Origin story
The icon has an interesting history.
Legends about the appearance
There are several versions of the appearance of the icon. Tradition says that the icon was painted by Luke. After that she ended up in the city of Gorodets. However, the settlement was burned in 1239, and the icon disappeared. But miraculously she was found again, but in another city. This was done by the younger brother of Alexander Nevsky, Prince Vasily Kostroma. The story of its appearance is rather unoriginal: the prince went to hunt animals and accidentally saw the icon on a pine tree. However, she did not give in right away, and the prince had to contrive to get her. The Kostroma icon became a symbol of the city of Kostroma, where it was immediately brought.
Scientific versions
If there are various scientific versions that tell about the history of the appearance of the icon. Historians note that:
- the icon may have been commissioned by Andrei Bogolyubsky in the mid-12th century;
- the icon was painted specifically for Yaroslav Vsevolodovich for the wedding of his son, Alexander Nevsky;
- The icon was made by order of Yaroslav on the occasion of the arrival of his wife Theodosia.
Each of these versions has the right to exist. There are reliable arguments both in favor of the fact that the icon was painted by Luke, and in favor of the fact that it was painted for Andrei Bogolyubsky. One way or another, it is clear that in the history of the icon the names of such famous people as Alexander Nevsky and the Romanov princes are often found.
First mentions
The first mention of the icon appears when it was brought to Gorodets. The icon was recognized as miraculous a little later. The reason for this was a miraculous rescue from a fire. But fame was assigned to the Feodorovskaya icon after it helped save Kostroma in the Battle of the Holy Lake.
Calling to the kingdom of Mikhail Fedorovich
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Zemsky Sobor elected Mikhail Romanov. The embassy moved to the Kostroma Monastery. Patriarch Filaret described this day in the chronicles as follows: “On that day in Kostroma there was joy and celebration for the icon of the Mother of God of Theodore.” According to some legends, Romanov’s dedication took place precisely with this icon of the Mother of God.
Shrine of the House of Romanov
The icon became a real shrine of the Romanov dynasty. Hundreds of mentions were dedicated to her in the chronicles of those years. It is indicated that the German princesses, who were part of the Russian family, took the patronymic Fedorovna in honor of the icon.
Description and meaning in Orthodoxy
The Mother of God in Orthodoxy is perceived in a pure, immaculate, but very strong way. Belongs to the Tenderness type. The icon depicts the Mother of God holding Jesus the Savior in one hand and wrapping him in a light scarf with the other. The Savior gently presses his mother's cheek.
The icon is very similar to the Vladimir icon, which is why some historians call it a replica. However, there is a difference - the left bare leg of Jesus is visible.
The icon is in poor condition; dozens of specialists are fighting for its safety. The faces are noticeably worn. The reverse side depicts the Great Martyrs Paraskeva.
Description of the icon
According to iconography, it belongs to the “Tenderness” type: the Baby clings to the Mother’s cheek and hugs Her, but there is no smile on Her face, only sorrow and endless love for the Son, who will be sacrificed for all humanity. The color of the Mother of God's robe is purple, which symbolizes royal power, and in the Christian tradition - the Passion of Christ. The naked legs of the Baby remind us of His impending suffering.
The Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God has one amazing feature that sets it apart from other images of the Mother of God: on the reverse side of it is written the image of St. Martyr Paraskeva Friday, who in Rus' was the patroness of brides and weddings.
The history of the icon goes back centuries, and over these centuries it has demonstrated its miraculous power more than once.
What can you ask for before the image?
The icon is turned to in such cases.
Help in life's difficulties
They ask the Feodorovskaya icon, first of all, for help in life. It, like no other, helps those who have lost their homes, those who are experiencing financial difficulties, those who are forced to live on the line of hostilities. Miracles associated with help in life's difficulties are widely described in historical reports.
Help in healing from infertility or conceiving a child
The Mother of God, through the icon, is able to give the grace necessary to conceive a baby. She is the best helper for those women who have almost given up on their intention to get pregnant.
Helps in a happy marriage
If there is no worthy partner on the horizon, all men turn out to be married or with bad habits, then it makes sense to pray to the icon of the Mother of God. The icon may be small - the main thing is to approach it with pure intentions and without any selfish thoughts in your soul.
Maintaining a peaceful family atmosphere
Even in a family where relatives love each other, sometimes irreconcilable situations arise. In this case, it is better not to let the situation take its course, but to turn to the Mother of God for help. She will resolve situations and give the necessary peace of mind if the spouse has become cold or aggressive, if the mother-in-law does not speak to her daughter-in-law in the best words, if the children have entered adolescence and stopped obeying.
The meaning of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God
Soon after finding the icon, Alexander Nevsky received from his father, Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, a blessing to marry Alexandra Bryachislavna, the daughter of the Polotsk Tsar.
During the seven centuries of its stay in Kostroma, the Feodorovskaya icon showed many miracles. Thus, the Kostroma Cathedral, where she was staying, was twice engulfed in fire, and both times the flames did not affect the miraculous one.
