The Most Holy Theotokos is the mother not only of Jesus Christ, but also of all life on Earth. And if the suffering of our Creator is already in the past, then the Mother of God continues to suffer, looking at how her children daily compete with each other, kill, steal, and wish evil. The icon “Softening Evil Hearts” clearly shows us her pain: the Queen of Heaven is pierced by arrows - three on each side and one from below.
In Orthodoxy, the number 7 is usually associated with the completeness of something. In this case, it is the fullness of mental anguish, pain, grief and sadness. Looking at this image, everyone will have a feeling of compassion, and at this moment the main thing is to realize that now we bring this pain to the Mother of God by living our lives in sin.
History and significance
The exact time and place of origin of the icon is unknown. She was first found by soldiers during the Second World War on the right bank of the Don, in a destroyed house, and handed over to a clergyman. In 1943, during a retreat, the priest took the face to his house in Venice. Later, a special chapel was built there, which is now often visited by pilgrims. There is an image very similar to the icon “Softening Evil Hearts” - “Seven Shot”. It also depicts the Mother of God, pierced by seven arrows. The difference is in their location: three on one side and four on the other side. This difference is due to the place of their origin, but in both cases the arrows represent our sins:
- pride,
- envy,
- gluttony,
- fornication,
- anger,
- greed,
- despondency.
One farmer from Vologda suffered from a leg ailment, which made it very difficult for him to walk. He had a vision: he was told to climb the bell tower of the church in the name of John the Theologian, find the image of the Mother of God and read a prayer on it. While climbing the stairs, the man found a face under his feet, as one of the steps was made of it. The clergy took out the icon and placed it in the church, and the peasant, after praying, regained health. In May 2002, in the Vologda region in Ukhtomka, the construction of a temple was completed, which was consecrated in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts.”
The meaning of the image lies in the call for all people to be kinder, more merciful, more tolerant of the anger of others, and this can only be achieved through repentance. The arrows depicted on the canvas help us understand how wrong we are in our sins, evoking a feeling of compassion and regret for our actions.
Yokos d7
After we pass through the entire2 galley, including on the streets and 5x, we preach the third message to all people : and3 from 3 rumors throughout the whole world, and 3 led to it by a large number of various ailments and 3 passions 2 Hold 1 ours and 3 demons, and 3 relaxed, and 3 and 3 stronger and 5x. The same, mi b9iz, leading the trials, grieved with my heart, knowing that soon the hour would come, when your son would sacrifice himself for the sins of the world. We also bless you, the long-suffering one, we cry: Please, you are ready to serve the Jewish people. Rejoice, grieve with your heart, but rejoice in your heart. Rejoice, mjrb t pot0pa sin0vnagw savedz. Please, head of the ancient times. Rejoice, you brought yourself as a living sacrifice. Rejoice, be with you, blessed one. Rejoice, multi-sorrowful mi b9iz, transforming our sadness into joy.
Prayer Rules
“Softening Evil Hearts” is a very powerful prayer to the Holy Virgin Mary. You can pray both at home and in church. The main thing is that your request for help is sincere and your thoughts are pure. Before the prayer service, it is advisable to make peace with the people with whom you were in a quarrel. You should not pray, as people say, “for show” - it will not give results.
Prayer is an invisible rope that connects a person with the Lord, allowing him to be heard by the Almighty. Appeals must come from the heart, be sincere and unfeigned.
Priests recommend adhering to the following order of communication with God:
- glorification of the Almighty;
- thanksgiving for everything you have;
- Repentance for sinful actions;
- asking for something.
Before the face of the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts” they pray:
- about your enemies;
- on mitigating hostile relations;
- about giving mercy.
Where should the Seven-Arrow Icon be hung in the house?
There is no official word anywhere about the correct placement of the image in the house.
But it is very important to respect such a sacred thing
If you have small children in the house, you can hang the image in their bedroom. Very often the icon is placed above the front door as a talisman against the evil intentions of other people. The image can coexist with images of other Orthodox saints, but not with photographs of people.
It is advisable that the area around the image be free of mirrors, paintings, interior items and household items. You can place the icon on walls or shelves, but you cannot place it on the floor, on a chair, or hang it on a window frame.
