"Save me, God!".
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In the traditions of the Orthodox Christian Church, a candle is an indispensable attribute in the sacred ceremony. At the same time, the burning candle itself is considered a visible sign, personifying a warm and bright human heart, filled with burning love for the Almighty, the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as for the Saint in front of whom the candle is placed.
But it should be remembered that placing it with an insensitive heart is a great sin, because as soon as the candle has been lit, it is necessary to say a prayer service, albeit in your own words, but with faith, attentively and with reverence, thereby turning all your feelings and thoughts to the Lord.
It is very important to understand the meaning of this tradition, how to correctly light candles for health and which Saints, and whether there are any special signs if the candle suddenly goes out. You can find answers to these questions in the article below.
The best article for you, go to: Is it possible to read mantras to Orthodox Christians?
Which holy icons can you light candles for health in church?
In 787, the Nicene Ecumenical Council took place, at which the basic Christian dogmas were formulated, in particular regarding iconographic images. It was determined that an image painted with paints helps to attune the mind and soul to communication with God (Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, angels). During the existence of the Orthodox faith in Russia, many icons depicting the Savior, the Mother of God, and holy righteous people were discovered and created.
When praying in front of icons, believers turn to the saints as intercessors before the Lord. The power of their prayer is much more effective than the power of the prayer of an ordinary believer.
For their ascetic lifestyle, God endowed them with the gift of working miracles, preserving it even after death. When turning to the saints (after death - to relics, icons), believers noticed that many of them became famous in certain miracles.
For loved ones
Orthodox believers come to the temple to pray for the health and well-being of their children, parents, spouses, godchildren, and other close relatives. Choosing a holy image is not an easy matter; it is better to consult the clergy about it.
They most often pray for a sick family member in front of the icon of the Savior, the Mother of God. If the problems are related to alcoholism or drug addiction, a candle should be placed in front of the images of the Virgin Mary “Inexhaustible Chalice”, “Quick to Hear”.
When a mother has problems with milk for her infant, she should pray in front of the holy image of the Mammal Mother. For seriously ill patients for whom modern medicine does not offer hope of cure, they light a candle and offer prayers in front of the “Healer” icon of the Heavenly Queen.
In case of serious everyday problems (family conflicts, financial problems), they turn to icons in prayer:
- Nicholas the Wonderworker;
- Matrona of Moscow;
- Xenia of Petersburg;
- Saint Tryphon.
They pray for unbaptized relatives before the image of the Blessed Virgin.
For your health
In case of health problems, they light a candle and read a prayer in front of the icon of St. Panteleimon the Healer, St. Luke of Voino-Yasenetsky. Women suffering from infertility are advised to seek help from St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Saint Artemy helps solve men's problems.
For the health of enemies
A prayer for the health of the enemy is offered in front of the icon of the Mother of God, if one does not hold a grudge against the offender in one’s heart. The appeal begins with lighting a candle and mentally imagining the appearance of an ill-wisher. After reading the prayer they are baptized.
If there is no forgiveness in the soul, then they ask the Blessed Virgin or the “Quick to Hear” for mercy towards their enemy, for spiritual strength for themselves in order to understand and forgive the offense. After sincere prayer, a test will be sent to the enemy to atone for sin. When the words did not come from the heart, a test awaits the one who prayed.
In mental illness
In case of nervous disorders or suicidal tendencies, one turns to the “Passionate” icon of the Blessed Virgin with prayer. For epilepsy and mental illness, people ask holy images for help:
- Seraphim of Sarov;
- Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”;
- Mother of God “Look at humility”;
- John of Kronstadt;
- Ignatius Brianchaninov.
Copies made from the image of the “Savior Not Made by Hands” have miraculous powers that cure all illnesses, including mental ones.
Image of the healer Panteleimon
Saint Panteleimon in the Christian world is a great doctor, capable of healing not only the body, but also the spirit. It is customary to pray to him for health - his own and those of his loved ones. It helps to get rid of anxiety and fear of complications during operations. This look would be perfect as a gift for a grandparent. After all, in front of him they will be able to pray for healthy longevity.
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Healing icons for the home
The Orthodox Church denies the “specialization” of miraculous icons, but calls it an established tradition. When a family has children, elderly parents, or relatives with chronic diseases, it is necessary to have in the home iconostasis images of the faces of the Mother of God and saints, to whom you can turn daily with a prayer request.
