Pregnancy is the most important and exciting period in the life of every woman, because she has to perform a real miracle - to give life to a new soul, a new person. Throughout all the long months of pregnancy, the expectant mother is haunted by anxiety: whether the development of the fetus is proceeding correctly, whether she will be able to carry it to the due date and, most importantly, how the birth will go.
You can often hear a question from pregnant women and their family members: which icon should a pregnant woman pray to for the health of her unborn child? These anxieties and worries are characteristic of women of all times, and the Orthodox are helped here by the icon of the patroness of pregnant women. In the old days they were called the icon of the Mother of God “Help in Childbirth”; today you can find a more modern name - the icon of the Mother of God “Help in Childbirth”.
Description of the icon “Assistant in Childbirth”
On the icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth,” the Blessed Virgin is usually depicted together with the Baby in her womb, who, not yet coming into this world, makes a blessing gesture with her right hand
The face of the Mother of God herself is filled with humility and expectation. Her hands are folded at her chest, as if protecting the Divine Child.
An icon of the Virgin Mary with child is very rare; in terms of iconographic type, it is characteristic mainly of Athos and Georgia. Here the Virgin Mary appears as she approaches childbirth; The baby is not visible, it is hidden in her womb. The Virgin's face breathes meekness and expectation, Her palms are raised in a gesture that averts evil and misfortune.
Where can I find the original and miraculous lists
The original icon of the “Assistant in Childbirth”, found in Bari, disappeared under the stones of Russian military and political history.
Since the 14th century, the icon has had three frames: precious, gold and silver. Until 1812, the icon was covered with gold. After the city was burned by Napoleonic troops, unrest began and the icon ended up in the hands of looters. The icon, now in a new silver frame, was affected by the events of 1918. The Revolution devalued religious relics. The case was confiscated and the icon disappeared. The icon was in Blagoveshchensk until 1924. Since then, his fate is unknown.
In the 17th century, a copy of the Italian original “Success in Childbirth” was made. The painting was placed in the Novichok monastery. The copy is very close to the original in size and composition. The icon received its first noble salary. The icon was transferred from the monastery to the Moscow Armory, where it had been located since 1927. A similar icon “Help to Christians” “The Word became flesh” is located in Blagoveshchensk, in the southern gallery of the cathedral. The copy is distinguished by the position of the Mother of God. The Virgin Mary is depicted sitting on a throne, without stars on her shoulders.
There is a known copy of the 17th century, made by Yan Aksentiev from Suzdal. The painting is signed as the Khabarovsk Icon. From 1930 to 1999 it was kept in the local history museum until it was returned to the care of the church. Since 2002, the icon has been in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Mother of God in Khabarovsk. Other Russian Orthodox churches that keep copies of the “Helper in Childbirth” icon:
- Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, Moscow;
- Saints Gleb and Boris, Borovsk, Kaluga region;
- Holy Trinity Cathedral, St. Petersburg;
- Nikopol Church, Serpukhov, Moscow region;
- Cathedral of the Nativity, Yekaterinburg, Russia.
You can also pray in front of the holy image in Krasny Siovo, in the Church of All Saints.
Why do we need an icon to help pregnant women and childbirth?
It is known that the emotional state during pregnancy is extremely unstable, sometimes women even experience depression. This is due to a number of reasons, including changes in hormonal levels, fear of the upcoming birth, and fears for the health of the child.
A prayer to the icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth” will help to rid a pregnant woman of these fears and bring peace to her soul.
But prayer alone is not enough. Since ancient times, it was believed that a pious, righteous lifestyle, caring not only for one’s body, which has become a container for a new tiny person, but also for one’s soul, is extremely important for a pregnant woman. Therefore, it is extremely important for a pregnant woman to avoid irritation, anger, pride, envy, malice and despondency so that they do not negatively affect the baby.
If the expectant mother feels such feelings in her soul, she certainly needs to turn with prayer to the “Helper in Childbirth” icon, so that the Mother of God will help her cope with them and find spiritual peace and tranquility. It is also important for her to visit the temple of God, especially in the last stages and before childbirth. Her physical condition will not allow her to stand on her feet throughout the service; after all, this is a lot of physical exertion, but praying and confessing to cleanse her soul of sins will be very useful.
Icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth”
For any woman, the birth of a child is the most important gift from God. Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth” protects expectant mothers, helps maintain pregnancy and strengthen after childbirth.
Many women probably won’t even be able to describe the joy that the feeling of motherhood gives them. However, during pregnancy, expectant mothers experience great fear from thoughts of painful childbirth and the dangers that may threaten the baby. To protect themselves and their unborn child, women turn for help to the Mother of God, the Intercessor of children and mothers. The image of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth” can often be seen in maternity hospitals and where a new addition to the family is expected soon. The icon of the Mother of God is not just a talisman for the expectant mother - it helps women during childbirth, protecting both them and the child.
History of the “Helper in Childbirth” icon
There is currently no reliable information about the history of the appearance of the image of the Mother of God “Help in Childbirth”, as well as about the location of the original. According to one version, this icon once belonged to the Catholic Church. This is confirmed by the special image of the Virgin Mary, which is not characteristic of Orthodox iconography.
Another confirmation of this version is the day of celebration of the icon itself - January 8. Along with the celebration of the “Help in Childbirth” icon, on this day believers venerate another image of the Mother of God - the “Blessed Womb”, which came to us from Italy, from Bargrad, located in Rome.
Despite the fact that there is no confirmed information about the origin of the icon, the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth” is especially revered by the Orthodox Church and expectant mothers. Copies of the icon can be seen in many churches in our country, and pregnant women can always turn to it for help, asking for an easy, painless birth and for the health of their child.
Description of the image of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth”
There are several icons of the Virgin Mary “Helper in Childbirth,” but only one of them is the most common in the modern world. Each of these images has its own iconographic features, but the meaning and power of the miraculous image remains unchanged. The image on the icon belongs to one of the types of Catholic iconography - immaculate, which means “immaculate”. The Virgin Mary herself is depicted in a red robe, on which gilding is visible. She stands with her head uncovered, and her hands are folded on her chest. At the level of her palms, the baby Jesus Christ is depicted without clothes, with crossed arms. Such an image means the Mother of God’s experience of an unborn child. Her image gives love, hope and reassurance, which are so necessary for pregnant women.
How does a miraculous image help?
From the name itself you can understand that the icon is the main amulet for a woman who carries a child under her heart. Prayers before the icon and faith in the power of the Great Intercessor help women give birth quickly and painlessly, recover after childbirth, and also provide protection from troubles throughout pregnancy.
Married couples who dream of having a child, but have been unable to do so for a long time, also turn to the image of the Mother of God with requests to give them children as soon as possible. A wonderful story is connected with this, thanks to which the Serpukhov St. Nicholas Cathedral in 1993 acquired the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth.”
Thanks to the magical power of the “Help in Childbirth” icon, a real miracle happened to the Serpukhov priest Vladimir Andreev. Even at a time when he was not ordained, he and his wife dreamed of having a child, but the first attempt ended in the death of the baby, and after the second birth it was easy, but the mother was in serious condition in the hospital. The exhausted husband took care of the child alone for six months. During this time, he prayed to the Lord every day and asked for his protection and salvation of his loved ones. One day he realized that communication with God was a necessary need for him, and after that he decided to completely devote himself to faith and become a priest. During Great Lent, Vladimir Andreev went to the home of an elderly woman to celebrate the Eucharist. He told her that he was the priest of a newly opened church. At that moment, the woman called her granddaughter, asking her to bring her a package. When she unfolded it, there was an icon in it. This was the same image of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth.” After this, the woman said that she would like to bring this icon as a gift to the new church. The entire image was stained with soot, and the priest had the impression that the icon had been forgotten and unnecessary for many years. Having cleansed it, he saw an image of the Mother of God and the baby Jesus Christ. When he brought the icon to the church, it began to work real miracles. The women who prayed before her to conceive a child soon became pregnant, but did not forget to pray to the icon of the Mother of God for a painless birth and the happiness of their future child. Everything improved in the priest’s family: the wife recovered, and the child grew up healthy. After all the miracles that this icon performed, Vladimir Andreev decided to give it to St. Nicholas Cathedral. Since then, many women and expectant mothers have gathered within the walls of this sacred place, asking the miraculous image to give them a healthy child, protect them during pregnancy, and ease the pain during childbirth.
