When is the feast of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God: dates
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria
Orthodox Christians who cry out for help to this shrine receive grace. Many miracles have been recorded that occurred from this icon.
- One of the biggest was getting rid of an enemy attack near Smolensk in 1239.
- Residents of the city began to pray to the Mother of God when they saw the enemy hordes at the city gates and realized that inevitable death awaited them.
- Their call reached the Mother of God and she gave salvation to all people through the faithful warrior Mercury, who defeated Batu’s army.
After such a victory and the deliverance of people from enemy forces, the holiday of veneration of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God appeared - August 10 . Also, this Holy image of the Mother of God is venerated on November 18 and December 7 .
Prayer
O Most Wonderful and Above All Creatures Queen Theotokos, Mother of the Heavenly King Christ our God, Most Holy Hodegetria Mary! Hear us, sinners and unworthy, who at this hour pray to You with sighs and tears before Your most pure image, falling down and tenderly saying: Lead us from the pit of passions, O good Hodegetria, deliver us from all sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all misfortune and evil. slander, and from the unrighteous slander of the enemy: you can, O our Gracious Mother, save Your people from all evil, and provide and save with every good deed, for You have other Representatives in troubles and circumstances and warm Intercessors for us, sinners, to Your Son , Christ our God, not imams, implored Him, the Lady, to save us and grant us the Kingdom of Heaven, so that through Your salvation we glorify You in the future, as the Author of our salvation, and we extol the all-holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity Glorified and worshiped God forever and ever. Amen.
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria: where is it located?
List of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria in the temple
The history of the icon with the face of the Mother of God Hodegetria is very interesting.
- She disappeared from the church in the Smolensk province many times, but always returned.
- Information about the location of the prototype was cut off in 1943, when German occupiers came to the Smolensk region. The face has disappeared, and it is still unknown where it is.
- In the place where it used to be - in the Smolensk Cathedral, there is a copy of the famous icon of the mid-16th century. In terms of the number of miracles, it is not inferior to the prototype.
- People constantly go to this temple to join the list.
Residents of Smolensk believe that the moment will definitely come when the prototype will reveal itself from some private hiding place and return to its original place.
The history of the miraculous image of the Smolensk Mother of God
This icon was created by the holy evangelist Luke during the life of the mother of Jesus, Mary. Since that time, it has remained the most revered icon in the Orthodox Church. At first it was kept in Constantinople in the Blachernae Monastery. Since 988, the image of the Mother of God has always been on the lands of Rus'.
Today, many pilgrims come to the icon every day. People turn to the Mother of God with requests for everything, because modern man, unfortunately, has a lot of everyday problems.
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria: what does it help with?
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria
The Mother of God Hodegetria is revered as the defender of peace and health. They pray to her face for the following needs:
- Protection from war
- Hello to those who are fighting
- Saving from serious illnesses
- Saving the family, because family ties are also a separate small state that needs a patron
- About travelers who went on a business trip or work
This face of the Blessed Virgin Mary protects the house from evil people. If there is such an icon in the home, then unexpected guests will not come, and enemies will avoid it.
The meaning of the icon in Orthodoxy
The Hodegetria icon is one of the most impressive and ancient images dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos holding the infant Christ in her arms.
The beautiful name is actually the Greek word “Οδηγήτρια”, which translates as “She who shows the way.” Legend says that the prototype was written by the Apostle Luke himself, the author of the third Gospel. The center of the Hodegetria composition is the infant Christ. In His left hand He holds a scroll, and His right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing. Therefore, the meaning of the icon is to show the coming to the earthly world of the Heavenly King, who will judge all those living in it. The Mother of God herself points with her right hand to the Divine Child, showing whom believers should worship and offer prayers to. That is, the Blessed Virgin, as it were, shows people the path to the true God and to salvation, which perfectly corresponds to the name “Hodegetria”.
