Almost everyone has situations when all that remains is to trust only in the Lord, nothing depends on the person, but you need to get support or advice from somewhere. In such situations, Orthodox Christians turn to various images in prayer, and the icon of the “Desperate One Hope” is one of such images. The miraculous effect has been recorded by believers many times, so it is quite important to consider further how one should pray in front of this icon and what the meaning of the image is.
What does an icon help with?
When Orthodox Christians talk about how the Icon of the Desperate One Hope helps, they most often note help in situations where there is nowhere else to turn.
We can talk not only about some kind of everyday problem, but also about spiritual torment.
After all, often a modern person simply has nowhere to turn. Nowadays, not many people can boast of having sincere communication; confession is often also something not quite familiar and does not bring significant joy, and going to a psychologist is a completely different choice. It is then that you should pray in front of the icon.
Features of the composition
The originality of the image lies in the images of the Virgin Mary and the baby. The Blessed Virgin is much more like a Catholic saint than an Orthodox saint. The baby is a little chubby and preoccupied with something.
Although, on the other hand, we see a caring mother and a child clinging to her, seeking reassurance and affection. Doesn't this remind one of the picture of the flock in the arms of the holy church (as exponents of the kingdom of God on Earth), finding true harmony next to each other? Doesn't the whole depth of understanding mean the inseparability of one from the other? She who gave birth to her son is ready to give everything and drink the full cup of suffering on the path of life, going through it together.
Christ, having come to earth, with his feat atoned for all the sins of the human race. Having gone to the monastery of his heavenly father, he left people with a vicegerent and mentor in the faith - the holy church. Just as a mother worries about her son, so the priesthood worries about the believers.
The completeness of mutual love in the image evokes a feeling of tenderness. The special meaning of the icon is felt. Truly, it gives hope for getting rid of the burden of difficult problems, finding peace, and entering a righteous, happy path in life.
Features of the icon
As Orthodox sources testify, it is not known for certain how the Eternal Hope icon was found and where it came from. Some talk about the territory of present-day Ukraine, but without any special details. In some ways, the image is a little similar to the Catholic one, since the face of the Blessed Virgin is written more expressively and there are some artistic elements.
In general, there is still some disagreement about whether the icon of the Mother of God of Desperate United Hope is canonical. Nevertheless, the image is still highly revered along with miraculous icons, and in this context it is important to touch upon the topic of symbolism and the meaning of the icon.
History of the icon
Information about the shrine is contradictory. Most sources claim that the image was painted in the 20th century in Western Ukraine. That is why the icon is especially revered by Ukrainian Orthodox believers.
According to icon painting experts, this shrine was not painted entirely in the Orthodox style and the style of its writing is quite similar to Catholic images of saints and the Virgin Mary.
Whether this icon is generally recognized as miraculous is unknown. It is difficult to find such information in modern literature and the Internet. However, it is undoubtedly revered by many believers, and is also sold in church shops.
The meaning of the icon of the Mother of God “Desperate One Hope”
The meaning is determined by the special type of composition in which the Virgin Mary holds the baby more tightly. The result is something between the canonical images of Hodegetria and Eleusa.
As we see, the icon of the Mother of God of Desperate United Hope offers an image in which the infant Christ is tenderly squeezed in his arms and He himself also clings to the Mother of God. It would seem that such a simple and banal image, in fact an everyday scene, of which there are a huge number in the world, but we should remember that these are not ordinary people. Therefore, the meaning of the icon of the Desperados of “One Hope” is not entirely simple.
On a superficial level, we really have before us simply the relationship of a mother with a small child, but we also have before us the personification of man’s eternal desire for the Lord and also the eternal mercy of the Almighty towards man. They clung to each other, and this position on the icon of the Mother of God Eternal Hope symbolizes this inextricable connection, which is timeless.
After all, on the one hand, the Mother of God was able to embody the Savior in created form, and He appeared in a body, although divine in essence. On the other hand, the Lord condescended to people and they showed their own mercy. The result of this act was the hope of salvation in the Kingdom of Heaven, the possibility of a happy repose of the soul.
That is why many often pray for peace of mind in front of the icon of the Eternal Hope of the Most Holy Theotokos. When you are tormented by any doubts and even turning to a priest does not seem relevant, you should pray in front of this image. Often (after sincere prayer) the answer appears by itself and allows you to get rid of mental torment and choose the right path.
Also, the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Desperate helps in strengthening faith (especially for those of little faith) and overcoming various sinful inclinations. When it is difficult to instruct yourself in the right way, when you want to believe more and have good intentions, but it doesn’t always work out, you should appeal to this image.
In an amazing way, this icon allows people to see their own sins or sinful inclinations, that is, it contributes to the opportunity to repent and become a more righteous person.
Description and meaning of the image
The image of the Mother of God with the Child “Desperate One Hope” does not fit into the framework of classical Orthodox iconography in many respects. The face of the Virgin Mary is painted in a special style, which cannot be completely attributed to Hodegetria or Tenderness. The image contains signs of both directions equally and is located between them.
