Icon of the Mother of God "Fire-like" and its secret

Among the many images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, there is one that can be seen mainly in Russian Orthodox churches. In the West, it is extremely rare. You can recognize it at first glance by the vestments of the Mother of God, in the color scheme of which glowing red tones predominate. They gave the name to the image - the icon of the Mother of God “Fire-like”.

Secret Icon History

Information about the creation and history of this image is very stingy and makes you be careful in any conclusions. The story of his appearance is shrouded in mystery. It is only known that the now lost source was written in 845. However, there is reason to believe that in its iconographic type it was identical to the image of "Agiosoritissa", which means "Intercessor and Supplicant." This ancient image was widespread in Byzantium in the 12th-15th centuries; obviously, it came to Russia from Greece.

The initial version of the icon was the figure of the Virgin without the Baby, but holding a scroll. This scroll lists the petitions for us addressed by the Blessed Virgin to her Son. This gives us hope that the “Fire-like” icon of the Mother of God, like all other images of the Virgin, will help and protect us from all troubles and hardships. Therefore, they pray in front of the icon about everything that goes beyond our strength and needs God's help.

Color gamut icons

The red robe of the Virgin symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ, shed by Him in the name of the atoning sacrifice for all people. The fiery color is a symbol of a cleansing fire, burning in our souls the tares of evil sown by the enemy of the human race. In Orthodox prayers and chants, the Most Holy Theotokos is often called the “Candlestick with the Divine Fire” and the “See of the Cherubic Fire”. In the canon written in Her honor, the Mother of God is likened to the “Fire-Chariot of the Word”.

Looking at the icon, one cannot but pay attention to the gaze of the Virgin. It is addressed directly to us and filled with meekness and humility, as if penetrating the soul of the viewer. This feature is very characteristic of Byzantine icons, devoid of external emotionality. In this case, the emotional effect is created by a rich red color.

What prayers to offer before the icon

The first icon of the Mother of God “Fire-Shaped” mentioned in historical documents was painted in 1812. It was introduced to the Orthodox clergy three years later. This explains that in the Orthodox prayer book there is no prayer compiled specifically for this image. Akathist to the icon of the Mother of God “Fire-like” also does not exist. Therefore, before this icon the usual Mother of God prayers are offered.

Most often they read a prayer, which is written for the icon called "Bogolyubskaya". She, like the icon of the Mother of God “Fire-Shaped”, by its iconographic type, goes back to the icon “Agiosoritissa” - “Intercessor and Helper”, which was mentioned above. She got her name from the name of the pious Russian prince, who was honored to see the Blessed Virgin Mary in a dream, holding a scroll with petitions in her right hand and the left one stretched out to Jesus Christ.

The grace poured out by faith

There is a lot of information that the “Fire-like” icon of the Mother of God did not leave unanswered prayers addressed to her with faith and humility. Without this, it is impossible to get help from above. Remembering the gospel words of Jesus Christ that we receive all that we ask for only by the power of our faith, they can undoubtedly be attributed to grace poured out through the image called the Mother of God “Fire-Shaped” icon. They turn to her for help during childbirth, and also pray for the sending of healing in the diseases of children. In addition, they are asking for an early end to the wars and saving the lives of Orthodox soldiers.

It is no coincidence that the “Fire-like” icon of the Mother of God is associated with military subjects in our country. Its significance takes on a new connotation due to the fact that the icon’s memory is celebrated on February 23, when our country celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day. From her admirers sometimes it is necessary to hear words that the figure of a baby is missing on this icon precisely because with her own hands the Blessed Virgin Mary is ready to take into the arms of all the children of Christ scorched by war.

Conclusions based on the study of the icon

Studying the iconographic features of this image and trying to reconstruct the history of its appearance, researchers are faced with a curious fact. From documents that have come down to us, it is clear that his primary source, from which all subsequent lists were made, fell into Russian lands in 845. Since the year 989 is considered to be the year of the Baptism of Russia , then, therefore, the icon appeared a century and a half before.

A similar fact may indicate that the Christian faith penetrated Russia long before its official adoption. Obviously, this happened in the early years of the reign of the Rurik dynasty. Nevertheless, the icon of the Mother of God “Fire-like” received its distribution in the lists and veneration only in the XVIII century.