Icon “The Unbrided Bride”: what it helps with, meaning

Among the numerous images of the Mother of God, the icon “The Unbrided Bride” is considered one of the rarest. It is dedicated to the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to the pious Virgin Mary that she would give birth to a Child who would become the Savior, and that she would give birth while remaining a virgin.

It is difficult for us, modern people, to understand what situation an unmarried girl who gave birth to an illegitimate child would have found herself in in those days. Both her name and the name of her family would be covered with indelible shame. But Mary, following the will of the Lord, humbly accepted this news. Then, as the Gospels tell, they found Her a husband - the pious Joseph, with whom She maintained a chaste relationship. However, at the moment of the Annunciation, Mary did not know this, but, nevertheless, she showed submission to God's will.

The meaning of the Tenderness icon

The image of the Mother of God in the image is filled with purity and peace.
This image is considered one of the most sublime and mysterious. The lack of information about the author and the appearance of the icon makes the face even more mysterious. The Mother of God is depicted in a humble pose. She patiently awaits the coming of the Child, but already in the face of the Savior. Hands folded on the chest, solemnity and humility of features - this is exactly what you need to see in the icon. The meaning of the image of Tenderness is that the Mother of God experienced a lot of grief, but at the same time retained patience and the ability to wait. Hope for the future, the ability to remain calm and cherish peace in the soul - this is what the Orthodox discover in the image of Tenderness. Around the head of the Mother of God it is written: “Rejoice, the Unbrided Bride.” The face is captured before the moment of the appearance of the Son of God, Christians are ready for the coming of the Savior, and the Mother of God “foretells” his appearance to us all

Historical facts

What does the “Unbrided Bride” icon depict? The holy canvas depicts a story from the Bible, telling about the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel. He appeared before Mary to announce that Jesus would soon be born to her. As a sign of submission and humility, consent to accept the will of the Lord, Mary folded her hands on her chest and bowed her head. Submission and humility emanate from her face.

The original version of the “Unbrided Bride” icon is a drawing on canvas, which is attached to a cypress board. It was this image that the Venerable Elder Seraphim of Sarov presented to Emperor Nicholas II.

Hymn to the Mother of God before the icon, how to read and order correctly

The holy face of the Seraphim-Dineevskaya Holy Blessed Virgin Mary is the protector of all young girls who want to find their soulmate and get married.

Hymn to the Holy Face Tenderness is also served by girls who want to nurture and give birth to a child without any problems. They say that it won’t hurt and will serve as a good sign to have such a Face in the house, especially if there are girls among the children. This gives them a good life.

The chant before the most pure face must be read while standing and with great trepidation.

The Akathist should be read with the following prayers:

• Our Father;

• Glory to You, our Almighty;

• Heavenly Almighty

• Prayer of the Reverend Father.

After the holy father has finished reading the akathist, a prayer service to the Mother of God begins before the icon of tenderness and several more prayers are read:

• Glory and Now;

• Worthy to be;

• Songs of the Holy Fathers;

• You must say three times, God save and preserve.

Prayer chants can be read from prayer books. The chant read before the holy image of Tenderness during the celebration of the memory of the Virgin Mary of Seraphim-Dineevskaya is considered especially deified. This holiday is celebrated twice a year - on August 1 and 10.

The text of the chant must be pronounced very vigilantly, slowly and in complete silence. In this way, a person is completely immersed in a state of balance and completely belongs to faith.

Of course, it is not prohibited to submit these prayers twice a day, although the prayer books, which should be read at the very beginning and at the end, can be omitted if they have already been read out once. Of course, it is correct to read the akathist before the Holy Face. However, if there is no icon in the house, then you can go to the temple or determine the east and turn your face there and read the akathist.

In this icon, the Most Pure Virgin Mary is depicted at the most beautiful time, even before she gave birth to Our Savior - Jesus Christ, but after the Archangel Gabriel revealed to her her destiny.

