How amazing it is - the Don Icon of the Mother of God! Theophanes the Greek or Ignatius the Greek - an unknown Serbian or famous Novgorod icon painter - who is the author, who painted the icon of Our Lady of the Don? In what year was the Image written?
The age of this shrine is about seven centuries, and historians have never come to a consensus on these two most important issues for any creation.
Traditionally, Theophanes the Greek is considered the author of the icon. A short biography of this talented artist tells about the years of his life, about his work, and lists his most famous works. Among his works are such masterpieces as “The Transfiguration of the Lord”, “Savior Almighty”, “Trinity”.
His unique paintings and frescoes that painted some churches in Novgorod, Serpukhov, Moscow, Kolomna and other Russian cities still evoke admiration. It's a pity that very little has survived.
What is the secret of the master’s originality?
The icon painter was born in Byzantium in 1337. The exact date of death is unknown: according to various sources - around 1405. It was from his place of origin that he received the nickname (or surname) - Greek.
Before arriving in Rus', the artist worked in Constantinople and its suburbs. And in 1370, Theophanes settled in Novgorod. He had a huge influence on the development of Novgorod art.
Later he moved to Moscow, where he continued to express himself in painting private houses and churches, painting icons, and decorating Christian literature.
Characteristic features of the creative style of the talented icon painter Theophanes the Greek are expressiveness and an incredible combination of colors. At the same time, the glorification of earthly beauty and the greatness of spiritual life are harmoniously combined, which pays sadly little attention to external manifestations.
Such a distinctive feature of the Master as “cursive writing” aroused particular admiration among his contemporaries. When painting the next picture, Feofan did not particularly try to convey the features of the sample. Each of his works has its own unique features. Each face is endowed with its own character and each stroke showed the world a brilliant work, such as “Our Lady of the Don” by Theophanes the Greek and his “Assumption of the Virgin Mary”.
Feofan's biography still has its blind spots, raising many questions. Neither the exact date of his birth nor his death is known. Born in Byzantium, how did he get to Russian soil?
History connects his name with the name of Metropolitan Cyprian, but all this is mainly just speculation about the talented icon painter, an artist who glorified his name in painting miniatures and frescoes on religious themes when painting churches.
Two-sided icon. Let's take a closer look
The Donskaya Icon depicts the Mother of God pressing her cheek to her son, the infant Christ. This position of mother and son, the Mother of God and Jesus here signifies the highest spiritual closeness, understanding, trust between man and the Lord.
A distinctive feature of this image is that the baby's legs are open to the knees and are standing on the hand of Mother Mary. The icon is double-sided: on its reverse side the plot of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is presented.
According to ancient legend, on this mournful day all the apostles, even those who were in other countries, miraculously appeared in Jerusalem to say goodbye and perform a worthy burial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Iconography and description of the image
The Don icon is double-sided. On the outside there are images of the Mother of God with the Infant God. The characteristic features of the “Tenderness” iconographic type are clearly visible. The faces of the Son of God and the Mother of God touch. The right hand of Jesus Christ is folded in a blessing gesture, the left hand is lowered onto his knee and covered with clothing. Through the himation one can see a rolled up scroll tied with a gold cord.
The facial features of the Mother of God are soft, humility and sadness are visible in her gaze. Maforium is made in cherry and gold tones. Over time, the golden background of the shrine and the gilded halos were erased.
The outer side of the shrine is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. The central figure is Jesus Christ. The body of the deceased Mother of God rests on the Holy Bed, which is surrounded by 12 apostles and 2 bishops.
Even the cinnabar inscription has been preserved, which reads “Assumption of the Holy Mother of God.”
The back side of the icon is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God
Icon - peace-loving warrior
The history of the icon is closely connected with the name of Dmitry Donskoy, who defeated the Golden Horde Khan in the battle on the Kulikovo Field. In a brief summary, the description of the legendary battle and the appearance of the Image of the Blessed Virgin looks like this: right on the eve of the battle, the Don Cossacks came to the aid of the princely army. It was they who brought the miraculous icon as a gift to Dmitry Donskoy.
The Mother of God of the Don, whose Image looked from the icon, heard many prayers for intercession and requests for help that night before the fierce battle. And during the battle, she was also in the center of the army, instilling courage in the soldiers and not allowing them to doubt their victory.
Many people died on the battlefield then, but the battle was won, and Mamai fled in disgrace. The confrontation between the troops took place near the great Don, and the icon received the name Donskoy. It is still known to us under this name.
The Battle of Kulikovo itself became a turning point in the life of the entire Russian people. The Grand Duke of Moscow managed to unite the Russian principalities and, although with heavy losses, defeat the enemy and dispel the myth of the invincibility of the Tatar troops.
He took the icon home with him as a precious relic. After some time, by his order, she was transferred to the Kolomna Assumption Cathedral. Dmitry Ivanovich founded this temple in 1379, after the first victory of the Russians over the Golden Horde enemies in the battle on the Vozha River. It is noteworthy that our Russian troops suffered minimal losses at that time.
