The icon was brought to the monastery by two women in 1997; its origin is unknown.
The Icon of the Mother of God “Deliverer from the troubles of the afflicted” appeared under unusual circumstances. In 1997, one woman living in Arzamas (Nizhny Novgorod region) was sorting through things in a barn and came across an unusual board there.
In shape and size, this object resembled an icon, although it was difficult to reliably know what it was due to dust and dirt. But still, the woman chose to trust her intuition and, taking a companion with her, took the find to the local St. Nicholas Monastery.
Because of the black layer, it was impossible to make out what was depicted on the icon.
The nuns agreed that an ancient icon was kept in the woman’s barn, but they could not identify what exactly was depicted on it.
Only a faint colored silhouette was visible under a layer of black plaque. It could equally have belonged to either an Orthodox saint or an Eastern deity - it was difficult to say, so they accepted the gift, but hid it in a storage room.
Miracles created
There are many stories about a miracle created by an icon. One of them tells how a boy named Anastasy fell ill with a serious and incurable disease. But despite all the efforts and struggle of the parents and the baby with the disease, the boy got worse and worse. Seeing that nothing was helping the child, the parents asked the priest to give the baby communion. But the priest did not have time to visit the patient, and the boy died.
On the way to the sick man, the priest invited Martianin with him. He brought with him the icon of the Deliverer from troubles. The priest, not giving himself any peace that he was late to the child, began, together with Martinian, to pray to the Mother of God and ask her to help resurrect the child. Throughout the prayer, the icon was on Anastasia’s body. Everyone asked for this: the priest, the elder and the parents.
After they finished reading the prayer, the elder christened the child’s face three times with the face of the Mother of God. And a great miracle happened - the baby came to life. He opened his eyes and began to breathe. And after he was given Holy Communion, he stopped getting sick.
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After the nuns’ prayers, the black layer began to disappear, and the image began to appear
After a while, Mother George, the abbess of the monastery, was cleaning out the storeroom and discovered this icon. Some inner instinct prompted her to take the image with her and hang it up for prayer.
And then the incredible happened. Gradually, day after day, someone invisible seemed to be removing all this blackness that covered the icon. Familiar outlines began to appear more and more clearly - the Queen of Heaven was undoubtedly looking at the praying nuns.
This is how the miraculous icon looks today
In mid-2000, the image became clear enough, but the inscription on it remained unreadable.
However, a nun from Riga who visited the monastery recognized the icon “Deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted.” It was also possible to find out that there was practically no paint left on the icon. It peeled off over time, and the image seemed to appear on the wooden board itself.
Pilgrims from all over Russia began to come to the miraculous icon
Gradually, local residents learned about the wonderful icon, and then in other regions of the country.
Pilgrims began to come to the monastery to address their prayers and requests to the Queen of Heaven.
3 thousand
approximately the same number of believers come annually to venerate the icon
And miracles happened! The Virgin Mary answered prayers and helped people who asked for help.
She truly became a deliverer from troubles. Those who cannot come and pray themselves send letters. There are about three thousand of them every year.
The miracles that the icon performs are recorded by the nuns in a special notebook: who was cured of illness, who was saved from trouble.
Divine services are held regularly in the monastery - an akathist is read before the icon.
Today the icon can still be seen in the same St. Nicholas Monastery.
St. Nicholas Convent, which houses the icon “Deliverance from the Troubles of the Suffering”
Marovskaya icon
Another miraculous copy from the “Deliverer” was made in Jerusalem at the end of the 19th century. He was brought to the Nizhny Novgorod province. When the image was transported past the village of Mary, the icon suddenly became so heavy that the cart could not budge. Understanding the will of the Blessed Virgin, the image was left in the local Holy Cross Monastery. After the closure of the monastery in 1927, the holy icon was preserved by the inhabitants of Mary. Currently, the shrine has returned to the reviving monastery. The image is glorified by many miracles.
Church on the site of the Marovsky Monastery
The Arzamas icon is not the only “Deliverer”
The Arzamas icon “Deliverer from the troubles of the afflicted” is not the only one, not the first, and not even the only one that works miracles.
“Deliverer” is a popular icon painting type, its original name is Hodegetria. In it, the Queen of Heaven holds the baby Jesus with her left hand, but he bears little resemblance to an ordinary child.
In figure and face, he rather resembles a young man, only greatly reduced in size.
You can see a scroll in the Savior’s left hand, and with his right hand he touches the robe of the Virgin Mary.
“Deliverer of Troubles” - belongs to the “Hodegetria” icon type.
The right hand of the Virgin Mary is free and makes a gesture towards her Son. So she calls people to follow the Savior.
Most often there is an icon on the head of the Queen of Heaven. Sometimes it is drawn as a ghostly silhouette, but almost always indicated. There are not many options without it.
One of the many “Deliverers” is kept in the New Athos Simon-Kananitsky Cathedral. It is also miraculous and known before 1889. According to legend, this list saved the Greeks from a locust invasion in 1840.
Deliverer from troubles from the New Athos Simon-Kananitsky monastery
What does an icon help with?
The “Deliverer from Troubles” icon helps everyone who turns to it.
