Coronation of the Mother of God: icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, veneration and texts of prayers

Finding the Sovereign Icon
What does the icon of the Mother of God “Sovereign” symbolize - photo and description and meaning
Icon “Sovereign Mother of God” - what does the relic help with?
Prayer to the “Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God”

The Virgin Mary always comes to the aid of people in difficult situations. It relieves anxiety, uncertainty and doubt, suggests the right decision, strengthens faith and saves from problems. But at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Heavenly Queen took the whole country under her protection, revealing to the believers a new, revered image. How this happened and what made this amazing icon famous - read in our article.

Meaning of the term in Orthodoxy

Coronation (synonymous with coronation) means the performance of a religious ceremony of initiation into the supreme power, with the laying on of a crown. Translated from Latin, “crown” means “wreath”. The ritual form, the materials from which it is made, and the way the crown is worn have symbolic meaning.

What does the crown mean:

immortality and eternity;
divinity;
greatness;
royalty.

The Roman Catholic faith divides the Ascension of the Mother of God into 4 cycles:

Dormition under the Apostles;
burial;
Ascension;
Coronation after Ascension.

Mary can be called the Queen of Heaven only after her coronation. However, nowhere in the Holy Scriptures does it specifically say that the Virgin Mary was crowned after the Ascension. There is indirect evidence of this fact from the text of Psalm 44:10-15 (about the Queen standing to the right of God in golden attire); visions of John the Theologian (“a woman appeared... and on her head was a crown of twelve stars”).

What does the icon of the Mother of God “Sovereign” symbolize - photo and description and meaning

This image is very unusual for the Orthodox tradition. On it, the Virgin Mary is depicted in the guise of the Queen of Earth and Heaven - She is dressed in a purple robe, associated with a royal robe, and a green tunic. In her outstretched right hand, the Mother of God holds a scepter, and in her left hand - an orb. This attribute of power is also indicated by the youth Jesus sitting on the lap of the Madonna. The crowns on their heads are complemented by shining halos. And in the clouds at the top of the relic the face of the Lord of hosts is visible - He blesses the believers.

Interpreters interpret the shrine in two ways - firstly, it serves as a reminder of the inevitable retribution for sins. Because of the vices and unholy passions to which people indulged, the state lost a wise ruler and sank into long turmoil. However, at the same time, righteous Christians always have a chance to save their souls - they only need to repent and completely rely on the will of the Creator. The Savior and the Mother of God take care of every person who calls on them, sending him protection, consolation and support.

Icons about the coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The plot of the iconography dates back to the 12th-13th centuries. During this period, great interest in the theme of the coronation of the Virgin Mary appeared in Western European art. In 1260, the literary work of the Dominican monk Jacob of Voraginsky, “The Golden Legend,” was published and gained enormous popularity. The book contained Christian legends and lives of saints, written in an entertaining way.

Fragments of descriptions from the “Golden Legend” were used by medieval painters and icon painters when painting images of the coronation of the Virgin Mary. The main difference between this icon and others is that there is no crown on the head of the Mother of God.

There are several variants of images in iconography:

Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary sit next to each other on thrones. The Son holds a crown over the Mother's head.
The icon depicts the Holy Trinity. Between God the Father and Jesus Christ is the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit hovers above her head in the form of a white dove and holds a crown.
Mary kneels before God the Father, with her hands folded on her chest. God the Father places a crown on Her head.
Two angels stand next to the Virgin Mary (or hover overhead). They hold a crown above Her head.
The number of active characters can be expanded. In addition to Mary and the angels with a crown in their hands, the image includes angels playing music, God the Father, and Jesus Christ.
The plane of the icon is divided into two parts: the heavenly and earthly sphere. The lower part shows the moment of the Dormition of the Mother of God and the apostles present. In the central part, believers see the Ascension and in the upper part - the Coronation.

The composition appeared in Russian icon painting at the end of the 17th century, thanks to engravings from Western Europe.

Icons of this type became most widespread during the reign of Catherine II, mainly in Ukraine. The original subjects included the Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin Mary. Subsequently, the plot of the crowning of the Mother of God by two angels in the Orthodox version began to be called “The Prisoner of Vertograd.”

