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The icon of the Mother of God Quick to Hear is an ancient miraculous face that is located in the Dochiar Monastery on Holy Mount Athos. It was written after receiving the blessing of the Athonite founder of the Dochiar monastery in the 10th century, and its name was given only in the 17th century, when the first miracle was performed.
The shrine itself depicts the Virgin Mary with a baby sitting on her left hand. The Divine Infant himself squeezes a scroll in one hand, and blesses people with the other. Another interesting detail is the child’s heel, which is always directed towards the praying people.
From this article you will learn: how the image helps, its meaning, what they pray to the Quick Hearer, the day of the celebration of the face and much more.
- The meaning of the holy face
- How to pray to the icon of the Mother of God Quick to Hear
Where is the miraculous face
The original image of the Mother of God can be seen in Greece in the Dohiarsky monastery, however, in addition to the original, there are also miraculous copies. Here are some of them:
- The list of Olives, written from the miraculous face, is located in the Holy Ascension Monastery of Olives for women in Jerusalem;
- Since 1990, in the city of Petrozavodsk, the Athonite copy has become one of the main shrines of the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross;
- Moscow also has many revered icons of the Mother of God, one of which is listed in the Church of the Archangel Gabriel of the Antioch Patriarchal Metochion. A particularly valuable image can be found in Biryulevo in the Church of St. Nicholas;
- The miraculous list of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also available in other Russian cities, for example, in the Church of St. Martin the Confessor in Arkhangelsk you can see an equally revered image of the Holy Mother, as well as in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (the village of Doropeevich), the Cathedral of St. Simeon (Chelyabinsk), St. -Trinity Belopesotsky and Pechersk Bogoroditsky monasteries for women.
When does the celebration take place?
On November 9 (November 22) a holiday is held in honor of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear.”
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How to ask correctly before an image
The original of the miraculous icon is located in the Dohiarsky monastery, where only male pilgrims can enter. Through prayers to the lists of the holy icon “Quick to Hear”, many miraculous healings have occurred in the churches of the Russian Orthodox Church. Prayer from a pure heart will reach the Mother of God if you pray to her privately.
In front of the icon, you should light a consecrated candle from the lamp. Sign yourself with the sign of the cross and bow. Read the “Our Father” three times. Cross yourself, bow, read a prayer to the Mother of God. In conclusion, cross yourself and bow.
When turning to the holy image, it is necessary to cleanse yourself spiritually from sinful thoughts towards the people around you:
- anger;
- gloating;
- hostility.
We must believe that the prayer to the Mother of God will help your request come true. An appeal to the Most Holy Mother of God must be sincere and sincere.
How does the Mother of God Quick to Hear help and her meaning
The holy image can help all people with a transparent heart who need support and protection. The image is also used by the servants of the Lord as a way to expel evil spirits from a person. And in the old days they prayed to the face during various tragic events, in order to save lives.
The meaning of the holy face
The Mother of God, as well as the history of her praise, like most other images, makes us understand that the miraculous image should be treated with great reverence, since it personifies the prototype of the face reproduced on it.
This phenomenon is a reminder to the people that forgiveness and prayers are expected from them. After all, a prayer service is always well rewarded, and a prayer addressed to the Mother of God will be immediately heard and fulfilled, but the most important thing is that it comes from a pure heart full of great sincere faith that a person is remembered, heard and helped. You just need to believe and pray.
How does the Quick Hearing icon help:
- Those women who want the birth to take place without complications and the baby to be healthy, appeal to the help of the Mother of God. And besides, such a prayer service will help preserve breast milk for feeding for a long time.
- Mothers also turn to the holy image to protect their child from various troubles and problems, as well as to protect him from illnesses.
- Most people turn to the divine face to find answers and make the right decisions in difficult life situations. Forces from above will help a person not only determine the right direction, but also sort out his thoughts.
- Another important thing is that the image can relieve many diseases. There is also evidence that turning to the face helped to recover from cancer, lameness, and blind people were given sight.
Dohiar Monastery – from foundation to modern times
The Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” is located in one of the monasteries of Athos. This shrine is more than 1000 years old - according to legend, it was created with the blessing of St. Neophyte. The master made the relic based on the face of the Blessed Virgin of Alexandria. However, how did she get her current name? To find out this, you need to study the history of the monastery.
The Dokhiar Monastery, built on a slope steeply descending to the sea, is not the largest among Athonite spiritual centers. Now about 40 monks live in it. Founded the monastery in the 10th century. Euthymius is a student and associate of Athanasius of Athos. During this time, the monk held the position of dochiar - a monk who manages food supplies - and in memory of his novitiate he gave the same name to the monastery.
The monastery is dedicated to the Ethereal Powers - St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel (the day of their remembrance is celebrated on November 8). Such patrons are not accidental - according to legend, they saved from death a boy novice who discovered a treasure in one of the island’s caves. His companions wanted to kill the child and take possession of the treasure, but the heavenly defenders transferred the baby to the monastery of Dokhiar. The funds were spent on the needs of the Lavra, and in memory of this miracle it acquired its current dedication.