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God - what they pray for: texts of prayers
You need to pray to the Smolensk Icon in the morning and evening, especially if you are asking for someone close to you. What should you ask for? Here are the texts of the correct prayer words:
Prayer to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God
If you want to go to another city, abroad, as a tourist or on business, and you want to ask the Mother of God for protection, say these words:
Prayer to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God
Second prayer
To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Lady Lady Theotokos, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, O Immaculate One, the hope of Christians and refuge for sinners? Incline, O Most Pure Lady, Your ear to my prayer. Mother of my God, do not despise me, requiring Your help, hear my groaning and inspire the cry of my heart, O Lady Theotokos Queen. And give me spiritual joy, strengthen me, who is impatient, sad and careless towards Your praise. Enlighten and teach me how You should pray, and do not leave me, the Mother of my God, for my grumbling and impatience, but be my protection and intercession in my life and lead me to the quiet haven of blessed peace, and count me to your face Thy chosen flock and there deign me to sing and glorify Thee forever. Amen.
Troparion, tone 4
Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams.
Kontakion, tone 6
The intercession of Christians is not shameful, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call upon Thee: hasten to prayer and strive to supplicate, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.
Akathist to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria: text of prayer
Akathist to the Smolensk Icon are strong prayer words that help to heal, protect yourself from attacks from enemies and receive grace on your journey. Here is the text of the song of praise:
Kontakion 1 Ikos 1
Kontakion 2 Ikos 2
Kontakion 3 Ikos 3
Kontakion 4 Ikos 4
Kontakion 5 Ikos 5
Kontakion 6 Ikos 6
Kontakion 7 Ikos 7
Kontakion 8 Ikos 8
Kontakion 9 Ikos 9
Kontakion 10 Ikos 10
Kontakion 11 Ikos 11
Kontakion 12 Ikos 12
Kontakion 13
Pray to the face of the Smolensk Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary when you need to protect yourself and your family on a trip, at home or in a foreign city. Prayers help and miracles happen! The Lord is always with you!
Akathist
Date of publication: March 23, 2016. Category: news.
Akathist to Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos in honor of the miraculous icon of Her "Hodegetria" ("Guide") of Belograd, glorified on October 15, 1703
KONDAC 1
Chosen from all the generations of Heavenly and earthly Queen, the Most Holy Theotokos Hodegetria, as having been delivered from the darkness of eternal death, by the grace of You who was born of Christ, our God, and by Your Mother's intercession before Him, we offer a song of thanksgiving to You, Your servants. You, our All-Merciful Mentor, awaken us from the heavy, choking sleep and guide us to the Kingdom of the Highest, so we call You:
Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
IKOS 1
With the Archangel's voice, the Most Pure Lady, inspired and faithful, enlightens us to this day. With the radiant appearance of Your icon, the military city of Belograd shone and streams of miracles flowed from it abundantly, filling you with spiritual joys, so that with one heart and lips we would sing to You:
Rejoice, overshadowed by God the Father with favor; Rejoice, Blessed Mother of God the Son; Rejoice, incorruptible Abode of God the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, Trinitarian Mystery Messenger revealed to the world; Rejoice, face of angelic surprise; Rejoice, Glorification of the human race; Rejoice, Reconciler of those above and those below; Rejoice, Thou who hast dissolved the gates of paradise to the earth-born; Rejoice, Ladder, who united earthly and heavenly; Rejoice, Stamno, God-receiving, wonderful; Rejoice, Unburnt Kupino; Rejoice, Trapezo, praised by the whole universe; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 2
Seeing Methodius the warrior, guarding the gates of Belograd, a wonderful light, like the sun, suddenly shining at midnight from the Hodegetria icon, and a wax light in the air, kindled by that light, with fear and trembling he cried out to Christ the Savior: Hallelujah!