Translated from Church Slavonic, “vertograd” means “garden”. The basis for the name and compositional structure were words from the Bible describing the garden of the Kingdom of Heaven (Heavenly Jerusalem), and an excerpt from the Song of Songs of King Solomon. The author of the icon “Vertograd Prisoner” is Nikita Pavlovets, an icon painter at the Armory Chamber. Date of writing: 1670. Currently, only the author's copy is known, transferred to the Tretyakov Gallery in 1940 from a private collection.

The meaning of this icon is broader than that of the “Coronation of the Virgin Mary” image. In "Vertograd Prisoner" the Virgin Mary stands in the foreground in royal attire with the Child Jesus and a red carnation in her hands. In front of her is a narrow strip of water separating the earthly world from the heavenly world. Behind and on the sides are the trees and flowers of the Garden of Eden. The Mother of God in this plot personifies the door of the Royal Gates and at the same time the Queen with the Royal Child. The red carnation is identified with the sufferings of the Savior on the cross.

In Orthodoxy, the icon “Vertograd Prisoner” is revered as miraculous; the day of celebration is March 14/27 (old/new style). In the Orthodox prayer book there is a prayer dedicated to the icon “Vertograd Prisoner”.

Vladimirskaya:

The exact date of creation is unknown, but it is believed that the Apostle Luke wrote it during the life of the Virgin Mary. The first image appeared on a simple wooden table top.

The icon of the Vladimir Mother of God is characterized by the image of the Mother of God and the Child, whose faces touch. The Baby's leg is bent in such a way that his heel is visible, and his arms hug the Mother's neck, as a symbol of the close communication of the soul with God.

In front of this icon they pray for deliverance from various troubles, from heresies and strife, for an end to hostility between countries and the preservation of Russia.

Texts of prayers

Virgin Mary Crowned by the Triune Lord. We turn to You in humble prayers. Save and preserve, Mother of God, in health, guide us on the true path, and do not let unwanted thoughts enter our heads. We pray to You, Queen of Heaven, increase the intelligence of our children, protect them from any harm, take them under your protection. Don’t let the wicked ruin our lives, and keep harmony in our homes and families. Save anyone from evil and from the cruel diseases that consume our flesh. Let us, after death, stand before the Lord and answer with honor for all our deeds. Amen.

Prayer to the “Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God”

O Sovereign Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, holding in Her arms the Heavenly King who contains the entire universe! We thank You for Your ineffable mercy, for You have deigned to show us, sinners, this holy, miraculous icon of Yours in these days. We thank Thee, for Thou hast looked down from Thy holy height upon the children of the Orthodox, and, like the bright sun, Thou hast gladdened our eyes, now exhausted from sorrow, with the sweet sight of Thy sovereign image! O Most Blessed Mother of God, Sovereign Helper, Strong Intercessor, thank You, with fear and trembling, as slaves of indecency, we fall, with tenderness, with heartfelt contrition, with tears we pray to You: root in the hearts of all of us truth, peace and joy about Dus Holy ones, bring peace, prosperity, serenity, and unfeigned love for each other to our country! With Your omnipotent power, support us, the weak, the cowardly, the feeble, the sad, strengthen us, uplift us! As we always keep under Your power, we sing, magnify and glorify You, the Sovereign Intercessor of the Christian race forever and ever. Amen.

Icon of the Mother of God “THE BRIGHT STAR”

Locally revered

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The icon of the Mother of God was found in the 17th century. The Virgin Mary is depicted against the background of a star with diverging rays, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. At the feet of the Mother of God are the Murom saints. In princely robes - Constantine, Mikhail, Theodore, in monastic robes - Peter, Fevronia and Juliana.

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Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Most Bright Star” they pray for the triumph of Orthodoxy, for suffering loved ones and for the salvation of loved ones.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her icon “The Most Bright Star”

Offering to my queen, my hope to the Mother of God, a refuge for the orphans and the strange, the sorrowful, the joyful, the offended patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow, help me as I am weak, guide me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it, as you will: for I have no other help except You, no other intercessor, no good comforter, except You, O Mother of God, for you will preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen. Greatness We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Youth, and honor Your holy image, through which you bring healing to all who come with faith.