Vladimir Mother of God
The Vladimir icon, by type of image, refers to Eleus (Tenderness). In the holy image, the baby Jesus is depicted clinging to the Mother’s face. The icon was painted by the Apostle Luke with the blessing of the Mother of God. The iconographic depiction will bring peace and patience to the house. In front of the image they pray for the health of children and parents. It helps to regain health after a heart attack, stroke, and to heal from neurosis. The Orthodox calendar indicates the days of celebration of the icon - June 3 and July 6.
Saint Luke of Crimea
Archbishop Luke of Simferopol and Crimea was also a professor of surgery. He devoted his life to healing physical and mental illnesses in people. He was repressed three times, but did not renounce his religious views in exchange for a professional career. In the late 90s, he was canonized as a locally revered saint by the UOC-MP and the Krasnoyarsk diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2000, he was glorified as a saint at the Council of New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia. They pray in front of the icon of the saint before and after surgery.
"Three-handed"
In the image of the Heavenly Queen with the baby Jesus, a third hand is visible. The plot for writing was the legend of St. John of Damascus. Following a false denunciation, his right arm was cut off at the elbow. The saint placed her at the cult and prayed all night before the icon of the Mother of God, begging her to help save her hand.
The Mother of God heard his request: in the morning Damascus discovered that his hand had become healthy again. In memory of the miracle, he ordered a silver hand and attached it to the icon of the Blessed Virgin. The image with three hands began to be called “Three-Handed”. The original icon is kept on Holy Athos. The list from it is kept in the Resurrection Monastery. Prayer requests in front of the image are offered to the Mother of God and John of Damascus for injuries and diseases of the upper extremities. Prayers are especially effective on the day of the celebration of the “Three Hands”: July 11.
Nicholas the Wonderworker
Nicholas the Wonderworker became famous for his lifetime miracles. His prayers were so sincere that they found a response from God. After death, the saint’s connection with the Lord only intensified.
Thousands of people turn to the saint in prayer in a variety of life situations:
- find a worthy chosen one;
- avoid unfair accusations;
- to escape during a storm at sea;
- return safely from a long dangerous journey.
Nikolai Ugodnik is an intercessor before the Lord for those suffering from serious and incurable diseases.
Matrona of Moscow
The holy image of Matronushka in the home iconostasis is necessary for women. Sincere appeal to the saint helps with infertility, preserving the family, eye diseases, and paralysis.
"Eternal Color"
This is an icon of the Mother of God, on which she is depicted in surprisingly gentle, touching colors. It is considered one of the most successful picturesque images of the Virgin Mary. It will be an excellent gift for your grandmother, it will help her survive forced loneliness, get rid of disappointment, and find inner reserves for future life. Before the image, it is customary to pray for health and peace of mind.
How to pray in front of an icon
At the dawn of Christianity, an angel revealed to one monk how to offer prayers correctly:
- Before we begin, we must thank the Lord.
- Clear your thoughts and soul from envy and ill will.
- Turn to the holy image.
During prayer, the sign of the cross is placed at the beginning, during and at the end of the reading. A candle is lit from a living fire: a lamp or a burning candle.
"Three-handed"
The icon is associated with the figure of John of Damascus, the intercessor of all believers, who went through a difficult path in life. It was thanks to his works that the story of the creation of the miraculous image has reached our days.
Why does the icon have this name? The fact is that the stern Byzantine emperor Leo, who hated Christians, ordered the hand of John of Damascus, who enjoyed love and respect among the people and was perceived as a confessor, to be cut off. John turned to the Mother of God with prayer and his hand fused to his arm. In memory of this miracle, he made a metal brush and attached it to the holy image.
It is customary to pray to this icon for the healing of all ailments. It will help older people cope with diseases of the hands, joints, and legs. Eases suffering associated with paralysis, heals melancholy and decadent spirit. Also helps housewives cope with household chores.
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Texts of prayers
Prayer before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God:
“O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, all-powerful Intercessor, our shameless hope! We thank You for all the blessings that have been given to the Russian people in generations, from ancient times to this day, revealed by Your miraculous icon.
And now, Blessing the Lady, look upon us, Thy sinful and unworthy servants, show us Thy mercy and pray to Thy Son, Christ our God, to deliver us from all evil, and to save every city and village and our whole country from famine, destruction, cowardice, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion and internecine warfare.
