The Icon of the Savior is the central image in Orthodoxy. Since ancient times, it has been kept in every home. She was especially loved and revered, because this is an image of the Lord. There are many images of the Savior. And most of them are given miraculous power. Icons radiate peace and exude incense. They cure many ailments, not only mental, but also physical.
Symbol and meaning of icons
Since ancient times, believers began to portray God, Saints and the Mother of God. Over time, the church took control of this art and established certain rules and frameworks that were to be observed in the picture. The icon is a kind of mediator between the spiritual divine world and man. Thanks to the holy image, any prayer will ascend to heaven much faster.
The icons of the Orthodox Church are full of various metaphors and associations, each element and each detail has its own hidden, but rather large significance. Any image carries a kind of code that reveals the essence of the church, man and faith. For example, the cross is martyrdom, the pointing finger is God's work, and the Holy with a spear is a victory over evil. In addition, on some ancient icons you can see the vine and grapes - a sign of the church.
The symbolic language of icon painting covers not only the gestures and positions of saints. It defines the composition itself, the technique of the image, and even the color. However, all this is subject to individual church canons. This is done in order to eliminate the dual meaning and to protect believers from the manifestation of heresy.
The history of the first miraculous icons
Healing and helping images, according to church men, take their strength from God's grace. In the Orthodox Church, many miraculous icons are recognized, or rather about 1000. Basically, these are images of Christ and the Virgin.
Many legends say that the first miraculous image is the circuit board with which Jesus wiped his face and left an imprint on it. It is also called the Mandilion. Initially, the ancient Adesan king Avgar was healed of him. He was sick with leprosy.
One of the first references to miraculous icons is also the myrrh-streaming of the Pisidian Icon in the VI century. Then from the hand of the depicted Virgin Mary spruce. This phenomenon was confirmed at the VII Ecumenical Council.
The most famous miraculous images of the world
History knows many sacred images that have helped and still heal many human ailments - both mental and physical. At the same time, some Orthodox icons heal infertility, others help in marriage and love, others fulfill wishes, etc. Therefore, queues of believers eager for concrete help are built up to them. And there are such icons that almost all Orthodox seek to get to:
- Icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker. This image is addressed by those who are almost desperate. And he fulfills any request or prayer that comes from a pure heart. In addition, the Holy is the patron saint of sailors and travelers.
- Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. One of the most famous images of the Virgin. In modern history, this icon is famous for the fact that during the Great Patriotic War it protected our soldiers and ordinary residents in besieged Leningrad. It is said that this image helps many believers in trouble.
- Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This is one of the oldest and most revered holy images in Russia, one that should be in every Orthodox family. It heals the body and soul, and also protects from evil.
Miraculous icons, as a rule, are accompanied by some signs or significant events. They come to the rescue when believers especially demand intercession.
How icons are recognized as miraculous
Many have heard about the healing properties of one or another divine image. There are also scientifically proven facts of myrrh-streaming and fragrance of images. However, not every such case is recognized by the official church as miraculous. For many centuries in Orthodoxy certain rules and canons were formed, according to which the icons are recognized as miraculous.
Peter I can be considered a pioneer in Russia in this matter. It was he who issued a number of specific decrees, thanks to which the miraculous icons were removed from private houses, and had to be stored exclusively in churches. Therefore, subsequently it was the churchly images that gained great chances for recognition.
In addition, in pre-revolutionary, and even modern, Russia, Orthodox icons (photo or original) were placed in a special altar to assess the authenticity of a miracle. There they were sealed up, and with several witnesses, one of whom must be in the holy dignity, checked.
Savior Icon
This image is the main one in Orthodoxy. Images of Christ were present in all houses, regardless of wealth, since ancient times in Russia. As a rule, the icon of the Savior is made strictly according to generally accepted church canons. This image gives people comfort and faith. Its main elements:
- A nimbus with an inscribed cross and three Greek letters that signify the expression: "I am Jehovah."
- Purple tunic (robe). Symbolizes the human nature of the Savior.
- Blue hematium (outerwear). Recalls the divine origin of Jesus.
As a rule, now you can meet only two types of images of Christ: in the form of an ordinary person or baby, and also in the guise of the King of Regents. The icon of Christ the Savior is always located on the central dome of any Orthodox church, because it is considered the most honorable place.
In the main church canons there are several iconographic types of this icon.