ICOS 2
Knowing Your will with your mind, Queen of Heaven, and thrice trying to extinguish the candle that flared up from the wonderful appearance of Your icon, Methodius the guardian fell on his knees, praying before her until the morning hour and, marveling at the miracle, announced this to his friends, saying: “Be of good cheer! Behold, the Mother of our God is with us!” For this reason, thanking Thee, Most Blessed Lady, for Thy Most Pure Image Thou hast bestowed upon us for enlightenment and consolation, we sing to Thee with great voice:
Rejoice, Queen of those above and below; Rejoice, Lady of angels and men; Rejoice, you who brought peace to the world; Rejoice, destruction of ancient oaths; Rejoice, highest summit of virginity; Rejoice, deepest Valley of humility; Rejoice, illuminating the world with the Sun of Truth; Rejoice, shining with Divine glory; Rejoice, Mother of the Eternal Light of the Never-Evening; Rejoice, Paradise of spiritual and heartfelt sweetness; Rejoice, Vertograd, planted by God; Rejoice, living Throne, established for ever and ever; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 3
By the power of all-conquering inspiration, the people of Belograd, having heard about the wondrous illumination of Your honorable Face, Lady, shining on the tower above the gate, filled with fear and trembling, fell to Your icon, the Mother of God. Likewise, from the depths of our souls in repentance we cry out to the God who glorified You: Hallelujah!
ICOS 3
Having You, Belograd, is truly the Sovereign Ruler, the Mother of God, always teaching with a miraculous sign that it is worthy to venerate Your most pure image, You gave help and consolation to the people of Belograd. We also pray to Thee, O Most Blessed One: just as Thou didst marvelously enlighten our city in ancient times, so too, visit us, unworthy, and save us from eternal destruction by Thy intercession before Christ God, and, like all others, we please Thee, crying out:
Rejoice, strong fence of Belograd; Rejoice, blessed Revival of the Smolensk Church; Rejoice, overcoming sinful passions; Rejoice, shame on the enemies of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, O leader of the soldiers of Christ to victory; Rejoice, Helper and Patroness in troubles; Rejoice, zealous Intercessor of those who flow to You; Rejoice, Glory to the preachers who never cease preaching; Rejoice, Guardian of husbands and wives in marriage; Rejoice, O youths and virgins of purity, Teacher; Rejoice, for the Pillar of Fire, dispelling the darkness of sins; Rejoice, as the Pillar of Cloud, quenching the flame of passions; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 4
Overcome by a storm of severe illness of relaxation, a certain wife Catherine, having heard about the wonderful glorification of Your Smolensk Icon, after the priests honestly carried it from the city gates and tearful prayer singing in her house before Your image, received a speedy healing, and all the people who were there came to know it, for You are truly a merciful Healer, glorifying Your mercies and miracles, hastening to God who saves You: Hallelujah!
ICOS 4
Having heard about Your glorious miracles, O Virgin Mother of God, revealed from Your icon in Belograd, we are perplexed as to how this icon, beautifully adorned by the care of the merchant Semizorov, after the repose of that benefactor to the Lord, remained in oblivion on the walls of the city, and shone with the Divine light and many who were lost in the vanity of the world according to Your will I have illuminated; So, Lady, direct our feet on the path of fulfilling the commandments of Christ and teach us to do the holy will of Your Son and our God, so that we call Tisitse:
Rejoice, Holy Inextinguishable One; Rejoice, Unstoppable Star; Rejoice, Shining with the Divine light; Rejoice, Enlightening the souls of the faithful with grace; Rejoice, Fragrance of the Peace of Christ; Rejoice, who praises every breath according to the Lord; Rejoice, Chalice, drawing joy to the whole world; Rejoice, Source, pouring out eternal sweetness; Rejoice, adorned Palace of the King of Kings; Rejoice, pure flame, kindled by the God of gods; Rejoice, Beauty, reddest of Paradise; Rejoice, Zarnitsa, brightest morning; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 5
Illuminated by the God-bearing Heavenly Star, the honest wife Mary, received news of her husband on his journey, not having and for this reason, grieving and crying for him, receive instruction three times in a dream with the voice of the Divine. From there, having conquered unbelief by living faith and having placed all your trust in You, you went to the gates of Belograd and, taking Your honorable icon “Hodegetria”, brought it with your friend to your house and prayed before it, received quick and joyful news about your husband and thanked You from the heart bring it. In the same way, we thank Thee, O All-Merciful Lady, and sing in Trinity to the glorified God: Hallelujah!
