From this icon the Most Holy Theotokos herself looks at the viewer. Her miraculous image gives off something unearthly, cosmic. The Mother of God is wearing light robes with a small pattern similar to stars.
The saint's halo resembles both a crown and the sun at once. The icon looks very unusual and seems as if it was recently invented by some inventive master.
But no, the Pskov-Pechersk Icon of Tenderness has a long history. Let's talk about her, and also about what this image helps with.
Pskov-Pechersk Icon “Tenderness”
In the 16th century, the icon was brought to the monastery by 2 merchants, since then it has healed the sick
Apparently, the icon was painted outside the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery. Tradition says that it was brought there between 1529 and 1570 by two merchants - Fyodor and Vasily.
Since then, various amazing stories have been told about the icon about how it miraculously helped believers.
Through prayer in front of this icon, even the blind received their sight. One of these cases occurred with a woman named Maria Terenteva. She did not see for more than two years, but on May 28, 1587, she regained her sight after praying in front of the Tenderness icon.
The icon restored sight to the blind.
The next similar incident occurred with Potapiy Grigoriev on March 26, 1603. This peasant had not seen for 6 years, but he also received his sight.
Not only the blind were helped by prayer in front of the icon. A contemporary of Potapiy Grigorev, Ivan Stupin, healed his left hand, which had cramped veins.
Tradition says that even non-believers received miraculous help from this icon.
How to get there
Pechory is a small town located in the Pskov region, near the border with Estonia. It is more convenient for pilgrims to get to the city through Pskov or St. Petersburg (there are airports there).
From St. Petersburg:
— by car 5 hours (350 km) along the E77 highway through Luga and Pskov.
— by swallow from the Baltic station 4 hours 15 minutes.
From Pskov:
— by car 51 minutes (53 km) along the road through Izborsk.
— by bus from the bus station on route No. 207.
The Pskov-Pechersk icon “Tenderness” helped save the city from the armies of the Poles and French
In 1581, Pskov was besieged. The troops of the Polish king Stefan Batory greatly threatened the city. But the Mother of God appeared in a dream to Elder Dorotheus in advance. She warned about upcoming events and gave advice on how to escape from them.
The priests took two icons of “Tenderness” and “Assumption” and held prayer services in those places that the Most Holy Theotokos indicated in a dream.
The icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God worked miracles along with the icon of “Tenderness”
The battle still happened. Moreover, according to Russian sources, the number of Polish soldiers exceeded the Russian garrison by almost five times. Even women and children stood up to defend the city.
The icon was not hit by a cannonball.
And then a miracle happened: one of the invaders’ nuclei hit the icon of the Mother of God, but could not damage it. Of course, the battle did not end there, but the Poles could not win it. This became a turning point in the Russo-Lithuanian War. Although this did not exhaust the entire conflict.
Subsequently, the icon was decorated. For this we used a lot of precious materials:
- amethysts;
- emeralds;
- diamonds;
- pearl;
- Yakhont.
The next time they turned to the icon was in 1812, when there was a war with the Napoleonic army. The invaders conquered Polotsk and rushed to Pskov. The believer brought out the same two icons “Tenderness” and “Assumption”, as well as a banner with the Savior Not Made by Hands. A religious procession was held with these shrines. Is it worth adding that the French never conquered Pskov?
The banner is a banner with the face of Jesus Christ.
Then the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael of God was built in the monastery (now the Church of Michael the Archangel of Gorodets), where one of the most revered icons in Rus', “Tenderness,” has been kept ever since.
This icon of the Mother of God is one of those relics with which the amazing fate of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery is associated. After all, he did not interrupt his activities for a day in the 20th century. And how many monasteries were closed due to prohibitions, persecution and wars!
Novgorod and Smolensk icons
For about 700 years, residents of a town in northwestern Russia have been honoring the Novgorod Icon of Tenderness. The shrine is famous for its miraculous power, which those who prayed before it experienced. She protected the people from ruin, fires and wars, and gave physical and mental healing to those in need.
The Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” of Smolensk, in turn, also became famous for the protection of local residents: during the attack of Polish troops on the townspeople at the beginning of the 17th century. The Mother of God is depicted on it together with her Son, and this image has gained popularity since 1103.
Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Tenderness Icon (Pskov-Pecherskaya)
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Intercessor of the Christian race, who covers and saves the people of the faithful, to the grieving monk, to the Giver of eternal joy, we shout out songs of gratitude from the heart. But You, who have been called Tenderness, look upon us mercifully and grant us tenderness, so that we may boldly sing to You joyfully:
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Ikos 1
Angels and Archangels and many heavenly powers silently praise Thee, the Queen of all and the Lady. You have made us worthy, with mortal lips, to sing of the joy You have given us in the appearance of Your wondrous icon with the eternal Child.
For this reason, accept this praise from us:
Rejoice, sung Archangels; Rejoice, glorified Angel.
Rejoice, lifted up and surrounded by heavenly powers; Rejoice, glory to the saints and martyr.
Rejoice, undoubted joy of the faithful children of the Church; Rejoice, thou who hastens and instructs monks in their labors.
Rejoice, thou who was called Tenderness; Rejoice, granter of tenderness to those who ask.
Rejoice, our only Hope; Rejoice, Otrado in the hour of death.
Rejoice, you who continually beseech Your Son.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the inhabitants of heaven, Thee, the All-Good Mother, constantly praying before the Throne of God for the human race, they glorified the Lord, who gave such an Intercessor to the faithful, with a song of praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Reason has been bestowed on the faithful, Your miraculous face has been given to those who behold, and miracles have been poured out by You, compose songs and songs to glorify Your honorable name, O All-Blessed One. You mercifully accept this praise from us:
Rejoice, miracle of miracles of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, you who take us to heaven.
Rejoice, Merciful One, who has mercy on us; Rejoice, covering us from evil with your omophorion.
Rejoice, the Lord is with You and You with us; Rejoice, you who graciously accept all our sighs.
Rejoice, in the hour of sorrow our only joy; Rejoice, zealous Helper of sinners.
Rejoice, steadfast pillar of the repentant; Rejoice, you who shed tears for the fallen.
Rejoice, protector of the orphans and widows.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Lord is the autumn of You and move to help and intercede for everyone who resorts to Your miraculous icon and worships it. Seeing this, people fell down with trepidation and sang to God, singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
The ancient monastery of Pskov-Pechersk has Your holy image, Blessed Virgin Mary, flowing currents of miracles and protecting the monastery from all evil, filled with great joy and consolation. Behold, the Mother of Light with Her wings of Motherly love protects us who cry out tenderly:
Rejoice, our most bright joy; Rejoice, rejoicing of faithful hearts.
Rejoice, thou who shone forth light for us; Rejoice, you who visited the monastery by Your mercy.
Rejoice, who gave her Your icon as a pledge of love; Rejoice, for healings are achieved through this icon.
Rejoice, O protector of Your monastery; Rejoice, you who live in her as a helper.
Rejoice, child-loving Mother of monks; Rejoice, vigilant guardian of monastic vows.
Rejoice, you who bring joy to the whole world.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 4
Through a storm of evil invasions, the pious people of the city of Pskov reverenced You and received Your celibate icon “Tenderness”, erecting it on the walls of the city against the Batory warriors. You, working a miracle, protected the city from the deadly arrows of the enemy and moved the faithful to sing thanks to the God born of You: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the inhabitants of the city of Pskov and the entire Russian country the greatness of Your miracles, as You showed them in the test of those who were from the wars of beasts, glorifying You, the great Intercessor of the suffering, singing these: Rejoice, transforming our sorrows into joy; Rejoice, you who quickly help those who come to You.
Rejoice, fence of the city of Pskov; Rejoice, you who have corrected the evil insolence of the warriors.
Rejoice, thou who guarded the walls of the city; Rejoice, you who covered the enemy from the deadly arrows.
Rejoice, you who made Your people glad; Rejoice, having provided the Orthodox with hope.
Rejoice, our fortress and protection; Rejoice, fragrant Flower of the Heavenly King.
Rejoice, meek turtledove of the world.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 5
Thou didst show the godly star, Thy venerable icon, to the monasteries and villages of the Pechers, the Lady of the World! To her, faithfulness, vision and kissing love, we cry: be a shield and a fence for us, and let us cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing those near and far, how Your holy image of “Tenderness” brings healing to all the infirm, having come running to You in sorrows and illnesses, and no one departs from You, tired and inconsolable, and Your holy image is a joy. For this sake of faithfulness they call gratefully:
Rejoice, our infirmities have been driven away; Rejoice, healing of deadly plagues.
