Is it possible to give icons as a gift?
There is not a single day during the year on which it would not be appropriate to give an icon. Accordingly, there is not a single holiday for which an icon would be an inappropriate gift.
The only thing you should focus on is whether it is worth giving this person an icon!
The Holy Face should not be given as a gift:
- To an unfamiliar person, because you may not know his religion.
- A person indifferent to religion.
It is worth mentioning the recently popular inexpensive, printed icons. A gift such as an icon must be treated wisely. You should not give holy images of poor quality, made on cardboard according to consumer goods. Such icons, as a rule, are stored in a secluded place; at best, they are taken back to the church.
Why to church? Because holy faces cannot be thrown into the trash. Desecration and abuse of them is a great sin. Anything with a holy face, candles, etc. burned in church ovens with a special ceremony (service).
Name day is more important than birthday
This has always been the case in Rus'. But over the years of atheism, people have lost knowledge about the importance of name days, and now they have again begun to show interest in who protects them in life, which icon to worship.
In this article you will find your Intercessor Icon and your Guardian Angel. And by name a person celebrates his name day, which has always been more important than his birthday.
Nowadays, name days are not celebrated at all, and this is due to a person’s ignorance of the significance of his name, his heavenly patron.
What day is this? Believers call it “namesake”, which is where the word “namesake” comes from, meaning people with the same names.
When is name day celebrated? There is a certain day in the calendar on which one or another saint is remembered, or maybe several saints at once. This day will be a holiday for the person who bears the name of the saint who is honored on this day.
People often think that a saint is their Guardian Angel. But that's not true.
A guardian angel is given to a person at baptism to accompany him through life, guiding him on the path of salvation.
An angel is a good spirit that is invisible and has no name. It is very important for a person to mentally talk with his Angel and consult with him.
You have probably noticed how, after a prayerful appeal to our good mentor, many matters are successfully resolved.
But the Guardian Angel will not abandon us even after earthly life; he will guide us through all the ordeals to God. This is what is written in the canon of the Guardian Angel.
Is it possible to accept an icon as a gift?
The icon can be accepted as a gift. There is nothing alarming about this. The icon is not a pagan image, therefore there is nothing superstitious in it. However, if you doubt the noble intentions of the giver, then it is better to take the gift to church.
There are several superstitions according to which an icon should not be accepted as a gift.
- Damage is caused through the icon, etc.
- A gifted icon attracts trouble/misfortune.
These beliefs go back to the early years of the USSR, when believers were persecuted and churches were closed/destroyed en masse.
The holy face protects from all kinds of evil and troubles. It cannot attract any kind of trouble, since it does not carry any negativity.
From holy images comes exclusively the Lord's grace and peace of mind. An icon in the house is peace, harmony, happiness, protection from adverse influences, help in everyday difficulties.
Where you can’t put icons at home
There are no categorical prohibitions on finding an icon in an apartment. For the correct placement of icons in the house, it is enough to use common sense:
- You cannot hang icons in bathrooms and toilet rooms, which is quite logical. Any living space is suitable for installing icons.
- It is unacceptable to place icons next to photographs, regardless of who is depicted in them. Priests strictly adhere to such prohibitions.
- It is stupid to place icons next to toys or figurines. You should not hang them next to reproductions of paintings or posters of movie and pop stars.
That, in fact, is all the prohibitions for placing icons.
What icons to give
Giving an icon as a gift is no longer just a tradition. Today this is a fashionable trend that even young people follow. Before you start choosing such a valuable gift, you should understand the types of icons.
"Measured" or "Birthmark"
The icon is painted according to the parameters of the baby at birth. The basis is the height and width of the shoulders of the newborn. Such an icon is written on a board, the face of the saint corresponds to the name of the patron with whom the baby was baptized. As a rule, such icons are painted in the first year of a baby’s life.
Personalized
A personalized icon must have the name of the saint in whose honor the person was named or baptized. As a rule, several saints have the same name. That is why, before purchasing such an icon as a gift, you should clarify the name of the patron saint of the person being gifted and his date of birth. You can purchase either a pendant with a face or a large icon.
Wedding
A wedding is considered to be a pair of icons of the same size, necessarily made in the same technique. Such a pair can be connected with a special mount, come in a gift box, or separately. They give it to a couple for their wedding. The priest blesses them with this couple. The couple symbolizes the inviolability of the family and must be included in the family iconostasis of a young family.
