Icon from the fire “Burning Bush”: the meaning of the image, what it helps with, the history of the shrine

Most of the images of the Mother of God that can be seen in Orthodox churches and home iconostases have a fairly laconic plot: the baby (or boy) Jesus sits on the lap of the Queen of Heaven - only the details differ.

However, there are icons of the Mother of God that have a much more complex and symbolic plot. One of them is called the “Burning Bush” icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. This image has complex iconography and many layers of meaning, the interpretation of which is impossible without knowledge of the Old Testament and the foundations of theology. Nevertheless, we will try to tell you about this amazing icon without resorting to complex theological calculations and specific terminology.

A little background

The history of the burning icon of the Mother of God is closely connected with the text from the Old Testament concerning the life and deeds of the prophet Moses.

“The Burning Bush” is the most popular icon against fire in the house. But if you take a closer look at its history, a much deeper meaning and meaning of this image is revealed.

Moses was born in Egyptian lands around the 8th century BC. The Jewish population of Egypt then increased greatly, and the pharaoh, concerned about this, ordered all adult Israelis to be enslaved, and newborn boys to simply be killed.

Moses' mother did not wish such a sad fate for her own son. She first hid the newborn, and then put him in a basket and sent him down the Nile. And it had to happen that he was found by an Egyptian princess who had mercy on the baby!

Ironically, they decided to give Moses to a Jewish family, and it turned out that his own mother became his wet nurse. But he grew up at the court of Pharaoh, surrounded by honors and wealth, like a well-born Egyptian.

But one day Moses saw something terrible: the overseer was mercilessly mocking the working Jews. He became angry, killed the overseer and was forced to flee.

The Jewish husband wandered in the desert for a long time until a priest took him in. Moses began to lead the life of a simple person, got used to physical labor and even married one of the daughters of his savior.

One day the future prophet was tending sheep. Suddenly he saw a burning thorn bush (that is, a “bush”) on Mount Sinai and wanted to approach it, because the bush was burning, but it did not burn up. The miracles did not end there: the Voice of God came from the bush, ordering Moses to take off his shoes, for he intended to approach the shrine. The Lord also commanded the prophet to lead the Jews from Egypt to the Promised Land and endowed him with the ability to perform miracles according to God’s will.

Horace William Petherick. Exodus

According to the Old Testament, Moses led the Jews through the desert for 40 long years. The people of Israel nevertheless reached it, but the prophet died a little short of reaching the goal. According to biblical texts, he lived for 120 years!

Over time, the image of the burning bush became associated with the Mother of God. Just as a bush does not burn in a raging flame, so the Ever-Virgin is eternally pure and immaculate.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Burning Bush. Holiday event

The name " Burning Bush " refers to an event in the Old Testament when the Lord called St. the prophet Moses to serve the people of Israel, turning to them from the flame of a burning but fireproof bush (i.e. bush), which St. the prophet found at the foot of Mount Horeb:

Moses tended the sheep of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. One day he led his flock far into the desert and came to the mountain of God, Horeb. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a thorn bush. And he saw that the thorn bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Moses said: I will go and look at this great phenomenon, why the bush does not burn up. The Lord saw that he was coming to watch, and God called to him from the midst of the bush and said: Moses! Moses! He said: here I am! And God said: Do not come here; put off your sandals from your feet; for the place on which you stand is holy ground. And he said: I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Moses covered his face; because I was afraid to look at God. And the Lord said: I have seen the affliction of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry from their leaders; I know his sorrows, and I am going to deliver him from the hand of the Egyptians and bring him out of this land into a good and spacious land where milk and honey flow, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites. And behold, the cry of the children of Israel has already reached Me, and I see the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Go therefore: I will send you to Pharaoh; and bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt (Ex. 3:1-10).

Moses in front of the Burning Bush. Byzantine mosaic from the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai, 6th century.

According to the patristic interpretation, here appeared a prototype of the Most Holy Theotokos, from Whom our Lord Jesus Christ was born, without scorching Her with the fire of His Divinity: the burning but unburning bush signified the immaculate conception of the Mother of God of Christ from the Holy Spirit, in which She, having become the Mother, remained a Virgin. One can also give another explanation to the prototype: the Mother of God, having been born on a sinful earth, remained unconditionally pure, not involved in any sin, but always lived a perfectly virtuous and immaculate life.

History of the icon

The first known images of the “Burning Bush” type appeared at the beginning of our era. The earliest image that has survived to this day is an illustration for the manuscript of the Byzantine Cosmas Indikoplov, now carefully preserved in the Vatican.

It is noteworthy that the original image was more plot-based and simpler to perceive: the Mother of God (usually Oranta), ascending above a burning bush, Moses bowed in reverence. But by the 16th century, the icon acquired a different, much more complex appearance, theological symbolism and many layers of meaning.

In one of the churches of the Chora Monastery in Istanbul, there is a well-preserved fresco depicting the Virgin Mary in a burning bush. And this despite the fact that this temple was a mosque for many centuries!

The first “Burning Bush” came to Rus', most likely, from the East, sometime in the 14th century. It quickly gained popularity because of its “fire-fighting” effect: the houses of our ancestors were wooden and often suffered from fires. Sometimes entire cities burned out!

The “Burning Bush” gained popularity, first of all, among ordinary people: it was present in almost every home iconostasis. People didn’t really understand the numerous layers of meaning – the main thing was that the image protected it from fires. And he sometimes performed true miracles!

This icon was further popularized with the invention of chromolithography. Colorful tin icons from Jacob Jacot were inexpensive, but they were amazingly durable and “elegant” - in a word, an ideal option for the common man.

And now the “Burning Bush” can often be seen in village houses. Moreover, it is often hung not in the “red corner”, but directly above the front door, to protect the home from all troubles.

