Alcoholism is a disease that a person acquires voluntarily, while crippling not only his body, but also his soul. And today it has become not an isolated case, but a real disaster for the nation. Therefore, it is obvious that without spiritual help, medicine can not cope with the “green serpent”. The Orthodox Church has vast and invaluable experience in the fight against alcoholism. Widely known, for example, became the icon of the Virgin "Inexhaustible Chalice". Prayers are held in many churches near her. They are aimed at bodily and mental healing of people who are addicted to alcohol. When and by whom the icon was painted, no one knows. But then we know what event caused her special veneration.
The Inexhaustible Chalice: Glorification
Information about it spread after the event that occurred with a peasant from the Tula province. A retired soldier quickly became a bitter drunkard. For vodka, he exchanged everything he had, because of alcohol his legs were taken away . But this did not stop the peasant. He continued to drink until, in a dream, an old man appeared to him with a command to go to Serpukhov, to find the icon “Inexhaustible Chalice” in the monastery of the Lady of the Virgin and to serve a prayer service in front of her. He crawled into the city on all fours. The icon was found hanging in the passage from the sacristy to the temple. As a result, the peasant returned to his county absolutely healthy. And the rumor about the glorification of this icon went throughout Russia. Both the drunkards and their relatives came to the monastery to ask the Theotokos for help and to thank for the mercy shown.
The Inexhaustible Chalice: Iconography
By type of writing, it refers to the image of the Virgin "Oranta". The only significant difference is the location of the Baby in the bowl, which symbolizes communion. She exudes blessing to all sinners who come to her in faith. The cup is called inexpressible, because its lamb, sacrificed, is "always poisonous" and never diminished. But the Mother of God, raising her hands to Heaven, like a high priest, intercedes before God, offering him a Sacrifice - Her Son, Her flesh and blood. She prays for all sinners who seek salvation. The Mother of God calls them to turn away from destructive addictions and turn to the source of spiritual comfort and joy.
The Inexhaustible Chalice: Celebration
Her veneration is performed annually on May 18. This date was dedicated to the day of the departure of another Rev. Varlaam Serpukhovsky to the world. In the revived Vysotsky Monastery, every Sunday after the end of the Liturgy, a prayer service is first performed, then the akathist “Inexhaustible Chalice” is read in front of the icon of the Mother of God. And during the final prayer, the names of those who suffer from alcoholism and need the help and grace of the Lady are listed.
This akathist is read in many other churches in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. By the way, in the same monastery in Serpukhov, simultaneously with the traditional veneration of the icon, its celebration on December 10 is resumed. It was on this day that it happened in the 19th century.
The Inexhaustible Chalice: a prayer to the Virgin in honor of the icon
She is exalted by all who long for healing. It is believed that this prayer helps to get rid not only of cravings for alcohol and drugs, but also to cure diseases of the mind and body that arise against their background. Since it began to be read by believers, many cases of complete healing have been recorded.