Family
The family type of icons includes the image that is most revered in the family or is associated with an important event.
The “Cathedral of the Elect”, “Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs” can be used as a family icon.
Road, travel
They must be with the person on the journey. Quite often they are made in medallions, minted in metal, or protected with shutters. Such an icon wears out a lot, which is why it must be durable and have an indelible face of the saint.
Vows
A symbol/memory of a promise made to the Almighty for a miraculous healing, a favorable outcome of a case, or a significant event. Such icons are given for major holidays, for example: Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, etc. Can be given as a talisman when entering a university or receiving a new position.
Icon of the Mother of God Helper in Childbirth
The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a wonderful gift for a pregnant woman. It can be given not only by a mother, but also by a friend. They take the “birth assistant” with them to the delivery room; she is the best amulet for mommy and her baby.
Video: "Icon of the Mother of God - Helper in Childbirth"
Addition of mind icon of the mother of God
The image of the Mother of God “Increasing the Mind” is a talisman that will help a child in his school/student life.
For the military
The image of St. George the Victorious/Alexander Nevsky has been considered a strong talisman for many centuries for all who stand in defense of the fatherland. This face is usually given to young guys who are going to the army.
For trade
The image of Joseph the Venerable is considered the first assistant in economic matters. This is the best amulet for concluding deals and negotiating.
The meaning of the icon of the Lord Pantocrator, genealogy
The image of the Lord Almighty is passed on from the older generation to the younger. If your family does not have such an heirloom, this will be the best gift that will be passed on by inheritance.
Defender icon
The image of the “Seven Arrow” Mother of God is given as a talisman for the home. She is also “Softening Evil Hearts” - reconciles household members, bestows peace and mutual understanding.
Icon of holy healers
The image of Panteleimon the healer/Nicholas the Wonderworker is a valuable amulet for a home with children. This is an original gift for the older generation.
Guardian angel icon by date of birth
A gift that every Orthodox Christian will love. It can be given not only for a birthday or for Angel's Day. Such an icon will be relevant at Christmas and Easter.
Icon of Saint Matrona of Moscow
The image of Matrona of Moscow, a wonderful gift for women. People turn to Matrona Moskovskaya for emergency help; she is sensitive to other people’s aspirations and pleas.
What kind of icon is given for a wedding?
Recently, more and more young couples are trying to observe ancient traditions and get married in church. Before the newlyweds leave home, parents should bless them with a pair of icons and wish them a happy family life.
A pair of icons with which parents bless the newlyweds is always present at the wedding. It is with these icons that the sacrament of wedding is performed, and after that they become the basis of the iconostasis of the newly-made family.
The couple with which the newlyweds are blessed/crowned is the face of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. The image of the Savior is used to bless the groom, the Mother of God the bride.
The wedding couple may consist of:
- feminine principle - Mother of God / Iveron / Kazan / Most Holy Theotokos / Tikhvin / Vladimir;
- masculine principle - Lord Almighty/Savior/Jesus Christ/Savior Not Made by Hands;
Mother of God/Savior Not Made by Hands
Wedding couple in gift wrapping image of the Lord Pantocrator/Mother of God.
What icon to give to a man
In order for your gift to be a spiritual guide and amulet for a man, you need to take into account his name in the world and church, as well as his type of activity/hobby. The holy face is the best amulet that can be given to a man.
Guardian Angel is a talisman for all occasions. Every person from the moment of birth is followed by his Savior Angel. Thanks to the image of the Savior Angel, there will be fewer dangers and temptations in your man’s life.
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker , like the Guardian Angel, are the most wonderful gifts. They can be given not only for birthdays! This face is suitable for male drivers who travel frequently.
If your man or friend is a hunter, the Holy Martyr Tryphon will be the best amulet for him.
The Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious gives a man courage, masculinity, courage. The image of the saint will be an excellent gift for strong, strong-willed men. Such an icon can be given to a man, a policeman, a fireman, a rescuer, a hunter, a fisherman, or a farmer.
A personalized icon is one of the win-win options. Every Orthodox believer should own such an icon, because it will be a talisman, protection from troubles, evil and treacherous people. A personalized icon is a wonderful gift for any occasion.
