr Barbara, and the patroness of the airborne troops is the prophet Elijah.
10. If the holy image is given to a child, and it is placed in the children's room, you can choose the image of the Savior, Guardian Angel, Sergius of Radonezh as the patron of students, a personal saint and others.
11. Family people, especially women, should be given iconographic images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as the patroness of the family. People turn to Her for the gift of peace and love in the family, and offer petitions for the children. Saints Xenia of Petersburg, Matrona of Moscow, Peter and Fevronia, and others are also considered patrons of the family hearth.

Instead of expensive and useless trinkets Isn't it better to give icons as a gift? Even the simple presence of a holy image in the house makes you, willy-nilly, think about your actions and inner content. When you see a righteous man before your eyes, you involuntarily want to pull yourself up.

Attention! If you want to make a meaningful and useful gift, you must first take an interest in the life circumstances of the person to whom you are going to present it.

Gift for a man

Wanting to give a gracious gift to their beloved husbands and sons, many women ask for advice on what icon to give to a man. This will depend primarily on the name, type of activity and hobbies of the recipient. Work and professional activity occupies a particularly important place in a man’s life. Therefore, the choice of an iconographic image can be associated with this area of ​​​​the life of a loved one. Usually they give:

1. For the military - Saints George the Victorious, Alexander Nevsky, Archangel Michael.
2. To teachers - St. Sergius of Radonezh, martyr. Tatiana.
3. To sailors, travelers - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
4. For financiers - St. Matthew.
5. To diplomats - Archangel Gabriel.
6. Civil servants - St. Yaroslav the Wise.

If a representative of the stronger sex is an avid fisherman, the question of which icon to give to a man is easily resolved: the iconographic faces of the holy apostles Peter and Andrew will suit him, and St. mchn. Tryphon.

Gift for a woman

Women are the guardians of family well-being and are involved in raising children. Therefore, the holy face must be chosen in accordance with the spiritual aspirations of the recipient. It is better for a woman to give an icon for her name day, one that depicts the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

1. Unfading color - helps preserve beauty and youth.
2. Sweet kissing protects children from various diseases and dangers.
3. Motherhood - will prepare for the birth of children, help during childbirth, and assist in their upbringing.
4. Tenderness helps to maintain purity and get married successfully.
5. Ostrobramskaya - protects the family from the interference of strangers, keeps peace and love in it.
6. Iverskaya is the keeper of the hearth.
7. Gerontissa is a caretaker of the elderly, heals from various diseases.
8. Kazan - the most revered icon in Rus', preserves family well-being.
9. Vladimirskaya - heals, patronizes motherhood.
10. Three-handed - heals, protects from melancholy, protects home and family.
11. Feodorovskaya - helps during childbirth.

You can also give other iconographic faces as a souvenir, for example, the Matrona of Moscow. This saint helps everyone who comes to her with a variety of everyday needs.

Important! Many people ask, is it possible to accept an iconographic image that was given as a gift for some occasion? If he is consecrated in the Orthodox canonical church - yes, without doubting and without taking into account any signs.

Useful video

Let's sum it up

Family and friends are the most precious thing we have. When peace and love reign in a family, everyone is happy. Peace and joy reign in our souls. Sometimes trials come into our lives, and we often don’t know how to help our loved ones. We are trying to do this with some kind of money. real deeds, but we often forget that there is a prayer that can move mountains if you say it with faith and trust in the mercy of God. Therefore, giving an icon for a name day is the best care for loved ones and dear people.

Only close people can give an icon to a newborn: parents, relatives, future godparents or Good friends. However, there is such a gift that cannot be given to a baby.

Is it possible to give an icon for the birth of a child?

The clergy advise not to believe omens and do not prohibit buying an icon for a baby. If it is a gift from pure heart, it will definitely bring joy and good luck. For Christians, the holy face is good and protection. But before buying an icon, you need to clarify which saint will protect the child from harm.

What kind of icon is given to a child for birth and baptism?

Immediately after the birth of a child, parents or loved ones can give an icon of the Guardian Angel. It is better to hang it next to the crib so that the child has deep sleep. Guardian Angel will protect you from the evil eye and diseases.

For a newborn you can purchase icons of the Mother of God, Jesus Christ, and the Nativity of Christ. Nicholas the Wonderworker is the patron saint of children; it is customary to place his icon next to the baby’s bed.

If a child has health problems, then parents should either choose the icon of the Matrona of Moscow or the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. Gifts purchased in churches where they are located have special power.

Icons for children are given as gifts. Parents or godparents must choose the face of the saint for the sacrament. Usually they choose a personalized icon, that is, for Yegor, baptized under the name George, they buy an icon of Guardian Angel George. To do right choice, check with the parents in advance under what name the baby will be baptized.