Chromolithograph of the Burning Bush

Burning bush. Folk traditions of the holiday

In Rus', on the feast of the Burning Bush, prayer services were held in village churches - general and customized. The peasants believed that these prayer services protected not only their huts and threshing floor from fire, but also they themselves, along with all the “livestock”, from fire and lightning. According to popular belief, the icon of the Virgin Mary of the Burning Bush also helps during the fire itself: if you lift it with faith to a burning building, then it diverts the fire from neighboring buildings.

In many places, religious processions were held around villages on this day. “Don’t trust fire,” says the gray-haired folk wisdom, “only Mother Burning Bush can save you from it!”, “God gave the will to fire!”, “Fear not the ax, but the fire!”, “Straw and wood don’t mix with fire.” make friends!”, “Don’t meddle with fire!”, “Fire is not water, belongings don’t float up!”

Where is the icon of the Burning Bush located?

In Russia there are many revered icons of the “Burning Bush”, some are revered as miraculous.

The oldest icon, brought to Rus' by Palestinian monks from the East in the 14th century, now resides in the Annunciation Cathedral in Moscow. History has not preserved the details of its discovery, but Orthodox sources claim that it was written on the sacred place where Moses saw the burning bush. There are copies of this miraculous image in many Russian churches.

In addition to the above, in Moscow there were two especially revered images of the described type - both in the temple of the same name. The first of them became especially famous in 1812. A Polish soldier, seduced by the rich setting of the image, stole it from the temple. But the thief began to be tormented by attacks of melancholy, and he repentantly returned the stolen goods to the church.

In Moscow (more precisely, in Otradnoye) there is one of the few temples of the “Burning Bush”. This is a remake from 2010. The historical temple of the same name in Khamovniki was demolished in 1930.

The second image from the temple in Khamovniki (small, supplemented by the image of a praying man) has been venerated since 1837. Attached to it was a handwritten prayer service, which was read during severe thunderstorms. It was believed that this icon was capable of deflecting lightning.

Unfortunately, both of these miraculous images perished in the fire of the revolution and subsequent turbulent years, along with the temple. This is the irony of fate: years of godlessness are destructive even for the shrines that are called upon to protect and preserve.

Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Burning Bush" in Khamovniki

Icon of the Mother of God “BURNING BUSH”

September 17 (September 4, new style)

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Description of the icon of the Mother of God “BURNING BUSH”:

In church hymns, the Mother of God is often compared to the burning bush (unburnt thorn bush), which Moses saw on Mount Horeb (Exodus, chapter 3, verse 2). The similarity between the burning bush and the Mother of God lies in the fact that just as the Old Testament bush remained unharmed during the fire that engulfed it, so the Most Holy Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ, remained a Virgin before and after Christmas.

The icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” is depicted in the form of an octagonal star, consisting of two sharp quadrangles with concave ends. One of them is red, reminiscent of the fire that surrounded the bush seen by Moses; the other is green, indicating the natural color of the bush, which it retained when engulfed in fiery flames. In the middle of the octagonal star, as if in a bush, the Most Pure Virgin with the Eternal Child is depicted. At the corners of the red quadrangle there are depicted a man, a lion, a calf and an eagle, symbolizing the four evangelists. In the hands of the Most Pure Virgin is a ladder, leaning its upper end against Her shoulder. The ladder means that through the Mother of God the Son of God descended to earth, raising to Heaven all who believe in Him.

The icon of the Mother of God of the Burning Bush became most famous for helping in fires, especially after the events of 1822 in the city of Slavyansk, Kharkov diocese. That year, powerful, devastating fires from arson began to occur in the city, but numerous attempts to discover the arsonist were fruitless. Once upon a time, a pious old woman named Belnitskaya was revealed in a dream that if the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” was painted and a prayer service was served in front of it, then the fires would stop. The icon was immediately painted by the best masters, and after the Liturgy a prayer service was performed in front of it.

On the same day, a new fire broke out, in which the arsonist, the crazy girl Mavra, was detained. After this, the fires stopped, and the grateful residents of Slavyansk built an expensive icon case for the Burning Bush icon with the inscription: “In memory of 1822 for saving the city from fire.” The tradition of praying to the Mother of God against fires in front of Her Burning Bush icon has been preserved to this day.

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Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Burning Bush” they pray for deliverance from fire and lightning, from severe troubles, and for the healing of ailments.

Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “The Burning Bush”

First prayer

Queen of Heaven, our Lady, Lady of the Universe, Most Holy Theotokos, undefiled, unblasphemous, imperishable, most pure, pure Ever-Virgin, Mary Bride of God, Mother of the Creator of creation, Lord of glory and Lord of all! Through you the King of kings and Lord of lords has come and appeared to us on earth. You are God's mercy incarnate. You are the Mother of Light and Life, just as you once carried Him in Your womb and in Your arms You had the Child, the Word of the Eternal, God, and so you have always carried Him with You. For this reason, according to God, we resort to You, as if to an unbreakable wall and intercession: look with mercy, O all-sung Mother of God, on our fierce anger and heal our souls and bodies of illness: drive away from us every enemy and adversary, deliver from famine, pestilence, from plagues, from many waters and harmful airs, and from sudden death; and like the three youths in the cave of Babylon, preserve and keep us, so that, like the people of God of old, all good things will come to us who honor Thee; Let all those who hate us be ashamed and put to shame, and everyone will understand that the Lord is with You, O Lady, and God is with You. In the days of autumn, bring us the light of Thy grace, and in the darkness of the night, enlighten us with light from above, making everyone useful: turn our sorrow into sweetness and wipe the tears of Thy servants who have sinned and are in need, fulfilling all their requests for good; You can do everything you want, Mother of the Word and Life. The Father has crowned the Daughter, the Son has crowned the Virgin Mother, the Holy Spirit has crowned the Bride, so that you may reign like a queen, standing at the right hand of the Holy Trinity, and have mercy on us as you wish, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer

Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ! We fall down and worship You before Your holy and most honorable icon, with which You have performed wondrous and glorious miracles, saving our homes from fiery flames and lightning thunder, healing the sick, and fulfilling every good request of ours for the good. We humbly pray to You, O omnipotent Intercessor of our race, to grant us the weak and sinners Your maternal participation and care. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the shelter of Your mercy, the Holy Church, this monastery, our entire Orthodox country, and all of us who fall before You with faith and love, and tenderly ask with tears for Your intercession. She, the All-Merciful Lady, have mercy on us, overwhelmed by many sins and not having boldness towards Christ the Lord, ask Him for mercy and forgiveness, but we offer to You for supplication His Mother in the flesh: But You, All-Good One, stretch out Your God-receiving hand to Him and intercede for us before His Goodness, asking us for forgiveness of our sins, a pious, peaceful life, a good Christian death, and a good answer at His terrible Judgment. At the hour of the terrible visitation of God, when our houses are set on fire, or we are frightened by lightning thunder, show us your merciful intercession and sovereign help: may we be saved by your omnipotent prayers to the Lord, the temporary punishment of God here, and we will inherit the eternal bliss of paradise there: and with everyone let us sing to the saints the Most Honorable and Magnificent Name of the worshiped Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy to us, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer three

Oh, Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord Most High, Intercessor and Patroness of all who resort to You! Look down from Your holy heights upon me, a sinner, falling before Your miraculous face: hear my humble prayer and offer it before Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: beg Him to enlighten my dark soul with the light of His Divine grace, and deliver me from all needs, sorrows and illnesses, may he grant me a quiet and peaceful life, physical and mental health, may he calm my suffering heart and heal its wounds, may he instruct me in good deeds, may he cleanse my mind from vain thoughts, may he guide me to fulfill His commandments, will deliver you from eternal torment and will not deprive you of His Heavenly Kingdom. Oh, Most Holy Theotokos, You are the “Joy of all who mourn,” hear me, too, who mourns. You, called the “Satisfaction of Sorrow,” quench my sadness too. You are the “Burning Bush,” save the world and all of us from the harmful, fiery arrows of the enemy. You are the “Seeker of the Lost,” do not allow me to perish in the abyss of my sins. According to Bose, all my hope and hope is in You! Be my Patroness in temporary and eternal life and an Intercessor before Your beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Teach me to serve Him with faith and love and reverently honor You, Most Holy Mother of God, Most Blessed Mary! I entrust myself to your holy prayers until the end of my days. Amen.

Prayer four

Oh, Most Holy Virgin Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our soul, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. We are immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother of all who mourn and are burdened. Help us the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death, and at the terrible judgment of Your Son, appear to us as an intercessor of mercy, and always We sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen. Oh, Mother of God, Burning Bush, protect me from human misfortune, from lordly punishment, from unquenchable fire, from arrogant death, from eternal torment, and cover me with Your Heavenly robe. Amen.

Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “The Burning Bush”

Troparion, tone 4

And in the bush, burning with fire and unburnable, Moses showed Your Most Pure Mother, O Christ God, the fire of the Divinity, unburned in her womb, and remaining incorruptible at Nativity: By her prayers delivered us from the flame of passions, and preserved Your city from the fiery incinerations, for You are Many-merciful.

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Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “The Burning Bush”

Kontakion 1

To the chosen Voivode, the Most Pure and God-pleased Virgin Mother of God, whose fiery icons, with Her appearance, delighted the Church of Christ and with it, protecting the faithful from the fiery incineration, we proclaim a praiseworthy song, O You, O Mother of God of the Bush, the unburnt Bush, whom we call, as having an invincible power and much mercy, hasten to the aid of to us, who demand Your intercession, and from all troubles, free those who call to You: Rejoice, Gracious One, Burning Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Ikos 1

The Queen of the Angels and all creation, the Lady Lady Theotokos, who receives the singing of praise from the angelic faces, grant us, earthly and earthly, to lift up to You the voices of praise of thanksgiving for Your great mercy to the human race. And even if you are unworthy to sing Your praises according to your inheritance, yet You, as the Good One, do not disdain our inadequate praises: and as Your Son mercifully accepted the two mites of a widow, so kindly hear us crying out to You with tenderness: Rejoice, the Fire of the Divinity in Your womb is unburnt worn; Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Savior of fallen humanity. Rejoice, Thou who abolished the power of hell by Thy most pure Nativity; Rejoice, you who freed Adam and Eve from the ancient curse. Rejoice, thou who served immaculately for the incarnation of the One of the Trinity; Rejoice, you who without seed embodied the Creator of Heaven and earth. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 2

When Moses saw a bush on Sinai that was burning with fire and was not consumed, he was horrified, and behold, a Divine Voice came to him from the bush: Break the boot from your foot: there is no place, on it you are standing, the ground is Holy. Having listened to this and we, in humility, the mystery of the incarnation of God the Word from the Most Pure Virgin, foreshadowed by the miracle of the Burning Bush, we confess and fearfully worship the place of the appearance of God, calling to the Creator of all: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The human mind cannot comprehend the mystery of God's vision, from the formation of the world, the redemption of fallen humanity, predetermined in the Eternal Council of the Trinitarian Divinity: both by the Holy Spirit inspiration, the holy Prophets of God from afar foreseeing the miracle of miracles, as if the Creator would take on the form of a slave, even though he could save the work of His hands from eternal destruction, I proclaimed types and prophecies that were not false, that the redemption of the human race would be accomplished by the promised Redeemer. To Him You, the All-Pure One, having given flesh to each other, have You been vouchsafed to be the Matter of Your Lord, inspiring us to cry out to You: Rejoice, fiery Chamber of the Seated One on the Cherubim; Rejoice, luminous spoon of the Commander Seraphim. Rejoice, bed of the Great King at the top of the mountain of heaven; Rejoice, animated Throne, possessing those above and below. Rejoice, holy icon case of the Deity, Greater Holy of Holies; Rejoice, thou who art all-gold, for in her is the manna of salvation prepared, the flesh and blood of the Divine Lamb. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 3