She helps in times of despair, maintaining faith in the soul, gives blessings for a long and happy marriage
In addition, the icon really delivers, as the name says, and protects the person praying from sinful thoughts. It supports the image of the Most Holy One and during periods of suffering helps to heal the eyes from possible diseases. The Mother of God protects from harmful habits and helps to renounce them.
We recommend reading: What do we pray to the Pryazhevskaya Icon of the Mother of God?
Prayer, troparion and kontakion to the icon of the Mother of God “Deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted”
Prayer
O Most Blessed Lady, Protector of the Christian race, refuge and salvation of those who resort to You! We know, truly we know how much we have sinned and been angry, O Merciful Lady, the Son of God born in the flesh of You.
But the Imam has many images before me of those who angered his mercy: publicans, harlots and other sinners, to whom forgiveness of their sins was given, for the sake of repentance and confession.
Thou, therefore, imagining the images of those who had mercy on the sinners of my soul, and looking at the great mercy of God that I received, I dared, even a sinner, to resort with repentance to Your mercy.
O All-Merciful Lady!
Give me a helping hand, and ask Your Son and God, through Your mother’s prayers and Your most holy prayers, for forgiveness for my grave sin.
I believe and confess that the One whom You gave birth to, Your Son is truly Christ, the Son of the Living God, Judge of the living and the dead, Reward each one according to his deeds: I believe again
and I confess to You to be the true Mother of God, the source of mercy, the consolation of those who mourn, the recovery of the lost, the strong
and the unceasing Intercessor to God, who dearly loves the Christian race and the helper of repentance: truly, for there is no other help and protection for us, except You,
Madam Most Merciful, and no one else, trusting in You, was ashamed when, and by You begging God, no one was quickly abandoned.
For this sake and I pray to Your innumerable goodness: open the doors of Your mercy to me who have gone astray.
and to the one who has fallen into the dark times of the depths, do not abhor me, the foul one, do not despise my sinful prayer, do not forsake me the accursed one, as an evil enemy seeks to snatch me away to destruction:
but pray for me to Your merciful Son and God, born of You, that He may forgive my great sins
and will deliver me from my destruction, as yes and I, with all those who have received forgiveness, will sing and glorify the immeasurable mercy of God
and Your unashamed intercession for me in this life and in the endless eternity. Amen.
Troparion, tone 4
Like a bright star, shining with Divine miracles, Thy holy image, illuminating the rays of Thy grace and mercy in the night of sorrows. Grant us, O All-Blessed Virgin, deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted, healing of mental and physical ailments, salvation and great mercy.
Kontakion, tone 8
To Thy icon, Most Holy Lady, the needy flock with faith, being delivered from the evil by Thy intercession, but as the Mother of Christ God and free us from cruel circumstances, temporary and eternal, let us call Thy: Rejoice,
Akathist before the icon of the Mother of God “Deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted”
Before reading the akathist, it is useful to listen to it correctly performed. You can do this in this video:
Akathist text:
Kontakion 1
Forbid our enemies to embitter us and separate us from our Lord, and teach us to sing to You cheerfully: Rejoice, Deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Ikos 1
There are many angels, according to Your command, our Mother, who are threateningly taking up arms for our deliverance. But You accept this prayer: Rejoice, you who send Angels to our salvation. Rejoice, Queen of the heavenly ranks, giving us their heavenly help. Rejoice, you who command the Angels to protect us. Rejoice, you who defeat our enemies with the Host of Angels. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the great need of those in need and such great help to those who sincerely call on You, they instruct them to sing to Your Son unceasingly: Hallelujah.
Ikos 2
Many people understand that Your Son has given You the gift of Deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted, calling upon Thee: Rejoice, Mother of the needy. Rejoice, consolation to those who suffer. Rejoice, hopeless one. Rejoice, helpless ones. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High has given You to help and save the world, perishing in troubles, and whoever has been delivered by You sings to Your Son: Hallelujah.
Ikos 3
Having an incomprehensible love for the human race, you did not reject those tears, and you did not force him to call on you, crying: Rejoice, the needy will soon be heard. Rejoice, liberation of the captives. Rejoice, quick salvation for those who are perishing. Rejoice, consolation to the sad and sorrowful. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 4
A storm of misfortune is upon us. Save us who are perishing, save us, deliverance from the troubles of those who suffer, taming the destructive storm on earth and accepting our song: Hallelujah.
Ikos 4
Hearing to humanity, give birth to all Your wondrous love for Christians and Your powerful deliverance from all the evil that was found on them, learning to sing to You: Rejoice, Deliverance of the human race from troubles. Rejoice, banisher of despondency. Rejoice, the storms of life have ceased. Rejoice, giver of joy after sorrow. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 5
Befitting a godly star, dispelling darkness and obscurity in sin-loving hearts, so that in the light of Your love they will see the Lord and cry out to Him: Hallelujah.
Ikos 5
Seeing Your unexpected deliverance from manifold troubles, the people of Russia joyfully sing to the Mother of God: Rejoice, O remover from our troubles. Rejoice, our sorrows have been driven away. Rejoice, our consolation in sorrows. Rejoice, in joy is our abstinence. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 6
They preach Your help and Your love, Mother, all those who are healed. consoled, justified and saved by You from troubles and sing to Your Highly Powerful Son: Hallelujah.
