Video and photos about the amazing miraculous icon “Tenderness” Holy Mother of God who travels around the world and has a very great importance for Christians, is a poster calendar of one believing woman, which suddenly began to smell fragrant. A huge number of believers received healing and grace from her. This is the favorite icon of Seraphim of Sarov.

Icon “Tenderness” (Lokot village, Bryansk region). This is the only double-sided miraculous myrrh-streaming icon in the world. The myrrh-streaming icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” has miraculous power; it heals physical and mental illnesses. Yes, and the appearance of the icon itself can be called a miracle.

A resident of the village of Lokot, Bryansk region, Natalya Shishkova, as usual, went to the local department store and saw calendars with the image of the Mother of God lying neglected on the store counter.

She made a remark to the saleswoman that even though the calendars are not church calendars, since there is an image of the face of the Mother of God, it is unworthy to store it in this form, but it is necessary to store it in a proper way. To which the saleswoman said that these calendars were expired, and anyway no one would buy them and they would have to be thrown away.

Natalya went home, and on the way the thought occurred to her that she had denounced the saleswoman, but she herself just needed to buy this calendar. She went back and bought the last two calendars of the Mother of God with the “Tenderness” icon. I cut off the numbers and hung them on the wall at home and at work using regular push pins.

Time passed, and then one day, while at home, she was reading a book, published by the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, “Russia before the Second Coming.” When she read the chapter about the custodian of the Montreal Icon of the Mother of God, Jose Joseph Muñez-Cortez, at that moment she felt an unusual aroma and fragrance.

Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” photo

Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” photo

As in the case of the Iveron Montreal Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she first decided that someone had spilled cologne or perfume in the house, but when she began to look for the source of the aroma, she discovered that a large, greasy, fragrant stain had formed on the face of the Mother of God.

She invited a priest, who, having looked, noticed that now this often happens, when not only in churches, but also in the homes of lay people, images begin to stream myrrh, that you don’t need to pay attention to it, you look - it streams myrrh and it will pass. But the flow of myrrh and the fragrance did not stop; moreover, the flow of myrrh increased over time in such quantities that the myrrh flowed from the image onto the wall.

Seeing this, the priest said that this must be treated with caution - what if this miracle is not from God: “Let’s pray, and if during Great Lent this miracle stops, then this miracle is not God’s.” But on Easter, in their house, all the icons that they have, and there are quite a lot of them, were filled with myrrh.

It became clear that this was truly a miracle and they decided to place this image in an icon case. They took it off the wall and, to their amazement, discovered this: you know that myrrh is an oily substance that saturates the paper right through, and since the entire image was covered with myrrh, it would seem that the calendar should also be saturated with it peace through and through.

But when they took it off the wall, they saw that it was reverse side Only the face of the Mother of God was saturated with peace! The rest of the surface of the calendar remained as white and dry as before.

For this reason, the icon case and frame of this icon were made double. This icon is not ordinary: no matter which side you look at, there is an image and there is an image. Over time, they began to notice that healings began to occur from this icon. And the people who began to come to this house with their icons, after prayers and akathists, are not always, but for the most part, covered in peace.

Over the past years, more than thirteen thousand kilometers have been walked around Holy Rus' in religious processions with this icon, which was first cast in peace in the village of Lokot, Bryansk region in 1999. The uniqueness of the Tenderness icon is that one day, through the myrrh abundantly flowing from the image of the Mother of God, on the back side of the icon the second face of the Most Holy Theotokos, identical to the original, began to miraculously appear.

Therefore, this icon is double. The study of miracles associated with the icon of “Tenderness” is carried out by a special expert group on miraculous phenomena in Russian Orthodox Church under the guidance of Professor P.V. Florensky. Over the past eleven years, many cases of healing and grace-filled help in everyday needs have been noted for people who came to her for worship and prayer.

The meaning of the Tenderness icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary photographs

The meaning of the icon “Tenderness” of the Blessed Virgin Mary photograph The reverse side of the miraculous side of the icon “Tenderness”, below you can see the image of the Savior on the Shroud of Turin - abundant flow of myrrh with different fragrances;

— several times the icon bled and shed tears;

- next to this image, many icons were consecrated, covered with blessed myrrh and renewed;

- during prayer services with the blessing of water, the water acquired an extraordinary smell and taste, the same happened during the blessing of sources;

- through prayers in front of this image, many people receive grace-filled help and healing, and the missing are found.

Unbelievers and doubters, seeing many miracles revealed from this Tenderness icon, turn to Orthodox faith and bring peace.

Troparion, tone 4

Let us fall to the Mother of God with tenderness, all burdened with sins, Her miraculous icon, kissing tenderness and crying out with tears: Lady, accept the prayer of Your unworthy servants and grant us, who ask, Your great mercy.

Kontakion, tone 3

Even though I imitate the barren fig tree, I am the accursed one, I do not bring tenderness to the fruit and am afraid of being flogged, but, looking at the miraculous icon of Your Tenderness, Lady, I groan from my heart and cry out: You have been touched, O Merciful One, and to me, who have a petrified heart, deign to bestow my soul and heart.