When in 1260 the Mongol army approached Kostroma, threatening the complete destruction of the city, the prince came out against the enemies with the Feodorov icon, which was carried in front of his small squad. Suddenly, in the midst of the battle, the face of the Most Holy Theotokos began to emit a dazzling radiance, forcing the enemies to flee from the battlefield. The lake, not far from which the battle took place, received the name Saint, and at the site of the miracle, the prince ordered to build first a cross, and then a stone chapel.
The Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God played a special role in 1613, when the first representative of the Romanov dynasty was called to the throne. Only the archbishop's appeal to her broke the resistance of the nun Martha, the mother of the future Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, and forced her to give her son a blessing to reign. Falling to her knees, she turned to the image of the Virgin Mary:
Thy will be done, Lady! I commend my son into Your hands: guide him on the true path, for the good of Yourself and the Fatherland!
Since then, Kostroma began to be considered the “cradle of the House of Romanov,” who regularly went there to bow to the icon, including in 1913, when the 300th anniversary of the royal dynasty was celebrated. It is noteworthy that many foreign brides of heirs to the throne who accepted the Orthodox faith received the patronymic “Fedorovna” at baptism as a sign that the Mother of God herself acts as their Receiver and Patroness.
Even during the years of Soviet power, the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God was not touched, which became a unique phenomenon in the modern history of the Russian Orthodox Church, and in the new millennium, believers in many Russian cities had the opportunity to venerate it and ask for help.
How to place it correctly in the house
The icon is placed so that the prayer occurs on the eastern side. Can be placed on the right side of the front door. The icon of the Mother of God, if it is intended to protect the sick or small children, can be located at the head of the bed.
Any icon is not placed near photographs or TV.
Who is patronized by the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary?
This amazing icon has long been considered the patroness of brides and pregnant women. According to folk legend, this is facilitated by another feature of the miraculous image. During the first discovery of the icon, some believers recognized Saint Paraskeva Friday, the patroness of newlyweds and weddings, in the image on the back of the icon.
But not only young unmarried girls and expectant mothers turn to the Mother of God. From the history of the image it is known that the Mother of God, through prayers before this icon, repeatedly helped people in troubled times, during the days of armed conflicts. Mothers can pray to the Mother of God, asking for protection and patronage for their children. Spouses who notice discord in their marriage turn to the Most Pure Virgin with a request to grant them love and wisdom.
Lyrics
Use the following prayers.
Prayer
Prayer to the icon:
“O Most Merciful Lady, Queen, Mother of God, accept our humble prayer, and do not reject us, our intercession and refuge, and do not disdain us, unworthy, but, like the Merciful One, do not stop praying, Whom You gave birth to, may He grant us forgiveness of many sins ours, may He save us, like the news of our destinies. Have mercy on us, Lady, have mercy on us, for there is no salvation for us from works. It is also true that we cry to Thee: have mercy on Thy servants and show our barren heart fruitful in good deeds. Look down on us, unworthy, for You are our hope and protection, life and light to our hearts. As you raised up the Everlasting Light from Your womb, illuminate our soul, O Pure One, and drive away all darkness in our hearts. Grant us tenderness, repentance and contrition of heart. Grant us all the days of our lives to do the will of Thy Son and our God and to please Him alone in everything. O Mother of God, do not stop praying to the One born of You for all those who flow with faith to this miraculous image of Yours, and give them quick help and consolation in sorrows and misfortunes and suffering, deliver them from slander and human malice, from enemies visible and invisible and all kinds of needs and sorrows. Save our fatherland, this city and all cities and countries from all troubles and needs and make our God merciful to us, turn away all His anger against us, and deliver us from His due and righteous rebuke. O God-loving Lady, adornment of the angels, glory to the martyrs and joy to all the saints, pray to the Lord with them, that he may grant us in repentance to end the course of our life. In the hour of death, Most Holy Virgin, deliver us from the power of demons and condemnation, and the answer, and the terrible test, and bitter ordeals, and eternal fire, so that, having been honored with the glorious Kingdom of God, we magnify Thee and glorify Christ, our God, incarnate from Thee, To him be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen".
Directly during the akathist, a slightly different prayer is read:
“O Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the only hope for us sinners! We resort to You and pray to You, for you have great boldness before the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who was born of You in the flesh. Do not despise our tears, do not abhor our sighs, do not reject our sorrow, do not disgrace our trust in You, but with your motherly prayers beseech the Lord God that He will grant us, sinners and unworthy, to be freed from sins and passions of the soul and body, to die in peace and May He alone live all the days of our life. O Most Holy Lady Theotokos, travel and protect and protect those who travel, deliver those captives from captivity, free those suffering from troubles, comfort those in sorrow, sorrow and misfortune, alleviate poverty and all bodily suffering and grant to everyone everything necessary for life, piety and life more temporary. Save, O Lady, all the countries and cities and this city, to which this miraculous and holy icon of Thy was given for consolation and protection, deliver me from famine, destruction, cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, internecine warfare and turn away all anger, righteously moved towards us. Grant us time for repentance and conversion, deliver us from sudden death, and at the time of our exodus, appear to us, appearing to the Virgin Mary, and deliver us from the airy ordeals of the princes of this age, grant us at the terrible Judgment of Christ to stand at the right hand and make us heirs of eternal blessings, may we glorify forever the magnificent Name of Your Son and our God, with His Originless Father and His Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen".