Spas miraculous
This shrine is considered the very first in the world. The story tells that the Icon of the Savior has two legends about its origin. One of them tells about the life of Christ in Osroen. The local king Avgar V suffered for a long time from the terrible "black leprosy". Suddenly he heard about an extraordinary miracle worker who visited his city. The king sent his painter Ananias to Jesus with a request to heal him. However, the artist still did not manage to approach the Son of God - he was surrounded by a crowd of believers and admirers. Desperate, he decided to sketch Christ, but he could not portray his face. Finally, the Savior himself invited him to his place. In order to reward the painter, he asked to bring water, washed it and wiped it off. Miraculously, water turned into paints, and the image of Christ appeared on the canvas. Having received ubrus, King Avgar was healed and got rid of ancient idols.
Another legend says that the holy image appeared on the handkerchief, which the Savior had wiped off his faces before Calvary during his prayer. Only after the Ascension did Ananias receive this gift.
Savior Almighty
This is one of the fundamental images of Christ in icon painting. He is called to show the saving, magnanimous and creative God who holds the whole huge world in his hand. Here he is depicted with a blessing right hand and the gospel. At the same time, the icon of the Savior shows all the unlimited kindness and compassion of God.
This image in iconography began to form in the VI century. At this time, almost all the holy images were created in Constantinople. That is why the face and robes of Christ took the single form that we now see in the church.
In Russia, the picture appeared around the 11th century. According to legend, the Almighty Savior was considered a prayer icon of Russian princes. He was even placed near the tombs of the Yaroslavl rulers Vasily and Konstantin.
Savior on the throne
In this image, the Lord is depicted on the throne in full growth. Here he is shown not only the ruler of the whole world, but also the only judge. His right hand is also raised for blessing, and his left holds the open gospel. The throne symbolizes the vast universe and defines the royal glory and authority of the Lord.
However, this image is not the only one. There is another Orthodox icon - the icon of the Savior on the throne, where with his right hand he points to the gospel. So the Lord determines the priority and primacy of the sacred church authority over secular. There is a legend that tells of a certain Byzantine emperor Manuel I Comnenus. He independently painted the icon of the Savior on the throne, but quarreled with a Greek priest and decided to punish him for disagreeing. At night, Manuel saw a dream in which God punishes him for interfering in church affairs. Waking up, the emperor found numerous wounds on his body. And, looking at the icon, he saw that the Savior had changed the position of his hand. Now he was pointing to the lines of the open gospel. It is known that this icon was called “Manuil Spas”, or “Spas Golden Reese” (for a rich gilded salary).
Savior in power
This is one of the most emblematic images of the Lord. This icon of Christ the Savior has not yet been unraveled to the end and is interpreted in different ways. Here the Almighty sits in full growth on the throne. In the hands of his open gospel. And the most remarkable thing is that he is always depicted against the background of a red square with slightly elongated ends. The square here symbolizes the Earth. In addition, at the ends of it are depicted an angel, a lion, an eagle and a bull. It is generally accepted that these are symbolic images of faithful evangelists - Matthew, Mark, John and Luke. They seem to spread the teachings of Christ throughout the world.
A blue oval is drawn on top of this red square. This is our spiritual world. It depicts angels symbolizing all the powers of heaven. On top of this oval, a red rhombus is painted again. It defines the world invisible to man.
There is a belief that in this image Jesus will appear at the end of time, at the Last Judgment.
Spas Emmanuel
As a rule, Jesus is depicted on all the icons in a mature form, when he was baptized, performed miracles, and received martyrdom. However, there are exceptions. The Savior's icon, the significance of which is difficult to overestimate, depicts Christ in infancy and adolescence. It is presented both in composition with other saints, and separately. Moreover, the image of the Lord in these paintings is usually called "Savior Emmanuel."
This icon symbolizes the predestination of everything on Earth, the fulfillment of the highest divine design. The first such images appeared in some Italian mosaics in the VI-VII centuries. In Russia, Emanuel was written with two angels.
The history of this image is based on some biblical texts. Emanuel means the phrase "God is with us." Most icons depict Jesus as a child of 12 years old. He has a fairly wise and adult expression of gaze for children. Otherwise, he is described in the same way as the adult image of Christ.
Savior Good Silence
He is also called the Angel of the Great Council. This is the icon of the Savior (photo or any other image of him), showing Christ before his earthly incarnation. He is represented by an angel - a youth with large wings behind his back. Above his head is a cross or a special octagonal halo. It consists of red and black squares superimposed on each other. Colors denote the divinity and incomprehensibility of the Creator.
In Russia, this angel was depicted to the waist, with a special eight-pointed halo and folded arms. The icon became the most famous and popular in the XVIII-XIX centuries. The image of Christ symbolized humility and inaction before the intended trials and even death.
This icon was held in high esteem and respect by both Old Believers and pilgrims. However, it has not received the proper distribution, and it is rather difficult to find its old samples.