This Holy Face is distinguished by the fact that the Mother of God is depicted with an admiring expression on her face and a most pure image. The Most Holy Theotokos is depicted with her palms folded respectfully in a prayerful gesture, with her head slightly bowed and her eyes slightly closed, which in turn means such qualities as the embodiment of kindness, integrity, patience and modesty.

The Virgin Mary the Mother of God is depicted at the moment when Archangel Gabriel tells her that her destiny is to give birth to the Son of the Most High.

First, the Holy Face of Our Lady of Tenderness was written on a sheet of paper, which was attached to a cypress board.

*The icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary was given to the Holy Elder Seraphim of Sarov by Tsar Nicholas II. ** Seraphim of Sarov had amazing abilities, he saw through a person, he could see not only the kindness of hearts, but also the nature of each of the people, which is why he prayed for the recovery of Christian people.

The lamp with oil that stood next to the holy relic had healing effects; with the help of this oil, the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, anointing people stricken with ailments, could heal them.

Saint Seraphim passed away kneeling next to the miraculous icon of the Most Pure Mother of God. A little later, in 1991, the icon was given to the Reverend Father Alexei II in the capital to be placed in the patriarchal church, but for veneration the Holy Face is brought to the Church of the Epiphany every year. A little later, countless duplicates began to be removed from the Sacred Relic, and few of them were prescribed no less medicinal properties than the original.

Let's sum it up

The Tenderness Icon, also called the Unbrided Bride, depicts the moment when Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel with the news that she would soon become a mother. Being a deeply religious person, the girl humbly accepted this message. This reaction is evidenced by the arms crossed on the chest and the head bowed, which is conveyed on the canvas.

The title of the painting means that the Lord chose Mary for the greatest mission - the birth of a son for him. But the Mother of God did not become his wife, as evidenced by the second word in the title - “Unbrided”.

The venerable elder Seraphim of Sarov used this icon to heal people with its help. Deeply believing in the power of the holy face, he even prayed in front of this icon in the last minutes before his death. After the elder passed away, the face traveled to monasteries.

The icon is considered rare. It is not found in every church. Keeping a reproduction of this painting at home ensures family happiness and the birth of healthy children. This icon is the protector of girls who are just preparing for adulthood.

What do they pray for in front of the “Unbrided Bride” icon?

The Elder of Sarov, with his veneration of the holy face, showed that this image is not only female. Both women and men can pray before him, asking the Mother of God for the Christian qualities of the soul:

cleanliness;
humility;
obedience;
humility;
fidelity.

In the modern world, spoiled by sexual revolutions, many of the listed qualities seem anachronistic, a relic of the past, however, only in purity and humility can one abide before the throne of God.

The vanity of vanities consumes people, leads them into stress and depression, prayer in front of the holy image gives calm and peace. Black hatred and malice are covered with true humility and forgiveness, the Lord fills with true grace those who remain in prayer before Him.

Important! According to people who heard songs of prayer in the temple, they were filled with a special feeling of Divine presence. The melodic and especially mysterious performance of the text of the prayer by church singers fascinates, makes you stop and immerse yourself in the words of the prayer.

Icon Bride Unbrided

Description of the icon

The more complete name of this icon is “Rejoice, unbrided bride,” although sometimes you can find another name – “Tenderness.” The image of the Virgin Mary here captivates not only with its external charm, but also with its depth. Her whole posture expresses submission to the Will of God, her eyes are humbly lowered, her crossed arms are pressed to her chest, as if She seeks to preserve within herself the Good News brought by the archangel. Her entire image is permeated with humility, which is considered one of the main virtues, but there is no joy on Her face, because she already knows that the miraculously born Son will be sacrificed for human sins.

From the history of icons

The icon “Rejoice, non-bridal bride” (“Tenderness”) was presented to St. Seraphim of Sarov by Emperor Nicholas I. It was painted on canvas and then attached to a cypress board. This icon became one of the reverend elder’s favorites, although he had several images of the Mother of God. He called her “The Joy of All Joys.”