One day in 1994, a resident of the village. Lokot Bryansk region Natalya Nikolaevna (spiritual daughter of Father Meletius (Demina), in the store " Child's world» drew attention to the wall calendar with the image of the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” - the favorite image of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

The calendar was for last year, and, upset, she left the store. But my heart sank because I looked so alone in the store, among the crowds of indifferent people, this “expired” image that no one purchased. She returned and bought the remaining two calendars. At home I cut out images and hung them on the wall.

Once, during her illness in 1999, Natalya Nikolaevna was reading a book on the cover of which was depicted the image of the Mother of God “Tenderness”. And suddenly she felt a fragrance, quite surprised. She had never experienced such an unusually thick aroma of flowers, the feeling of the morning dawn - the whole room was saturated with it.

The fragrance came from the icon from the old calendar. She and her husband decided to put the miraculous image in a frame and, turning it over, saw that the face of the Mother of God appeared on the other side. They called the priest, sang an akathist - the icon began to bleed myrrh...

Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Tenderness” for which they pray video and photos

The flow of myrrh continues to this day, except during the periods of Lent. They made her a double-sided chasuble, and on the other side this chasuble follows the design of the image that appeared. Placed in an icon case, the icon streams myrrh inside it, and often the outer side glass

The front side of the icon, covered with the world for so many years, contrary to the laws of physics, does not soak through the paper. On the other hand, only the emerging image is covered with an oil layer. Because of the robe, we do not see it completely, but in the photographs shown, the face of Christ from the Shroud of Turin appears in the area of ​​the womb of the Virgin Mary.

To this day, the icon itself streams myrrh abundantly, and the icons of numerous pilgrims displayed in front of it also stream myrrh. The bread and water placed right there are covered with myrrh. Sometimes those praying are sprinkled with a drizzle of rain.

Old icons in this house are being renewed, broken ones are being fused, white metal vestments are being covered with gold before our eyes (though the owner, laughing, noted that no one had done a chemical examination, we're talking about only about color for now). Experts presented video recordings of myrrh flow in Lokta. Other amazing events also occur, according to Natalya Nikolaevna, through the prayers of Elder Meletius and the mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Archpriest Alexander Mitrushin, rector of the Church of All Who Sorrow of the Joy of the Oryol diocese, noticed that plants also react to the icon. The priest recalled an incident when his parishioner, who received a dried rose that once adorned this image, was forced to stop the car in which he was returning home with his gift: the interior was filled with a strong fragrance, and the windows were covered with dew.

What does the miraculous icon of “Tenderness” of the Blessed Virgin Mary mean?

There were also cases of miraculous healing of seriously ill people after praying before this image. Thus, after a trip to Lokot, an ultrasound scan of a resident of Bryansk, who was preparing for a serious oncological operation, did not reveal a tumor. The keeper of the icon, Natalya Nikolaevna, being a doctor herself, strongly advised the woman to undergo surgery.

At the site of the former tumor, recorded by photographs and tests, a small ulcer was discovered during the operation, and the metastases seemed to be cauterized.

The rector of St. Nicholas Church in the village of Lyamtsino, Domodedovo district, Fr. Alexander Trushin told how, having laid out his icon of St. Nicholas, he secretly planned, following the example of Gideon from Old Testament: “Lord, if this is Your will, then let one icon – mine – remain dry.”

And on the screen we saw among the abundantly myrrh-streaming images of the “dry” St. Nicholas. The priest also gave a spiritual understanding of what he saw in Lokto: the nature of all the miracles sent to us by God is in the humility, joy and grace with which they fill our soul.

At the meeting round table, held on February 2, 2006. within the framework of the XVI International Christmas Readings at Moscow University, in which members of the expert panel took part working group according to the description of the miraculous events taking place in the Russian Orthodox Church under the Synodal Theological Commission of the Moscow Patriarchate, Orthodox priests, icon painters, editors of Orthodox publications, the events under study - the flow of myrrh in the village. The Elbow of the Bryansk region was unanimously recognized as a miracle.

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Icon of Tenderness meaning, what it helps with

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On this shrine, the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted at her happiest moment, even before the birth of her child, Jesus, but after the Annunciation. Against the background of the divine image, the Protector stands out with her enthusiastic facial features and bright image. The Virgin Mary is depicted with her arms crossed in a prayer gesture, her head slightly bowed and her eyes slightly lowered, which in turn is the personification of kindness, chastity and restraint. The Mother of God is sealed precisely when the angel Gabriel talks about what she is about to give birth to the Son of God.

Initially, the icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness was made on canvas, which was attached to a cypress board. The image of the Saint was presented to St. Seraphim of Sarov by Nicholas II. Who was able to see not only the purity of hearts, but also the soul of every person, and therefore he could ask for healing for Orthodox people.

The oil from the lamp burning near the shrine had medicinal properties, thanks to which, by anointing the sick, Saint Seraphim could heal from various ailments. The Reverend himself died right in front of the miraculous image while kneeling.

Then, in 1991, the face was transferred to Patriarch Alexei II in Moscow to be placed in the patriarchal church, but for veneration the shrine is annually transferred to the Epiphany Cathedral. Gradually, many copies began to be made from the divine image, and some of them had no less healing properties than the original.