IN Orthodox world It is customary to give a newborn a measured icon; its height coincides with the child’s height. It is made only to order and presented once in a lifetime.

The size and design of icons may vary. Great options can be placed in a children's room, and miniature ones can be placed in a cradle and. Beautiful gift icons are made of beads and stone. Don’t forget about body icons made of gold, silver or stone. They are hung around your neck and will accompany you always and everywhere.

If you decide to give an icon to your newborn child, first find out how his family views religion. The saint will be able to protect only believers who will turn to him for help and share joyful moments. Such a gift will accompany the child throughout his life.

Previously, not everyone could have a hand in creating the sacred: writing books, various lives, walks, prayers. Not everyone was allowed to paint icons or embroider them. To obtain the priest’s consent, it was necessary to lead a humble lifestyle, go to all services, pray, fast, and confess. Today we will talk about what you need to do if you want to embroider an icon. Follow our step by step instructions, and we will tell you where to start this needlework so that the fabric you embroider is truly an icon, and not just beautiful picture.

Instructions

What is the rite of baptism

Baptism gift

It is customary for parents to buy a baptismal set and towel. In children's stores you can find and choose a huge number of different baptismal sets. And some mothers knit or sew them themselves. This makes the gift even more valuable. The baptismal set and towel should be stored until the end of your life - this protects against illness and misfortune. The rest of the baby's family - grandparents, aunts and uncles - can choose absolutely any gift for the child. These could be numerous toys, clothes, dishes or anything else. Here you can give freedom to your imagination. The main thing is that the gift is intended specifically for the baby and is useful to him. Accordingly, it is not worth giving any money. And if you don’t know what to give, it’s better to ask the parents what their child needs.

Whatever you choose as a gift for a new Christian, the most important thing in your heart is to wish him health, happiness, goodness and all the best. This will be one of the best gifts for your baby. After all, the sacrament of baptism is one of the most important moments religious life. It is from the moment of baptism that you can pray for the baby’s health, light candles, and give the child communion. And this is very important for every believer; it is not for nothing that the word “communion” is a derivative of the word “happiness.”

An icon is a kind of window into spiritual world. Turning to the image of his patron saint with the help of an icon, a person offers a prayer, renouncing vain things. material thoughts and doing important work on developing your own faith.

Since ancient times, there has been a Christian tradition of giving a newborn child the name of a saint. It was believed that in this way a person was provided with the heavenly protection and protection of this saint, as well as his mentoring in life. righteous life. The icon of the saint in whose honor the Christian was named is called a personal icon. Moreover, in Rus' such a saint could be not only a saint of the same name, i.e. bearing the same name as the person being baptized, but also any other saint, especially revered either in a specific area or in a certain clan. Most often, this type of icon included images with the face of St. Nicholas, Archangel Michael, St. John the Theologian, and St. Sergius of Radonezh.

Types of personalized icons

The iconographic traditions of depicting saints on personal icons do not adhere to very strict canons, and therefore the face of the Savior, Guardian Angels, or scenes telling about the life of the saint can be added to the image of the saint. Usually, images of saints on personalized icons are written either half-length - i.e. waist-length figure, or life-size - an image of the figure of a saint in full height.

Measuring icon

A type of personalized icon is a dimensional one, on which the heavenly patron of the baby is depicted on a board, the size of which is equal to the height of the newborn, and whose width corresponds to the width of his shoulders. The figure of the patron is necessarily depicted in full growth and, as a rule, does not contain any additional elements iconography. Special attention When depicting figures, icon painters pay attention to hand gestures, which have deep symbolic meaning.

Choosing a personal icon

In order to choose the right personalized icon, you need to know exactly the name of the saint who is the heavenly patron this person. If a person’s name is included in Christmastide, then it is recommended to choose the name of the saint whose memory is celebrated on the day closest to the birthday or baptism of this person. But at the same time, it is not forbidden to choose the saint to whom the soul most lies and whom the person reveres more than others.

Personalized icons with a woman's name

The most popular personalized icons intended for female names are the following: the icon of the Holy Blessed Matrona of Moscow, the Holy Blessed Xenia of Petersburg, Saint Tatiana, Saint Tamara, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, the Holy Great Martyr Catherine.

Personalized icons with a man's name

The most popular personalized icons with male names are considered: the icon of St. Elijah the Prophet, the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, St. St. Seraphim Sarovsky, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Saint Reverend Cyril of Radonezh.

Prayers are the safest and most reliable ways to combat negativity. IN difficult situation An icon that can protect against the evil eye and damage can come to the rescue.