Silver pendants “The Mother of God of the Seven Shots” in the Sunlight catalog
It is strictly forbidden to place the image next to objects of various cults, for example, Buddha figurines, dream catchers, masks, and so on.
To properly hang an icon in an apartment, you need to take into account the following nuances:
- According to ancient tradition, prayer must be done while looking east. Therefore, the image must be placed so that it is convenient to turn in this direction.
- The icon should hang in a place where it will be convenient to clean. The glass on it must not be allowed to gather dust or become covered with cobwebs.
- Ideally, the image should be in a specially designated corner.
- It is also recommended to cover the icon with a towel.
Opposite the Seven-Arrow Icon, other images of Orthodox saints or the Mother of God herself are hung
It is important that they are canonical, there are no other rules
What to ask for
Prayers to this image of the Mother of God help to calm those at war, settle quarrels, and bring mutual understanding, peace and tranquility to the house. During wars and persecutions, they pray to her for the reconciliation of the parties.
First prayer service
Second prayer service
Greatness
“Softening Evil Hearts” (“Simeon’s Prophecy”)
The Icon of the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts” is also called “Simeon’s Prophecy.” As the holy evangelist Luke narrates, the righteous elder Simeon the God-Receiver “... was predicted by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he saw Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:26). And so, when the parents, on the fortieth day after the birth of the Baby, brought Him to the temple, Simeon also came there “by inspiration,” took the Baby in his arms (hence the name “Receiver of God”) and uttered the famous words with which every Vespers service has ended since then and known as the Prayer of St. Simeon the God-Receiver: “Now, O Master, you release Thy servant, according to Thy word, in peace...” (Luke 2:29) Then he blessed St. Joseph and the Most Pure Mother of the Savior and turned to Mary with the same Simeon’s prophecy: “Behold, this One is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for the sake of controversy, and a weapon will pierce Your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35). Just as Christ is pierced with nails and a spear, so the soul of the Most Pure Virgin will be struck by a certain “weapon” of sadness and heartache when She sees the suffering of Her Son; after that, the hidden thoughts of people who will have to make a choice will be revealed: they are with Christ or against Him. This interpretation of Simeon’s prophecy became the subject of several “symbolic” icons of the Virgin Mary.
We advise you to study Congratulations on Palm Sunday in prose
Usually the icon depicts the Mother of God, whose heart is pierced by seven swords - three on the right and left and one on the bottom. The number “seven” in the Holy Scripture means the “fullness” of something, in this case - the fullness of all the grief, “sadness and heart disease” that the Blessed Virgin suffered in Her earthly life.
The “Seven Arrow” icon of the Mother of God also has a similar image. The only difference is that the swords that pierced the heart of the Mother of God are located on her slightly differently - three on one side and four on the other side. The celebration of this icon takes place on August 13th, while the celebration of the “Softening Evil Hearts” icon occurs on All Saints Sunday.
Lyrics
Some prayers have a translation into Russian, although clergy say that it is better to communicate with God through Church Slavonic, explaining that this betrays a special atmosphere, and that it is impossible to make an exact translation. But if you have forgotten or don’t know prayers at all, you can address the Savior in your own words or read the words of the prayer in Russian. The main thing is that it is sincere, with pure intentions.
To save the text to your computer, download the picture and print it, as described in this instruction.
Text in Russian
Canons and akathists
A canon in Orthodoxy is called either some rule (law) or a chant aimed at glorifying the Saint.
Akathist is the text of church hymns in which God, the Mother of God and the saints are sung and glorified.
In total there are 56 canons to the Mother of God. Two stand out in particular:
- penitential,
- prayer room
It is believed that with the help of the first, sins are removed, and the second helps to get rid of grief, sadness and despondency.
Canon of Repentance, Tone 6
Song 1
Song 3
Song 4
Song 5
Song 6
Song 7
Song 8
Song 9
Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, Tone 8
Song 1
Song 3
Song 4
Song 5
Song 6
Song 7
Song 8
Song 9
Troparion
A troparion in the Orthodox Church is a small prayer chant that reveals the essence of the holiday or glorifies the saints.
Kontakion
Kontakion is a poetic and narrative sermon dedicated to some holiday or saint.
Ikos
Ikos is the name for Orthodox prayer singing, which praises and glorifies a saint or church event, and is part of the akathist.