In this article you will learn the meaning of the Tenderness icon, what the miraculous image helps with, a prayer to the Mother of God, in which temples and churches the shrine can be located and much more.

When is a celebration held in honor of the Holy Image?

The Diveyevo Icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness is revered in many churches and temples, and celebrations are held in her honor:

• December 22/9 (old style) - the day of the Venerable Seraphim of the Maiden Mill Community;
• August 1/July 19 (old style);
• August 10/July 28 (old style).

How does the icon of the Tenderness of the Virgin Mary help and its meaning?

The miraculous face can essentially be considered female, which is why it is mainly aimed at protecting and helping the beautiful female half of humanity. The meaning of the Tenderness icon is very important for many, and therefore, by turning to the Holy Face, young girls can thus preserve their good character, purity, and chastity.

It is also believed that if you ask for support from the Mother of God, she will definitely help, the main thing is to believe, and the stronger she is, the sooner you will get what you want.

What do people pray for to the Icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness?

• The miraculous image of the Most Pure One first of all helps to free oneself from various ailments;
• The shrine will also relieve you from mental burdens, and will also help you overcome adolescence;
• A prayer service to the Divine image can help in conceiving a child, and can also facilitate the birth process;
• It can also be noted that what the Tenderness icon helps with is the tenderness of evil hearts, getting rid of immoral thoughts and giving harmony;
• The image will help girls find a worthy person and bring happiness to life.

The meaning of the icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness is very important for many Orthodox Christians, because the image itself is distinguished by amazing touchingness, tenderness and the ability to protect from the most painful despondencies. It flows in the heart when severe trials befall a person and protects against significant shocks, and until a depressed state of mind sets in, from a series of monotonous, gray everyday life.

Where is the icon of the Tenderness of the Blessed Virgin Mary located?

The shrine of the Mother of God can be found in Golitsyno in the Cathedral of Seraphim of Sarov. In the last century, somewhere in the 60s, from the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery, one of the nuns handed over the miraculous copy of the cell image of the Most Holy Theotokos Seraphim of Sarov for safekeeping to the icon painter Alexei Artsybushev.

This miraculous icon of Tenderness, which was painted in the 19th century, was in the artist’s house for over 40 years, but after that he donated the shrine to the Cathedral of St. Seraphim of Sarov (Golitsyno) that was under construction.

One of the most revered copies of the divine image is in the Trinity Cathedral of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Church, in whose honor the border was even consecrated. The face was painted somewhere in the late 19th - early 20th centuries by the nuns of the monastery. Although the image exists relatively recently, during this time it has become widely known due to its miraculous properties.

In honor of this face, special days of veneration were even determined, which fell on December 9 and July 28, and before the start of the service, every week on Sunday the Paraklis church chant is held in front of the divine image.

The most revered shrine among the Orthodox people is located in the capital in the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral.

Miracles performed by the image of the Virgin Mary

• According to the chronicle, in 1337 a frightening pestilence reigned in Novgorod, which took more and more human lives every day, and there was no salvation from the deadly disease. And then, in despair, the entire Orthodox people gathered and marched to the Trinity Cathedral, where they tearfully began to cry out to the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, reading a prayer for salvation from the cruel embrace of the epidemic. After which the attack soon receded, and in memory of this divine help, people began to make an annual crusade to the Trinity Monastery from St. Sophia Cathedral.
• There were also cases when the image could stream myrrh, one of which occurred on July 8, 1337, but not only did tears flow from the face, but the entire image hovered in the air, held by some unknown force. After which the clergy was convened, and the procession to the Trinity Cathedral for services;
• In the settlement of Lokot (Bryansk region) there is a unique divine shrine of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Heavenly Queen in the family of Natalia and Viktor Remezov. One day a sufferer came to their house with cancer, and in the near future she had to undergo a complex operation. The woman earnestly and with all her heart prayed to the Mother of God for a successful outcome of her illness, and then she went to the hospital to prepare for the operation. However, after the ultrasound examination, the doctors were seriously surprised, because the ultrasound showed that there were no more cancer cells, and the patient turned out to be completely healthy.

Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God Tenderness

“Oh, Most Holy Lady Lady, Virgin Mary! Accept our unworthy prayers, save us from slander evil people and from vain death, give us first and give us a place of joy in sorrow. And deliver us, O Lady and Lady Theotokos, from all evil, and grant us, your sinful servants, to be at the right hand at the second coming of Your Son, Christ our God, and to be our heirs, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life with all the saints for endless ages. Amen".

“Receive, O all-powerful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, this honorable gift, the only one applied to You, from us, Your unworthy servants: chosen from all generations, the highest of all creatures of heaven and earth, who appeared, because for Your sake the Lord Almighty was with us, and By You we have known the Son of God and become worthy of His holy Body and His most pure Blood; Blessed are you, too, in the birth of generations, O God-blessed One, the brightest of the cherubim and the most honest of the seraphim. And now, all-sung Most Holy Theotokos, do not cease praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, that we may be delivered from every evil advice and every situation and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous pretext of the devil; but even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned, as if by Your intercession and help we are saved, glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for all in the Trinity to one God and we send all to the Creator, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen".

