Christianity, like other religions of the world, has its own unique cultural history, reflected in literary texts, musical works, sculptures and paintings, architecture. But, perhaps, one of the most striking and significant manifestations of belief is the icon.
The power of the Mother of God
The Mother of God is the second most powerful person in the host of saints of Christianity in general and Russian Orthodoxy. The icon of the Mother of God, and not one, hangs in every Christian church and temple. It is she who is the connecting link between man and God, to which the mere mortal appeals in prayers. She brings the sorrows and sufferings of men to His throne and prays to her Son for the human race. She, as Mother, understands the experiences of women about her children, often unreasonable and, alas, unkind. She, the witness of the torment of her own child, has compassion for the torments of others and brings relief. She, by her own example, gives orders to people - patience, humility, wisdom, forgiveness, love for one's neighbor. It is not for nothing that they call the Mother of God the mother-intercessor, and a huge number of temples and icons in her honor are in Russia.
One of the most popular images among the people is the icon of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its writing is associated with the miraculous salvation of believers who prayed in one of the churches of Constantinople during the siege of the city by the Saracens. Then, according to legend, the Mother of God covered her people with her veil, saving their lives. The city was preserved, and subsequently the miracle was repeated at other times and under other tragic circumstances. And from the moment of her first miraculous sign, Saint Mary promises protection to the entire Christian people, regardless of geopolitical and national borders, from enemies - visible and invisible, from human meanness and cruelty and temptations of all unclean devilry. After some time, the icon of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary marked itself with the corresponding holiday, which has been celebrated since the 12th century on
October 1
(14). In churches and among the people he is considered great. It just so happened that he superimposed on the old Russian pagan celebration of the end of field work and harvest. From there, from gray-haired Russia, there is a tradition - to store the last sheaf removed from the field to Pokrov. And when the holiday came, peasants gave it to livestock, asking Mother Intercessor to protect their cattle from winter hunger, mortality and starfree.
The icon of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was most in demand at that time, unmarried girls and women prayed for a good, hard-working and wealthy husband. Lighting candles in front of the image on a holiday, they asked Prechistaya about a family with wealth, healthy kids, well-being for themselves and loved ones. And if a year of troubles came, war or pestilence, the icon of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken from the church to the people, and people of the whole village or city, the whole world cried out for protection and mercy. The tradition has survived to this day.
Who to contact for help
If you have problems in the family, at work, with health or personal life, if the trouble is with loved ones - it is not worth falling into despair. Remember, if you are a baptized person, that you have your own defender, assistant. This is a guardian angel. Who is he? The saint in whose honor you have been given a name at birth or baptism. Or the one whose name day is closest to the date of your birth or baptism. The icon of the Guardian Angel should always be in the house, and try to carry the small picture with you. Address him in a difficult situation and believe - the Intercessor will help you.
May the powers of heaven protect you, be healthy and happy!