As those who knew the elder closely said, throughout his life he was under the protection and blessing of the Mother of God, who appeared to him in a dream. The oil from the lamp, which constantly burned in front of the icon, had healing properties, and St. Seraphim used it to heal those who turned to him for help. At his hour of death, Seraphim of Sarov prayed before this icon and peacefully passed away into the Kingdom of Heaven.

At one time St. Seraphim of Sarov founded a convent in Diveevo, which was under the patronage of the elder throughout his life. After his death, the icon was handed over to the novices, and she began to be considered the Supreme Abbess of the monastery. In 1902, Emperor Nicholas II donated a silver lamp to the monastery, which constantly burned in front of the icon. For the glorification of St. The Seraphim of Sarov icon was carried at the head of the religious procession from Diveevo to Sarov.

Currently, the miraculous image is in the church in honor of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, in the chambers of the Patriarch of All Rus'.

How does the icon “Rejoice, unbridled bride” help?

The “Unbrided Bride” icon is traditionally considered feminine; it protects girls and women, helps them preserve the best feminine qualities, such as good character, purity and chastity in girls. The meaning of the icon lies precisely in this help, which we so often need.

Most often they pray to the icon:

about overcoming problems associated with adolescence;
about conceiving a healthy child and a successful birth;
about a successful marriage for your daughter and a happy married life;
about healing from illnesses;
about getting rid of bad thoughts, finding peace and harmony.

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Currently, embroidering icons with threads or beads is becoming increasingly popular. This is much more than just a hobby for handicrafts. By embroidering an icon, a woman purifies her soul and thoughts, and finds inner harmony. Embroidery of icons brings particular benefits to women who have remained infertile for a long time. In the process of embroidery, peace descends on their soul, and often the end of the work coincides with the beginning of pregnancy.

ICONOGRAPHY OF THE IMAGE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “THE UNBRIDED BRIDE” AND ORIGIN OF THE NAME

The words of the name of the icon sound completely like this: “Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride!” - and represent a repeated line of the Akathist to the Mother of God, a hymn of praise created in Byzantium around the 5th-7th centuries. This is the first akathist, which gave rise to the religious, poetic, prayer tradition of akathists, which are now written for almost every icon of the Mother of God and every saint. The Akathist “Rejoice, Unbrided Bride” is a masterpiece of literature and theology. It is the most famous among others and the only one of all the akathists that is included in the liturgical charter: it is read by the entire Church on Saturday Akathist of Great Lent, which also has the name “Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos.”

The name “akathist” means “a song performed while standing,” that is, especially solemn. It is divided into kontakia - small prayer texts - and ikos, where the greeting “Rejoice” (in Greek “hayre”, as the Greeks greeted each other) is repeated twelve times, ending with “Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.” Such words refer to the greeting on the day of the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Most Pure Virgin: “Rejoice, Full of Grace! The Lord is with You."

The image of the “Unbrided Bride” is an image of the Mother of God on the day when Archangel Gabriel, at the command of God the Father, appeared to Her to announce the Good News - that it was She, a pure and chaste girl, who would conceive from the action of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God, the Messiah, Who will save humanity from the power of sin. On the icon, the Blessed Virgin is depicted as the Archangel saw Her, who spoke about Her purpose: with her hands folded prayerfully on her chest, her gaze downcast. The image was painted in the 18th century and resembles the Ostrobramskaya icon, but the Mother of God on it is more modest, does not have a crown, as well as stars and a crescent around it.

This is a gentle earthly girl, modest and humble, but with a strong will: on the day of the Annunciation, having learned from the Heavenly Messenger about the imminent conception, She began to ask him questions in order to clarify the will of God and find out how She should behave. The Virgin Mary wondered whether it was possible to conceive a child without a husband. The angel explained that the power of God, the grace of the Holy Spirit, would overshadow Her. It is important that the Archangel announces to Her the will of God as God’s request, and the Virgin Mary must agree to Her giving birth to the Son of God.