God bless you!

You might also be interested in watching a video about miraculous icon Tenderness of the Mother of God:

Icon “Tenderness” – meaning, what does it help with?

On the icon “Tenderness” the Mother of God is depicted in a happy moment before the birth of the baby, but after the Annunciation. She stands out with her bright face and enthusiastic expression. Mary has half-lowered eyes, prayerfully crossed hands and a slightly bowed head, all this symbolizes meekness, humility and chastity. The Virgin Mary is depicted at the moment when the angel Gabriel informs her that she is destined to give birth to the Son of God. Icon Day is celebrated on August 1 and 10.

Initially, the face was depicted on canvas, which was attached to a cypress board. Nicholas II presented it to St. Seraphim of Sarov. He had the ability to see the hearts and souls of people, which is why he prayed for their healing. The oil from the lamp that burned near the image had healing properties. The monk anointed the sick with it, which contributed to their recovery. Seraphim called this icon “The Joy of All Joys.” The monk died kneeling right in front of the icon. In 1991, the image was transferred to Moscow Patriarch Alexy II, who placed it in the patriarchal church. Every year the icon is transferred to the Epiphany Cathedral, where worship takes place. Over time, a huge number of copies were made and some of them also have miraculous powers.

How does the Tenderness icon help and its meaning?

In general, the image is considered feminine, so its power is aimed at protecting the fair sex. Thanks to the use of the icon, a girl can maintain purity, good character and chastity. It is believed that the image helps everyone and, most importantly, faith, and the stronger it is, the faster the desired will come true.

What do they pray for to the “Tenderness” icon:

1. Prayer to this icon helps to get through puberty easier, promotes conception and easy childbirth.
2. The image helps to get rid of various diseases.
3. Mothers turn to the Mother of God asking for happy life their daughters, so that they find a worthy life partner and be happy.
4. If you turn to the image, you can get rid of bad thoughts, emotional experiences and achieve harmony.

Today, many girls prefer to embroider the “Tenderness” icon. During the process itself, it is recommended to pray and turn to the Mother of God. You need to work with a sense of repentance good mood and without bad thoughts. Many women who could not get pregnant found out immediately after finishing work that they were pregnant. Embroidered paintings play the role of an ordinary icon that you can pray to.

The prayer to the Tenderness icon sounds like this:

“Oh, Most Holy Lady Lady, Virgin Mary! Accept our unworthy prayers, save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, give us first and give us a place of joy in sorrow. And deliver us, O Lady and Lady Theotokos, from all evil, and grant us, your sinful servants, to be at the right hand at the second coming of Your Son, Christ our God, and to be our heirs, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life with all the saints for endless ages. Amen".

Other icons of the Mother of God “Tenderness” and their meaning

One of famous icons Mother of God “Tenderness” – Pskov-Pecherskaya. It is a list of the “Vladimir Mother of God”. It was written in 1521 by the monk Arseny Khitrosh. This icon belongs to the “Eleus” type. It depicts the Virgin Mary holding Jesus in her arms. The baby presses its cheek to its mother, which symbolizes the enormous power of children’s love for their parents.

The image became famous throughout the world thanks to its miraculous power. She defended Christians in the most difficult periods of life. In 1581, the Polish king decided to conquer Pskov and began dropping red-hot cannonballs on the city. One shell hit the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” directly, but it was not damaged in any way. It is believed that it was the face of the Mother of God that helped withstand the pressure of the Polish army. According to existing legends, the image of the Mother of God helped take Polotsk from the French. There are also many stories when miraculous icon helped people cope with various ailments.

The Novgorod Icon “Tenderness” is of great importance. Residents of Novgorod have been worshiping this image for more than 700 years. It protects the city from various misfortunes, for example, fires, wars, etc. The celebration of this icon takes place on July 8th.

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“Tenderness” is an icon of the Mother of God. Prayer, meaning

In the Orthodox Church, several types of icons of the Mother of God are accepted for veneration, one of them is “Tenderness”. On the icons of “Tenderness” (in the Greek tradition - “Eleusa”) the Most Holy Theotokos is usually depicted from the waist up. She holds the baby - the Savior - in her arms and bows with tenderness to her Divine Son.

The Seraphim-Diveyevo icon “Tenderness” is different from the others; the Mother of God is depicted alone on it. Her hands are folded crosswise on her chest, and her whole appearance conveys a state of deep humility and love. This image does not belong to the “Eleus” type of icon painting, however, it has an identical name.

“Tenderness” – icon of the Mother of God of Pskov-Pecherskaya

The Pskov-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” (photo below) is a copy of the “Vladimir Mother of God”. It was written by the monk Arseny Khitrosh in 1521. The icon was brought to the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery by pious merchants in the years 1529-1570, when the Monk Cornelius was the abbot of the monastery. This holy icon became famous throughout the world for its miraculous help, supporting and protecting Orthodox Christians in difficult moments of life.