Preserve and make wise the shepherds of the Church, who are worthy to shepherd the flock of Christ and have the right to rule the word of truth; Strengthen the Christ-loving All-Russian army, give the spirit of advice and reason to the military commander, the mayor and everyone who is in power; send down Thy holy blessing upon all Orthodox Christians who worship Thy and pray before Thy celibate icon.
Be our Intercessor and Intercessor before the throne of the Most High, where you stand.
To whom shall we resort if not to You, Lady? To whom shall we bring tears and sighs, if not to You, Most Holy Theotokos? There are no imams of any other help, no imams of any other hope, except for You, Heavenly Queen. We flow under Your shelter; Through Your prayers grant us peace, health, fruitfulness of the earth, goodness of the air, deliver us from all troubles and sorrows, from all ailments and illnesses, from sudden death and from all the bitterness of enemies visible and invisible. Enlighten and teach us, O All-Merciful Intercessor, to pass the path of this earthly life without sin. You weigh our weaknesses, weigh our sins, but you also weigh our faith and hope: in the same way, grant us correction of our sinful lives and soften our evil hearts. Strengthen the right faith in us, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, patience and love, success in good deeds; deliver us from temptations, from destructive teachings harmful to the soul, from unbelief, corruption and eternal destruction.
We therefore ask You, Most Pure Lady, and falling before Your holy icon we pray: have mercy on us and have mercy on us, and on the Last Day of Judgment, through Your intercession and intercession, make us worthy to stand at the right hand of Your Son, Christ our God, and to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship with His beginningless Father and His Most Holy and Good and Consubstantial Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen".
Prayer to the Three-Handed Icon:
“Oh, Most Holy Lady and Lady Theotokos, who showed a great miracle to Saint John of Damascus, showing true faith and undoubted hope! Hear us, sinners, before Your miraculous icon, fervently praying and asking for Your help: do not reject this prayer of many for the sake of our sins, but, as the Mother of mercy and generosity, deliver us from illnesses, sorrows and sorrows, forgive the sins we have committed, fill us with joy and joy to all who honor Your holy icon, may we joyfully sing and glorify Your name with love, for You are chosen and blessed from all generations forever and ever. Amen".
Prayer to Matrona of Moscow for healing:
“O blessed one, Mother Matrono, hear and accept us now, sinners, praying to you, who have learned throughout your entire life to receive and listen to all those who suffer and mourn, with faith and hope who resort to your intercession and help, giving quick help and miraculous healing to everyone; May your mercy not fail now for us, unworthy, restless in this busy world and nowhere finding consolation and compassion in spiritual sorrows and help in bodily illnesses: heal our illnesses, deliver us from the temptations and torment of the devil, who passionately fights, help us convey our everyday Cross, to bear all the hardships of life and not lose the image of God in it, to preserve the Orthodox faith until the end of our days, to have strong trust and hope in God and unfeigned love for others; help us, after departing from this life, to achieve the Kingdom of Heaven with all those who please God, glorifying the mercy and goodness of the Heavenly Father, glorified in the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen".
Prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker:
“Oh, the Most Holy Pleasant of God - Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker! Grant mercy for the recovery of my beloved child. Please forgive me my sinful sorrow and do not be angry with me for my ignorance. Amen".
“Holy Wonderworker Nicholas, I turn to you with sincere prayer. I ask you to protect my parents from illness, infirmity and weakness. Help them follow the righteous path and give them hope in the Kingdom of Heaven. Don't let yourself succumb to sinful temptations. Intercede for them before our Lord. Thy will be done. Amen".
"Gerontissa"
This is an icon of the Mother of God, also known as the “Abbess” or “Elderwoman”. According to ancient legend, the very appearance of the icon is associated with a miracle. During the construction of the monastery, the original location of which was different from the current one, the builders were surprised to discover that all their tools were missing. We managed to find them where the monastery is now located. The situation repeated itself for several nights in a row, after which people realized that the Mother of God herself had chosen the place for the holy monastery. Her will was done.
Another miracle is also associated with the icon. There was a severe famine in the monastery, which is why the brothers began to gradually leave the monastery. The abbot prayed fervently and called on those remaining to follow his example. And the Mother of God herself came to his aid. In the pantry, where there were only empty containers, oil began to flow from one decanter. In honor of this event, the icon has a jug with oil overflowing over the edges.
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You can pray to this icon for healing from serious diseases, for example, malignant neoplasms. It helps with infertility, but much more often older people turn to “Staritsa”. Children can also pray for the health of their parents.