Acting by the power of the Most High, O Blessed Lady, you tame the power of the fiery nature with Your holy icon, and with it you perform many miracles in the universe. In the same way, the Christian race pleases You with voices of praise even in sudden troubles, and especially during fiery ignition, it prayerfully flows to You, receiving timely help from You. For this reason, we cry out in gratitude to the King of Glory Christ, who glorified You: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having great love for people redeemed by the honest Blood of Thy Son and God, the Most Pure Mother of God, Thou hast received from Him the power to build and cover the Christian race: For Thou art a sinner, the Helper of their repentance before the Creator, the unreliable Hope of salvation, the needy, speedy Help, the lost, Sovereign Retribution, and Cover to every world. To you, our merciful and benevolent Intercessor, repaying love with love, we humbly say: Rejoice, universal joy, by which tears are taken away from the eyes of the suffering and mourning; Rejoice, kindly refuge, in which one can be saved when overwhelmed by the storm of passions of the sea of life. Rejoice, almighty suppliant, righteously moving the wrath of God upon us; Rejoice, thou who extinguishes the flame of fire with the dew of Thy prayers at the Throne of the Almighty. Rejoice, preserving Thy heavenly intercession from thunder and lightning; Rejoice, Thou who bestow Thy holy help in good time to every soul that faithfully prays to Thee. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 4

When a fiery storm suddenly finds us and the flames of hail and weight engulf us, then, O All-Merciful Lady, hasten to help us helpless and protect us with Your honest icon and deliver us from the fiery punishment, which we have created, worthy of sin for our sakes, for You are the sinners and imams Unashamed Intercessor, we place our trust in You and, glorifying the power of Your prayers, we call the Power of Peace born of You: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

We hear and see the great miracles that happen from Your icon, our All-Blessed Queen, which You have given us as consolation and protection in misfortunes: for even the all-consuming fire faints in its power, before the grace-filled power of Your Most Pure Image, as we have seen and tested so many times, the Burning Bush of You naming in the depiction of this Your image, and before it, chanting voices of praise to You: Rejoice, never-ceasing Prayer Book to Christ God, bowing His mercy to us; Rejoice, you avert God's punishment for our iniquities from our heads. Rejoice, Thy honorable robe that preserves us from all misfortunes; Rejoice, protecting our dwellings from fire and thunder with the maternal cover of Your bounties. Rejoice, All-Merciful Hearer of the voices of our prayer services in sorrow and situation; Rejoice, O sovereign, our Helper in the days of difficult trials. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 5

God-bearing star, Your all-honorable icon: Virgin Mary, all over the world of miracles, it gracefully shines with many miracles and enlightens the souls and hearts of men to the knowledge of the greatness of Your mercy, with whom You cover and intercede the Christian race, like a merciful Mother. For this, we who rejoice give thanks to Christ God, Your Mother according to the flesh and to us as Mother according to the spirit, and we call to Him with deep tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

We see Your icon, Lady, like a truly unburnt Bush, unburnt in fires, and with Your presence making human habitations inflammable: For You were given grace from above, the power of nature in Your womb unburntly contained, sowing grace and Your most pure image appeared to be involved, thus but from the faithful it was called the Burning Bush, we honor it splendidly, and we cry out in praise to You: Rejoice, ever-burning light, ever-burning in prayers for us at the Throne of the Lord; Rejoice, igniting our cold hearts with the fire of God’s love. Rejoice, thou who coolest the heat of our passions in the shade of Thy prayers; Rejoice, in the hour of sorrow and bewilderment, who sends down to us thoughts that are beneficial to our souls. Rejoice, in times of our helplessness, when we are in distress and there is no one who helps us, who hastens to help us; Rejoice, in times of sudden misfortunes, by Your sovereign hand you snatch us from destruction. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 6

The Church of Christians preaches Your miracles, Mother of God, like the sand of the sea and the stars of heaven: from the east to the west Your name is praised, and there is no city or country where You have not accomplished the power of God for deliverance and salvation, enlightenment and healing of people named after Christ, Most of all, through Your Holy icons, You are accustomed to work miracles, pouring out from them streams of mercy and generosity to needy and sick humanity. For this reason, let us praise You with the voices of spiritual songs, and cry out to Your Son and our God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You have shone in the light of divine glory, holding the Virgin, Child and Eternal Lord Jesus Christ in Your hand, and surrounded by the face of the power of Angels, as we see You depicted in the icon, the burning Bush of Moses, mysteriously named, from which you bestowed gifts of grace to the faithful, from the fire and you save thunder, you heal the sick, you console the sorrowing, and you send down to everyone all that is good and beneficial for your soul, as silent voices sing to you: Rejoice, for in Her the Council of Angels and the human race rejoice and triumph; Rejoice, whose glory surpasses earthly and heavenly praises. Rejoice, thou who, from the heights above, watches over the entire Motherly universe with Thy love; Rejoice, thou who visitest the earthly vale of many sorrows through Thy good deeds. Rejoice, Thy innumerable goodness does not leave the despised and rejected; Rejoice, through Your compassion you snatch away the hopeless from the pit of destruction. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 7

Although the Lord showed His love for people redeemed by His Blood, He gave us His Immaculate Mother for protection and protection and created this kind refuge for every Christian soul, grieving and embittered, in need of help and mercy. Considering such merciful service to Your human race, O All-Blessed Lady, we raise our eyes to You in sorrow, and stretch out our hands in prayer, asking for the only consolation from You, that You may save us by Your intercession from temporary and eternal sorrows, and grant us joy on earth to the living saints sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Thou hast wondrously glorified by miracles the icon of Thy holy Burning Bush, called the Virgin Mother of God, with whom Thou hast preserved the cities and weights from the burning of fiery and lightning thunder, and blessed the houses of the faithful, in them the likeness of Thy Most Pure Face is reverently honored. For this reason, as a gift of great value, Your gracious image is joyfully accepted, we honor You with due veneration, and we dutifully please You with these blessings: Rejoice, O alavaster of healing for every ailment containing medicine; Rejoice, O world-maker of the fragrance of Christ, who has fragrant fallen humanity. Rejoice, you who loosen the bonds of sin for repentant sinners; Rejoice, captives of passions, crushing those who strive for purity. Rejoice, quiet joy of virgins and Mothers of the Child; Rejoice, merciful care for the Intercessor of widows and orphans. Rejoice, Blessed One, Burning Bush, burning us with fiery flames.

