In the tradition of Orthodoxy, there are many different iconographic images of the Mother of God. Most of them are little known, being a purely local shrine. However, there are samples marked by general veneration. Among them, with its unusualness, an image called the Seven-shooter stands out. This icon, as well as the prayers that are offered before it, will be discussed in this article.
Image value
The seven-shooter icon of the Virgin has another name - "Softening of evil hearts." Less commonly, it is also called Simeon prophecy. In essence, this icon is an illustration for the event of the celebration of the Meeting, that is, the celebration of the Meeting of the Lord described in the Gospel. When Jesus Christ was still a baby, his mother, that is, the Virgin, brought him for the first time to the Temple of Jerusalem. There they were met by a righteous man named Simeon. According to legend, this man was one of the translators of the scripture into the Greek language, which took place in Egypt three hundred years before the birth of the Savior. When Simeon translated the book of the prophet Isaiah, he doubted whether it was written there that the virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. After hesitating, he nevertheless decided that this was a mistake, and wrote the word "woman" in the translation. At that moment, an angel appeared before him, who informed him that the initial prophecy about the conception of a virgin was true, and in order to dispel his doubts, he would be given the opportunity to see this wonderful baby. And Simeon waited three hundred years for this meeting (meeting - in Slavic) at the temple. And finally, I waited. When Mary handed the baby into his arms, a prophetic spirit descended on him, and he spoke a prophecy about the newborn Jesus, noting that his mother’s "weapon will pass the soul." This weapon, that is, the suffering of the Mother of God, is symbolically depicted on the icon of the “Seven-shot” in the form of seven swords piercing her heart. Seven of the swords are depicted, since in the biblical tradition this number means fullness and completeness.
This legend, no doubt, is apocryphal in relation to the original Christian tradition. But this does not detract from its moral significance, which gave birth to a second, more practical interpretation. Since Mary is revered in Orthodoxy as the heavenly queen and spiritual mother of all Christians, the weapon that pierces her is not only the grief of the torment received by Jesus Christ on the cross, but also human sins, for which he suffered this crucifix. Seven swords in this context mean the seven deadly sins that pierce the loving and grieving heart of the Mother of God.
Origin of the image
No one knows where this icon came from. According to a pious legend, it was discovered by a peasant from Vologda, who was seriously ill with lameness and partial paralysis. No doctors could cure him. Once in a dream he was instructed to go up to the bell tower of the local church of St. John the Evangelist and take the icon from there. Of course, the clergy of the cathedral did not take this revelation seriously and twice refused the old man's request, knowing full well that there were no icons there. But the peasant was persistent, and in the end he was allowed to climb the belfry to make sure himself the meaninglessness of his own words. However, he barely went upstairs and recognized the icon in one of the boards, which served as a step on the stairs. The image was immediately lowered down, cleaned and a moleben was served. Then the first prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven-guns was uttered, as a result of which the peasant was completely healed. Since then, miracles began to happen from the icon. And this, in turn, led to the spread of fame about the miraculous image. From it began to make lists, of which there are now a huge number in several varieties. The original image after the repressions of 1930, unfortunately, disappeared, it has not yet been found.
What pray before the Seven-shot image of the Mother of God
As with any icon, the prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven-shot can be dedicated to any occasion. However, the specifics of the image formed a special sphere of needs, mainly in which they turn to Mary in front of this icon. First of all, these are requests for peace and for overcoming anger, hatred and revenge on the part of someone. Actually, that's why she was nicknamed "Softening Evil Hearts." Offended people, harsh bosses, strict parents and teachers - in all these cases the prayer can be addressed to the icon of the Seven-shot. How to pray to the Virgin does not really matter. Examples of prayers will be given below, but in general one can turn to Mary in her own words, if only they are sincere. The importance is not the beauty of prayer, but a warm believing heart. If this condition is met, then no doubt a prayer will be heard for the icon of the Seven-shot. When to pray, how, how much - it all does not matter.
Prayer text in front of the seven-shooter icon
For an example, we will nevertheless give a few generally accepted texts that are read in temples at public services and at home by believers. The main prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven-shot in the Russian translation is:
"Oh, the mother of God suffered a lot, surpassing all the daughters of the earth with her purity and her sufferings that you suffered on the earth! Accept our mournful prayers and save us under the protection of your mercy. Because we have no other refuge and such a hot defender like you we don’t know. You have the boldness in prayers that you have born, so help and save us with your prayers so that we can freely reach the kingdom of heaven and there with all the saints sing the one Trinity - God, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen! "
This is the usual prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven-shot. The empress of the Christian faith in her is represented by the intercessor, which she is, according to the ideas of Orthodox Christians. There are also shorter prayers dedicated to this image. They have a special liturgical purpose and are called troparia and kondak.
Troparion, voice 5
Soften our evil hearts, Mother of God, and destroy the attacks of those who hate us, and deliver our soul from constraint, looking at your holy image. With your compassion and mercy towards us, we are brought to tenderness, and we kiss your wounds, but we fear our arrows that torment you. Do not let us, good mother, perish in our hardness of heart from the cruelty of our neighbors, since you are truly a softening of evil hearts.
Kondak, voice 2
By your grace, mistress, soften the evil hearts, sent down the benefactors, protecting them from all evil, praying to the good prayers for you kindly before your holy icons.
The kontakion, troparia and the official prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven-gun reflect its main idea - overcoming evil in hearts. However, this icon also serves as a symbol of heart sorrow, therefore any suffering of the soul can be poured out before this image. For example, it may be a request for help in arranging a happy personal life.
Prayer to the icon of the Seven-shot Mother of God from loneliness
O lady mistress, Mother of God, pour your great mercy on me, giving me the strength to get rid of the heavy burden of the solitude of the soul. Free me from every evil curse, from the influence of unclean spirits, from the evil brought to my life. Amen!