However, the greatest value of the monastery is the shrine “Quick to Hear” (“Γοργοεπήκοος”). Her chapel is located opposite the church gates, on the right side of the entrance to the refectory. Two hieromonks work there, receiving pilgrims, offerings, singing psalms and taking care of order. The original relic is written on the wall, but there is also a miraculous copy of it - it is this that believers worship at the procession. The amber icons that our online store offers you are also made using this model.
Miraculous properties of the divine image
Assistance during childbirth. The pregnant woman had to go through a very difficult birth. The doctors came to the conclusion that it was better to have a caesarean section, but in the prenatal days, it turned out that the woman could not endure such an operation. The current situation was quite critical. The young girl was advised to seek help from the miraculous face.
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The woman prayed very earnestly and with all her heart, and at the end of the prayer service she took off all her precious jewelry and gave them as a gift to the Saint. A couple of days later, the girl was able to cope with the birth process herself without surgical intervention and gave birth to an absolutely healthy baby;
Cure from illnesses. A woman diagnosed with acute rheumatism was led into church by her relatives by the arm, since she could no longer move independently. The clergy taught her and her relatives what prayer to say and how to submit a petition. During the service, the woman was anointed with miraculous lamp oil hanging in front of the image of the Mother of God and sprinkled with sacred water.
With the last of her strength, the unfortunate woman endured the service, but upon its completion, she raised her enlightened face to her face and, without anyone’s help, independently approached and kissed him. The patient's relatives and all those people who saw what happened felt awe.
The ever-flowing river of miracles
The spiritual and physical insight that the monk received back in the 17th century, the “Quick to Hear” icon, still grants to this day to everyone who with a pure heart prays to her for help and intercession before the Lord. Those who want to gain mental health, cope with internal contradictions, and find their way turn to Her image. They also call upon her for bodily illnesses. She helps those who are blind, mute or have lost their hearing. Helps to see and hear the world illuminated by God's grace. You just need to sincerely believe.
What do people pray for to the icon of the Mother of God Quick to Hear?
Before the miraculous face one turns to prayer in any life situations when help is urgently needed, for example, when a person is in trouble. And in the past, people turned to the Holy Image in prayer during a shipwreck, natural disasters such as a flood or fire, that is, in all cases when the Lord’s intercession could save a human life.
How to pray to the icon of the Mother of God Quick to Hear
When turning to a holy image, you do not need to think about how to resolve existing difficulties; the main thing when forgiving is to tell about all your spiritual feelings from a pure heart. Light a candle in front of the miraculous face and read an akathist or prayer.
Prayers to the Quick Hearing Mother of God
“Oh, Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord on High, Quick to obey the intercessor of all who come running to You with faith! Look down from the height of your heavenly majesty on me, the indecent one, falling to your icon, quickly hear the humble prayer of the less sinful me and bring it to your Son: beg Him to illuminate my dark soul with the light of His Divine grace and cleanse my mind from vain thoughts, and soothe my suffering heart will heal its wounds, may He instruct me in good deeds and strengthen me to work for Him with fear, may He forgive all the evil I have done, may He deliver eternal torment and not deprive Him of His heavenly kingdom. O most blessed Mother of God: you have deigned to be named in your image Quick to Hear, commanding everyone to come to you with faith: do not look upon me as sorrowful and do not allow me to perish in the abyss of my sins. According to Bose, all my hope and hopes of salvation are in You, and I entrust myself to your protection and intercession forever. Amen".
“Most blessed Lady, Ever-Virgin Mother of God, who gave birth to God the Word more than any word for our salvation, and who received His grace more abundantly than all others, who appeared as a sea of Divine gifts and miracles, an ever-flowing river, pouring out goodness to all who come running to You with faith! It falls to Your miraculous image, we pray to You, the all-generous Mother of the humane-loving Lord, surprise us with Your rich mercies and our petitions brought to You, Quick to Hear, speed up the fulfillment of everything that is arranged for the benefit of consolation and salvation for everyone. Visit, O Blessing Thy servants, with Thy grace, grant to the sick healing and perfect health, to those overwhelmed by silence, to those captivated by freedom, and to the afflicted by various images of comfort.
Deliver, O All-Merciful Lady, every city and country from famine, plague, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and other temporary and eternal punishments, by Your maternal boldness turning away the wrath of God; and spiritual relaxation, overwhelm by passions and falls, free Thy servant, as if, without stumbling in all piety, having lived in this world, and in the future, eternal blessings, we will be made worthy of the grace and love for mankind of Thy Son and God, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen".
God bless you!
