The Ostrobram icon was very popular throughout the post-Soviet space, with prayers addressed not only to Orthodox believers, but also to Catholics. We will devote our article to this very miraculous image, from which it blows with endless light and kindness.
The history of the appearance of the icon
According to Orthodox tradition, the Ostrobram icon of the Mother of God, the significance of which is equally great for all believers, used to be called somewhat differently - the Korsun Annunciation face of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the fourteenth century, the great Lithuanian prince Olgerd Gediminovich brought her to Vilna from Khersones (Korsuni) after an attack on the Crimean Tatars. The icon was presented to them by the first wife of Mary, who later transferred the priceless painting of the Trinity Church.
The erection of this church took place under its very beginning, and it was founded in honor of the great martyrs John, Anthony and Eustathius, tortured and hanged by the cruel husband of Mary Olgerd. This is a very visual story, which once again showed how people can serve God, with which devotion and selflessness.
A Brief History of the Three Martyrs
Olgerd allowed in his possessions to worship Christianity, while his wife was during his lifetime. As soon as Mary died, the prince suddenly began to support the priests, fire-worshipers, and therefore those who spoke of God, the prince committed cruel punishment. One of these was Anthony and John. But despite the fact that they spent half their lives in prison, they continued to preach the name of the Lord, for which both were hung on an oak tree, which later became a truly sacred place for Christians.
Another devotee of God, as tradition says, Eustathius was a favorite retinue of Olgred himself. But in spite of the privileges that awaited him in the future, give all his devotion and love to the prince, Eustathius fully and completely devoted his soul to God. According to legend, this truly holy man was brutally tortured before his death, forcing him to drink ice water in the cold completely naked. Despite all this horror, he remained indifferent to everything that was happening, being charged with his faith and divine energy. Later, by order of the Lithuanian prince, the “divine warrior” was hanged on the same sacred oak tree.
After the Union of Brest, at the end of the 16th century, the Trinity Church was transferred to the Uniates, therefore the Ostrobramsky icon was placed in one of the parish Orthodox churches. And in 1906, the image was captured by the Uniates and placed in a chapel above the Sharp Gate.
In 1625, the image began to belong to the Latin Carmelite monks, who placed the shrine in a church built in honor of St. Theresa.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Ostrobram icon was in the possession of the Roman Catholic clergy. And in July 1927, a ceremonial coronation was performed (under the leadership of Pope Pius XI) in the presence of the entire Polish episcopate.
Where is the Ostrobramskaya Icon of the Mother of God stored?
Its significance for Lithuanian believers is enormous. After all, it is still stored above the Ostrobramsky Gate in Vilnius. This is one of the most revered attractions there. Every day at her bed thousands of people pray who flock from all over the world to bow before this priceless shrine.
The service to the face of the Virgin takes place according to the Roman Catholic rite. Catholics and Orthodox take off their hats in front of the great Ostrobramsky Gate, where the holy image is located. A huge number of candles burn in front of the face of the Virgin and crowds of people want to see this miracle and touch it in order to feel all the energy power emanating from this truly miraculous shrine.
Day dedicated to the icon of Ostrobramskoy
The holiday of the Ostrobramsky image is celebrated by Orthodox believers on December 26 (January 8). And on April 14 (April 27) it is dedicated to the memory of three Lithuanian great martyrs. This day is revered by Catholic believers.
Interesting facts about the origin of the face
- In the 1920s, the opinion appeared that the Ostrobram icon had some similarities with Queen Barbara Radzville, whose romantic story won the hearts of many.
- It has long been known that the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” dates back to the iconography of this miraculous icon, to which Seraphim of Sarov himself once called.
- There is a second version of the appearance of the shrine. According to Orthodox tradition, the icon of the Ostrobramsky Mother of God was sent to Prince Olgred by the Emperor John Paleolog, who granted such an invaluable gift to congratulate the prince on the beginning of his reign.
- Another legend says that the icon somehow miraculously appeared on the Acute (or "Russian") gate on April 14, 1431.
- Before the coronation of the icon, in 1927, during its restoration, experts discovered an ancient letter written by tempera, as well as stains from the lime primer. Scientists concluded that the shrine was written in the XV or XVI century (approximately 1620-1630) and repeated the image created by the artist from the Netherlands - Martin de Vos.
- In 1829, when removing the silver robe in the process of restoration, a certain inscription was discovered. Later it was found out that this is the Prayer Song of the Mother of God “The Most Honorable Cherub”. It is believed that the Virgin at that moment was observing the appearance of the archangel Gabriel, part of whose image was lost.
- According to the Orthodox, a gesture of crossed arms can mean the moment of the adoption of the Immaculate Virgin of the Good News, or the direct participation of her secretly committed atonement on the Cross. Also, such a gesture is found on an iconographic plot called “Mother of God of Akhtyrskaya”, where the Mother of God stands at the foot of the Cross with arms crossed.
Icon Ostrobramskaya: what it looks like
The Ostrobram icon, the significance of which is huge for both Catholic believers and Orthodox Christians, was painted on 8 two-centimeter boards made of oak. The size of the face itself is 165 by 200 cm. The icon of the Ostroboramsk Mother of God refers to the rarest specimens of the image of the Virgin Mary without a Baby in her arms. She is depicted waist-deep with her head bowed, and her arms are crossed on her chest. On the head of the Mother of God flaunts a two-tier crown, over which a halo emits with sharp rays of radiance. The robes of Mary are silver-colored rice, acting in the manner of the 17th-century Vilnius masters. She almost completely covers the figure of the Mother of God, leaving only the hands and the Face of the Blessed Virgin to be visible. At the bottom of the icon is a silver crescent.
Ostrobramskaya icon: what protects and helps whom
This is a rather rare, but very powerful and powerful image that protects the house from evil spirits. The icon also prays for the granting of the Protection of God, protection of the family from external interference, happiness and mutual love of spouses. And this is still a small part of what the Ostrobramsk icon is capable of. Where to hang it, many know. It is better to do this at the entrance, then it will protect the home from uninvited guests and evil spirits. It is also believed that the Holy Image of the Virgin calms, relieves depression and despondency.
The image is very good as a gift to godchildren, especially twins, so that their mother prays for their well-being, joy, and emotional friendship.
Many argue that after long prayers before the image of the Ostrobramsky icon, all sorts of problems and family troubles ceased. Alone with the holy face, the solution to the problems came by itself.