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
How to pray correctly
The following actions contribute to the fulfillment of the request to the Mother of God:
- a candle placed for health in front of the icon of the Most Pure Virgin;
- prayer in church in front of the icon of the Savior;
- offering prayers at home with a church candle.
A candle purchased in the church is placed in front of the home “Seven Arrow” icon, lit and a prayer is read.
For prayer in the church, seven candles are placed in front of the icon of Our Lady of Seven Reels.
Troparion
“Soften our evil hearts, Mother of God, and extinguish the misfortunes of those who hate us, and resolve all the tightness of our souls. Looking at Your holy image, we are touched by Your suffering and mercy for us and we kiss Your wounds, but we are horrified by our arrows, tormenting You. Do not let us, merciful Mother, perish in our hard-heartedness and from the hard-heartedness of our neighbors, for You are truly the Softener of evil hearts.”
Prayer
“O long-suffering Mother of God, Higher than all the daughters of the earth, in Your purity and in the multitude of sufferings You have brought to the earth, accept our much-painful sighs and keep us under the shelter of Your mercy. Do You know of no other refuge and warm intercession, but, since You have the boldness to be born of You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we may without stumbling reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where with all the saints we will sing praises to the One God in the Trinity, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen".
Akathist
The chant praises the Most Holy Theotokos. The words contain requests for reconciliation with relatives, protection from family and social strife, and recovery from mental and physical illnesses.
Rules for reading the akathist:
- in the morning, with a clear head, before breakfast;
- out loud, facing the East;
- in front of the icon, it is possible without the holy face before your eyes;
- from a prayer book or by heart.
Repeated text will gradually become memorized. There is no need to memorize it. The Akathist to the Seven-Shot Mother of God includes 13 kontakia and 12 ikos. The 13th kontakion must be read 3 times, then the 1st ikos and the 1st kontakion. The prayer appeal is read for forty days in a row.
Canon
The church hymn includes 8 songs. In this case, the first is followed by the third. The Canon of the Most Holy Theotokos is included in morning and evening cell prayer, that is, at home.
Kontakion
“To the chosen Virgin Mary, above all the daughters of the earth, the Mother of the Son of God, who gave Him the salvation of the world, we cry with tenderness: look at our many-sorrowful life, remember the sorrows and illnesses that you endured, like our earthly-born, and do with us according to Your mercy , let us call You: Rejoice, much-sorrowful Mother of God, transforming our sorrow into joy.”
Reviews
It is difficult to talk about Orthodox prayers in the context of reviews. God is merciful, and the saints are invariably ready to assist if you come for help with faith in your soul. People who turned to the image of the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts” say that while reading, a rethinking of life came to them, they began to understand their sins and over time their lives changed for the better. Even just approaching her face in church, you feel a special warmth.
One ordinary family, who previously lived in the city of Moscow, acquired the icon “Softening Evil Hearts”, and it began to flow myrrh, and in tragic moments happening in the world (flooded Kursk, Nord-Ost, terrorist attack in Beslan), it bled: red drops that remained on the cotton wool when wiped. It began to stream myrrh in the late nineties, and this happens to it all the time, but it does not lose its appearance or deteriorate.
Now this shrine is located in the Moscow region, a chapel was built in its honor, and the icon is constantly taken to hospitals and prisons. Cases of healing of seriously ill patients have been recorded. In one of the districts of Moscow - Konkovo - a temple was built in honor of this face of the Mother of God.
Kontakion 12
Give us grace, O All-Merciful Savior, by giving up Your spirit on the Cross and tearing up the handwriting of our sins. “Behold, my sweet light, my good hope and life, my God, you were extinguished on the Cross,” the Virgin, lamenting, said. Trying, Joseph, to approach Pilate and ask him to take down his wounded Teacher from the tree: “Give me this strange thing, who has no place to lay his head.” The Mother of God, having seen Her unglorious Son, naked on the tree, cried out: “Woe is Me, My Child, woe is Me, My light, pass through My soul as a weapon according to the words of the righteous elder Simeon.” We, the Most Pure Virgin with compassion, cry out to God: Alleluia.