Not only pregnant women, but also their husbands turn to the icon of the Mother of God with prayer for the protection of the future mother and child. After all, a request from the pure heart of a loving husband and future father cannot but be heard.
Where is the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth”
One of the most important images of the Virgin Mary is located in the St. Nicholas Cathedral in the city of Serpukhov in the Moscow region. For the Church of St. Nicholas the Bely, the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Help in Childbirth” is one of the most revered shrines. A separate chapel has been allocated for her, where many Orthodox women and their relatives come to pray.
For believers, the Mother of God has always been considered the patroness and intercessor of families and children. In many Orthodox churches and temples you can pray before the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Help in Childbirth”, asking her for the health of expectant mothers and their children:
- Church of All Saints, Krasnoye Selo, Moscow;
- Church of the Transfiguration on Bolvanka, Moscow;
- Church of the Nativity, Yekaterinburg;
- Boris and Gleb Church, city of Borovsk, Kaluga region;
- Holy Trinity Izmailovsky Cathedral, St. Petersburg.
In many little-known temples and churches you can also see the icon of the Mother of God “Help in Childbirth”. Women purchase such icons as a talisman and pray to the Great Intercessor every day.
Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God
Both the expectant mother and her relatives can say a prayer in front of the icon. Do not forget that the sincerity of your prayer and faith in its power is the most important thing in your request.
“Oh, Most Holy Theotokos, our Intercessor and Patroness. You never leave us who pray to you in trouble. I pray to you for the health and happiness of my child. The Lord God has blessed us by giving us a child for our joy. Let nothing harm him while still in his mother’s womb. May he be born a believer, honoring and respecting his parents. Hear, Holy Virgin Mary, my requests and grant all women an easy and painless birth. May the happiness of motherhood come with the advent of my child. Help and bless us, Great Mother of God. Amen".
You can turn to the image of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth” at any time. If you have such an icon at home, pray to it every day so that your requests bring positive results.
Date of celebration of the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary
The official date for the celebration of the icon is January 8. This event is associated with another Orthodox holiday - the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day, believers visit churches and cathedrals, thank the Mother of God for her help and for all her gifts, and praise her in prayers. Young mothers and pregnant women pray before the icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth,” thanking her for the gift of a child, or asking for protection before childbirth and for the health of themselves and their unborn child.
While still pregnant, every mother takes care of her health and protects herself so as not to harm the baby. So that your children grow up healthy, happy and are always under the protection of the Mother of God, read prayers to the Mother of God for children. Happiness to you and your family,
Where in the house to place an icon for pregnant women
The meaning of the icon for pregnant women can hardly be overestimated - it is the most powerful psychological support for a woman.
There are a number of icons of the Mother of God and saints that help during this period, but it is still best to purchase from a church or receive as a gift a consecrated icon that helps pregnant women and childbirth. It is advisable that she be in the pregnant woman's room. It does not have to be hung on the wall, it can be on a shelf or on the bedside table, the main thing is that it is convenient for the pregnant woman to pray, so that she can look at the face of the Mother of God from time to time and receive from Her a message of support and strengthening of the spirit.
As the stories of many women testify, it was the image of the Mother of God and prayers to Her that helped them bear and give birth to healthy babies. The effectiveness of the icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth” is evidenced by the following fact: in many maternity hospitals it is placed directly in the delivery room, where it eases the labor pains of women and helps their children to be born.
The day of veneration of the icon is January 8.
The history of the appearance of the icon
Childbirth pains have always been portrayed as the most intense suffering. Women used to pray to the Mother of God to make childbirth easier. In ancient times, prayer was the only pain reliever. Mothers venerate the Virgin Mary as their patroness during pregnancy, childbirth and raising children, because the Virgin Mary went through all these stages as an ordinary woman.
From heaven she helps her earthly sisters and prays to the Lord for them, so that He will save them from suffering. Icon painters created two similar images based on a specific global demand: “The Blessed Womb” or “Helper in Childbirth” and “The Word Made Flesh.”
Barbara icon
In Russia, the icon promoting the birth of a child was first known in the 14th century. Its first author is unknown. But the icon was found in the Italian city of Bari, at the grave of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Due to her position, the icon received the nickname Varvara. Among the Russians it became known as “Help during childbirth.”