“Tenderness” - the icon of the Mother of God of Pskov-Pechersk - belongs to the “Eleus” icon painting type, which is the most common in Russian icon painting. Here the Virgin Mary is depicted holding her Son Jesus Christ in her arms. The baby presses his cheek to the Mother of God, showing highest degree filial love.

TO this type include such icons of the Mother of God as Donskaya, Vladimirskaya, Yaroslavlskaya, Feodorovskaya, Zhirovitskaya, Grebnevskaya, Pochaevskaya, Seek the Dead, Akhrenskaya, Degtyarevskaya, etc. One of the images of this type is the Pechersk icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”.

The history of the glorification of the miraculous icon

In 1581, the Polish ruler King Stefan Batory attempted to besiege Pskov. From the bell tower of the Mirozhsky Monastery, soldiers of the opposing side dropped red-hot cannonballs, one of which hit the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness,” hanging on the top of the city wall. But the image was miraculously preserved, and the core fell near it without causing any damage. Having lost in this war, principality of Lithuania was forced to once again conclude a truce with Russia.

Thanks to the help of the Mother of God, the city of Polotsk was taken from the French. The event occurred on October 7, 1812 during Patriotic War during the invasion of Napoleon Bonaparte's troops. The commander of the I Corps attributes his victory precisely to the help of the Mother of God and her holy image “Tenderness”. The icon of the Mother of God with its miraculous power helped to win another victory.

There are numerous known cases of this icon helping in the miraculous healing of blind people. The widow, who prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, received recovery after fervent prayer in front of the Tenderness icon. The icon of the Mother of God became famous by a great miracle. The woman was blind for almost three years, and after fervent prayer before the miraculous image she regained her sight. A peasant who had not seen for six years was also healed of blindness. In addition, various cases of recovery from serious illnesses were noted, which occurred with the help of the Mother of God after prayer in front of this holy image.

“Tenderness” – Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon

The Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” is considered one of the main shrines of the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery. The nuns and nuns of the convent consider her their Heavenly Mother Superior. This icon was in the cell of Seraphim of Sarov. He revered this icon very deeply, calling it “Joy of All Joys.” Standing in prayer before the image of the Mother of God, the monk peacefully departed to the Lord. Even during the life of the saint, a lamp burned in front of the icon, with oil from which he anointed all people who came to him, healing them from mental and physical ailments.

An interesting fact is that the iconographic type of this icon is more characteristic of Western Christianity than Eastern tradition writing. The Most Holy Theotokos is depicted here at a young age, at that moment in Her life when Archangel Gabriel announced the Good News about the incarnation of the Son of God. The face of the Holy Virgin Mary is thoughtful, her hands are folded crosswise on her chest, her gaze is turned down. Above the head there is an inscription of words from the akathist: “Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!”

History of the icon

The history of writing and the author of this icon are unknown, its origin dates back to late XVIII century. After the death of Seraphim of Sarov, the image was transferred to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Diveyevo monastery. For this purpose, a special chapel was built, and the icon was placed in a special elegant icon case. Since those times, there has been a tradition: all nuns of the monastery stand behind the icon case of the Mother of God during the service.

In 1902, Saint Emperor Nicholas II presented the monastery with a precious gilded robe for the Tenderness icon and a decorated silver lamp. In the year when Seraphim of Sarov was glorified, several were made from the Mother of God icon exact lists, who were sent to various Russian monasteries.

In the post-revolutionary period, when the Diveyevo monastery was closed, the icon of the Mother of God was taken to Murom by the Diveyevo Abbess Alexandra. In 1991, the miraculous image was handed over to Alexy II, the Patriarch of Moscow, who placed the icon in the patriarchal church, where it is currently located. Once a year, the miraculous image is taken to the Epiphany Cathedral for veneration. All Orthodox Christians who wish can venerate it. The Diveyesky Monastery now houses exact copy miraculous image.

Novgorod Icon “Tenderness”

Residents of Novgorod have been venerating another icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” for almost 700 years. She is known for numerous miracles that occurred from prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos.

The Blessed Virgin protected the city from fires, devastation and wars. Thanks to fervent heartfelt prayer in front of this holy image, many people received healing from spiritual sorrows and bodily illnesses. The celebration of the icon takes place on July 8.

Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”

On the Smolensk Mother of God icon “Tenderness” the Holy Virgin is depicted with her hands folded crosswise on her chest. She admires her Divine Son playing in the folds of Her robe. The face of the Blessed Virgin is filled with deep love and simultaneous sadness for Her Son.

The image has been known to the world since 1103. And he became famous thanks to the miraculous intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, who protected Smolensk from the attack of Polish soldiers in early XVII century.

Miraculous Icon of the “Tenderness” of the Mother of God, meaning for believers

When praying to the Most Holy Theotokos “Tenderness,” many Christians ask for the strengthening of faith, for the reconciliation of warring parties, for deliverance from the invasion of enemies and for the preservation of the Russian state. But most often young girls and women come to her, pouring out numerous requests for a successful marriage, healing from infertility and the birth of healthy children. Any “Tenderness” icon depicts the state of the holy soul of the Mother of God: her endless love for people, great purity and holiness.