The Don Icon of the Mother of God became the intercessor and patroness of the Russian land. Many royals asked her for help in subsequent years. So, before going to Kazan against enemy troops, Ivan the Terrible prayed for a long time before the Face of the Mother of God, and then took the Image with him as a parting word and blessing.
After his victorious return home, Ivan the Terrible ordered two copies of the helper and patroness icons to the icon painters, and then handed them over to the Assumption Cathedral. Not wanting to let go of the original, he placed it in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
In 1591, another event occurred in which the Mother of God provided assistance through her icon, preventing foreigners from entering Moscow. The troops of the Tatar Khan, planning to capture the capital, were already not far from the city. At this time, the miraculous Image of the Mother of God, accompanied by a procession of the cross, was carried around the stone walls of the capital.
After this, praying and asking the Mother of God for protection, the icon was placed in the regimental church, bearing the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The next morning, Russian soldiers won a brilliant victory over the enemy.
The Donskoy Monastery became a symbol of great gratitude for this victory. By order of the tsar, it was erected on the site where the regimental camp church was located. Another copy of the Don Icon was placed in the monastery, as its main shrine.
In 1598, another event occurred that connected the Don Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the history of Orthodox Rus'. With her help, Boris Godunov, the ruler of the Russian state, was blessed with the kingdom.
Texts of prayers
There are special prayers that are written to be said in front of the most holy Donskoy icon. You can pray at home or in the church where this image is located. It is advisable to learn the words of the prayer by heart. If this does not work, you can read the text from the prayer book. At home, before praying to the “Donskaya”, you need to buy this icon in the church shop.
First
The first prayer praises the Mother of God. Believers consider her their intercessor. Indeed, in ancient times, the most holy image put hordes of enemies to flight and saved Moscow. The Immaculate Virgin can protect cities from enemy attacks and people from death. Believers ask the Mother of God to dry their tears, turn their crying into joy, and console them in days of trouble. Christians pray that the Immaculate Virgin will grant people patience in sorrowful life circumstances. People ask the Mother of God to give everyone according to their needs.
The Mother of God has the power to guide a child on the righteous path, to encourage him in despondency, and to support him in frail old age. Believers ask that the Immaculate Virgin visit them in days of illness, soften evil hearts, and grant peace, love, and brotherly love to everyone. The Most Holy Mother of God has the power to reconcile those at war and justify those who have been slandered.
Christians ask the Mother of God to destroy vices and protect them from the righteous wrath of God. Believers pray that the Immaculate Virgin, with her prayer and protection, will protect them from enemy invasion and hunger. People ask for forgiveness for their sins.
“O Most Holy Lady, Virgin Mother of God, our good and speedy Intercessor! We all sing thanks to You for Your wonderful deeds. Let us sing songs from ancient years about Your inalienable intercession for the city of Moscow and our country, always revealed in Your miraculous image of the Don: the alien troops take flight, cities and towns are preserved unharmed, and people are delivered from cruel death. The teary eyes are dried up, the lamentations of the faithful are silenced, crying is transformed into common joy. May we, O Most Pure Mother of God, be a consolation in adversity, a revival of hope, an image of courage, a source of mercy, and grant us inexhaustible patience in sorrowful circumstances. Give to everyone according to his request and need: educate babies, teach chastity and the fear of God to the young, encourage the despondent and support the weak old age. Visit those in sickness and sorrow, soften evil hearts, strengthen brotherly love, fill us all with peace and love. Reconcile, O Compassionate Mother, those who are at war and justify the slandered. Destroy the vices, so that our sins do not rise before the Judge of all, so that the righteous wrath of God does not befall us. With Your prayers, Your all-powerful protection, protect us from the invasions of the enemy, from famine, destruction, fire, sword and all other suffering. We hope through Your prayers to receive forgiveness and erasure of sins from the Almighty God and reconciliation with God. Pray for us to acquire the Kingdom of Heaven and, at the end of our life, at the right hand of the Throne of God, where You, O All-Sung Virgin, stand before the Holy Trinity in eternal glory. Make us worthy, from the faces of the Angels and saints, to praise the Most Honorable Name of Your Son, with His Beginningless Father and His All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, forever and ever. Amen".
Second
In the second prayer, believers sincerely ask the Immaculate Virgin to accept their requests. Christians pray that the Mother of God will free the soul from sins, help clear the conscience, and remove a heavy burden from a person. Believers ask to correct their mistakes, to save them and their children from troubles and illnesses. People pray to grant them patience to endure all troubles, to drive out laziness, anger, envy, despondency, and vices from the soul. The Immaculate Virgin is asked to reconcile the warring parties and justify the slandered. They pray to the Mother of God to protect people with her protection from all evil.