ICOS 5
Having seen Your glorious intercession of the city of Smolensk, Most Pure Lady, we glorify Your great mercy, by which You saved our city from many troubles and misfortunes, when You sent the saint of Christ Mercury with the voice of Your icon to single combat with the leader of the army of Hagaryan Batyeva at the Belograd borders, You have strengthened us for the defense of the Russian Fatherland and crowned us with glorious victories; with Your omnipotent Heavenly prayers You have granted us on earth the dignity to cry out to You:
Rejoice, you who inspired the martyr of Christ Mercury to feat of arms; Rejoice, You who showed a miracle to the warrior Methodius from Your holy icon; Rejoice, as you crowned David over Goliath with victory over his unbelief; Rejoice, O Thou who has omnipotently defended our White City many times; Rejoice, Deliverer of Your earthly inheritance from destruction; Rejoice, you who extricate you from captivity and slavery; Rejoice, Russian countries, blessed Consolation; Rejoice, splendid Decoration of the Smolensk Temple; Rejoice, O thou who maketh the souls of those who love Thee glad with eternal joy; Rejoice, Quenching the sorrows of the heart; Rejoice, marvelous Healing for those who are sick; Rejoice, strong encouragement to those who are discouraged; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 6
The Russian country preaches Thy mercy and miracles, the Most Pure Virgin Mary, and Holy Belogoria is brightly flaunted, having in the Smolensk church Your miraculous icon, with which You heal all kinds of illnesses and grant health to the sick. For this reason, we reverently venerate Your whole-bearing image, O Most Blessed Lady, and, worshiping it, as a sign of Your favor towards us, we sing through You and through You to God who saves and heals: Hallelujah!
ICOS 6
Having shone with a supernatural light in Belograd, Your icon “Hodegetria” glorified this place, where a magnificent temple was built, named Smolensk, in which Your image, the Most Pure Lady, remains to this day. To him in the centuries past, our pious fathers flowed in sorrows, illnesses and all kinds of needs and found all the petitions for salvation. Following them, and now we flow to You and with love, Your miraculous image reverently kissing, we pray: quench our sorrows, heal our illnesses, let us call to You:
Rejoice, Strengthening the elders in weakness; Rejoice, widow Intercession; Rejoice, you who alleviate the suffering of the orphans; Hail Babies Raising; Rejoice, Elevation of the Poor; Rejoice, liberation of the captives; Rejoice, consolation of those who mourn; Rejoice, Pillar and Establishment of virginity; Rejoice, Patroness of monks; Rejoice, nuns, Teacher and Manager; Rejoice, fasters and ascetics Strengthening; Rejoice, admonition of those who live in the world for piety; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 7
Desiring to bestow upon Belograd, as the Life-Giving Source, inexhaustible Grace from Thy holy icon, O All-Merciful Lady, Thou didst deign to carry this icon throughout the hundred squares of the city and to glorify many miracles. When, through the prayers of Your faithful children, you mysteriously return to this earthly house with a glorious image, then at every place of Your procession you subdue sinful passions, pacify the machinations of demons, heal those suffering from severe ailments with the overshadowing of Your miraculous icon, before it we too with faith and love We sing a silent song to God: Hallelujah!