Rejoice, quick Comforter in troubles; Rejoice, Demon Driver.
Rejoice, decoration of the city of Pecher; Rejoice, Pechersk monastery wall and fence.
Rejoice, Heavenly Abbess of monks; Rejoice, you who providentially care for a virtuous life.
Rejoice, indestructible wall in adversity; Rejoice, haven of desperate sinners.
Rejoice, you who are perplexed by reason.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 6
Preachers of miracles from Thy holy icon, Lady, for the blind see, the sick receive healing, for this sake of faith people flock to the monastery in great numbers, eager to receive Thy mercy, O All-merciful Queen of heaven, their faces with monastic voices join together and cry in joy: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Divine grace has risen through Your miraculous icon, Lady, with faith and love You are the Mother of God to those who confess, in her acceptance of spiritual ailments and communion with the Kingdom of Heaven, humbly exclaiming to You: Rejoice, not only the savior of the body, but also the soul; Rejoice, you who wipe away the tears of your children.
Rejoice, you who show us the power of love; Rejoice, eternal shelterless chamber.
Rejoice, depths of sin in the bath; Rejoice, cup that washes the conscience.
Rejoice, radiant treasure of faith; Rejoice, hope of salvation for the stone.
Rejoice, adamante of Christ's love; Rejoice, giver of eternal joy to those who mourn.
Rejoice, cover of purity and virginity.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 7
Wanting to leave this corrupt world, on the holy mountain of God-loving elders the venerable Mark and Jonah labored and created the monastery of the Holy and Most Pure Virgin, and the venerable abbot Cornelius established that image of the Lady, so that the faithful may have a reliable Helper and cry out according to: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Seeing your new and glorious icon “Tenderness”, which was sent to the fence of the Pskov-Pechersk monastery, and rejoicing at the greatness, love of God, the foreigners and faithful people cried out diligently: Rejoice, beautiful glory of the prophets; Rejoice, blessed sky.
Rejoice, abundant food in times of poverty; Rejoice, you who feed everyone with spiritual joy.
Rejoice, Helper in the labors of fasting; Rejoice, you who relieve all sorrows.
Rejoice, you who soften evil hearts; Rejoice, our helper before the Son.
Rejoice, you who brought peace with God; Rejoice, the secrets of the ages have been revealed.
Rejoice, fragrant flower of virginity.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 8
A strange and glorious miracle was Your face, Most Blessed One, shining upon the faithful from the icon: even more, the Venerable Cornelius, before Your image, pray to You, that You may protect the faithful children of the monastery from all evil, and teach us to sing praises to the All-Good God, who has given You Your Mother: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
The repentant sinner, completely burdened with sins and despairing in his life, ran to You in tearful prayer, asking that you ask before Your Son and God the forgiveness of his sins, and exclaimed with these calls: Rejoice, consolation for repentant sinners; Rejoice, forgiveness of sins.
Rejoice, thou who taketh away every tear; Rejoice, sun that warms people.
Rejoice, joy given to the faithful; Rejoice, Heavenly Mother of Christians.
Rejoice, correction of unrepentant sinners; Rejoice, fragrance of the Heavenly King.
Rejoice, you who teach us prayer; Rejoice, help in troubles is abundant.
Rejoice, you who drive away nightly fear.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 9
Our hearts incessantly praise You, the supreme Virgin of all the powers of the angels; You, the truly purest lordship of the sun, are unceasingly magnified. Thou art an Intercessor for us on the day of the Last Judgment to Thy Son and God, then remember the prayers of sinners and vouchsafe to sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The twisted tongue of many words will not be able to adequately sing Your sweet face, O Virgin and Mother of the Lady. The increase of Your wonderful gifts and indescribable beauties fills the heart with tenderness and grants us to comb the sources of tears, and strives to cry out in contrition:
Rejoice, hearts filled with tenderness; Rejoice, hope of all the hopeless.
Rejoice, refuge for all those deprived of righteousness; Rejoice, chaser of evil demons.
Rejoice, forbidden by the demon; Rejoice, rise of the discouraged in spirit.
Rejoice, for everything is possible for You; Rejoice, admonition of obstinate souls.
Rejoice, thou who sleepest the sleep of sin; Rejoice, sweetness to all who live in bitter works.