Many Christian women, after performing a sincere prayer in front of the holy image, note deep peace, faith and hope in the miraculous power of the Blessed Virgin. The icon of the “Tenderness” of the Mother of God helps in this. The meaning of this holy image lies in the help of the Mother of God to all people who ask her.

Many Orthodox Christian women embroider icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Recently, beads have become more often used for this purpose. There is a pious tradition to dedicate this work to the Blessed Virgin. While embroidering, believing women pray and work with a feeling of repentance. In their request to give birth to healthy children, some mothers take on the labor of embroidering icons. When the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” with beads is ready, it is enclosed in a glass frame and consecrated in Orthodox church. After this, they pray in front of the image in the hope of receiving what they ask for.

Hymnography

Many prayers dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos are known. In front of the Tenderness icon, believers read an akathist. Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” contains deep meaning: Orthodox Christians praise the Blessed Virgin, calling Her the Intercessor and Defender of our Country, the Beauty and Glory of the monastery, and also ask to save people from evil, save Russian cities and protect the Orthodox people from the invasion of enemies, earthquakes, floods, from evil people and other misfortunes. It is customary to say this prayer when turning to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help, in the hope of Her heavenly help and support.

The Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” contains predominantly laudatory texts. It contains 13 ikos and kontakia, which illuminate some historical events associated with the appearance and glorification of the holy icon. The akathist also sets out various requests to the Most Holy Theotokos for help, protection and prayer for the sinful human race. At the end, a final kneeling prayer is always read, filled with requests to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the salvation and protection of all people.

Conclusion

There are several various types Orthodox icons Mother of God, called “Tenderness”: there are miraculous, locally revered and revered images.

Despite the fact that all these images are different, they have one thing in common - they always convey the boundless love of the Most Holy Theotokos for Orthodox Christians and all people.

The Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” in Moscow is located at the Center for Social Forensic Psychiatry named after. V. P. Serbsky. This is a functioning church at home, located at the address: Khamovniki, Kropotkinsky Lane, 23. Believers who want to pray and find peace of mind are always welcome here.

Everyone is familiar with the “Tenderness” icon: what is its meaning, how does it help? One of the oldest isographical subjects, according to legend, was written by the Evangelist Luke. The Mother of God even then personified the Church in all its symbolic meanings.

This is hope, the continuous connection of people with Heaven, the not lost possibility of forgiveness and salvation, perseverance and devotion to God in the most terrible trials. And at the same time - endless condescension, help, guidance, acceptance, consolation, affection and unconditional love.

The image speaks absolutely brilliantly and naturally about all these things in language family relations. That’s why all hearts respond to her, like a mother’s kiss. In the Greek tradition, this image is called “glycofilus”, which means “sweet kiss”. We have stuck with the designation “tenderness” or in Greek “eleusa”.

Many of the famous images of the Virgin Mary go back to him: for example, Vladimir, Pskov-Pechersk, Don, Feodorovsk and Yaroslavl. Shared the difficult fate of Russian Orthodoxy special kind“eleusy” – Serafimo-Diveevskaya.

The history of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Tenderness” Seraphimo-Diveevskaya

The original image has survived to this day. Initially it was a cell icon St. Seraphim Sarovsky. She was the “joy of joys” for the great ascetic; he prayed in front of her for many years, healed many people with the oil from her lamp, and went to God on his knees before her.

What the original is is an oil painting covered in canvas on a cypress board. Created in the second half of the 18th century in the likeness of the Ostrobramskaya Icon of the Mother of God, equally revered by Orthodox and Catholics.

The Virgin Mary is depicted here at the moment of the Annunciation. The icon looks like a bust-length portrait of a young woman: the girl’s face attracts all the viewer’s attention. But the woman’s eyes are half-lowered - the girl in herself is experiencing the great news entrusted to her, both joyful and terrible. Her arms crossed on her chest also emphasize her chosenness and loneliness among other human mothers, being also a gesture of humility before God's plan.

Seraphim of Sarov bequeathed the image to the sisters of the Mill community in the Diveyevo monastery he founded. The image of the Mother of God remained in the local Trinity Cathedral until the twenty-fifth year of the 20th century, being reputed to be miraculous, like many copies from it.

Closer to the thirtieth year, the monastery was “cleaned out.” Abbess Alexandra, who escaped execution, took the icon along with its frame to Murom. The next keeper of the relic from the beginning of the Second World War until her death was the nun Maria (in the world - Barinova), she was replaced by Patriarch Pimen. He hid it in the family of Archpriest Viktor Shapovalnikov from the village of Kratovo near Moscow.

From the early seventies, believers secretly came to him for almost 20 years: the holy image continued to bestow miracles and healings. Finally, in 1991, Sarovsky’s legacy passed to Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus'.

From now on, the newfound “Tenderness” adorns the capital’s Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral.

What do they pray for in front of the icon?

All souls who are in serious illness, sorrow or despondency should turn to her. The Most Holy Theotokos hears everyone, saves them from sinful thoughts and fear of life’s difficulties.

Most often, women turn to Her, but men should not be embarrassed to turn to Eleusa for consolation and encouragement. Lik sends help to protectors and educators of children, trustees and guardians. Before him, it is customary for parents to ask to protect their children from the temptations of adolescence.