Kontakion 8

It is strange to see that your icon, Lady, written on the board and by nature subject to its fiery action, reveals more than natural power and tames the power of fire with its presence, all knowing the power of God and the effect of your prayers, we magnify the Creator of all God, who exalted you, for joy and the consolation of us who has given your miraculous image and through it saves us from fiery ignition, may we ever call upon Him with gratitude and praise: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

The whole Christian world glorifies Your name, Most Blessed Mary Theotokos, and it is sweet and comforting for every faithful to gaze upon Your Most Pure Face, to which You are wont to show many and glorious miracles. Behold, we too, in humility, seeing Your holy icon, we adore it magnificently and kiss it with love, expecting from it the help and intercession of Your sovereign, especially in times of our helplessness, when sin for our sake suddenly finds a fiery blaze upon us, so that we may be saved by You from the destructive flame With grateful lips we cry out to You: Rejoice, unmade tabernacle of God the Word, surpassing the Cherubim and the Seraphim in holiness and purity; Rejoice, thou in the light cloud of the Sun of Truth, in whom the Heavenly One has come to the dark, and will lead us to Heaven with Him. Rejoice, thou who opened the doors of heaven to fallen humanity through Thy holy Nativity; Rejoice, Heaven and earth united in one song of silent praise to You and to Him who was born of You. Rejoice, Divine Source, who has flowed forth the water of life; those who drink from it do not die; Rejoice, blessed vine, the grape of salvation that has grown, the wine of immortality that is drawn by man. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 9

Thy glory surpasses all praise, Most Blessed and Glorified Mother of our Lord: for even the minds of the incorporeality of singing Thee according to the inheritance are perplexed, all the more it is inconvenient for us earthly and earthly people to eat this, but overcome by love for Thee, we dare to bring Thee all possible singing, praise and thanksgiving for much Thy mercy to the human race, which thou hast loved and never ceases to do good to them, striving at every age of the faithful to cry out to the Savior Christ who was born of Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The branches of man are exhausted from comprehending the great mystery of Your Ever-Virginity, Mother of God, which the Lord hid from the wise of this age, by faith revealing to the humble and reverent, the inquisitive test of strangers, from them, Orthodoxy and undoubtedly, before Christmas and at Christmas, and after Christmas, the Virgin is preached. Accept then, O Mother and Virgin, our all-soulful confession about this and strengthen us to follow You with an immaculate life and purity of heart, so that we may be able to gladly sing to You the songs of the blue: Rejoice, snow-white crescent of virginity and purity, unfadingly blooming mountain; Rejoice, unto virginity and purity, invisibly guiding those who live hereafter. Rejoice, You who wonderfully combined Motherhood and virginity in Yourself; Rejoice, having kept Yourself blameless and holy in both ways; Rejoice, leader of the monastic faces in purity of soul and body; Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 10

By arranging the salvation of mankind, One from the Trinity will be incarnate from You, the Bride of God, the Lady of human nature, glorifying human nature by sitting at the right hand of the Father on the Throne of the Divine, as the Only Begotten Son, the same and Thy Son was born in the flesh and glorified You with Himself with a glory that exceeded all glory, which is overshadowed by kindness, not forgetting The human race is merciful, but you prayerfully intercede before the Creator in the One Trinity, for all who faithfully sing His praises: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You are the wall of virgin faces and monastic councils, the Virgin Mary, all who fervently flock to You in prayer, and reverently honor Your holy icon: You alone have been granted from the Lord the grace of universal intercession, and the faithful in virginity and purity of affirmation. In the same way, stewards of an immaculate life, under Your Mother’s protection, from the storm of passions, and find peace of mind, according to You, crying: Rejoice, monks and nuns of the pious, a fair Patroness and warm Intercessor to God for them; Rejoice, ever-present Helper of God’s servants among the world, and ever-present Helper in spiritual labors. Rejoice, young Teacher of chastity and abstinence; Rejoice, reverent elders, ecstasy and joy. Rejoice, thou who overshadows the homes and families of Christians with Thy good protection; Rejoice, thou who have made every age of the faithful worthy of Thy merciful care. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 11

The Holy Church of Christ, the All-Singing Lady, continually brings you songs of praise, proclaiming Your mercies and miracles, in whose image the whole universe has been enriched. Truly, since You are quick to listen to our prayerful petitions, but You are also in the habit of anticipating even our very requests, being merciful and gracious to those who require Your holy help, so do not deprive us, the humble ones, who at this hour sing to the glory of Your name and cry out to God: Alleluia .

Ikos 11

Your luminous icon, the Most Pure Mother of God, enlightens our souls darkened by sins with the radiance of Divine miracles, in them we recognize God’s omnipotent power and Your innumerable mercy, ever ready to assist us in repentance and conversion from evil deeds to the path of salvation. We pray to You, O All-Merciful One, do not leave us to go astray in the wilds of sins and passions, but lead us to a quiet refuge of a pious and God-pleasing life, so that we can worthily bring You these hymn gifts: Rejoice, who does not allow it to be possessed over us by the violence of this mortal body; Rejoice, for the demons fear and tremble at Your Holy Name. Rejoice, for Thy honorable icon will drive away all the power of the devil with its presence; Rejoice, strengthening ascetics of piety in spiritual battles with the enemies of human salvation. Rejoice, at the hour of death, helping those who have love and faith in You: Rejoice, O Gracious One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 12

We partake of the grace of God, confessing Your holy icon, God-Graceful Virgin, and brightly celebrating the feast of Her appearance in the image of the burning bush, appearing, and the action also shows His miracles, preserving our dwellings from the fiery flame and preserving our homes with His presence. For this reason, like a shield and visor that belongs to You, we please our sovereign Helper with song praises and cry out to our Savior born of You: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

