The history of the origin of the icon of All Saints, who is depicted and how it helps

Origin story

The Assembly, or Cathedral, of all saints began to be depicted on icons in the 10th century. People who have suffered torment for their religion, bringing the teachings of Christ to the people, have always been revered, even at the dawn of Orthodoxy. The celebration of the icon falls on the Sunday following Trinity. After all, it is holy people: martyrs, righteous people, universal teachers, unmercenaries, holy fools - who contribute to the flourishing and growth of Orthodoxy in the world.

The images of saints on the icon were painted in different years, having minor differences from each other. The main point depicted in the picture is the Last Judgment, which both believers and atheists go through. At the very top of the icon are those who administer judgment: the Holy Trinity.

Description and meaning in Orthodoxy

The iconographic image of all the saints is considered one of the most ancient. It was written on Athos, the Holy Mountain, back in the 5th-7th centuries. The peculiarity of the image of the Cathedral of All Saints is that in the center or in the middle there is God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit, written in the form of a dove. Next is the figure of the Mother of God holding a baby. The hierarchy of images of saints, archangels, and passion-bearers is observed.

The icon is of great importance for believers. Believers turn to the faces of all the saints, praying for healing from illnesses, resolution of family conflicts, and help in making important decisions. The Council of All Saints helps people of any rank and in any place follow the rules of godly living. No wonder Christ teaches: “Seek the kingdom of God, and everything else will be added to you.”

The icon is endowed with great power, which is why people most often turn to it with words of prayer on holidays. But even in your daily morning and evening appeal to the face of your patron, your guardian angel, you should ask for help and support in difficult times. All Saints' Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Great Trinity, Pentecost. On this day they pray to the icon, which depicts the entire army of Christ.

The faces of Christ's Host, collected on one icon, must be had in every home.

You can turn to your patron on his name day, but it is on the feast of the Council of All Saints that grace is poured out on those praying. The day is located on the border of the transition of divine services. The chants of the Colored Triodion end during this period. It is followed by the period of Octoechos. The transitional time is considered blessed for turning to God and Heavenly patrons.

Description of the icon

This list should be in every Orthodox home. This is a universal image to which you can offer any prayer for help. The icon depicts the entire army of the Lord, the strength and power of which cannot be described in words. This icon also evokes reverent fear, since the Council of All Saints is mentioned in the Revelation of John the Theologian. Saint John foretold the coming of the Last Judgment, when all the saints would worship the Lamb of God.

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Who is depicted in the icon:

• The Holy Trinity;
• Our Lady;
• archangels, angels;
• patriarchs;
• holy martyrs;
• church teachers.

On this icon you will find all the images of the saints and your heavenly patron too. When you offer prayers to an icon of all the saints, you are addressing everyone at once. In the Orthodox tradition, everyone is honored who, through their holy life or death, has received the gift of the Holy Spirit. These are canonized saints and passion-bearers of God, as well as little-known Christian ascetics.

The Orthodox Church has established a special day for the veneration of all saints; it falls on the 7th day after the holiday of Trinity, on the first Sunday.

The tradition of venerating saints and passion-bearers was established by the first Christians, when they offered prayers on the tombs of martyrs who died for the faith. From that time on, the practice of lighting lamps was introduced, since it was dark in the catacombs and tombs. The Orthodox Church has preserved the traditions of the first Christians and has not retreated one step from the covenants of the apostles.

On the second week after Trinity, the Council of All Saints who died for the Orthodox faith and glorified Christ with their lives is celebrated. In honor of this day, an icon of the saints of the Russian Land was created.

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Who is depicted in the icon

Orthodox Christians will be able to recognize their patron saint in the icon. If the heads of the Heavenly Host are depicted at the top or in the center, then below:

• the closest faithful helpers of Christ, the 12 apostles, glorified by the grace of God and their spiritual exploits;
• Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir and Princess Olga;
• faithful saints who worked for the good of the state, like Prince Alexander Nevsky;
• martyrs and passion-bearers who did not spare their lives for the faith of Christ, who gave it in the fight against infidels and fellow believers;
• saints who performed ascetic deeds;
• righteous saints, which include Sergius of Radonezh, John of Kronstadt, Peter and Fevronia of Murom;
• blessed holy fools, achieving inner humility, conquering such sin as pride.

All these categories are classified as images revered by the Orthodox faith. Their faces can be found on the icon of the Council of All Saints. In the lower half of such icons, separate images divided into groups were written. Nearby you can see the Old Testament Apostles Paul and Peter. They are next to each other in the image. Among the martyrs, Great Martyrs Catherine and Barbara are chosen for the icon. All images are often signed by the artist. The face of the heavenly patron does not necessarily have to correspond to the usual image. But based on important details, they find their guardian angel: either Basil the Great or John the Baptist.