“O All-Merciful Mother, Most Pure Virgin Mary! Hear and accept my prayer. Look at the ulcers of my soul and body, the sins of youth, oblivion and concealment, aggravate my conscience, wash me with streams of tears, remove the heavy burden, strengthen me, so that I may create fruits worthy of repentance. My path is strewn with thorns of sorrows. Knowing that God’s truth will punish me, implore God’s mercy for me. Look at my groaning, and correct my path, and save me and my children and my neighbors. Be me the treasure of faith and the Guardian of piety. Grant indestructible patience in troubles, which flows from faith. Drive out anger, envy, despondency, resentment, uncleanness, laziness; With these and greater vices my soul is ill! Reconcile those who are at war, justify those who are slandered, enlighten us, O Lady, with the light of Your Son and grant us to speak to our friends and children the word of truth, firm in truth, peaceful for the sake of love, dissolved in prudence, visit those in sickness and sorrow, and all, under Your sovereign protection We preserve, we will comfortably achieve the Kingdom of Heaven, giving praise for everything to the Lover of Mankind, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen".
Gifts to the miraculous Image
In the 16th century, a unique frame with pearls, gold, sapphires, emeralds and other gems was made especially for this icon. In terms of the number of reliquaries housed there, the salary had no equal. All of them were dedicated to the memory of the royal family.
The reverse side of the shrine, where the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is described, was covered with a luxurious silver frame with delightful gold crowns. The icon was placed in a wooden icon case, which was overlaid with gold, silver and decorated with Images of the Deesis, prophets and other revered saints.
At the end of the 17th century, the icon was in the personal chambers of the sister of Peter 1. The frame was removed from it, and the reliquaries were given to the Annunciation Cathedral. And the jewelry was used to create a new exquisite setting, which was not inferior in luxury to the old one. It consisted of 600 emeralds, large pearls, elegant rubies and other amazing valuable gemstones.
Soon the Don Icon of the Mother of God returned to the Annunciation Cathedral. During the war with Napoleon's troops, French soldiers removed most of the decorations from the frame. And after the revolution, the robe itself disappeared.
Modern history of Our Lady of the Don
Currently, the original image of the Don Virgin Mary is in the famous Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
Every year, on September 1, in a procession of the cross she is transferred to the Donskaya monastery, the temple of the Donskaya Icon of the Mother of God, for worship and prayers of believers before her.
An endless stream of people come to her. They pray to the Intercessor for peace and prosperity, both in the country and in their family. Reading prayers from one of the most revered Orthodox shrines: the Don Icon of the Mother of God, people ask for reconciliation between warring parties, for protection from troubles, illnesses and misfortunes. The icon helps in healing from various diseases and in the speedy healing of wounds.
I suggest listening to the wonderful akathist to the Don Icon of the Mother of God.
What do they ask for before the image?
The Don Icon with the Mother of God and the Holy Child depicted on it is considered miraculous. It was sanctified by the Almighty himself. Christians believe that by praying in front of the shrine and sincerely repenting of their sins, people can ask the Immaculate Virgin for mercy. After all, the Mother of God can beg her Son not to strictly punish sinners, to have mercy on them and grant them salvation. People pray in front of the icon when times get tough. The most holy image helps to protect the country from enemy attacks and to defeat the enemy. Prayer to the Mother of God puts enemies to flight and saves the lives of soldiers.
The Immaculate Virgin is approached for a blessing before starting a new business. Our Lady is asked to protect people during the journey. Believers pray that the Mother of God will deliver their souls from sin, guide their children on the righteous path, and support the elderly in their old age. The Mother of God is asked to help cure illnesses, soften an evil heart, and give everyone peace, tranquility and love. People turn to it when they want to reconcile those at war or justify those who have been slandered. Believers ask the Mother of God to cover them with her veil, protecting them from fire, sword, and evil intent.
Questions waiting to be answered
The Don Icon raises many questions. Most researchers claim that it was written, after all, after the Battle of Kulikovo. Some say that it is quite possible that Cyprian ordered it when Tamerlane’s troops were withdrawing from Moscow, and the residents of the capital could breathe easy.
But most often the version heard is that the Image was painted by order of Princess Evdokia in memory of her beloved husband Dmitry Donskoy and all the brave warriors who defeated the formidable enemy in the Battle of Kulikovo.
There are many questions and inconsistencies, but one thing is certain: the Don Mother of God is a loving and beloved mother, Intercessor, Helper and Patroness of Russia. And now we really need her help again!
The celebration of the Don Icon of the Mother of God in the Orthodox Church takes place on August 19 according to the old style or September 1 according to the new style. It is possible to pray before the Miraculous Icon any day today at the Donskoy Monastery, where I invite you.
During this trip to Moscow, I booked accommodation near the Tulskaya metro station. This was the Danilovskaya Hotel, located on the territory of the monastery of the same name, and a more budget option of the Serpukhovsky Dvor Hotel, very comfortable accommodation with pleasant service. In addition, in Moscow you can easily rent an apartment or a room on Airbnb, or book a hotel in any other convenient location through Booking.
My trip to this amazing place took place on January 10, 2018. And the map below shows other attractions of Moscow and the Moscow region, where I was able to visit.
Share in the comments below what you know about the Don Icon of the Mother of God and what miracles happened in life through the prayers of the Mother of God.