ICOS 7
New sacred songs are composed, along with them, ancient hymns are sung, three centuries later and now in Belograd, the Smolensk Church reverently preserves and honors the holy likeness of Your miraculous icon “Hodegetria”, exuding abundant mercy to the faithful. Under her shadow, as under Your gracious Cover, you console Orthodox people, strengthen them in the labors of fasting and prayer, inspiring you to constantly glorify the Mother of Your generosity and sing in gratitude to You:
Rejoice, beloved Queen of God; Rejoice, O Lady who loved God; Rejoice, One Blessed One among women; Rejoice, Inspired by the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, heavenly rejoicing; Rejoice, earthly Hope; Rejoice, defeat of demons; Rejoice, hella Destruction; Rejoice, strengthened by the power of the Most High; Rejoice, Queen of heaven and earth, invested with power; Rejoice, O giver of victory for the flesh of those who fight; Rejoice, those who strive in fasting and silence to the Representative, Rejoice, Hodegetria, Praise and Hope of Saint Belogorie!
KONDAC 8
A wanderer for himself, existing in the world, thinking, the zealous intercessor of the land of Belograd - St. Joasaph to your icon "Hodegetria", as if to a source of healing, falling, joy and strengthening of spiritual and physical strength from it. For the region of Belograd, praying with diligence and vigilant prayer before Your honorable image, the holy martyrs Nicodemus, Onuphrius and Anthony, together with the face of the new martyrs and confessors of Belograd, truly found Your Motherly love and omnipotent strengthening in suffering, and now we, protected by Your Protection, cry out to God: Hallelujah !
ICOS 8
With all the bright rays of Your miracles, O Virgin Mother of God, you graciously enlighten us and from Your holy icon “Hodegetria” you grant spiritual and physical strengthening to the saint of God. To us, sinners, who are in need of healing, give us inexhaustible healing from it, and with praise and thanksgiving, we call to You:
Rejoice, Thy icon “Hodegetria” shining inextinguishably over Holy Belogorye; Rejoice, Holy Father, zealous prayer book for our land, Who extends Your holy Protection throughout all ages; Rejoice, You who strengthened Saint Joasaph in his service and labor; Rejoice, you who inspired Metropolitan Macarius in theology; Rejoice, You who blessed Archbishop Nathanael on the path of service; Rejoice, our land has been revealed to Archbishop Theoktistus as a field for the works of enlightenment; Rejoice, Thou Who glorified the Hieromartyrs Nicodemus and Anthony in their labors of confession; Rejoice, you who did not leave monasteries and temples with protection and care; Rejoice, Thou Who bestowest Thy holy help to all zealots of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, to all those who are offended, as the Intercessor who appears; Rejoice, Eternal Hope of those who do not hope; Rejoice, O joy of the sad hearts; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 9
Overwhelmed by all sorts of temptations and sorrows, we are wanderers on earth. You, the One Intercessor, like an unquenchable star, illuminate our path and disperse spiritual darkness. We remember and confess, O Lady, Your intercession, when great darkness fell on Holy Rus' and poured out reproach against the Orthodox faith. Then You erected Your holy “Hodegetria” icon, like a light burning on a candlestick, and, having strengthened the faithful, You gave them hope for a glorious victory through Your intercession to the Son and God, to Him we sing: Hallelujah!
ICOS 9
These superstitious twits have poured out their lying words in vain against the Orthodox Church. We, enlightened by the knowledge of God, constantly sing praise to Your image “Hodegetria,” knowing that this praise, given to the image, ascends to the Prototype.
