There is a large number of venerated images of the Virgin, as for many believers it is support in various life situations. In this article, the Cyprus icon of the Mother of God in its various versions will be considered, since there are quite a lot of images that came from this island.
The first appearance of the icon
The first Cypriot icon of the Mother of God in its most famous form was revealed in 392. This happened in the city of Larnaca in the place where Lazarus was buried. The monastery of Stavruni was built on this place, and after that a church was specially built, where the icon began to be kept. They placed it at the gate of the church, with which the first miracle was connected.
Once, a man, an Arabian, was passing by this church. What caused his act is not entirely clear, perhaps he just wanted to mock. One way or another, he fired an arrow that hit the knee of the Virgin image. Immediately a large amount of blood poured onto the ground, and after a while a man died on the way, without ever reaching his home.
To this day, the original icon has not been preserved. However, in that very temple its copy was preserved in mosaic form on the wall.
Stromyn Icon of the Mother of God
The Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Stromyn is one of the lists of the first image, which were distributed in many Orthodox churches. It depicts the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne, and in her arms is the Infant. Nearby are two holy martyrs - Antipas and Photinius.
Little is known for certain about its appearance in Russia. According to one legend, it was with this list of icons that the hegumen of the Stromynsky monastery Savva was blessed by Sergius of Radonezh. In 1841, the image became miraculous when in front of him there was a healing of an eighteen-year-old girl from the disease, which threatened her with death. It was about this icon that the voice spoke in a dream. At his command, she was to take the image to the house and serve a prayer service in front of him. After doing everything, the girl was completely healed. This event led to the fact that believers began to come to crowds to ask for protection and deliverance from bodily ailments.
The days of the celebration of the icon are on the twenty-second of July and on the first Sunday of Lent. Another day is set in the village of Stromyn - February sixteenth. It was on this day that the first healing took place.
Other Cyprus Icon Listings
The Cypriot icon of the Mother of God has other lists. By the way, they can differ in their spelling, but they will all have the same name. For example, there are lists where the Virgin does not sit on the throne, and on the sides are Peter Athos and Onufry the Great. On some images, the Baby holds a scepter in his hands. Another version of the image, also common, where the Mother of God sits on the throne and the Baby in her arms. Around are angels with palm branches.
So, one of the lists is in Nizhny Novgorod and became famous for many miracles. On this icon, the Mother of God is depicted sitting on a throne, a crown is put on her head. On hands sits the Baby, blessing with the right hand. His head is uncovered.
Another list is in Moscow, in Golutvin, in the church of St. Nicholas. And the last, quite well-known similar image can also be found in Moscow, in the Assumption Cathedral. It depicts the Virgin and Child, below is a power.
In addition, some ancient lists of icons can be found in museums in Russia, which are stored there as the greatest shrines.
How does the prayer icon help?
The prayer of the Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God is a help to a person during illnesses, especially if he is sick with paralysis or other diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system. Prayer especially protects and protects the image during epidemics, if they already exist. They also ask for deliverance from them.
How to pray the icon?
You should know that there is no such thing as a special akathist to the Cypriot icon of the Mother of God. If you want to pray before the image, then you can read any troparia, kondak or prayer address from another icon of the Virgin. This will not be a mistake. There are still two special prayers for this icon, as well as its grandeur.
However, if you want to find an akathist - the canon of the icon of the Mother of God “Cyprus”, then in principle you can use the one that is read before all such images.
Icon of the Mother of God “Gracious” (Kikk)
The most famous Cyprus icon of the Mother of God of Cyprus in Cyprus today is the image of the “Gracious”. This is an ancient image that was written by Luke. Today the icon is in the imperial monastery. It was there that a temple was erected in her honor.
Now the image is closed so that the faces are not visible. However, this does not detract from her miraculous abilities. Even Gentiles turn to her for help, and grace comes to all.
A lot of lists have been written from the Kikk icon, which are in many places today. For example, he is in Thessaloniki, in the temple of the icon of Our Lady of the Desna. He is also in Russia. One is in the St. Nicholas Monastery, another in the Conception Monastery in Moscow. Memorial Days fall on the twelfth of November and the twenty-sixth of December.
Akathist icon
So, as is clear from the above material, it is impossible to find an akathist of the icon of the Mother of God “Cyprus”, which would be written specifically for her, since it does not exist. However, he is for the image of the Virgin “Gracious”. Akathist is quite long, and, in principle, it can be read for those theotokos icons that do not have their own.
Miracles committed near the icons
All of these icons are miraculous. Of course, events were not always recorded, but some of them still survived. For example, those miracles that happened near the Stromynsky icon were recorded. The very first was the miracle of healing the girl, which is described above.
Another event was the complete recovery of the peasant Alexei Porfiryev, who had been paralyzed for a long time, completely losing mobility. After a prayer service near the icon, he regained his former mobility and was able to continue to live fully.
Similar healings have occurred more than once. It was with motor problems that the power of the icon was most pronounced. According to the chronicles, this happened at least twice more, when the faithful were completely cured of relaxing their arms and legs.
A very great healing happened with another list. By prayers to the Cypriot icon, which is located in Nizhny Novgorod, in 1771 the invasion of the epidemic of pestilence, which claimed many lives, was stopped. There have also been many healings thanks to her help. At that time, the icon was moving from house to house, where people performed prayers in front of her. So there were numerous healings.
No less significant are the miracles of the Kikk icon. They were first mentioned at the time when the icon moved to Constantinople, because, despite numerous attacks, it arrived safely at its destination. However, in the twelfth century it was transported to Cyprus. This was preceded by a chain of amazing events. The ruler of Cyprus was punished with paralysis for beating the elder in anger. Subsequently, he repented, and the elder told him of his vision. The ruler was supposed to bring to Cyprus the icon of the Virgin from Constantinople. Going on a journey, he found the emperor’s daughter in the same condition as he. That was a sign. The icon was taken and brought to the island, where she continued to do her miracles.
Conclusion
The Cypriot icon of the Mother of God is a special miraculous image that has many lists throughout the Orthodox world. Each of them finds its response in the souls of worshipers. Its special significance is also evident from the fact that this image was often performed in the form of mosaics or paintings on the altar parts of the temple. The symbolism of the icon is quite simple. This is the Incarnation, through the Queen of Heaven, as well as the righteous path. All this gives hope and instills faith.