The icon was brought to Moscow and treated with respect. The icon was placed in the Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin, opposite the Tsar's residence. In the 17th century, the “Assistant in Childbirth” was restored by Simon Ushakov, senior icon painter of the Armory Chamber.
Albazin icon
The "Word became flesh" icon is based on a biblical verse. The Gospel of Luke says, “Blessed is the womb that bore you.” The image first came to the Amur fortress of Albazin from the hands of Hieromnicus Geromogenes in the 17th century. The icon was named Albazinskaya after the name of the fortress.
In the 18th century, the Amur land suffered from invasions from China. To protect the sanctuary, it was moved to Srechensk. By order of the Kamchatka bishop Benjamin, the icon was placed in a silver case. Crusades with the “Helper” were created. During plague epidemics, people received healing from the icon of the Mother of God. After the revelation of its miraculous power, Bishop Gury of Kamchatka ordered the akathist to be read daily and a prayer service to be performed.
Miraculous image
At the beginning of the 20th century, the peoples of the East rebelled against the interference of foreign powers in China's internal affairs. Blagoveshchensk was shelled during an attempt to capture it. Riots broke out in the city and attempts were made to dislodge the Chinese civilians. There is evidence that the icon of Our Lady of the Annunciation helped the city survive the Chinese pogrom in 1900.
The city was bombed and besieged for 19 days, and the akathist was constantly read in the sanctuary and services were held in front of the “Help to Childbirth” icon. During this time, the Chinese repeatedly saw a woman in white clothes with a child on the banks of the Amur. White color in China symbolizes mourning. The sudden appearance of a stranger frightened the invaders and meant a bad omen for them. Soon the Chinese left Blagoveshchensk. People believed that the Mother of God protected the city from enemies.
Prayer of a pregnant woman and woman in labor to the Lord
Almighty, miracle-working, merciful God, Creator and Preserver of heaven, earth and all creatures, Who Himself pronounced a blessing on all Christian spouses: grow and multiply!
And one more thing: this is the inheritance from the Lord: children, the fruit of the womb, a reward from Him.
I thank You that You have made me a participant in this blessing and Your gift in my married state, and I pray to You: deign to bless the fruit of the womb that You have given me, to bless and bless it with Your Holy Spirit, to accept it as one of Your beloved children and to make it a participant in the holy sacraments of the Church. Thy beloved Son, my Lord Jesus Christ, so that through this he may be sanctified and cleansed from the poisonous infection of hereditary sin in which he was conceived.
Lord God!
I and the fruit of my womb are children of wrath by nature, but You, beloved Father, have mercy on us, and sprinkle the fruit of my womb with hyssop, so that it will be clean, wash it, and it will be whiter than snow.
Strengthen and preserve him in the womb until the hour when he must be born.
This fruit of my womb was not hidden from You, when it was formed in the womb, Your hands formed it, You gave it life and breath, and let Your supervision preserve them.
Keep me from fear and fright and from evil spirits who would like to damage and destroy the work of Your hands.
Grant him a rational soul, and cause his body to grow healthy and undefiled, with whole, healthy members, and when the time and hour comes, allow me by Your mercy.
Grant me strength and strength for birth, hasten him well with Your omnipotent help and ease my suffering, because this is Your work, the miraculous power of Your omnipotence, the work of Your mercy and mercy.
Remember the word You spoke: You brought me out of the womb; I am committed to You from birth; from my mother's womb You are my God; You laid me to rest at my mother's breast.
You are God, knowing and seeing the needs of all people; You said: when a woman gives birth, she suffers sorrow, because her hour has come.
God!
For the sake of this heartfelt compassion of Yours and for the sake of Your heart filled with pity, I pray to You, deign to ease my sorrow, which You foresaw, and bring into the world the fruit of my womb, with a healthy, living body and intact, well-formed members.
I entrust it to You, in Your almighty, fatherly hands, in Your mercy and mercy, and I place it, Lord Jesus Christ, in Your holy embrace, may you bless this fruit of my womb, as You blessed the children brought to You when you spoke : Let the children in and do not prevent them from coming to me, because of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Savior!