The image of St. Archangel Michael is a wonderful gift for a military man.
The image of St. Joseph of Volotsk can be given to a male entrepreneur. It is also suitable for those men who occupy leadership positions.
It is advisable to give those men who hold government positions the Mother of God of Feodorov . She will protect your man from the deceit and hypocrisy of people near him.
Saints Peter and Andrew are a talisman for amateurs and avid fishermen.
The Savior Not Made by Hands is a special symbol of the Savior, which helps to overcome adversity and life difficulties. The image is the highest source of help for a man and his consolation throughout his life’s journey.
Is the Guardian Angel a patron saint?
The Guardian Angel and the patron saint are different beings.
Every person has a Guardian Angel from birth. Patron saint - begins to patronize a person from the moment of baptism.
Guardian Angels are disembodied beings, disembodied forces, inhabitants of the Kingdom of Heaven, Messengers of God. They only sometimes, if necessary, appear in reality in our visible world, although they constantly help us.
Patron saints are beings to whom, as a result of spiritual deeds and deeds, the door to the Kingdom of Heaven was opened. Those. these are people in the history of the Earth who had their own names and their own lives. After repose (resignation to the Lord), their souls continue to live forever in the Kingdom of Heaven, continuing to serve Him and helping us - other creatures who have chosen the path of returning to God.
Personalized icon by name, which icon is the patroness by name
If a person’s name coincides with the name of a saint, such an icon of the patroness by name will be your personal icon. From the moment of baptism, in addition to the Guardian Angel, a person has another patron saint, whose name he was named. For a baptized person, he becomes a protector, mentor, and messenger of the Will of the Almighty. A saint, a kind of mediator between man and our Lord, he conveys prayers and petitions.
There are many saints in Orthodoxy. If you take the baptismal name and the church calendar (saints), you will immediately see several saints with the same name. To correctly select a saint, you also need to focus on the person’s date of birth. The saint who will be closest to her will become your patron.
If there is no saint with your name in the calendar, we select the most consonant name. It’s best to turn to a priest for help.
A personalized icon can be selected by date of birth. This is one of the common ways to select a personalized icon.
Video: “To whom and when are icons given?”
How to determine your patron?
By date of birth
See which significant figures in the Orthodox religion were born on a similar or later date by checking the official church calendar. Choose him as your patron saint. This method is necessary if your name is not in the records. Often foreigners who accept the Orthodox faith use this method.
By name
- Find the namesake: most Russian names are consonant with the nicknames of people who at one time served the cause of the Lord. Example: Mary will be protected by the icon of the Mother of God. Anthony will be preserved by one of the Saint Anthonys, of which there are quite a few.
- After consulting with knowledgeable people: you can always ask a question about the correctness of the chosen name to the monk, rector or other minister of the temple. This method will eliminate any doubts about finding a suitable name.
- According to old traditions: not many people know that children used to be baptized 8 days after their birthday. A period of more than a week serves as a kind of spiritual field in which you can choose a suitable patron.
Please note that parents have the opportunity to independently choose a saint who will protect the person on name days and the rest of the year.
When choosing a saint, you need to pay attention to the date. Example: if you were born in the year 80, the person on the personalized icon should not be canonized later.
Giving an icon of omens
All signs came to us from antiquity. It's worth thinking about them. Our ancestors were strongly religious people and would hardly wish bad things on their children. And as you know, knowledge was passed on from generation to generation.
- The holy image is not accepted from strangers. In ancient times, an icon could only be accepted from a blood relative. Only godfathers were excluded.
- An embroidered icon given as a gift will not bring happiness to your home. If you still decide to give such an icon, consecrate it in the church.
- It is believed that icons cause damage. Unfortunately, this is the case. If you are in doubt about a gift, bless it. If strange feelings do not leave you, it is better to take the icon to church.
- A gift from an envious person can bring discord and trouble into the home.
- They do not accept a gift of a Measured Icon from a person who recently buried his child.
- If strangers hand you a holy face somewhere on a passage, refuse politely. It's better not to take such a gift.
The Church does not recognize signs as such. The priests say that all signs are from the evil one. The holy face cannot carry negativity.
Video: “Folk signs about icons”
PS: The donated icon is a symbol of friendliness and sincere feelings of the giver. An icon can be given or received as a gift.