It often becomes the last hope for women who are desperate to conceive a child. And women who are already preparing to become parents ask before the “Tenderness” to send down a successful pregnancy and childbirth.

Married couples can ask the Unmarried Bride to strengthen family ties, and young people can ask for help in making a choice life path, maintaining spiritual purity or a successful future marriage.

Prayer before the icon of “Tenderness”

The person praying asks the Virgin Mary to protect him from the slander of evil people, premature death without repentance, from all troubles, misfortunes and sorrows, to give joy instead of sadness in response to prayerful zeal.

The speaker of the sacred text begs to be worthy to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the text of another prayer, the speaker addresses the Mother of God as if she were a caring mother protecting a disobedient child from the wrath of the stern God the Father. She is called the giver of soul-saving gifts (sincere repentance and godly tenderness) and the comforter. The Mother of Christ is endowed with the ability to send down tears of repentance that revive immortal soul a man of sin.

They ask her for the help necessary for temporary and eternal life. They beg to “pacify the world,” to protect the temple, to grant serenity and abundance of earthly fruits, and also to say a merciful word for the sinful soul on the day of its meeting with the Creator, to help enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the third voice of the kontakion, the worshiper likens himself to a barren fig tree, giving no gifts to the world, but still alive - and tormented by the fear of being cut down. He looks at the icon with hope, praying to the Benevolent Lady for “tenderness” - softening his own sinful “stony” heart, awakening in him Christian compassion, desire and ability to give love.

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the Tenderness Icon Seraphimo-Diveevskaya

Every year on the fifth week of Great Lent, on the feast of the praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, the eleusa is taken out of the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral.

Everyone who comes to the temple on Saturday of the fifth week of the Great Pentecost can touch the ancient shrine. At the same time, the corresponding akathist is read in front of the sacred image.

In addition, a choir of praise in honor of the Intercessor of people in front of icons such as “Tenderness” is performed in all churches on December 22, August 1 and 10.

Conclusion

It is difficult to briefly express the full significance of this iconographic subject for a believer. Perhaps the most appropriate word is “hope.” It is the Christian woman’s inner confidence in goodness God's plan and her humble trust in Him gives the image of the Virgin Mary such a majestic peace, which modern man so lacks.

Orthodox churches have a huge number of all kinds of icons and relics. Not every believer knows what the meaning of the Tenderness icon is and how it helps. At the same time, this shrine is one of the most revered images of the Mother of God by Orthodox Christians. Such fame is associated with its miraculous power, helping to overcome a wide variety of ailments and ailments.

The icon, called “Tenderness” (“Merciful”), is a half-length image of the Virgin Mary, reflecting the moment when she had already received the good news from the Archangel Gabriel, but had not yet given birth to Jesus. The image was created using paints light colors, which allows us to convey the joy and delight of the Mother of God, who seems to be praying, bowing her head slightly, half-lowering her eyes and crossing her palms on her chest.

Around her crown are inscribed the words “Hail, Unbridled Bride.” This phrase is a reminder that Mary conceived and gave birth to a child without knowing a man. This revealed the miracle of God, and also reflected her own chastity and purity.

Initially, the face of the Blessed Virgin Mary was painted on a canvas attached to a cypress board. Later, by order of Nicholas II, the Tenderness icon was framed in a precious robe.

Using oil from a lamp burning near the image, Saint Seraphim of Sarov, who received this image of the face of the Mother of God as a gift, healed believers from a variety of ailments. Later, he himself died while reading a prayer in front of the shrine.

In 1991, the image was transferred to Moscow, where it was supposed to be placed in the patriarchal church, but the icon is sent annually to the Epiphany Cathedral so that it is available to parishioners for veneration.

She has several days of special veneration (new/old style):

• 22.12/09.12;
• 01.08/19.07;
• 10.08/28.07.

Each of them is associated with a special event or the creation of lists (copies) of the image. The most famous of them can be found:

• in the Cathedral of Seraphim of Sarov (Golitsyno);
• in the Seraphim-Diveevo Church (Trinity Cathedral);
• at the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral (Moscow).

You can add the Pskov-Pechersk image to this series, but the style of its writing is noticeably different, although the name and plot are the same as those of other images.

Meaning and help

The seven-shot icon “Tenderness” is characterized by the fact that the meaning is directly related to the image of the Mother of God herself, who is capable of mercy even the most sinful, giving them her protection. It symbolizes purity of thoughts and kindness of character, and also helps a girl acquire and maintain these qualities.

The image also helps women:

• improve your health (both mental and physical):
• cope with the difficulties of adolescence;
• get out of depression;
• cure infertility;
• facilitate childbirth;
• calm anger;
• get rid of thoughts of immoral content;
• find harmony and happiness;
• find a worthy husband.

You can turn to the face of the Virgin Mary with requests for help in many other matters, if the need arises. Regardless of what a believer prays to the icon of the “Tenderness” of the Mother of God, he should do it with with an open heart, relying entirely on the intercession of the Mother of God.

If the face of the Mother of God “Tenderness” comes to a man or woman in a dream, then this is a harbinger of joy and goodness.