But you, good Mother, accept our faith and zeal, for you weigh our love, with which our hearts blaze, and mercifully hear in the simplicity of your soul these praises offered up:
Rejoice, Receiver of all kinds of blessings; Rejoice, you who take away the sorrows and sorrows of the world; Rejoice, clothed in robes of gold; Rejoice, Virgin, foretold by the prophets; Rejoice, shining Tablet of God the Word; Rejoice, Abode, Inconceivable Abode; Rejoice, Thou who reignest forever by the favor of the Son; Rejoice, Thou who bestowest all things for the salvation of men; Rejoice, you who incline Heaven to the prayers of the faithful; Rejoice, Thou who unites all things with Divine Love; Rejoice, Kupino, revealed in the Heavenly flame; Rejoice, Goro, glorified by the descent of God; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 10
We want to save Your Hodegetria icon from desecration, in the days of fierce persecution, when Orthodox churches are desecrated and destroyed by the atheists, the archpastor, shepherd, monastics and worldly children of the Church are tortured and killed from the tormentors, the people of Belograd, Your image, as a great shrine, in in the homes of our secrets, we have hidden our trust in You, the only Intercessor in troubles and sorrows, and we, with the help of God, having escaped new spiritual darkness through Your intercession, may be honored to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, singing in eternal joy to the lover of mankind: Hallelujah!
ICOS 10
You are the invincible wall of the Orthodox faith, the omnipotent champion of the zealot, the treasure of chastity and purity, we pray to Thee: cleanse us from mental and physical defilement, adorn our souls with chastity and purity, so that we remain unharmed from all the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil, we will be worthy to please Thee with songs as follows:
Rejoice, Accuser of the enemies of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, fearsome Sacrifice of God-fighters and regicides; Rejoice, in the days of persecution, Intercessor of all who trust in You; Rejoice, O prayer book for all those who remain in malice and spiritual darkness; Rejoice, you who do not know what they are doing, you who admonish; Rejoice, You who provide care for widows and orphans; Rejoice, Predator of the defenders of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, Comforter of those who suffer slander and disgrace; Rejoice, O Liberator of those in exile and captivity; Rejoice, prisoners for the faith of the Patroness; Rejoice, Judge of the Righteous Supplication; Rejoice, reconciliation of sinners with God; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 11
You accept our singing, in our sorrowful and restless journey on earth, you console and strengthen us, Mother of God, with Your maternal care, and in times of troubles and circumstances you show salvation and help. We remember and glorify Your intercession, Lady, when foreign troops attacked our Fatherland and Belograd, like many cities and villages, captured and destroyed. Then You invisibly gave Your help from Heaven to the Russian army, through prayerful intercession to Your Son and God, to Him we sing: Hallelujah!
IKOS 11
Thou art the most luminous, light-receiving Holy One, radiating mercy and generosity, the All-Blessed Mother of God, and thou hast shown help and intercession to the Russian army many times and in many ways. You drove away the foreign army with dishonor from the city of Moscow. For those who have no hope of salvation for us, as Belograd was captured and destroyed, Your icon “Hodegetria”, in the darkness of death, with the rays of life marvelously shining, illuminated the path to liberation and Victory. Your intercession is always memorable and majestic; we sing praises to You:
Rejoice, Our Fatherland has wonderfully liberated us from the invasion of foreigners; Rejoice, by Your power You have turned murderers and robbers to flight with dishonor; Rejoice, O omnipotent host of the enemy, Victorious! Rejoice, leader of the Russian army; Rejoice, you who inspired warriors to fight with the power from above; Rejoice, O Thou Who marvelously revealed Thy image over the Prokhorov battlefield; Rejoice, Thou who invisibly strengthened those who were exhausted in battle; Rejoice, Thou who instilled hope of salvation in the battle for the faith and the Fatherland; Rejoice, wonderful Ladder, the souls of the slain warriors ascend from earth to Heaven; Rejoice, consolation to mothers and widows in sorrow; Rejoice, weeping orphans Intercession; Rejoice, Thou who grantest shelter to the destitute under Thy roof; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 12
The grace of God is poured out in miracles, gloriously revealed from Your holy image, Most Blessed Virgin Mary, enlighten our souls, dispelling the darkness of sin with the radiance of the Sun of Truth - Christ, so that with Your holy help we will overcome the abyss of demonic passions and temptations, now, as before, on those who attack us, and let us live this temporary life in all piety and purity and be worthy to receive eternal bliss and sing to God with the elect: Hallelujah!