This is how the New Testament is born - a new union of God and man. The Lord never forces us to do His will. Even what will be for the good of us and many other people, we must agree to do - just as the Virgin Mary accepted her life’s path as the suffering Mother of the Lord with trust in God’s providence and humility.

The Most Holy Theotokos became the bride of God, but remained innocent - “non-bride,” that is, a virgin, although she gave birth to the Infant Christ.

The human mind cannot understand this. However, let us remember the numerous miracles of God of all centuries: the calming of the elements, the turning of numerous troops to flight... The image of the “Unbrided Bride” teaches us humility before the will of God, helps us to listen to our heart and the voice of God in it. Loyalty to the Lord and obedience to Him, fulfilling God’s commandments is the main joy, pacifying the heart and filling it with peace.

In the prayers read on the Feast of the Annunciation, during the lessons of obedience to the Most Pure Virgin, the sin of Eve, who disobeyed the Heavenly Father in paradise, tasted the forbidden fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, and allowed evil into the history of the human race, is remembered and contrasted with her humility.

History of origin

The image of Tenderness was formed, obviously, from the first centuries of Christianity, when, according to legend, the first images of the Blessed Virgin were painted by the Apostle and Evangelist Luke, who knew Her personally. After the Baptism of Rus', images of the Mother of God came to the Slavs. Already from the first centuries of Christianity in Rus', many of them, including icons of Tenderness, began to be revered as miraculous. There are many such icons today.

Vladimirskaya

Perhaps the most ancient icon of Tenderness known in Rus'. Apparently, the shrine is of Byzantine origin. It dates back to the 12th century, although there is a church tradition that attributes the authorship of this sacred image to the Apostle Luke. At first she stayed at a convent near Kyiv, later Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky transferred the image to Vladimir, which is why it got its name.

Novgorodskaya

The Novgorod icon became famous by a miracle on July 8, 1337. The watchman of the Trinity Church, where the icon was in the iconostasis, heard a noise and entered the temple to find out the reason. With horror, he saw that the icon of the Mother of God was inexplicably hanging in the air. Tears flowed from the eyes of the Most Pure One.

Church ministers immediately reported the miracle to the Novgorod archbishop, who came to the church with a procession of the cross and took the image in his arms. The new shrine was placed in a place of honor and an icon case was made. She immediately became famous for her miracles, including:

deliverance of Novgorod from the pestilence of 1337;
saving the church from fire in 1366 - the icon rose into the air from the burning church and again descended into the hands of the archbishop, after which the fire stopped.

In 1497, Grand Duke Ivan III took the Novgorod shrine to Moscow, but in 1508, the Mother of God, in a dream vision, commanded that Her Image be returned to Novgorod, which was done immediately. During the years of Soviet power, the museum took the shrine; later, when Novgorod was captured by the Germans, it was taken to Germany, but the image was returned in 1947.

Smolenskaya

The Smolensk Icon of Tenderness is one of the oldest. She appeared in Smolensk in 1103. The peculiarity of the image is the folded hands of the Virgin Mary. She looks with love at the Baby lying on the folds of Her clothes.

Smolensk has been glorified since the beginning of the 17th century, when Smolensk was besieged by the Poles. The heroic defense of the city, organized by governor Mikhail Shein, lasted 20 months. All this time the troops prayed in front of this image. Since then, Smolenskaya began to be revered as the patroness of the city.

Tolgskaya

There are 3 versions of the Tolga icon. The most famous list miraculously appeared in 1314 to the Rostov Bishop Prokhor on an island on the Volga, at the confluence of the Tolga River. At night, while praying, the bishop saw a pillar of light and a bridge across the river that suddenly appeared. Walking along it, the saint found a sacred image.

On the same day, a chapel was built at the site of the apparition, and later a monastery was opened. Until 1917, a pious custom was preserved: steamships traveling along the Volga invariably made a stop at the pier of the Tolga monastery so that passengers and crew could venerate the shrine.