Rejoice, Joy to all who mourn.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 10
Faithful people who want to be saved, You appeared for them as the Intercessor before God on the hills of the city of Pskov, showing Your mercy, presenting Your miraculous icon more than the Batory howl. The people, having seen the miracle, sing to You with a great voice: “O my Queen, Most Blessed!” and exclaiming to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall of monks, O Most Pure Virgin, from the machinations of the enemy, from troubles, sorrows and misfortunes. For thee entrust us to the venerable Mark, Jonah and Cornelius, and be the intercessor and righteous Vassa. For this reason, we lift up our troubled spirit in humble prayer, crying out:
Rejoice, confirmation of Your faithful; Rejoice, loving one of your children.
Rejoice, city of the King, glorified by all; Rejoice, praise and joy to the Holy Church.
Rejoice, rejoicing of heavenly minds; Rejoice, you who bring the unfaithful to Christ.
Rejoice, our zealous Intercessor; Rejoice, you who save those in trouble.
Rejoice, trampling down the wicked warriors; Rejoice, adorned with virtues.
Rejoice, abundant rejoicing of the monks.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 11
Singing praise brings Ti, All-Sung, we get rid of every inconvenience. We earnestly kiss your honest image, we pray to You: grant us undoubted faith, send brotherly love and peace to our souls, and in peace and silence we cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
You were a light-receiving light, O Most Pure Virgin, illuminating our path with heavenly light, and far away from us all untruth and lawlessness. For this reason, we cry out to You in gratitude:
Rejoice, unfading light of our life; Rejoice, Ladder, leading to heaven.
Rejoice, all-bright cloud; Rejoice, tabernacle of the Heavenly King.
Rejoice, thou who gave birth to the Creator of the Universe; Rejoice, for you are blessed by all.
Rejoice, glorified Cherubim and Seraphim; Rejoice, rain that waters pious souls.
Rejoice, treasury of love and mercy; Rejoice, formidable avenger of those who swear in vain.
Rejoice, you who deliver us from slander.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 12
The grace of Ti is given from the Lord with His holy veil to cover the Orthodox Church from unbelief, heresies and schism, and to protect the children of the faithful to the Church in peace and teach them to virtue, so that they may continually glorify God with the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Thee, the All-Singing Virgin, and honoring Thy miraculous icon “Tenderness”, which exists in the monastery of the Pskov-Pecherstya, we rejoice out of duty, seeing Thee, the zealous Intercessor and Helper of all who want to reap salvation and chant every day: Rejoice, Mother, mine to Thee prayer; Rejoice, full share of paradise.
Rejoice, recipient of heavenly food; Rejoice, you who sow food and nourish us.
Rejoice, thou grieving monk, giver of eternal joy; Rejoice, decoration of righteous women.
Rejoice, land of good desires; Rejoice, martyr of all boldness.
Rejoice, most honorable banner of the Church; Rejoice, eternal treasure of life.
Rejoice, golden candlestick of faith.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, our tenderness and salvation.
Kontakion 13
Oh, All-Singing Mother, Queen of heaven and earth! Good monks to the Goalkeeper, faithful protection and tenderness! Having accepted this present singing, deliver us from every evil situation and do not deprive us of the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven, but let us cry out diligently: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Angels and Archangels...” and the 1st kontakion “To the Chosen Intercessor...”.
Prayer
Oh, Most Blessed Virgin Mary and Lady! Mother of all those who suffer and have heart problems! Our country and city to the Defender! Pskov-Pechersk monastery beauty and glory! Look upon us, humble, burdened with many sins, burdened with sorrows and sorrows and looking with contrition and tears at Your most pure face, revealed in the miraculous icon.
Preserve this holy monastery from all evil, and entrust the venerable Cornelius with the elders Mark and Jonah to You, and to all who labor in it in faith and hope.
Save this city, and all the people who live faithfully and come running to You, from the invasion of foreigners, from all fear and cowardice, from pestilence and famine, from evil people and all kinds of sorrow.
Apply Your mercy to us, as You graciously pressed Your Divine face to the cheek of the Infant God.
Warm us with the breath of Your love and never depart from us, neither in this life nor in the future, so that, expecting Your all-powerful Motherly help, we will be honored to comfortably reach eternal life and glorify the Heavenly Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, glorifying God in the Trinity, forever centuries. Amen.
Church of the Archangel Michael from Gorodets, where the icon is kept
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