ICOS 12
Singing Your miracles revealed in Belograd, we pray to You, Hodegetria the Lady: do not turn Your holy face away from our country, when heretics and apostates attack the Fatherland and the Orthodox Church in multitudes and invent and carry out various machinations. We, falling before Thy miraculous icon, pray to Thee with faith, hope and love: be for us a good Guide to the bright city - Heavenly Jerusalem, and having conquered all temptations, together with the saints we will sing to Thee:
Rejoice, our Eternal Queen; Rejoice, joy of our hearts; Rejoice, at the Cross of Your Son You gave birth to the Christian race; Rejoice, you who inspired us to bear the cross; Rejoice, you who guide those who are lost in this world to a quiet haven; Rejoice, in the days of difficult trials, You alone show us the hope of salvation; Rejoice, you who wonderfully fulfill our good desires; Rejoice, all who arrange for our salvation; Rejoice, Sanctifying the Russian country with Your Protection; Rejoice, protecting holy Belograd with grace from Your icon; Rejoice, Thou who teachest the purity of the Orthodox faith; Rejoice, uniting people in prayer before Your image; Rejoice, Hodegetria, Holy Belogoria Praise and Hope!
KONDAC 13
Oh, all-sung Mother, Queen of the All-Merciful Hodegetria! Anciently over Belograd, Your icon miraculously shone in the night to enlighten darkened souls, and now do not despise our prayers, but be our Guide and pray to Your Son and our God, may He have mercy on us, sinners and unworthy, and by Your omnipotent intercession will deliver us from condemnation and eternal torment, will make you worthy to achieve the Kingdom of Heaven and there with the angels and faces of the saints sing to God: Hallelujah!
(This kontakion is spoken three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
PRAYER
Oh, Most Holy Queen, Mother of Christ our God, who embraces everyone with Your love, Most Pure Mother of God Mary!
Accept this prayer of ours, truly with one mouth and one heart, now offered to You with tenderness and hope.
We believe, just as in ancient times, over Belograd in the autumn night, Your bright icon shone miraculously, the spiritual darkness of oblivion and lack of faith enlightened the spiritual darkness of oblivion and lack of faith with the pure rays of Your image and awakened the souls of people from the heavy sleep of sin, and so now we, sinners, wandering in the vanity of the world, with Your light You shine with grace and bring forth from the pit of passions, our Guide, showing the only path to salvation.
Seeing now, Queen of Heaven, like destructive waves rushing towards our country, threatening to engulf it in the abyss of godlessness and passions, we pray to Thee, Lady: do not leave us and our children, in mental and physical weaknesses, without Thy help. Pray, Most Holy Lady, Your Son, Christ our God, to make us worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. For this reason, we glorify Thee, Hodegetria, as the Guide to our salvation.
Into the magnificent temple, named Smolensk from Your icon, where Your image was wondrously glorified in ancient times and now remains, entering reverently, we will continually, overshadowed by Your grace-filled Protection, praise and extol the holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the One Trinity, Glorified and worshiped God, forever and ever. Amen.
Seal
Path of the Shrine
The main idea of this face is the coming of the Son of God into our world. His image is considered the incarnation of the Lord for the salvation of people. In the image of a small baby they put the face of the Coming Judge and the Heavenly King. The gesture of the right hand of the Mother of God can be interpreted not only as a prayer, but also that it points to the image to which our prayers and thoughts should be directed.
This icon traveled for a long time until it fell into the hands of Vsevolod Yaroslavovich. He got it when he married Anna, daughter of Constantine IX Monomakh. He blessed her on her journey with this icon. After the death of Vsevolod, it passed to his son Vladimir.
In the 12th century he moved it to the Smolensk Cathedral Church. It was named in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was from that time that it received its name, the Smolensk Icon. But during the Second Great Patriotic War, this icon disappeared without a trace. And now there are lists of her in all churches.
The celebration of the Holy Face of the Mother of God is set for July 28.