Ikos 6
The light of salvation arose for us in the darkness of destruction that surrounded us, and I instructed us to sing to You: Rejoice, dispelling the darkness of sin. Rejoice, destroyer of the darkness of sin. Rejoice, you who enlighten the darkness of my soul. Rejoice, you who encourage my soul with the light of joy. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 7
Those who want us to reach the end of despair and give ourselves up to the troubles that lie everywhere, think about You, Deliverance from the troubles of those who suffer, and we will be encouraged and consoled, singing to Your Son: Hallelujah.
Ikos 7
You showed us Your mercy in a new and unexpected way, accepting us under Your Sovereign hand, and from here we cry out to You: Rejoice, Sovereign Queen. Rejoice, you who have accepted us under Your Power. Rejoice, Thou who hast given us Thy protection. Rejoice, defeat of our enemies. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 8
A strange miracle, doomed to destruction, languishing in need, countless suddenly receive salvation and deliverance from You, All-loving Mother, singing to God: Hallelujah.
Ikos 8
All who are in the darkness of sorrows, all who are overwhelmed by the storm of misfortunes, come to the good refuge and our help - the protection of the Virgin, Deliverance from the troubles of those who suffer, crying to Her: Rejoice, who delivers us from hunger. Rejoice, you who drive away harmful nature from the plant world. Rejoice, you who drive away crops and forests and save everything that grows from destruction. Rejoice, blessed consolation and consolation for mourning farmers. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 9
All human beings praise Thee, everyone sings Thee, bringing manifold deliverance to him and giving him joy instead of sorrows, singing: Hallelujah.
Ikos 9
We are distraught and distraught, seeing Your quick, miraculous deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted, and we are silent, singing to You: Rejoice, who strengthened us with miracles. Rejoice, you who have destroyed troubles through miracles. Rejoice, you who enlightened us with miracles. Rejoice, having made us glad with Your icon. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 10
Although you care for every human soul through love, you will not teach it to sing to Your Son: Hallelujah.
Ikos 10
With a wall, guarding the Christian world and protecting every soul from enemies, Your wondrous image, “Deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted,” has appeared and appeared, let us glorify it, worship and be the father of Your intercession, Mother of God, singing: Rejoice, our Deliverer. Rejoice, our mentor. Rejoice, our joy. Rejoice, our eternal joy. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 11
They bring you unceasing singing, having been delivered by You, and having found joy in You, they sing joyfully to Your Divine Son: Hallelujah.
Ikos 11
Your icon, “Deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted,” appeared to us as a shining, radiant luminary in the darkness of sin; we, sinners, rejoice in the same way, having such a wonderful icon of Yours in our temple, as a pledge of Your favor to us and to our Abode, and trusting in Your motherly prayers and hearing them soon, we tenderly say: Rejoice, source of joys. Rejoice, banishment of sorrows. Rejoice, troubles are diminishing. Rejoice, giver of all peace. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 12
The grace from Your icon, “Deliverance from the troubles of the afflicted,” flowing, abundantly supplying streams of healing and enlivening hearts with joy, prompts everyone with their free will to sing about You, Mother, Your Son and God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
We sing of Your wondrous renewal of the icon, we sing of Your merciful mercy upon us sinners and, chanting, we sing: Rejoice, you who take us away from death and eternal fire. Rejoice, you who raise the dead. Rejoice, our dying hope and protection. Rejoice, after death is our repose. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 13
O All-Singing, All-Beloved Mother, have mercy now and have mercy on us, in the fierce and hopeless troubles that exist, to the only One who delivers us, and teach us to heartily sing to God who saves us: Hallelujah Say this kontakion three times.
Ikos 1
There are many angels, according to Your command, our Mother, who are threateningly taking up arms for our deliverance. But You accept this prayer: Rejoice, you who send Angels to our salvation. Rejoice, Queen of the heavenly ranks, giving us their heavenly help. Rejoice, you who command the Angels to protect us. Rejoice, you who defeat our enemies with the Host of Angels. Rejoice, deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Kontakion 1
Forbid our enemies to embitter us and separate us from our Lord, and teach us to sing to You cheerfully: Rejoice, Deliverance from the grief, death and troubles of those who suffer.
Prayer
Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Mother of God, help and protection! Whenever we demand, be the Deliverance to us who are suffering and perishing from cruel troubles, for we trust in You and always whole-heartedly call upon You to have mercy and help, have pity and deliver us from the troubles of those who are suffering and perishing, snatch us from the cruel snares of the evil one, incline Your ear and our tearful , accept sorrowful prayers and, as you wish, give us peace and joy.
Teach to obey the Lord God, to love Your Son with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your nature, to bring the fruits of your labors worthy of Him. Calm our hearts, so that in one Spirit and with all our deeds we glorify the Beginningless Father with His Only Begotten Son and with His Most Holy Good and Life-Giving Spirit, and Your merciful Motherly intercession, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen
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