Lokotskaya

This is a shrine that was revealed quite recently, in 1998 in the village. Elbow of the Bryansk region. It belongs to a special edition of “Tenderness”, where the Mother of God is depicted without the Child, and, as in Smolenskaya, with her hands folded in prayer on her chest. The Seraphim-Diveyevo icon of the Mother of God, known as the cell image of Seraphim of Sarov, belongs to the same copy.

A woman named Natalia saw a photocopy of this particular icon in a store on an old calendar that the sellers were going to throw away. In order to prevent desecration of the image of the Mother of God, the woman bought a calendar and, cutting out the image from it, hung it on the wall.

Archbishop Melchizedek learned about the miracle and personally certified its truth. First, a chapel was built for the new shrine at the house where it was located. Since 2012, the custodians of the image handed it over to the diocese. Nowadays Lokotskaya, whose myrrh-streaming does not stop, constantly visits different cities of Russia. Processions of the cross travel thousands of kilometers with her.

The miraculous icon “Fadeless Color”

In the old days, the image of the Most Pure One saved thousands of Christians from mental heaviness, and in general many miracles associated with the face of the Saint occurred. For example, in Greece, near the island of Athos on Mount Kefalonia, a miracle can be observed every year. There is an interesting tradition on the day of the Annunciation to bring white flowers to the Virgin Mary in the temple, which are similar to those with which Gabriel appeared to the Virgin.

Until the Dormition of the Virgin Mary there are flowers in the church, but no one waters them. And every year, after 5 months, dry plant stems, not knowing the moisture and warmth of the sun, are filled with new strength. At the same time, new buds appear on them. There is also an opinion that the origin of the Holy Image is connected precisely with this event, since it was the sight of these reviving flowers that inspired the creation of the image of the Athos icon painters.

Reviews from believers testify to miraculous healings from the face of the Mother of God. Thus, many children who had problems with speech began to feel relief from speech difficulties after visiting the temple and praying their parents before the image. And even one child, suffering from muteness, began to talk after some time.

The meaning of the icon name

The photo of the Bride Unbrided icon depicts Mary without a baby in her arms. He will just have to appear, which Archangel Gabriel informs the girl about.

The name of the icon has Greek roots. "Bride" is used to mean "nymph". In Greece, this was the name given to brides, young women and newlyweds. In the New Testament and the Greek translation of biblical texts, this word acquires a depth of mystical meaning, symbolizing not only the Bride of the Lord, but also the Mother of God and the Church.

The second word “non-bride” is a negation of the first name, meaning the unusualness of the image, the unconventionality of the situation. As we know from the Bible, a girl gave birth to Jesus from the Lord without marrying him. This extraordinary event impressed all believers, shrouding the image of Mary in mystery and holiness.

What do they ask for an icon, and how does it help?

The Virgin Mary is asked for help in difficult circumstances. The icon is especially important for women and girls. The intercessor envelops the female sex in protection in the following cases:

domestic violence;
mental confusion in difficult situations;
despair when they lose loved ones, if relatives are seriously ill.

The Queen of Heaven supports women at the most important moments of life: weddings, the birth of children. She is asked for the gift of heirs, the successful resolution of childbirth, and even for a “good” groom. Prayers in front of the image also help men. Our Lady gives people courage, gives warmth and fills the soul with humility. The Queen of Heaven helps to endure hardships and resist adversity.

The Virgin Mary helps the sick to get rid of illness, the angry from rage, and the stingy “opens the soul to kindness.” Prayers will also help the mentally ill to regain their sanity. The Intercessor especially patronizes people who have become mentally disordered after sad events.

Prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary, gracious sky

Icon of the Mother of God “GRACEFUL SKY”

March 19 (March 6, old style)

Description of the icon of the Mother of God of the Blessed Heaven:

Sometimes this image, based on the first words of the prayers, is called “What shall we call Thee.” Old Believer versions of this icon of the Mother of God are often called “What shall we call Thee, the Delighted One.” This is exactly how the text of the prayer to the Mother of God began before the reforms of Patriarch Nikon.

Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Gracious Heaven” they pray for guidance on the path leading to salvation and inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, as well as for healing of various mental and physical ailments, for safe travel by air, from heresies and schisms, for instruction in the Orthodox faith.

Often, a similar image called the Icon of the Mother of God “WOMAN CLOTHED IN THE SUN” is confused with the icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Heaven”.

There is also a completely different - multi-figured, iconographically complex version of the image of the Mother of God “Gracious Heaven” with the image of Christ, ancient prophets, Orthodox saints and gospel subjects. Due to the complexity of the figurative language and symbolism, this image is quite rare.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Icon “Gracious Heaven”

What shall we call You, O Blessed Mother of God, Immaculate Mary?

With what hymns shall we exalt Thee, exalted by Heaven and earth, Angels and men? For there appeared upon You a mystery unheard of for centuries on earth and unknown to the Angels in Heaven, more than mind and word, the incarnation of God the Word, born from the beginning from the Beginning Father without a Mother and incarnated in Your womb and born with the imperishable seal of Your virginity.

Oh, the miracle of all ancient and new miracles! The immutable word of God Himself about the victorious seed of the woman will be fulfilled and perfected in the Husbandless Virgin.

Oh, the immeasurable depth of the wisdom and greatness of God! What names shall we call Thee, O Unbrideless Bride? Shall we call Thee the dawn of the sun rising in the sky? But You are Heaven itself, from You the Sun of Truth has risen - Christ our God, the Savior of sinners. Do we call You the gate leading into the paradise lost by our ancestors, abounding in all blessings? But You Yourself are a blessed paradise, having grown the Flower of incorruption, healing and driving away the stink of sin and the stench of ancestral corruption. Shall we call you the young Immaculate Virgin who has not known marriage? But even to your old age you remained undisguised and virgin until birth, and in the birth, and after the birth of the Son, you remained. Shall we call Thee Pure and Holy Mary, who with Her purity surpassed all mothers and foremothers? But You not only gave birth to That Child Christ, but You also carried Him with Your breasts and nourished Him with Your mother’s virgin milk, the One Who nourishes every creature, Whom the Heavenly powers stand before with fear and trembling, and Whom every breath and creature praises.

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Oh, truly You are wonderful in wives, wonderful in virgins, inimitable in mothers! We fall before You before Your Divine face and before Your holy feet we cast down and lay down all our thoughts, desires, intentions and feelings. Sanctify them with Your Mother of God charity and lift them up, like the sacrifice of our humble heart, like a little-valued mite of our spiritual poverty, to the Throne of Your Son, our Savior, so that the message of destinies will guide our path to salvation and the inheritance of His Kingdom, which has no end forever and ever. . Amen.

Sky? - as if the Sun of Truth has risen;

paradise? - as if you have vegetated, the color of incorruption;

Virgo? - as if you remained incorruptible;

Pure Mother? - as if you had in Your holy embrace the Son, all God. Pray to him for the salvation of our souls.

Shout and She will come

If you feel very bad, if clouds gather overhead and thunder rumbles, and lightning flashes, and you hear guttural screams outside the gates and measured blows on the door that is about to give in - shout to the Most Holy Theotokos.

If demons take advantage of your fatigue after work, and you get angry, and your heart boils with irritation at your loved ones, and black words begin to fly from cursed lips - close your mouth and ask the Most Holy Theotokos to calm you down.

If a person dear to you runs to the edge of an abyss before your eyes, and you start screaming and rush after him, but your legs will not catch up, and the edge is getting closer - raise your eyes to Heaven, and call the Most Holy Theotokos, and She Herself will tell the unfortunate person all that, what you could not say, and with His hand He will lead him away from the abyss.

If pride, together with carelessness, slip into your life following external well-being and the absence of troubles, if vanity and earthly affairs capture you in their nets, if less and less often you begin to turn to God, and you begin to look for peace not in Him, but in good things. a movie and a delicious dinner - get angry with yourself, and start reading with attention the wonderful akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos - and She will pull you out of indifference and callousness. Whatever happens in your life, turn to Her and talk to Her, ask Her and beg Her, praise Her and glorify Her, sing to Her: “Hail, Unbrided Bride.”