Divine Protection

The main advantage of church methods of dealing with negativity is their safety. Almost all magic against the evil eye and damage can be harmful to you, so you can attract negative energy to yourself. Church funds, by definition, are not capable of causing such problems.

If it seems to you that a dark streak has begun or is about to begin in your life, you need to protect yourself and your loved ones from possible troubles. It’s best to start by going to church, lighting candles and ordering, this will scare away the ill-wisher and make it more difficult for him to have a negative impact on you, your home, etc.

In Rus', for a long time, people protected their family and themselves from damage without any magicians or sorcerers. The easiest way is to protect your home with prayer, clean it, sprinkle holy water in the corners and think about purchasing icons.

Which icon should I pray to?

Absolutely all Orthodox icons have a unique positive, bright effect. They are initially tuned to the correct vibration frequency, which, as it were, hides you from an ill-wisher, does not allow him to take a closer look at you and cast damage, the evil eye, or otherwise ruin your life. You can use any consecrated one to combat negative impacts. Buy a suitable one (it can be a personalized one or an image of your favorite saint) and carry it with you at all times. Even if you have already been damaged, its impact will gradually fade away.

There is an opinion that from different types The evil eye and damage are better helped by certain icons, but this is not entirely true. Each image has the necessary strength and energy, although there are also a number of icons that help in specific situations, when damage or the evil eye has already been imposed on you.

So, for example, icons depicting the Baptist John are suitable if, against the background of the imposed damage, you have severe chronic headaches, apathy, depression and have completely lost energy.

Images of the Blessed Virgin Mary relieve damage that affects the eyes or vision, and, moreover, remove possible negativity from children and the elderly, who are especially susceptible to damage and the evil eye.

Icons are the main religious decoration Christian churches. True believers consider them an important part of home life. Orthodox churches keep a huge number of icons, which depict the faces of Saints and scenes from the Holy Scriptures. A person who comes to church for the first time for help from God needs to know which icons to turn to with a request.

Purpose of icons

The “Holy Trinity” icon, symbolically embodying wisdom, reason and love, is the main shrine of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. It is generally accepted that the “Trinity” should be in every home, since it has important in a person's destiny. Before this icon, asking for forgiveness of sins, pray to those who have lost hope.

The image of the Savior Not Made by Hands has always been a favorite in Rus'; it is no coincidence that the face of the Savior was depicted on the banners of Russian soldiers. People turn to the Savior with requests to forgive sins, heal illnesses, and guide them on the righteous path. There is another type of image of the Savior, called the Savior Almighty, in which the Heavenly King and Judge appears. Before this image, you need to thank God, pray for your loved ones and ask for resolution of life’s problems.

There are a large number of options for icons of the Mother of God. This is due to the fact that Holy Mother of God appeared to people in different territories and in different time. And icon painters reflected its appearance in icons, which were then accepted by the Church. The book by Evgeniy Poselyanin, written at the end of the 19th century, mentions more than six hundred icons of the Mother of God that performed real miracles. The most famous and revered icons are the Vladimir, Kazan, Tikhvin, and Iveron icons. In difficult times for Russia, the Kazan Mother of God acted as the protector of the Russian people. From the time of baptism, the Kazan Mother of God helps a person in work, blesses those entering into legal marriage, and stops fire. In his everyday needs, a person can always turn to her. Waiting for important things to happen life events, one should pray to the Mother of God of Vladimir, whose image accompanied the kings who ascended the throne. You can ask this Mother of God for healing of the soul and bodily weakness, for softening the hard-hearted. The Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God is considered a guidebook that preserves a person on a long journey. The Iveron Mother of God is the guardian icon, protector from evil forces, illnesses, and enemies.

The Russian people at all times have treated Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker with special love. An icon with his image must be purchased for the home, because it protects wealth in the family and saves them from want. Nicholas the Wonderworker patronizes travelers and stands up for unjustly offended people.

The Great Martyr Panteleimon gave healing from serious illnesses during his lifetime. They ask Saint Panteleimon for health and help in overcoming illnesses.

Among the “modern” revered saints is Blessed Matrona, to whom a huge number of people come every day with various requests.

Saint Sergius of Radonezh is also the patron. You must take the icon with his face with you when going to study or an exam. Those people whose work involves great risk to life (for example, military personnel, firefighters, rescuers) are protected from harm by Saint George the Victorious.

Every person has a patron icon and intercessor. You can identify “yours” by .

Prayer before the images of Saints

Standing in front of the icons, it is necessary to pray, that is, to have a sincere conversation with the Saints asking for help. This spiritual conversation must be correct, only then will it be heard.