We sing to Thee, Mother of God, our only hope and hope, we preach Thy mercy and do not hide Thy miracles, we glorify Thy innumerable goodness to the Christian race, we bless Thy holy name, which is truly poured out myrrh for those who love Thee, filling pious souls with a spiritual fragrance. Bless us too, O Lady, who are reeking of spiritual passions, and grant us with a pure heart and undefiled lips to cry out to You: Rejoice, you who flow myrrh into something sweet and soul-saving, with which God-loving hearts are anointed; Rejoice, you who heal mental and physical ailments with a single touch of Your holy icon. Rejoice, Good Leader, guiding repentant sinners on the path of pleasing God and salvation; Rejoice, thou who by the ladder of virtues leads the ascetics of Christ to the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, you who crown humble and patient sufferers with grace-filled consolation; Rejoice, you who innocently delight the expelled and persecuted with the anticipation of the bliss of heaven. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.

Kontakion 13

Oh, All-Singing Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word, and the Burning Bush from us, unworthy, called: listen to the voice of our prayers and singing, before Your holy icon, earnestly offered to You, and with Your warm prayer to the Lord of the temporal and eternal fire, deliver us who praise Your name and glorifying Your wonders, crying out to Your Son and our God: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

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The meaning of the image in Orthodoxy

The significance of the Burning Bush icon in the home of a true adherent of the Orthodox religion is difficult to overestimate. The actual face of the Mother of God, combined with ambiguous religious symbolism, personifies the image of the Protectress of all Orthodox Christians. And if we remember that the Ever-Virgin is revered as the protector of All Rus' and its inhabitants, the nation’s love for this image becomes understandable.

“The Burning Bush” is a recognized icon of firefighters and everyone whose professional activities and lifestyle are connected with fire. But, according to theological canons, its meaning is much broader. It is called upon to protect each of us not only from external enemies and natural disasters, but also from ourselves, that is, from our own sinful thoughts and deeds.

“The Burning Bush” is a reference to the infallibility of Mary, who remained virgin after the conception of Christ by the Holy Spirit. She reminds us that we must strive to maintain moral purity in this sinful world, but not a single person can compare with the Mother of God in holiness.

Iconography

There are two iconographic types of the “Burning Bush” revered by Orthodox Christians.

The first type can be classified as archaic, directly referring to Old Testament events. Now you rarely see it anywhere: many icons of this version were destroyed during the struggle against the Old Believers, to which Patriarch Nikon had a heavy hand.

In the center of the composition of such icons is a bush engulfed in flames and the Mother of God soaring above it. Below is an image of Moses (either tending sheep or taking off his shoes before entering the holy land). Angels and spirits may be present, but are not required.

The later image is much more symbolic and polysemantic: only theologians can correctly interpret the numerous layers of meaning. It often lacks even the notorious burning bush - its image is replaced by symbolism.

In the center of the composition is the Virgin Mary with the little Savior on her knees (in one of the canonical versions, usually Oranta or Panahrant). She is depicted against the background of an octagon (eight-pointed star) formed by two stylized rhombuses.

The first diamond, blue or dark green, symbolizes the purity of the Virgin Mary. The second, bright red, means the flame of a burning bush. In the hands of the Mother of God they often depict a ladder leading humanity to the Kingdom of Heaven.

On the left is an archaic type of icon, on the right is a later image.
The overlapping of diamonds forms an eight-pointed figure. Among other things, this is a reference to the Star of Bethlehem, which shone in the heavens with the birth of Christ. Thanks to her, the Magi found their way to the Son of God.

The Mother of God is surrounded by a mass of other images, each of which carries a certain meaning. Their composition and location may vary.

As a rule, the icon depicts three spirits, apostle-evangelists (often in a symbolic representation), as well as archangels with canonical attributes. Sometimes the icon also contains scenes from the Old Testament, including the already described historical meeting of Moses with the burning bush.

Days of celebration

The main day of celebration of the icon falls on September 17 (September 4, old style). It is celebrated on the day of remembrance of the prophet Moses, thanks to whom the corresponding Old Testament history arose.

There is one more holiday, although it is a moving one. It is celebrated in the sixth week after Easter. According to some sources, it was on this day that the icon was transferred from the Faceted Chamber to Khamovniki, to the temple of the same name.

Meaning of the icon

“The Burning Bush” is an icon of the Mother of God, which is of paramount importance for believers. The most beloved image is considered to be the one where the Mother of God is depicted in the circle of various events that took place in Christian history. The Mother of God in this sense becomes the protector of the entire human race.

As mentioned above, the central motif is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who holds the Child in her left hand and a ladder in her right, as a symbol of His descent to earth. There is a mountain in close proximity. On the contrary, it means ascent, a long journey in atonement for original sin.

Diamonds are of no small importance in the composition. They mean the fire that has been experienced and, in the unity of their edges, they form an eight-pointed star. If you look closely at the icon, you can find the plant itself - the bush - in whose honor the holy image is named. The bush did not burn in the fire, which means it has a connection with the divine.

Do not forget about the three figures depicted: the Lord with Jesus and two spirits: one with a gate, the other with a sword. Their essence lies in patronage and protection. There are many angels around the Virgin Mary, which carry a unique meaning. Some are skilled in wisdom, some in gifts, and some in teaching.

What does “Burning Bush” help with?

As mentioned above, the icon protects, first of all, from fires and lightning. But her power does not end there, because before us is the image of the Most Pure Virgin, that is, the eternal Intercessor of all humanity.

The emblem of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations contains a white eight-pointed star. This is a reference not only to the Star of Bethlehem, but also to the recognizable symbolism of the “Burning Bush”.

They pray to the “Burning Bush” for:

rescue from natural disasters;
humility of anger (both one’s own and directed at the person praying);
healing from physical and mental illnesses;
getting rid of “love fever” and returning spouses to their families;
salvation of the soul and deliverance from sinful thoughts.

