September 17, on the day of the memory of the prophet Moses, Orthodox Christians all over the world celebrate in honor of such an image as the icon of the “Burning Bush”. The history of this relic sends us back to the deep past, which can be found in ancient books. Moreover, her image is very symbolic.
Icon "The Burning Bush": the origins
This image is a reflection of the Old Testament event set forth in the book “Exodus”. So, according to this scripture, the prophet Moses, grazing sheep at the foot of Mount Sinai, saw a wonderful bush. It turned out to be remarkable that it was engulfed in flames, but it did not burn out. When the great righteous man approached him, he heard the voice of God, which ordered Moses to lead his people out of Egyptian slavery to the promised land. In the Christian tradition, the burning bush is a symbol of the Virgin Mary herself, her immaculate conception of Jesus Christ from the Holy Spirit, her purity and sinlessness, despite living in a sinful place. The memory of this event is immortalized in a church built on the same Mount Sinai. A marvelous bush grows near this place, which, according to legend, is the same indelible bush. In addition, the memory of the Old Testament event was immortalized by the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush”. Orthodox Christians worship her to this day.
Icon "The Burning Bush": image
This image has a complex composition. Earlier, the “Burning Cup” icon was depicted as a burning fiery bush, above which the Virgin stands with the Baby Jesus in her arms. Now the image is an eight-pointed star surrounding the Virgin Mary. The green color of the ends of the sun is marked by the bush itself, while red is the flame. In the corners of the icon are four symbols - a man, a lion, a bull and an eagle, as well as archangels, each of them with his own type, as the scripture proclaims . Often in the hands of the Virgin depict a bush and a staircase. The latter is also the symbol of the Mother of God, indicated by God to Jacob. The staircase in this context is the connection between Heaven and Earth. It happens that the icon depicts other symbols, such as a mountain (nothing other than the Virgin Mary herself), a gate and a rod (a prototype of the Savior).
The Burning Cupid Icon: How to Pray
There are prayers dedicated to this particular image. These include Troparia and a special prayer for this icon. They often worship the burning bush, saying the prayer "Virgin Mary, rejoice ...". Other prayers dedicated to the Mother of God can be read. It is not forbidden to pronounce before the image the words coming from the heart and not recorded as prayers in any of the holy books. In order to pray to this shrine, you need the icon "The Burning Cup" (a photo of her image is also acceptable). The image protects from fires and other natural disasters caused by flames and lightning, therefore it is considered miraculous. The “Burning Kupina” icon is considered one of the most revered shrines in Orthodoxy, so it is important to have it in the house and worship it daily.