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Ostroabramskaya:

This icon is revered not only in Orthodoxy, but also in Catholicism. The majestic image of the Mother of God is full of love and restraint. The saint is depicted without the Child and waist-high, with her hands in a prayerful cross gesture. Only this image is characterized by lush clothing and an abundance of other details.

They pray to the Icon of the Ostroabramskaya Mother of God if they want to remove damage and curses. Prayers in front of the image relieve melancholy and despondency, save from depression and other mental illnesses, and also protect from criminals and ill-wishers.

Look at humility:

This icon is asked for help not only for the living, but also for the dead. It is believed that if a person dies and does not repent of his sins, then the living can ask the icon of the Mother of God for humility for this by reading the appropriate prayers. The icon helps all the disadvantaged, deprived, persecuted and doubting the faith.

The icon depicts the Mother of God wearing a crown with a scepter in her right hand. In the left she holds the Child, who is on her lap with the orb.

Each icon is unique in its own way and requires reverent treatment and respect not only within the walls of churches, but also at home. The image of the Mother of God is archaic and multifaceted.

In our online store of icons you can purchase any faces of saints made of natural wood, as well as buy shelves for icons or home icon cases for storing holy images, you can on our website. The 3dekor company is distinguished by a wide range, delivery throughout Russia and the ability to manufacture according to your individual sizes.

Seven-shot:

The icon differs from the previous ones in that there is no image of the Child. Only the Virgin Mary, pierced with swords, which act as a symbol of sadness and bitterness.

In front of this icon they pray for an end to family enmity and mercy towards relatives. Often this image can be found not only in churches and homes, but also on work tables, as it is read that it protects against ill-wishers and criminals.

On our website you can buy the Seven Shots icon made of natural wood or order it made to individual sizes.

Burning Bush - meaning, what it helps with

Many of our contemporaries visit Orthodox churches. They discovered the power of prayer, turning to the Lord and the Sacraments of the Church.

In prayer they turn not only to God: they pray to the Heavenly Powers - the angels who, after Baptism, are assigned to every Orthodox Christian - and, of course, to the Mother of God, the Mother of God and the Intercessor of the entire human race before God.

It would seem, why pray to anyone else but God. However, in the family we make requests not only to our father, but also to our mother and brothers and sisters. The Most Holy Theotokos and the saints become such relatives for every believer - people who performed feats for the sake of God and for the sake of helping other people. They are our intercessors before the merciful Lord.

Today, the eight-pointed star depicted on the Burning Bush is one of the most beautiful and bright symbols of Orthodoxy. She illuminates and sanctifies many icon cases, church utensils, and jewelry of pious Christian women. There is no sin in using it in home decoration for Christmas; on the contrary, it is a very pious and beautiful custom. You can make it yourself by gluing, for example, a paper icon of the Nativity of Christ in the center.

The eight-pointed star reminds us of the power of God, and of the radiance of the Kingdom of God, and of our path in life, along which we must follow the Bethlehem guiding star, like the Magi towards the Infant Christ. You need to be able to become a guiding star for people in this world with the help of good deeds.

Feodorovskaya:

At first glance, the icon is very similar to Vladimirovskaya, but there are significant differences. For example, the fact that the Baby is sitting on the hand of the Virgin Mary, and instead of a bare heel, a leg up to the knee is visible. At the same time, it seems that his feet want to take a step, and are depicted against the background of the Saint’s vestments, which in the distance resemble a cup, as a symbol of deliverance.

The icon helps those who ask her for peace in the family, mutual understanding and happiness in marriage. It is no coincidence that the second name of the image is the Patroness of Brides. Also among the other most frequent prayers heard near the shrine are for the birth of a child, for an easy birth and for the health of children. Don't know which icon to buy for your wedding? This look would be a great option!

You can purchase a wooden icon of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God here.