Miracles associated with the icon

In Russia, the most famous miracle is the one that led to the establishment of the Church of the Burning Bush icon in Khamovniki in the 17th century.

Boyar Dmitry Koloshin, stirrup of Tsar Feodor, loved to pray to the “Burning Bush” icon, hung in those years in the Faceted Chamber of the Kremlin. Somehow envious people slandered the boyar, and the royal wrath fell on the eager one. In fear, Dmitry Koloshin turned to his favorite image for help. The Heavenly Intercessor appeared to the monarch in a dream, and he had mercy on the innocently slandered stirrup.

In gratitude and in memory of the miracle revealed, Koloshin founded the Church of the Burning Bush Icon of the Mother of God in Khamovniki. The icon, recognized as miraculous, was also transferred there.

Another miraculous icon is located in a small temple in the village of Suksun, Perm Territory. There she appeared in the 17th century in a completely inexplicable way. It was discovered by a local fisherman: he saw the icon floating along the river.

The fisherman was a Muslim, so he decided not to touch the Christian image, but the next day the icon sailed to him again. The man saw God’s intention in this and took the image to the temple. There the icon was hung in its proper place, a prayer service was served, and it began to work miracles.

In Ulyanovsk there is also a temple of the Burning Bush icon. The image of the Mother of God was brought there from Athos a little over a century ago, and almost immediately it began to perform miracles of healing. They say that even people far from Christianity received help from him.

Icon "Burning Bush" in Ulyanovsk

Another image known for miracles is located in the city of Slavyansk, in the Donetsk region, in Ukraine. Its appearance is associated with a series of fires that gradually destroyed the city in 1822. He would have burned out, but a vision revealed to the parishioner Belnitskaya helped him overcome his misfortune.

The Ever-Virgin visited the townswoman in a dream and ordered her to create the image of the “Burning Bush.” Belnitskaya shared this with the archpriest, the icon was painted, and a prayer service was served before it. And soon the arsonist was discovered, who turned out to be the girl Mavra, a local madwoman.

Questions for the priest

How many times a week should you go to church?
My friend says that two trips are enough, and my mother claims that at least five. I would like to know the authoritative opinion of the holy father. In fact, it doesn’t matter how many times you go to church. Even the word “need” is not appropriate here. People visit church not “for show,” but because of the call of the soul. We all need the Lord, so we go to His House for support. There we find everything our soul needs. Therefore, go only as much as you think is necessary. Your campaign should be sincere and sincere. Remember this.

Can I pray using a photo? Now I am in a place where there is no opportunity to pray to the consecrated image. Will my decision be regarded as blasphemy?

And yet prayer loves consecrated images. In this way, the connection with the Heavenly Kingdom becomes stronger, and prayers become more reliable. Icons primarily help to visualize the image of a saint or the Most High. However, let us remember ancient times, when prayers were offered without icons. In other words, no one forbids you to pray from a photograph if you really believe in the Creator.

I want to baptize my child. He is one and a half years old. Tell me, when should I go to church?

If you want to introduce your child to Orthodoxy, then the time has already come. You can contact the priest of the nearest church and ask him to perform the sacrament of baptism. He will not refuse your request, but you will need to make a donation. Its size is determined independently. Since the child cannot yet bear responsibility for his actions, baptism takes place without confession.

Is it worth baptizing a child yourself?

Definitely not! The rite of baptism can only be performed by the holy father. Firstly, he knows how to perform the ceremony correctly. And secondly, he is close to the Almighty. You will only make things worse or incur punishment for sacrilege. You should not do this, even if you are sure that everything will go smoothly. Contact the church, ask the clergyman for this service, and only in this case will baptism be carried out according to the rules of the church.

How to pray to an image, where to hang an icon

It is best to hang the icon on the eastern wall of the house, in the family iconostasis, or separately. There you can offer prayers to her and ask for intercession. It is advisable to light a candle or lamp first, minimize distractions and get into a serious mood.

Sometimes this icon is hung above the entrance to a home. This is not entirely true: most likely, we are dealing with the legacy of paganism. In this place, our distant ancestors placed various amulets for the home, for example, horseshoes and bells.

Text of the prayer to the Burning Bush

Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ! We fall down and worship You before Your holy and most honorable icon, for You have performed such wondrous and glorious miracles, saving our homes from fiery flames and lightning thunder, saving our homes, healing the sick and You fulfill every good request we have for good. We humbly pray to You, O omnipotent family of our Intercessor, to grant us the weak and sinners Your maternal participation and care. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the roof of Your mercy, the Holy Church, this monastery, our entire Orthodox country, and all of us who fall to You with faith and love, and tenderly ask with tears for Your intercession. She, the All-Merciful Lady, have mercy on us, who are overwhelmed by many sins and do not have boldness towards Christ the Lord, ask Him for mercy and forgiveness, but we offer You to Him for supplication His Mother according to the flesh ty: You, O All-Good One, stretch out Your God-receiving hand to Him and intercede for us before His Goodness, asking us for forgiveness of our sins, a pious peaceful life, a good Christian death, and a good answer at His terrible Judgment. At the hour of the terrible visitation of God, when our houses are set on fire, or we are frightened by lightning thunder, show us Your merciful intercession and sovereign help: may we be saved by Your omnipotence With their prayers to the Lord we will escape the temporary punishment of God here and inherit the eternal bliss of paradise there: and with everyone Let us sing to the saints the Most Honest and Magnificent name of the worshiped Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy towards us, forever and ever. Amen.

The intercessor will hear any sincere prayer addressed to her. It will also help those who do not know the canonical text and pray for protection in their own words!

06.09.21

Icon of the Mother of God Burning Bush - where to hang the icon

This image can be hung above the door, in the hallway, or just in a red corner.

