The Bethlehem Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most famous Divine images of great importance for Christians around the world. This religious painting is considered quite unusual. The relic is known as miraculous, endowed with the ability to heal and fulfill various requests of believers. The annual celebration of the image falls on August 28th.
Origin of the shrine
There are several versions about the origin of the Bethlehem Icon of the Mother of God. Some historians claim that its creators were ancient Russian icon painters. According to others, the authorship of the shrine belongs to the Apostle Luke, who captured the Mother of God during Her earthly life. In this regard, many believe that it is in this picture that the true appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary is most accurately conveyed.
An ancient Christian legend tells that the Evangelist Luke created three images of the Mother of God and presented these pictures to Her judgment. The Virgin Mary chose an image in which she was depicted with a smile on her lips. At the same time, the Queen of Heaven said that God’s grace would abide with all those who prayed before him.
There is a legend that the icon created by Luke was transferred to the Blachernae Temple, where it remained until the 10th century. In 988 she came to Russia. The shrine became a gift from the Emperor of Byzantium Vasily II to Prince Vladimir after the Baptism of Rus'. For several centuries, the image adorned the iconostasis of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Veliky Novgorod, and then disappeared without a trace.
Many researchers say that the great Christian relic was painted by an icon painter who lived at the Romanov court. According to this version, the religious painting was created by order of the king himself. Later, the Russian icon with the smiling Mother of God was transferred to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and therefore it received the name Bethlehem. Information has been preserved that fabric from the outfit of the deeply religious Princess Elizabeth Romanova was used to decorate the Divine Face.
Reverence
The day of veneration of the miraculous image is August 28. The icon of the Mother of God is brought to the center of the temples, services are held glorifying the Most Pure Virgin, and akathists are sung. Christians know that prayers said on this day have great power.
The first icons appeared during the lives of the apostles and the Holy Virgin out of a desire to capture their faces. These were portraits that were painted from life. The history of the appearance of the image of Christ “Savior Not Made by Hands” is known. According to legend, the artist Ananya could not recreate the face of Jesus, so the Savior washed his face and dried himself with canvas. His face was miraculously imprinted on the fabric.
Icons began to be painted to make it easier for Christians to contact the saints. The images were understandable to people speaking different languages, illiterate and uneducated. Using the images it was possible to study biblical stories, the life of Christ and the saints.
Icons that performed miracles are given special veneration. Through prayers to miraculous images, healings were performed, and hordes of enemies retreated. Those praying felt the grace emanating from the faces of the saints. The face of the Most Pure Virgin painted by Luke is considered an authentic image, made with the consent and blessing of Mary. Therefore, the Bethlehem Icon enjoys special respect among Orthodox and Catholics. Deep veneration of the image began after many miracles were performed.
Russian icon painting traditions were borrowed from Greek masters. Subsequently, these institutions were developed, and domestic icon painters began to create images of Russian saints. The icons were usually distinguished by their considerable size and the use of dark tones.
Reference: we note that some researchers consider the Bethlehem Icon of the Virgin Mary to be the work of Russian masters. It is assumed that this is a copy of the work of the Evangelist Luke, the original itself is lost.
Composition, photo of the sacred painting
The Bethlehem icon is to a large extent unique. It represents the only Orthodox image in which the Mother of God is depicted with a smile. This is what distinguishes the shrine from other icons, in which saints are depicted as thoughtful, deeply focused on prayer.
Description of the Bethlehem icon:
- the smiling Virgin Mary holds little Jesus Christ, who sits on Her left hand;
- with her right hand, the Mother of God points to the Son of God, emphasizing with this gesture that only with Him can one come to the salvation of the soul;
- With one hand Jesus blesses people, in the other he holds a symbol of royal power (orb);
- The Queen of Heaven and the Infant God are dressed in vestments embroidered with gold (in the Russian version of the icon they were made from fragments of the ceremonial dress of Princess Elizabeth Romanova).
The Bethlehem icon is usually attributed to the group of paintings called “Hodegetria”, that is, “Guide”. As the Orthodox Church teaches, the meaning of this image is to show the path to every true Christian. Pointing to Her Son, the Mother of God reminds us of the need to follow God’s commandments and makes us think that only with Christ can we know the truth and meaning of existence and gain the Kingdom of Heaven.
What miracles did the image become famous for?
In 463, the Scythians tried to conquer the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. To prevent the capture of the city, the imperial wife brought the Bethlehem icon to it. Residents of Constantinople prayed before the sacred image day and night, after which the Most Holy Theotokos showed her help to believers. The city was saved, and the Scythians left. Such an event is usually called one of the first miracles created by the icon with the smiling Mother of God and the Child.
The icon created by a Russian master helped Princess Elizabeth Romanova recover. Being seriously ill, she prayed for a long time in front of the sacred face, thanks to which she was miraculously healed. After her recovery, the princess gained even greater faith in the Lord and made a pilgrimage to the holy land.
In the 7th century, a story took place in Bethlehem that became evidence of invaluable Divine help. The Persians captured the ancient city and desecrated the Church of the Nativity, from which they turned it into a stable. Suddenly, a huge swarm of bees appeared in the holy place, forcing the Persian army to flee. Dents in the shape of a cross were discovered on a column of the Bethlehem Temple. Over time, an icon with a smiling Mother of God was hung not far from it. Today, Christian pilgrims from all over the world arrive at the place where the miraculous cross appeared.