The original image was similar to Catholic images of the Virgin Mary and lacked many of the features of Orthodox iconography. Subsequent copies of the icon, which was loved by believers and earned their respect, were made in executions close to traditional styles.
The Mother of God is depicted in the icon with her hair uncovered, which makes the image unique among other incarnations of iconography. In other Orthodox images, the head of the Mother of God is completely covered with a cape. What adds to the unusualness of the composition is that the mother is holding the child with both hands. The icon recreates a picture similar to an episode in the life of ordinary people, reflecting the relationship between mother and child.
The naturalness and tenderness of the image brings the human principle closer to the Divine channeling. The mother’s eyes in the icon are filled with love, awe and sadness, because She knows about the upcoming torment prepared for the Son. The Mother of God wants to console and protect the child, and in His form all of humanity. Believers know that the Mother of God is the intercessor of people before God. It is to Her that Christians often turn with requests for protection and help.
The Mother of God and the Child Savior appear on a plain or patterned golden background, which testifies to their Divine essence. The Mother's hair is partially covered with a white or golden cape, emphasizing the purity and piety of the Virgin. The head of God's chosen one, illuminated by a halo, as a sign of holiness, is decorated with a crown.
Baby Jesus clung to his Mother with his whole body, held in Her embrace. The Savior’s hands and feet are bare, which symbolically indicates the coming torment of Christ’s crucifixion, which He will accept in the name of saving human souls. The Mother is ready to follow the Son and fill the hardships of His worldly days with inexhaustible love.
True faith and benefactor, with which those praying turn to the icon of the Mother of God, like a guiding star, invisibly show the way to those who find themselves at a dead end, but have come to the Lord. Repentance for sins and sincere prayer will lead a righteous soul to the right decision, endowing it with mental strength and fortitude.
Meaning of the icon
The modern icon “Desperate One Hope” is a real support for people who have suffered a catastrophe in life, experienced real stress or are in grief. An ordinary person sometimes does not possess those qualities that can help a suffering soul; he cannot stop the attacks of the evil spirit or give hope for a positive outcome to a difficult life situation.
Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Desperate One Hope”
Despite criticism of the priesthood, this image is filled with the tender love of the Mother for the Son, purity and fidelity are the symbol of this icon. Many Christians around the world venerate the holy face, lists are made from it, and the modern image of the Mother of God really helps.
It is not always possible to find help and support from loved ones, but the Mother of God is always there and always ready to help, curing the pain of the soul and heart.
When hope for people disappears, the help of the Most Pure Mother of God arises, which miraculously comes after prayer at the holy face of the “Desperate One Hope,” which sometimes seems unreal.
Do not forget that the holy face depicts not just a mother and a small child, it is the Mother of God - a symbol of Eternal Love and Hope, who gave earthly life to Jesus, God the Son, who descended to human form to save the world.
After praying to the Virgin and Child, a once despairing person gains new strength, begins to believe in God’s miracles, acquiring true faith, which has enormous power to heal and protect.
Important! The holy image of the Mother of God hugging her Son is a prototype of life and hope, the unshakable love of God for everything living on earth.
On the lists, modern artists try to bring the image of “Desperados of the United Hope” as close as possible to the canonical paintings.
The meaning of the icon “Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia”
Courage and fortitude are what this family showed. Despite the blows of the emperor's executioners, the power of God's Spirit made it possible to survive the punishment. And for this act the women were canonized.
The image itself points to Christian virtues, which come from one source - wisdom, which in turn is embodied in Sophia.
It was Sofia who gave her daughters a righteous upbringing so that they could be strong in the faith. By the way, the girls were no more than 12 years old at the time of execution, that is, they were very young and not every child at that age is generally conscious. These children, in turn, managed not only to receive blessings from the Lord, but also to withstand the harsh outside world, which appeared in the form of a harsh emperor.
Many believers can see interesting analogies with Christ in this story. Just as the Savior appeared before the Roman procurator, so Sophia and her daughters also appeared before a representative of the authorities. They followed the example of the Savior and also openly preached the doctrine. In addition, they were also tempted, first by a pagan woman, whose mother and daughters were lodged during their stay in Rome, and then by the emperor himself. Adrian told the holy family about what benefits they could gain if they joined the pagan faith and spoke about the torments that awaited them if they remained in Christianity. As believers know, Satan tempted Christ in a similar way.
Miracles of spiritual insight are a gift to believers who trust in her
What is the power of the bright image? Why is he so revered among the people?
Anyone who has stepped on the “last stone” of despair, walking along the path of life, will answer that in such a situation there is nothing more valuable. The fact that problems are solved, “black clouds” go away, peace comes, clarity of mind comes, means the strength of the glorified appearance of the Mother of God.
Often the believers themselves receive spiritual sight. All the sinfulness of their own essence is revealed to them, the overpowering passions are highlighted. The course of the base fall, leading to the abyss of the hellish abyss, becomes clear. Isn’t this a true miracle of help in getting on the righteous path? Only the person walking along it will be saved!