• The donated or purchased icon is placed in your home iconostasis. It can be in any room of the house. • The place where the images stand in the room is called the “red corner” - usually it is opposite the door, by the window, in any clean and bright place. It is necessary for you to be comfortable standing in front of the icons during prayer, to be comfortable reading the prayer book, and to have no distractions nearby. • On a special shelf for icons, which can be bought in shops at churches, the image of the Lord Jesus Christ is placed in the center, the Most Holy Theotokos is on the left, and the revered saint is on the right. Icons can also be placed on a shelf with books, preferably with spiritual content.

Burning Bush - a wonderful icon

On the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” Her image with her Son is inscribed in an eight-pointed star. This is a fairly late iconographic type; it carries the same symbolism as the icon of the Savior in Powers.

The main recognizable feature of the iconography is the complex symbolic figures that are not found on any other image: images of angels, animals and geometric figures that fill the entire space of the icon. All of them have a special theological meaning and denote different forces and phenomena on the material and spiritual levels. The colors of the figures are taken from biblical texts. In a general sense, their symbolism can be described as Omnipotence, Omniscience, Goodness and Grace, the natural Incomprehensibility and Mystery of God.

• The figure of the Mother of God and Christ (as in the image of the Savior in Powers) is inscribed in a red rhombus or in a red oval with pointed edges stretched lengthwise behind the throne. Next comes a blue oval or round sphere placed in a red square, usually creating some kind of background for the entire composition. • The red diamond around Christ is the radiance of the Divine fire, the reflection of the Divine nature of the Lord. • In the blue field of the circle one can see the outlines or silhouettes of the Heavenly Angelic ranks, that is, the armies of the Heavenly King. It can be seen that they are in motion, creating the dynamics of the iconic composition. Angels are depicted as sexless winged creatures, similar to young men, or simply symbolically - faces with wings. An oval or circle as an endless all-encompassing figure means the spiritual, celestial sphere, the world of disembodied spirits, the vault of heaven. What we see as heaven, the icon shows with visible spiritual vision as a space filled with Angels. Often the icon contains angelic wings with eyes, winged wheels at the foot of the throne and translucent images on the throne - all these are also symbols of the Heavenly Powers, the orders of Angels surrounding God and helping Him. • A red square with elongated ends means earth, which has four elements. At its ends are the symbols of the four evangelists described in the Apocalypse: an angel (Matthew), a calf (Luke), a lion (Mark) and an eagle (John) - carrying the Word of God to all four corners of the world.

The very color scheme of the icon, built on a combination of red and blue, means the unification of the Divine and human, earthly nature of the Savior in Him Alone, the fire of the Holy Spirit and the living water of the teachings of Christ, the unity of the Kingdom of Heaven and the earthly world under God’s authority. Sometimes the Savior’s clothes are also depicted in red and blue.

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Meaning of the image

After the coming of the Savior into the world, this Old Testament image received a new theological interpretation. The Most Pure Virgin Mother of God became such a “Burning Bush” for all of us, having conceived from the Holy Spirit the Lord Himself, who is the Fiery Light for us. The same Unearthly Light illuminated Her Divine Son on the holy Mount Tabor, just as the fireproof thorn bush was once revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. It was not for nothing that the monastery of St. Catherine was also consecrated in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

The Mother of God lived a long life filled with immaculate purity. She was incombustible by that Divine Fire, about which Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh once said: “God imparts combustion, but does not feed on matter.” Having accepted the Holy Spirit, She was not touched by His flame, which burns away everything unclean, because the Lord Himself was in Her.

We advise you to study What is the Holy Trinity?

Help and prayer before the holy image of the Burning Bush

The holy image is considered a protector from the fire element and robbers. The main purpose is to cleanse sins with the help of fire.

People who are at war, firefighters and police officers pray in front of the icon for healing of soul and body, for help in curing mental illnesses. They also pray for protection from various kinds of barbarity, attacks and robbery.

Sacred

The main thing is sincere prayer and faith, then your request will be heard and a helping hand and support will be extended.

Text

People wonder where in the house to place this Shrine. No specific location has been established. Many broadcast it over the front door, like a holy shroud over the hearth.

Bible story

Rice.
1. The image of the Mother of God in this icon is presented to us in the form of a burning bush of the “Burning Bush”, which was revealed to the prophet Moses. From the Old Testament book “Exodus” we know that this miracle happened at a time when the Israelite people were in Egyptian slavery. Moses, tending his sheep, led them to a deserted place to Mount Horeb (now Sinai). An angel of God was revealed to Moses, who was in a thorn bush. This bush burned, but did not burn out. As Moses approached him, he suddenly heard the voice of the Lord commanding him not to come close and to take off his shoes, because this place was Holy. In this conversation with Moses, the Lord revealed to him his destiny to free the Israelite people from Egyptian oppression. Moses was awarded from the Lord the gift of prophecy and miracles.

Rice. 2. The Monastery of St. Catherine is one of the most ancient Christian monasteries, which has never been closed during its entire existence. It was built in the 4th century on the island of Sinai at the foot of Mount Sinai (Horeb in the Bible).

The place where the Lord appeared to Moses is amazing. Now there is the Monastery of St. Catherine, founded in the 4th century. There Greek Orthodox monks carry out their monastic feat.

Rice. 3. The same Burning Bush that appeared to Moses grows on the territory of the monastery. This bush is one of a kind; they tried to plant shoots from it, but it didn’t work out.

In 324, Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, ordered the construction of a chapel on this site. The altar part of the monastery's cathedral is located on the site where Kupina grows. And behind it is the Chapel of the Burning Bush. The bush itself was transplanted to another place, not far from the Chapel, where it still grows. The chapel was built without an iconostasis specifically so that believers could see the place where Kupina grew. Visitors to the chapel always remove their shoes, following the words of the Lord addressed to Moses:

“Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is the Holy Land.”

Exodus 3:5

The chapel was consecrated in honor of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Rice. 4. The day of special veneration of the Burning Bush icon is September 17, according to the new style. On this day we also remember the miracle of the appearance of the Burning Bush to Moses.