And then the love of She who became our Mother will visibly illuminate our path in life, and Her most pure hand will always point us to the One in Whom is our salvation and peace

Whatever happens in your life, turn to Her and talk to Her, ask Her and beg Her, praise Her and glorify Her, sing to Her: “Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.” And then the love of She who became our Mother will visibly illuminate our path in life, and Her most pure hand will always point us to the One in Whom is our salvation and peace.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Sveta

Icon of the Mother of God Bride Unbrided.

Next to the image there was always a lamp burning and holy oil, with which Seraphim treated people. Those close to the saint said that his entire life passed under the blessing of the Mother of God. Very often Seraphim said that She and the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and now they help in healing believers from serious illnesses.

The Monk Seraphim himself called her “The Joy of Joys.” In 1833, the father died, bowing before the icon, and after his death it was given to a convent, which is located in Diveevo. She is the Supreme Abbess of the monastery.

Today the icon is in the chambers of the Patriarch of All Rus' in the temple, which was founded in honor of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God.

The day of veneration of the holy image of the Mother of God is December 22 according to the new style of the calendar.

O Most Holy Virgin Theotokos, Mother of Christ the King and our God, source of tenderness and mercy, giver of soul-saving gifts and gracious consoler of grieving souls!

We fall to You with love and before Your holy icon we pray: pray, Lady, Your beloved Son Christ our God to have mercy and save us who are perishing in sins, breathe into our souls sincere repentance and God-pleasing tenderness.

With cleansing tears, wash us from the filth of sin and reveal the servants of Christ pure and blameless. Mercifully, O Lady, grant us all that is beneficial to our temporary and eternal life. Peace the world, kindly preserve this holy monastery, send down serenity and abundance of earthly fruits upon us, and at the end of our lives do not deprive us of Your Motherly intercession and help, so that through Your intercession we will safely pass through the ordeals of the air and be worthy to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

To her, the all-merciful Queen, all the joys and consolation of the whole Christian world, help us now and then, when we most especially require Your holy help, and save us with Your Mother’s prayers to Christ God, Who is with the Father and the Holy One.

Location of the holy face

The icon of the “Unbrided Bride” is not found in all churches. This image is rare. As a rule, most icons depict Mary already holding a baby in her arms.

To date, there is no reliable information about how the original icon, made on canvas and cypress boards, was painted.

The monastery, where the icon was transferred after the death of St. Seraphim, was closed, and all the monks had to leave the holy monastery. By this time, the canvas had acquired a silver frame.

Christians have created many reproductions of the icon, which are found in Orthodox churches. The nuns passed the shrine from hand to hand, protecting it from destruction during the Great Patriotic War and oblivion during the years of Soviet power, when religion was banned.

In our time, the location of the original painting is the chambers of the patriarch in the Church of Our Lady of Vladimir. The icon is venerated on the 22nd day of December. The holy image helps believers find health and prosperity in family life.

Icon of the Tree of the Virgin Mary and its meaning

In the very center of this amazing icon is an image of the Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem. Next to the manger in which the Divine Infant lies, the Virgin Mary sits.

It is this event, the great Birth of the Eternal Child, that is the basis of the Christian faith, and everything that is in it. This is the birth of not only our Lord Jesus Christ, but also the birth of the Most Pure Virgin as the Queen of Heaven, the birth of faith and the coming of Christians to their creator - God.

The image of the inextricable connection between the Mother of God and the Child is depicted in the image of the “Sweet Kiss”, which is located in front of the image of the Holy Nativity. It is a symbol of unconditional and pure love. The love of the Virgin Mary for the Son of God, the love of God for people.