There is numerous evidence that at special historical moments fragrant myrrh appeared on the Bethlehem icon. This wonderful liquid, consisting of ethers of unique plants, can only come from the miraculous faces and relics of great saints. She is able to heal a person from any ailment, give inner harmony and spiritual joy.
There is a lot of evidence that the Child depicted on the Bethlehem icon of the Mother of God cried with real tears. This was perceived as a sign from above, a call to all humanity to repent of their sins and begin a righteous life pleasing to the Lord.
What do they ask for before the image?
According to church canons, the Mother of God brought the Son of God into the world, raised and mourned his death, and therefore became the mother of all Christians. The Holy Virgin is the adoptive mother and intercessor of all people before the Lord. You can turn to the saint with requests for help in any good deeds. The Bethlehem image is located in the place where Jesus was born. The face of the Virgin Mary is overshadowed by the joy of motherhood, a smile touches her lips, her eyes glow with tender tenderness. They ask the miraculous image in Bethlehem:
- about the birth of children, the gift of motherhood;
- about successful childbirth, children’s health;
- about family well-being and happiness;
- about mutual understanding between parents and children;
- about the recovery of the sick, the granting of healing;
- about protecting the family from the anger and attacks of ill-wishers;
- support in good deeds.
The main meaning of the miraculous image is contained in the name - “Hodegetria”. The Mother of God points to the child Jesus, calling Christians to follow His commandments. The icon helps to gain faith, to embark on the path of repentance and good deeds. When turning to the icon of Bethlehem with small requests, we must not forget that the Mother of God helps those who deeply believe and follow Christian laws. Simply reading prayers is not enough for the icon to reveal miraculous power; you need to believe and maintain purity of thoughts.
It is believed that the Bethlehem image patronizes mothers, helps solve family problems, and settle relationships with loved ones. Under the icon case, pilgrims leave gifts in gratitude for the help of the Mother of God and the miracles shown.
What prayers are addressed to the Bethlehem image?
The Bethlehem icon becomes a helper in many life situations. She is especially often turned to when difficulties arise in the family or difficulties in raising children. Prayers addressed to the Mother of God through Her sacred image help:
- conceive healthy offspring;
- carry the child safely;
- give birth to a baby quickly and without complications;
- restore peace and understanding to the family;
- restore love between spouses;
- find mutual understanding with your grown-up child.
Prayer before the Bethlehem icon also brings healing from gynecological diseases, pathologies of the mammary glands, and childhood diseases. The shrine helps to make the right decision when doubt arises, to choose the right path to achieving a good goal. They pray to this image in order to protect their home from ill-wishers, resist the machinations of enemies, and save themselves from the persecution of evil people.
In front of the miraculous icon, you can pronounce your own words containing a request to the Virgin Mary, gratitude for the help already received, and praise of the Queen of Heaven. The clergy read the troparion and akathist “Rejoice, Unbrided Bride” at this icon, calling for rejoicing and glorifying the smiling Mother of God.
How to pray in front of an icon
In advance, before offering the prayer service, it is necessary to cleanse not only the soul, but also the heart from various negative thoughts. And then you can offer petitionary or other prayers directed to the Lord. It is believed that people often pray in front of the shrine in a good mood, since it helps to receive gifts from the Almighty.
It is not forbidden to read the akathist to the Mother of God, which was previously written by Roman the Sweet Singer. The clergy claim that any prayer directed to the Virgin Mary will be heard in front of this image.
Prayers to the icon of the Mother of God of Bethlehem
I sing Thy grace, O Lady, I pray to Thee, my mind is filled with grace. Go right and instruct me in the path of Christ’s commandments. Strengthen your children to song, driving away despondency and sleep. Bound by the captivity of the Falls, allow me through Your prayers, Bride of God.
Preserve me in the night and in the day, delivering me to those who fight against the enemy. She who gave birth to God, the life-giver, was killed by my passions and revived. Who gave birth to the non-evening light, enlighten my blind soul. O wondrous Lady of the Palace, create for me the house of the Divine Spirit. You who gave birth to a doctor, heal my soul of many years of passion.
Worried by the storm of life, guide me towards the path of repentance. Deliver me from eternal fire, and from evil worms, and from tartar. Do not show me joy as a demon, who is guilty of many sins. Create me again, having promised to be insensible, Immaculate, without sin. Show me the strangeness of all kinds of torment, and implore the Lord to all. Heavenly grant me joy, with all the saints.
Most Holy Virgin, hear the voice of Your indecent servant. Give me a stream of tears, Most Pure One, cleansing the filth of my soul. I bring groans from my heart to You continually, be zealous to the Lady. Accept my prayer service and bring it to the blessed God. Transcending Angel, create me above the fusion of the world.
Light-bearing heavenly Seine, direct spiritual grace in me. I lift up my hand and my lips to praise, defiled by filth, O All-Immaculate One. Deliver me from the dirty tricks that are strangling me, diligently beseeching Christ, to whom honor and worship are due, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Where are the original and copies of the shrine?
The icon, created on the initiative of the Romanov family, still resides in the holy land in Bethlehem. The relic is located in the Church of the Nativity of Christ - the most revered Christian temple, built on the site of the cave in which the Savior was born. This shrine periodically arrives in different parts of the planet, where every Christian can worship it. Lists of the miraculous image are available in many Orthodox churches in Russia, Ukraine and other countries in which Orthodoxy is the main religion.