If we talk about the significance of the Ostrobramskaya icon and how it helps, then you will find that this shrine is very similar to the image of “Tenderness”. However, the Ostrobramskaya (Korsun Annunciation) Mother of God is revered by both Christians and Catholics, and also has richer decoration, made of gold, silver, pearls and precious stones.

At the same time, another image of the Virgin Mary, called “Tenderness of Evil Hearts” (and often associated with the “Seven Arrow” icon), on the contrary, is noticeably different in appearance by the presence of 7 swords aimed at the Mother of God and symbolizing the 7 deadly sins. At the same time, it is also miraculous and helps strengthen the strength of the spirit.

Not the last place in the list is occupied by the “Three-Handed Woman,” which, although depicted with the baby Jesus in her arms (unlike other icons), also helps in healing illnesses and maintaining faith in the most difficult periods of a person’s life.

Sometimes the “Triplet” Mother of God is added to this series (to be triltent means “to be at the age three years"). But this image is not considered official, and the Russian Orthodox Church does not accept it, believing that it is not deep and meaningful enough to support the spiritual growth of believers.

However, it should be remembered that no matter where the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” is located, what it helps with and what significance it has, its power and the joy embodied in it are always open to believers, which gives them the opportunity to hope for the resolution of their life and spiritual difficulties .

SERAPHIM-DIVEEVSKAYA ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “TOUCHING”

In the Orthodox Church, several types of icons of the Mother of God “Tenderness” (in the Greek tradition - “Eleusa”) are accepted for veneration. Eleusa (Greek Ελεούσα - merciful from έλεος - compassion, sympathy) is one of the main types of depiction of the Mother of God in Russian icon painting. On them, the Most Holy Theotokos is usually depicted from the waist up and holding the baby - the Savior - in her arms and bowing with tenderness to her Divine Son.

The Seraphim-Diveyevo icon “Tenderness” is different from the others - the Mother of God is depicted alone on it. An interesting fact is that the iconographic type of this icon is characteristic of Western Christianity rather than the Eastern tradition of writing. According to the iconography, it goes back to the one revered in Lithuania and western Russia, from which it differs in the absence of Western attributes - a crescent moon below and stars around the halo. The Most Holy Theotokos is depicted here at a young age, at that moment in Her life when Archangel Gabriel announced the Good News about the incarnation of the Son of God. The face of the Holy Virgin Mary is thoughtful, her hands are folded crosswise on her chest, her gaze is turned down, her eyes are half-closed, and her whole appearance conveys a state of deep humility and love. Above the head there is an inscription of words from the akathist: “Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!” This image does not belong to the “Eleusa” type of icon painting, however, it has an identical name.

The Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” belonged to the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov and was his cell icon. The history of writing and the author of this icon are unknown; its origin dates back to the end of the 18th century.

With oil from the lamp that burned in front of this holy icon, the Reverend anointed the sick, who received healing after the anointing.

The ascetic called the icon “Tenderness” - “Joy of All Joys”, and in front of it he died in prayer on January 2, 1833. After the death of St. Seraphim, the Sarov rector, Fr. Nifont gave the holy icon “Joy of All Joys” to the sisters of the Diveyevo Seraphim Monastery. They transferred it to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Diveyevo monastery, where the icon was located until Soviet period. For this purpose, a special chapel was built, and the icon was placed in a special elegant icon case. Since those times, there has been a tradition: all nuns of the monastery stand behind the icon case of the Mother of God during the service.

In 1902, Saint Emperor Nicholas II presented the monastery with a precious gilded robe for the Tenderness icon and a decorated silver lamp. In the year when Seraphim of Sarov was glorified, several accurate copies were made from the icon of the Mother of God, which were sent to various Russian monasteries.

In 1927 The Diveyevo Monastery, where the original “Joy of All Joys” icon was located, was closed, but the holy image was secretly taken to Murom by Abbess Alexandra of Diveyevo. For decades it was kept by pious people.

In 1991 the miraculous image was handed over to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II, who placed the icon in the Patriarchal Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God of the working Patriarchal residence in Chisty Lane, where she is currently located.

According to tradition, once a year - on the Feast of the Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary (5th Sunday of Great Lent (Saturday of the Akathist)) - the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church brings the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” to the service in Moscow Epiphany Cathedral in Elokhov to read the Akathist before her. On this day, the miraculous image is brought out for veneration - all Orthodox Christians who wish can venerate it.

The Diveyesky Monastery now houses an exact copy of the miraculous image., whichis considered one of the main shrines of the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery. The nuns and nuns of the convent consider her their Heavenly Mother Superior.

The celebration of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon “Tenderness” is taking place July 28/August 10.

Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK

for the Temple Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills in Moscow

Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” Pskov-Pecherskaya
O Most Holy Lady Lady, Virgin Mary! Accept our unworthy prayers, save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, grant us repentance before the end, have mercy on our prayers and grant joy in sorrow a place. And deliver us, O Lady Lady Theotokos, from every misfortune, adversity, sorrow, illness and all evil, and vouchsafe us, Thy sinful servants, to the right hand at the second coming of Thy Son, Christ our God, and make us heirs to be vouchsafed the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life with all the saints for ever and ever. Amen.