Second prayer
O who will not please Thee, O Blessed Virgin, who will not sing of Thy mercy towards the human race. We pray to you, we ask you: do not leave us, who are perishing in evil, dissolve our hearts with love and send your arrow to our enemies, may our hearts be wounded with peace against those who persecute us. If the world hates us, You extend Your love to us, and if the world persecutes us, You accept us. Give us the gracious power of patience - to endure the trials that happen in this world without grumbling. O Lady! Soften the hearts of evil people who rise up against us, so that their hearts do not perish in evil, but pray, O Blessed One, Your Son and our God, may He pacify their hearts with peace; let the devil, the father of malice, be put to shame! We, chanting Your mercy towards us, the evil, the needless, will sing to You, O Most Wonderful Lady of the Blessed Virgin: hear us at this hour, contrite hearts of those who have, protect us with peace and love for each other and for our dear friend, eradicate from us all malice and enmity, let us sing to You and to Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
How to place an icon correctly
The image of the Mother of God of Seven Arrows is placed in the house or a small icon is hung around the neck.
In a house or apartment
Usually the icon is placed in the Red Corner, which is located in the eastern part of the house, opposite the front door. In the old days it was trimmed with red cloth. If a special place for icons is not allocated, you can be guided by the general requirements for the location of holy images in the house:
- Orthodox Christians pray while facing the East, so they place icons against the eastern wall;
- In the child’s room, the image is placed opposite the crib so that the awakened child is greeted by the holy protector and protects his sleep. In the morning the child will not forget to pray to her, and in the evening he will not be afraid of the dark;
- opposite the front door or above the entrance, the Mother of God will protect from ill-wishers and uninvited guests.
The seven-shot image can be hung separately on the wall, in its upper part, but not among photographs of household members and paintings.
How else should you not hang the “Seven Arrow” icon:
- near household appliances, next to the TV;
- next to attributes of other religions, Feng Shui figurines, magical talismans;
- on bookshelves with fiction;
- on utility shelves with cosmetics, dishes, and household items.
It is unacceptable to place the icon with posters, posters, or wall calendars, except for church calendars. To set up an iconostasis, you need to buy a shelf-case from a church shop and hang it at eye level. The icon case is covered with white cloth, an icon is placed, and a towel is covered on top. A crucifix is hung above the icon. There can be flowers next to the image of the Mother of God, and before each prayer you need to light a candle.
On the body
The body icon is worn on the same chain with a cross or hung separately. Instead of a chain, you can use a string. Unlike the cross, the small icon can be removed. The pendant of the “Seven Arrow” icon is made of wood, gold, and decorated with precious stones. In shops at churches they sell simple consecrated icons without inlay. To wear a pendant from a jewelry store around your neck, you need to consecrate it. Small icons are made independently from beads.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE OF KUKULKAN IN THE CITY OF CHICHEN ITZA.
Not all sources contain a description of exactly the number “7”; usually the following is found:
- “The temple is strictly oriented to the cardinal points. It served as a calendar and was used for astronomical observations, worship and, possibly, sacrifices.”
- Four staircases of 91 steps each with a platform at the top add up to 365, equal to the number of days in a year. The Mayans created not only their own solar calendar of 365 days (Haab), but also for special purposes of 360 days (Tun), as well as a ritual calendar of 260 days (Tzolkin).
- 91 is the number of days separating each of the four phases of the annual cycle of solar activity: winter solstice, spring equinox, summer solstice and autumn equinox.
- There are 9 stepped terraces on the sides of the pyramid, which corresponds to 9 underground worlds according to Mayan ideas.
- The stairs divide each face of the pyramid into 2 sections, consisting of 9 stepped terraces, for a total of 18, which is equal to the number of months in the Mayan calendar year.
- The 52 stone reliefs on each face symbolize the 52-year Mayan calendar cycle.
- The staircase on the north side ends at the base with snake heads, symbolizing the god Kukulkan.
- On the days of the spring and autumn equinoxes, when the shadow of the stepped terraces falls on this staircase, the illusion of a huge feathered serpent is created, slowly descending to its stone head.
And it is not indicated how this snake crawls, but it crawls in a very interesting way. Here is a description from another source:
Here's an even more interesting description:
There is a very colorful photograph in which these 7 bends are clearly visible:
A staircase with snakes, and even with seven bends, doesn’t this remind you of the Chinwat Bridge? The path to the spiritual world, or rather a symbolic representation of it, in this case in three-dimensional space, since the Temple of Kukulkan is a three-dimensional object, unlike an icon, which is a two-dimensional object.