So I bring to You this fruit of my womb; lay Your gracious hand on him.
Bless him with the finger of Your Holy Spirit and grace him, when he comes into this world, with holy, blessed baptism; sanctify and renew him to eternal life through rebirth, make him a member of Thy holy body and Thy holy Christian Church, so that Thy praise may be uttered from his lips, and he will be and forever remain a child and heir of eternal life, through the holy, bitter Thy suffering and Thy death and Thy holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Prayer of priest G. Dyachenko)
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Orthodox traditions during childbirth
A hundred years ago, every woman preparing to become a mother relied on the will of God in everything. The midwife never began to help a woman in labor without first praying. At the time of birth, all household members stood in front of a lit lamp and prayed to the Mother of God for a successful delivery. Prayer before childbirth was also obligatory for the woman in labor. The era of atheism has changed people's worldview, but modern society is increasingly reviving the Orthodox faith and spirituality in souls and society. That’s why today more and more women are resorting to prayers to the Higher Powers - first to conceive, then to bear and give birth. Miracles that occur through the faith and prayers of believers convince us of the mercy and love of the Lord for his children.
Days of Honor
On December 26 according to the old style or January 8 according to the new style, the memory of the icon “Suffering in Childbirth” is celebrated. On this day, the icon was first brought to Moscow in the 14th century. In the Church of St. Nicholas in Serpukhov, water is blessed in front of the icon. On those same winter days, the veneration of the Barbarian Icon took place. Also on October 6 (19), the image of the “Blessed Womb” was venerated. The Albazin icon was venerated on March 9 (22). On this day the holiday “Help for Women in Childbirth” is celebrated. January 8 is the feast of the Synaxis of the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the festive service, women thank the Mother of God for her help and intercession and pray for health and prosperity in the family.
The history of the acquisition of the miraculous image
The miraculous image traces its modern history back to the 90s of the twentieth century. It was then that the icon “Helper in Childbirth” appeared to the Orthodox world. It is not known for certain where the original face is located, but one day, during Great Lent, a copy of this icon was found in Serpukhov. Father Vladimir received it as a gift from a devout old woman whom he gave communion to at home. For many years of fighting against God, the icon was kept in the attic, then it appeared to the world under the name “Helper in Childbirth.” Since then, many miracles have been recorded from this image through the prayers of believers. Many infertile women have learned the joy of motherhood: fervent prayer in front of the “Helper in Childbirth” icon works wonders. There are two options for the image of the Mother of God on this wonderful list:
• The Mother of God is depicted in full height with her arms raised up, the Eternal Child is located at the level of her chest.
• The Blessed Virgin is depicted with her head uncovered and her hands folded; the Savior is in the womb.
Where to hang
In mockery, the icon was placed in the room where a woman expecting the birth of a child sleeps. Now the image is placed in a place where it is convenient for a woman to pray. This could be a prayer corner, a wall, a bookcase shelf, or a bedside table.
The main condition is that in the place where the icon is placed there are no foreign objects that can distract from prayer and excite memories or thoughts that have nothing to do with prayer.
Tip #1 It’s good to take the icon with you to the maternity hospital and during childbirth. Usually, medical staff have nothing against it when a woman in labor places an icon in the ward or delivery room. As a last resort, you can put a small icon in your robe so that it is always with you, from time to time taking it out and offering prayers to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother before it.
The icon and akathist for prayer in front of it can be purchased in church shops. The icon must be consecrated and purchased in an Orthodox church.
Spiritual preparation for childbirth
During pregnancy, a believer often turns to Heavenly powers. The priests insist that during the period of bearing a child, every woman must visit the temple, confess and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. The main assistant to a pregnant woman during the entire period of bearing a baby is the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. The Holy Face showed many miracles of faith, including the gift of motherhood. Prayer should accompany a pregnant woman for all nine months; not only in church, but also at home, a woman can turn to the Heavenly patroness and protector. “According to our faith, may it be for us...” - prayer at the moment of childbirth works miracles: there are cases when women in labor who uttered the words of the prayer had pain subsided, the process of childbirth was facilitated, and bleeding stopped. The priests claim that prayer during pregnancy, prayer before childbirth, and prayer during childbirth are equally important for a woman.