Since the image of the Virgin Mary Intercessor is strong in the soul of a Christian, on both sides of the Holy Birth one can see the faces of the Mother of God, known to every believer for their miraculous appearances:

IverskayaSmolenskayaKazanChernigovskayaQuick to Hear TikhvinInexorable ChaliceVladimirskayaZnamenieQuench my sorrowMammalFedorovskayaDonskayaPochaevskayaIt is worthy to eat

Three main types of iconography are represented on this holy image of the Tree:

Oranta or SignGuide or HodegetriaTenderness

Since the holy image is a composite image, prayer in front of the icon of the Tree of the Virgin Mary is directed as a whole to the Most Pure One and the Son of God, or to each individually depicted Her face. There are no special occasions when it is necessary to turn to this particular image, and it does not have its own day of veneration.

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The author of this image is also unknown, but its appearance at the beginning of the 21st century, in a difficult and transitional period for our country, indicates that the Mother of God still intercedes and patronizes the Russian land, pointing and instructing on the path of God.

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The history of creating a light image

Presumably the icon dates back to the 18th century, but the exact date when it was created has not been reliably established. The name of the holy face is a line from an akathist to the Queen of Heaven, written by Byzantine theologians in the 6th century. The storyline is based on a biblical text telling about the appearance of the Archangel to the Mother of God with good news.

From early childhood, the Virgin Mary grew up modest and very pious, completely devoting herself to the Lord. When God's messenger came to her, She humbly listened to him, and then began to ask questions. She was interested in whether it was possible to conceive a child in an immaculate way, how She should behave now, what would happen next. The angel explained to the Ever-Virgin the will of the Most High, saying that if She agrees to give birth to the future Messiah, the Holy Spirit will descend on Her.

Icon of the Mother of God “The Unbrided Bride”

We can say that the icon “Rejoice, Unbridled Bride” is a symbol of the New Testament. God the Father did not force the Virgin Mary, but gave Her the right to choose, which marked a voluntary union between the Lord and man. Being devoted to the Almighty, the Ever-Virgin agreed to give birth to the Son of God, humbly accepting her fate. From now on, She became the bride of the Creator, but remained innocent.

Where to buy an icon?

The icon “Tenderness”, or “Joy of all joys”, can be bought not only in a church or an icon-painting workshop. You can also find it in art stores and folk craftsmen. It can be painted with paints, made of precious materials, or embroidered with beads.

Icons embroidered with jewelry beads have become especially popular lately. A material that is distinguished by unusual colors and beauty. By purchasing icons decorated with beautiful jewelry materials and handmade frames, you can make a wonderful gift to the person most dear to you. Before donation, the icon must be consecrated. An icon embroidered with beads will delight you and your loved ones for decades, as it is a material that does not deteriorate over time.

It is believed that every woman from 10 to 30 years old should have such an icon as the “Rejoice Unbrided Bride”. She will help you overcome the problems of this period, experience the happiness of motherhood, successfully connect your destiny, be healthy and happy. Such icons can be purchased either from artists or in churches, or made with your own hands. It is important that the craftswoman feels repentance while working.

The meaning of the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”

The significance of this image is great for Orthodox believers. On it, the Most Pure Mother of God holds Her Divine Son on one hand, and in the other hand a white lily. It is the lily that is the symbol of virginity and purity of the One who is called the Brideless Bride. On some lists there are slight differences in the image: instead of lilies there is a pink branch, and the baby of the Blessed Virgin is either on the right or on the left hand. But the meaning and miraculous power of such images are the same.

The face of the Queen of Heaven is depicted as soft and gentle, and it seems that only by looking at Her image can one relieve sorrow and anxiety. The Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” is one of the most beautiful images, radiating tenderness and joy. Prayer to the icon gives strength to the believer and guides him on the righteous path, helps to preserve beauty and youth.

What does holy face mean?

The meaning of the “Unbrided Bride” icon, also called “Tenderness,” is difficult to overestimate. The great power of this image has long been known. Ideally, this icon should be in every home where a woman wants to have prosperity and happiness in her family life. The image will help in successful marriage, having children and maintaining family comfort.

To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil ones, let us write thanks to your servants, the Mother of God, but, as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call to you: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.