A man created in the image and likeness of God very often seeks support and protection from the Mother of God and God himself. The Lord blessed people with many icons that have miraculous powers. The images of the Mother of God are especially loved by the parishioners, it is always easier to come to the Mother-Intercessor, for the mother remains the mother.
Uniqueness of the Gerontiss Icon
The icon of Gerontiss is unique in that on it the Mother of God is presented in full growth. She is alone, without a Son. The full growth of Mother emphasizes Her greatness, determination and strength. Being an old woman, the Virgin in prayer asks the Son to help people. Opened hands testify to the unceasing prayer for all those in need and the willingness to accept any request.
At the feet of the Mother of God is a jug filled with oil. The life-giving fluid flows over the edge, which symbolizes the constant fullness of the grace of the Lord. No matter how many people ask, God will always give much more, even over the edge. It is only necessary to ask with faith, in purity and simplicity, in humility and patience, forgiving the offenders.
The icon of the Mother of God of Herontissus, whose significance is difficult to overestimate, has repeatedly saved from death, healed from illness and even cancer, restored the joy of motherhood, extended life and helped to quietly retreat into the world of God.
Founder of Pantokrator Monastery
Athos monasteries are a stronghold of Christianity. Pantokrator Monastery, whose name is translated as "Almighty", according to legend, was built on the site indicated by the Virgin.
In 1361, the Greek emperor Alexei Stratopedarch and his brother John Primikiry decided to build a temple.
Gerontissa, the icon of the Mother of God, was brought to the site of the construction of the new church, but in the morning the builders did not find her or her tools here. After a brief search, things were found in a completely different place. This was repeated for several days until the novices understood that the Mother of God herself was choosing a place for the construction of a new church, a sheer cliff above the sea, possibly to emphasize the precariousness of this world and the strength of God's protection.
Currently, not the altar, but the northeastern column of the monastery is decorated with the icon of the Mother of God. The image of Gerontiss became the keeper of the magnificent and picturesque Pantokrator temple.
Icon Staritsa and Mentor
Herontissa, the icon of the Mother of God, is especially revered by the elderly. One of the first miracles performed by her was the case in the monastery. The dying abbot, sensing a near demise, asked for the sacrament and the liturgy to be forgiven of sins. The clergyman did not understand the importance and urgency of the moment and was in no hurry to fulfill his duty, when suddenly the Greek icon of the Mother of God Herontissus spoke, ordering to quickly commune with the abbot, who soon departed to another world. After that, the icon found its name - Gerontiss, the Old Woman, the Mentor.
The 17th century was marked by a new miracle, when during a severe famine after unceasing prayer near the icon, a bright light appeared in the pantry. The brothers who entered the cell saw that all the jugs were filled with oil, which flowed over the edge. Praising the icon of the Mentor, the novices immortalized the miracle by adding a jug of oil to the image.
God's protection over the miraculous icon
Herontissa, the icon of the Mother of God, demonstrated her miracles and divinity more than once. During the attack, the pirates, who took all the silver and wanted to split the icon, were blind. Frightened, the robbers threw the image into the well. Only after 80 years, the descendants of the repentant robber specially came to Mount Athos and found the icon. The miracle was that she remained completely intact.
The Defender icon stopped the 1950 fire, turning the fire in the opposite direction.
The healing power of the icon of Gerontiss
Great are the miracles of the work of the Lord, and of Gerontiss, the icon of the Mother of God, the prayer around which works miracles, confirmation of this.
The mother of God became the guardian of the elders. Repeatedly after prayer, healing came before the icon. The Virgin helps with childbirth, not only old people but also barren come to her. For children are the comfort of old age.
Exact copies of the miraculous icon were blessed and sent to many monasteries with the blessing of the abbot, so that the Orthodox of the whole world could pray before the miraculous image.
Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God works wonders
The great mercy of the Mother of God extends to those in whom love and reverence live, who, with faith and humility, constantly ask for their salvation and their loved ones.
Prayer is very powerful. "The Naughty One" is an icon of the Mother of God, which is especially loved. It is after the request made to her that the petitions are most quickly fulfilled, help is provided and healing takes place.
They especially venerate the icon in the Transfiguration Monastery, for after the prayer was uttered, the “Quick Hearing”, the icon of the Mother of God, twice saved the monastery from ruin in a miraculous way.
1878 was the year of the first ruin, but the Athos elders heard about the misfortune and presented the church with a list of the icon of the Mother of God. After a couple of years, the monastery returned to its former glory and God's power.
After 100 years, the Transfiguration Monastery became just a warehouse of a military unit. 1995 - the year of the new revival of the temple, but things were going badly, there was no money for restoration. And again, the icon of the “Quick Horn” and the earnest prayer of the elders created a miracle. The temple began to rebuild, and funds and people appeared. The monks are sure - "The Naughty" helps.
Many people regard the icon as a living one, they bring flowers and gifts to it in gratitude for the answers to prayers.
A constant stream of miracles presented by the icon of the Mother of God
And the miracles presented by the icon of the Mother of God do not stop. So, in the city of Murom, the mother prayed at the icon of the “Skoroshlushnitsa” about the fate of her son who disappeared in the war, prayed with the belief that he was alive. However, after a while, they brought in a closed zinc coffin. Before the undertakers had to dig a grave, a son, alive and unharmed, appeared in the house. The error came out, a stranger guy was sent in a coffin, and the woman’s own son was held captive. Subsequently, they were repeatedly seen near the image of the Savior.
Helps the icon "Skoroshlushnitsa" sick and addicted to alcohol and drugs. Many former drug addicts, without any treatment, simply remain in the monastery and pray for a miraculous image, from which grace emanates, unusual love and tenderness.
Living evidence of the help of the icon of the Mother of God
Nothing strengthens the faith so much as the testimonies of people who received help, or a miracle that they themselves saw.
They come to the Mother of God with requests for the restoration of families, and by the most inexplicable miracle mutual understanding, patience comes to the house, love returns. Maybe the young people don’t understand what happened, but the whole mother knows, who was kneeling in front of the miraculous icon.
The Mother of God hears and requests for a job for children, for welfare. Mother will always understand mother.
The icon of Gerontiss leaves no one unanswered, especially the requests of children for the recovery of their parents. There were cases of healing when people recovered right in the temple, after kissing the icon. At that moment, surprise, admiration and gratitude swept all those present in the monasteries.
After receiving answers to their prayers, people gain faith, their lives change, values change, and real faith in the great power of God and the Mother of God comes.