When turning to the Saints, one must not be distracted by extraneous thoughts; one must concentrate and not pretend. You can say the prayer out loud or in a whisper, but with feeling. You need to ask only for spiritual help for yourself and others, but not material. Before
The name of the Great Martyr was given to her at baptism in honor of the Venerable Matrona of Constantinople. On this day, the first sign was sent that the girl would become a servant of the Lord - after ascending over the font, a light column of steam appeared above her nakedness.

Despite such a great destiny, Matrona’s life was quite difficult - poverty, mistrust on the part of a large number of people, misunderstanding on the part of her peers in childhood. The mother felt sorry for her daughter, to which the enlightened one said that she was not unhappy - she was given much more from the Lord than other, even healthy, people.

Matrona moved to Moscow in 1925, where she remained until the end of her days, helping ordinary people in churches and temples. Here she was buried, and then her relics were removed from the ground and canonized, making her Saint Matrona. And it is in Moscow that you can visit places where the relics of Matronushka will help you cope with life’s difficulties and self-doubt.

Places where you can pray over the icon of St. Matrona of Moscow

The main place of the procession of pilgrims is in the Intercession Monastery. Three main shrines are kept here, reminiscent of the miracles that Holy Matrona performed. These are the relics of the great martyr, icon Mother of God for the cell, the painting of which was blessed by the Matrona of Moscow, and the icon of the latter itself.

You can also touch the holy relics of Matrona of Moscow and pray over her icon:
- in the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Endov;
- in the Church of St. Gregory of Neocaesarea in Derbitsy;
- in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ at the former Semenovskoye cemetery;
- in the temple of the Unmercenary Cosmas and Damian in Shubin;
- in the temple Tikhvin icon Mother of God, in the village of Baranovo, Kursk region;
- in the Church of the Kazan Mother of God in Balezin in Udmurtia.

When to remember the saint

To ask for help from Saint Matrona, you don’t have to wait for a special day, but you will have a better connection with her if you pray on the days of her memory. Orthodox Church Several specific dates for the memory of the great martyr have been established:

What to give to please both the baby and his parents? The answer to this question is simple. Everything that a baby may need in the course of his life. It is best to purchase gifts in a specialized children's store. The choice of gift always directly depends on the amount of money you plan to spend.

Gifts for baby

Gifts from relatives. You can give large gifts from relatives: a stroller, a changing table, a crib, a bathtub, an envelope for a walk, a baby monitor. They also give family heirlooms - jewelry and decorations that are kept by the parents until the child reaches a certain age.

Money. Not everyone considers money a full-fledged gift. However, in our time it is practical, since parents will be able to buy for the baby what he lacks. A very convenient compromise between money and a gift is a gift card from a children's store. The card indicates a monetary limit that can be spent on any product.

Cloth. You can find cute bodysuits, pants, blouses, and hats for little ones in any large children's store. If you want to give a warm suit or booties that you knitted yourself, that’s great. Just remember that knitted items will come into contact with the baby’s delicate skin. Therefore, the knitted product must be made of quality material and have external seams.

Bed sheets. You can give a blanket and blanket, which will come in handy during the cold season. Choose a set of bed linen from natural fabrics, bright and cheerful colors.

Accessories and nice helpers. For daily For baby care, you can donate hygiene products (shampoos, oils, bathing foam, wet wipes, diapers). Today, stores offer a huge variety of children's cosmetics. In a few months, the child will eat from a plate, so you can also give a set of children's dishes.

To help mom- night lights, a carrying bag, bumpers for the crib, a multifunctional rattle for the stroller, a potty, a children's slide for swimming, a thermometer in the form of a toy, a carousel mobile for the crib.

What to give to the parents of a newborn. A photo album for the first photos of the baby, in which happy parents will post photos with their beloved child and add memorable dates. A photo frame with clay for the imprint of a child’s feet or hands, where the footprints of a newborn will be captured for a long memory. Give an original souvenir - a figurine of an angel who will protect the baby.

If you are just invited to visit, then come with rattles and diapers - they will never hurt.

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 for some reason a person is far from the Christian faith, then your surprise will not bring him much benefit.

Is it possible to give icons as a gift: signs

• 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 envious people caused 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- 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.

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?

• 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?

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 icon-intercessor. 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 such a gift should be presented 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?

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 was these saints in ancient Rus' that were considered the 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 founder 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?

• For the baptism of a child, as for any important event in life you have to prepare very seriously. Moreover, both parents and godparents should do this. Of course, 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?

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?

• 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

• 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 don’t pay attention to any bad omens. The main thing is to give your gift with pure thoughts and best wishes.