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The image of the Mother of God, beloved by people
Among the icons of this type, the “Quick to Hear” occupies a special place. The shrine depicts the Mother of God with the Child seated on Her left hand as if on a throne. Mary's robe is richly decorated with pearls, embroidery, and precious stones, which personifies very rare human qualities that are of particular value.
With her right hand she points to the Infant of God - a gesture that symbolizes the path to Christ. The Savior blesses this path, making the sign of the cross over the believers. Its double-fingered arrangement, used since apostolic times, testifies to the ancient origin of the icon.
The scroll He holds is the Law of God.
The gaze involuntarily stops at the crossed bare legs of the Baby. His right heel, protruding from under the tunic, is facing those offering prayer. In theology, the open heel of the Infant God has a special meaning. To be barefoot meant to be submissive and humble. In some theological studies, the bare heel of the Infant God is interpreted as a harbinger of the path to Golgotha, where the Savior also walked barefoot, ready to humbly accept his fate in the name of the salvation of mankind.
History of the icon
According to legend, the face of the revered icon was created in the Dohiar monastery, on the holy Mount Athos, more than a thousand years ago. The author of the fresco is unknown for certain. According to some sources, he was one of the monks who received a blessing for his work from the abbot of the monastery. The prototype of the “Quick to Hear” is kept there to this day. However, the icon acquired its name only several centuries later, in the 17th century.
Our Lady hears everyone
“Quick to hear” - the one who “quickly hears” quickly responds to a sincere prayer. This is exactly what the Mother of God herself said when she appeared to the monk of the monastery, Neil. According to legend, he, passing by the image of the Mother of God with a smoldering tremor, through his foolishness, smoked the image of the Most Holy Theotokos. This went on for quite a long time, until one day Neil heard a warning cry: “Unworthy monk! How long will you smoke My image with impunity?”
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Taking this for a joke from the brethren, he ignored what he heard, but very soon began to lose his sight. Neil realized who warned him against disrespectful treatment and why he received such punishment. Sorrow took possession of his heart, but he accepted the punishment with humility. In deep repentance, the monk prayed day and night before the image of the Most Pure Mother of God, hoping for forgiveness, and was heard by the Virgin Mary. She said that she was restoring his sight. From then on, the Mother of God commanded that she be considered the protector of the monastery and tell everyone that Her name is Quick to Hear, because she will hear everyone who turns to her with a sincere prayer coming from the very heart.
9
November
1664
In the documents of the monastery, the miracle of the healing of the Nile refers to this date. This event put a name to the special veneration of the image and gave it its name.
Veneration of the image
The rumor about the monk's epiphany spread very quickly among the brethren. A place of special worship was set up in front of Her image, and the icon was celebrated. Monks from all monasteries came to the icon of the Quick Hearer to pray, to tell her about their sorrows and to receive instructions from above.
Prayers
Troparion, tone 4
Let us come to the Mother of God who are in troubles, / and to Her Holy Icon now, / calling with faith from the depths of our souls: / soon hear our prayer, O Virgin, / like the One who has been called Quick to Hear :/ For your servants are in need // ready Helper of the Imam
.
Kontakion, tone 8
In the sea of life we are overwhelmed,/ we fall into the anxiety of passions and temptations./ Give us, O Lady, a helping hand,/ like Petrov your Son,/ and hasten to deliver us from troubles, let us call You: rejoice Hiya, All-Blessed Quick Hearer.
Greek troparion, tone 1
Like a God-flowing source of your immaterial graces,/ Your miraculous image, O Mother of God, has been found,/ from it we draw streams of miracles abundantly, like from Eden./ You are a quick-to-obey Helper to those who cry out to you:/ Glory to Your gift, O Pure One,/ Glory to Your virginity,/ / Glory to Your ineffable providence for us, Most Immaculate
.
Greek troparion, tone 1
Having cleansed our souls and bodies with purity,/ Let us honor the memory of the Most Holy Quick-to-hear,/ and kiss that sacred icon with love,/ sing the angelic consonant sweet singing./ Rejoice, crying out, flaming Known on the throne of God/ Rejoice, wonderful protection of man [9],// Rejoice, prayers are coming soon listening to the faithful
.
Modern miracles through prayers before an icon
In 2022, a case of infertility relief for a Greek woman named Ekaterina became known. Having been married for 11 years, she could not get pregnant. Then the woman began to diligently offer her prayers before the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Quick to Hear,” which was brought to her city from Holy Mount Athos. Catherine promised the Blessed Virgin Mary that if a girl was born, she would name her Mary. Soon the woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son, whom she named George. After 1 year and 7 months, Catherine gave birth to a girl, deciding to name her Vasiliki.
However, the birth was difficult, the child was in intensive care near death. Remembering her promise, Catherine, after praying in front of the “Quick to Hear” icon, baptized the girl herself. Now she was given the name Maria, in honor of the Mother of God. From that moment on, the child quickly began to recover. The doctors were very surprised and themselves called the case a miracle.