From the history of the icon of all saints

In Orthodoxy, a special holiday has been established - All Saints' Day, which is celebrated a week after Trinity, and the holiday of Trinity, as is known, is associated with the establishment of the Church. All Saints' Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost and serves as a kind of milestone, the completion of the annual liturgical cycle, when the period of chants of the Colored Triodion ends, and the period of Octoechos begins instead.

All Saints Day is also the day of celebration of the icon of all saints

The earliest known icon on this topic dates back to the 10th century. According to the Apostle Paul, the Church of God honors all who have been granted the gift of the Holy Spirit by their life or death for the glory of the Lord. This means that we need to glorify not only the saints we know, but also the unknown ascetics and passion-bearers who remained faithful to Christ even in the face of death.

Christians have revered saints since the earliest period of the spread of Christ's Teachings: apostles, martyrs for the faith, saints, ascetics, rulers who contributed to its establishment.

There is evidence that the Feast of All Saints was celebrated already at the end of the 4th - beginning of the 5th centuries

Apparently, this is connected with the sermon of John Chrysostom in memory of “all the saints who suffered throughout the world.” It is characteristic that the day of celebration was also established by this sermon.

Over the long centuries of Christianity, the number of saints has constantly grown; it also grew in Rus', where its Orthodox saints appeared. Therefore, in the middle of the 16th century, the celebration of the Council of All Saints, who shone in the Russian land, was established, timed to coincide with the second week after Pentecost. During the synodal period it was forgotten and restored only in 1918, when the period of persecution of the church began. Since 1946, it has been solemnly celebrated again, as is the icon dedicated to the saints of the Russian Land.

What do they ask for before the image?

Having united by the Council on the icon, the saints can help believers by fulfilling the requests addressed to the images:

1. Chief among the angels, Archangel Michael divides people into the right and the fallen at the Last Judgment. It is worth praying to the saint to strengthen his moral strength, to free himself from drunkenness, drug addiction, and adultery. A timely word spoken to Michael will make it possible to follow the instructions of the guardian angel in cleansing the soul from filth.
2. Matrona of Moscow is credited with the power to cure female diseases and have a successful marriage. The saint gives a woman the opportunity to become a mother and raise physically and morally healthy children.
3. The prayer to John the Baptist is offered during times of spiritual unrest. Turning to the image relieves worries and calms the person praying.
4. Appealing to the holy prince Alexander Nevsky will help you get a good harvest. They pray to the saint before traveling to distant lands or leaving for military service.
5. Saint Boniface deals with deliverance from sins. The prayer should express the desire to get rid of drunkenness, gluttony, and greed.
6. A prayer to Anastasia the Pattern-Resolver helps those imprisoned in prison cells. The saint patronizes people under judicial investigation.
7. The role of St. George the Victorious is that he will give victory over both external enemies and his own internal passions. They pray to him before going to the army, exams, and litigation.
8. There will be peace and harmony in the family after turning to the saints: Samon, Guria, Avava. Saints bring prosperity to the home.
9. Any difficult questions are resolved after prayer to John of Kronstadt. The saint patronizes family people, helping in solving everyday and financial problems.
10. Ksenia Petersburgskaya relieves drunkenness and gluttony. It brings prosperity to married couples, strengthening their marriage.
11. Those who love to travel should know prayers to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The saint guides you to resolve financial and household issues. When starting any business, they turn to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
12. The face of Sergius of Radonezh depicted on the icon patronizes people engaged in study. It frees you from pride, arrogance, and helps you acquire worldly wisdom.
13. A prayer to Panteleimon the Healer will bring health and strengthen strength.
14. Those who want to avoid quarrels and conflicts need to turn to the face of Elijah the Prophet.
15. People related to finance are patronized by Saint Spyridon of Trimythous.
16. Seraphim of Sarov helps to heal from diseases, and the Great Martyr Barbara helps solve everyday problems.

But before you pray to the icon of all saints, you need to know the right words. You cannot insert into your appeal desires that contradict the principles of the Christian Church. Sometimes a person needs to go through a series of tests to find the right path in life.

What does the shrine help with?

This icon consoles, supports in difficult life situations, gives peace and hope for the best, drives out sadness, despondency, and painful experiences. It will strengthen you in faith, protect you from temptations and doubts, allow you to gain perseverance and humility in unfavorable circumstances, and suggest the right decision.

You can also appeal not to all the ascetics imprinted on the shrine, but to any specific righteous person. For example, Orthodox craftsmen depict on the relic the Archangel Michael, conquering evil and unkind passions, Xenia of Petersburg, who patronizes young girls, married women and mothers, St. George the Victorious (protector of the military, farmers and farmers), St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - one of the most revered and powerful Christian saints Also present in the image are Panteleimon the Healer, John the Theologian, evangelists Matthew, Mark, John and Luke, John the Baptist, Seraphim of Sarov, Sergius of Radonezh, Alexander Nevsky and many other saints of God.

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