Troparion
“By the coming of Your venerable icon, O Mother of God, / the God-protected city of Kostroma, now rejoiced, / like ancient Israel to the ark of the Covenant, / flows to the image of Your face / and our God incarnate from You, / and by Your maternal intercession to Him, / ever intercede with everyone, / to those who come running under the shadow of Your shelter, / peace and great mercy.
Today the famous city of Kostroma / and the entire Russian country are brightly flaunting, / calling all the God-loving Christian peoples to joy, / to the glorious triumph of God’s Mother, / coming for the sake of Her miraculous and multi-healing image, / today, for the bright great sun has appeared to us, / come, all of you God's chosen people, the new Israel,/ to the whole-bearing source,/ the Most Holy Theotokos exudes boundless mercies for us/ and delivers all Christian cities and countries/ unharmed from all the slander of the enemy./ But, O All-Merciful Lady, Virgin Mother of God, Lady,/ save our country , and the bishops, and all the people of Your heritage from all troubles / according to Your great mercy, let us call You: / Rejoice, Virgin, praise to Christians.”
Kontakion
“Let us all come, people, to a quiet and kind refuge, / to the house of the Mother of God, / to the wonderful image of the Queen and Mother of God, / for Her ineffable mercy revealed, / faithfully falling and crying out: / O All-Merciful Lady, / for Your saving gaze, / coming to us of a wondrous image, / visit us, sinners, who brightly celebrate Your festival, / strengthen our country, / wondrously grant victory to our enemies, and strengthen the faith. / Keep the Church of Your Son unshakable, / save those who come to You, deliver from all misfortunes ,/ preserving all Orthodoxy in the world, let us call You:/ Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.”
Greatness
“We magnify You, / Most Holy Virgin, / God’s chosen Youth, / and we honor Your holy image, / through which we give healing // to all who come with faith.”
Canon
“Let us all come, people, to a quiet and kind refuge, / to the house of God’s Mother, the wonderful image of the Queen and Mother of God, / for Her indescribable mercy revealed, / faithfully falling and crying out: / O All-Merciful Lady, for Your saving gaze, / of the wonderful image Coming to us, visit us, sinners, / who brightly celebrate Your festival, / strengthen our country, wondrously giving victory to our enemies, / and strengthen our faith. Preserve the Church of Your Son unshakably, / save those who come to You, deliver them from all misfortunes, / preserving all Orthodoxy in the world, so we call You: // Rejoice, Unmarried Bride2.
Akathist
The Akathist is read before the days of remembrance of the Icon of the Mother of God of Feodorov. It consists of 13 Kontakas and 12 Ikos.
Where can you venerate Fedorov’s image of the Blessed Virgin?
- The original icon, which has come down to us from ancient centuries, is kept in the Epiphany-Anastasinsky Cathedral in the city of Kostroma.
- An ancient copy of this icon, which enjoys special respect among believers, is kept in the Nativity Cathedral of the Kremlin.
- One of the copies of the miraculous image is kept in the Ascension Monastery in the city of Syzran.
- Another copy of the icon is kept in the Alekseevsky Church in Nizhny Novgorod.
- Lists of the icon can be seen in Kazan, Yaroslavl and the Gorodets Monastery of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese.
Real examples of miraculous help
Miraculous help is described in many historical sources. Thus, it is known for certain that the face of the Mother of God remained completely unharmed after the Kostroma Cathedral burned twice. When Nicholas II was elected to the throne, the icon of the Mother of God suddenly darkened.
But the icon helps not only the powerful of this world. She also protects ordinary Orthodox Christians. In particular, there are many references to the fact that prayers to the icon led to a desired pregnancy, to an improvement in relations between spouses, to the meeting of a soul mate, to the protection of a house from fires or floods.
Finding an icon in Rus'
From the 1st century AD, when the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Fedorov was painted, and until its discovery at the beginning of the 13th century in the small Russian city of Gorodets, its history is shrouded in darkness. It is only known that when the Mongols burned Gorodets in 1239, the icon disappeared, but after some time it was miraculously found by Prince Vasily of Kostroma, the younger brother of Prince Alexander Nevsky.
It happened like this: while hunting, Prince Vasily noticed an icon on the branches of a tree, but when he tried to get it, it rose into the air. Surprisingly, at exactly the same time, many Kostroma residents saw an unknown warrior walking through the city with an icon in his hands. This warrior looked like St. Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates, a cathedral was erected in his honor in the city.
A huge procession headed by the clergy moved to the place where the icon of the Mother of God was found. After a long kneeling prayer, it was solemnly transferred to the cathedral church of Kostroma, and the icon was given the name Feodorovskaya as part of the appearance of Theodore Stratilates, the patron saint of warriors.
