Conception Stauropegic Convent of Moscow
20 years ago, on November 25, 1999, there was a memorable religious procession in Moscow, which passed a short distance on a frosty, clear day, but was remembered by many for its special solemn atmosphere and large number of participants. Four bishops, more than a hundred priests and deacons, sisters of the monastery and many lay pilgrims took part in the transfer of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Merciful” from the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane to the Conception Monastery. The holy image of the Queen of Heaven, returning home, was met by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II and the abbess of the monastery, nun Juliania (Kaleda).
History of the name of the icon
According to Orthodox tradition, the monk Kosma (Cosmas) labored in the Zograf Monastery. In his youth, they matched him with a bride, but the Bulgarian young man’s desire for God was stronger than worldly joys, and he fled to the Holy Mountain to become a monk. He knew Greek, and he was readily accepted on Mount Athos. Kosmas was a pious, zealous monk. Once on the Annunciation in the church of the Vatopedi Monastery, he saw a beautiful woman who walked freely among the monks and made orders. His heart was confused, because women are forbidden to visit Mount Athos. Where did she come from and why wasn’t she driven away? But when Kosma returned to his Zograf monastery and told his spiritual father about what he had seen, he was not surprised, but began to ask about the woman’s appearance and behavior. And only from a conversation with the elder Cosmas learned with amazement that he had seen the Most Holy Heavenly Queen herself - the Mother of God.
Once, left alone in the temple, Cosmas offered a fiery prayer to the Mother of God. He asked to show the way of salvation. As soon as the monk prayed, the Mother of God responded. He heard Her voice asking the Son Jesus Christ to teach the monk the path of salvation. And then an answer was heard, indicating the path of silence.
Kosma heeded the Divine instruction and, taking the abbot’s blessing, went into the desert. Having become a hermit, he lived in a cave and spent his life in difficult feats. Kosma had the gift of clairvoyance. One day, two ascetics from the Hilendar monastery came to visit him. At parting, they heard a warning from Cosmas: he advised them to break the pumpkin vessel with wine, which the monks had hidden in the forest. The hermit saw that a snake had crawled into the vessel. The monks obeyed the saint and marveled at his foresight, glorifying and thanking God and Saint Cosmas for saving lives.
Let us tell you another case of Cosma’s perspicacity and his clear inner vision. In one of the Holy Weeks, shortly before Easter, he saw in the air how the soul of the Hilandar abbot was being tortured by demons, and sent a messenger to the monastery with a request to pray for the deceased. In Hilandar they marveled and did not believe it, because just now the abbot was alive and even intended to serve the liturgy. But it turned out that the abbot actually died suddenly in his cell.
The Lord helped the hermit in everything. One day Kosma fell seriously ill and, weakened by carnal suffering, lusted after fish. Suddenly, an eagle descended from heaven to the cave where the saint lived and laid down a fish. Kosma offered thanksgiving prayers to God, prepared the fish, but before the meal he heard a voice commanding him to partially leave it to the hermit Christopher, the owner of the fish, who labored nearby. The next day Christopher came to visit the hermit, and he was very surprised to learn that yesterday the eagle had carried away the hermit’s fish.
Shortly before his death, Cosmas was honored with the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ, who warned him of the upcoming test - for three days Cosmas was tortured by demons by God's permission. Having endured the test with Christian patience, he accepted Communion and peacefully reposed before God
The hermit Cosmas was canonized. The icon, from which the Monk Cosmas heard the voice of the Mother of God and received Divine revelation, was called the “Hearer,” because the Heavenly Intercessor heard the monk’s prayers and was not slow to respond.
Orthodox texts
To address and glorify the icon of the Mother of God “Hearer,” traditional hymns have been compiled: troparion, kontakion, akathist and prayer. The akathist before the image is read privately, since its text is not approved for church glorification.
Prayer
O Most Blessed Lady, Ever-Virgin Mother of God, quick Hearer of all who come running to You with faith! Look down from the height of Your Heavenly Majesty on us, falling down on Your miraculous image and, having heard our humble prayer, pray to Your Son and our God to preserve our country in peace and prosperity, to strengthen the Orthodox Church and keep it unshakable from unbelief, heresies and schism . Deliver, O All-Blessed One, all who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from the slander of evil people, from troubles, sorrows and illnesses; grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful lives and forgiveness of our sins; May we all, who gratefully sing of Your greatness, be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom and there, with all the saints, let us glorify the most honorable and magnificent name in the Trinity of the glorified God: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Troparion
Your intercession, assurance and mercy of Your appearance, the icon of Your “Hearer” has appeared to us, Lady, before our souls in prayer and with faith we cry out to You: look, O Merciful One, on Your people, quench all our sorrows and sorrows, good consolation in our hearts Send down, soon hear our prayers and seek eternal salvation for our souls, Most Pure One.
Kontakion
Today, Lady, the Venerable Cosmas came to Your icon in prayer and was soon heard by You, constantly giving You praise. And to us, who have taken refuge under Your sacred protection, may the Lord grant forgiveness of sins and great mercy.
Akathist
Kontakion 1
Chosen from all generations to the Mother of God and the Queen, who unceasingly prays for us at the Throne of Her Son, we offer songs of thanksgiving with love. You, as the All-Merciful Intercessor of all who flow to You with faith, free us from all troubles, so we call You: Rejoice, All-merciful Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Ikos 1
The angelic council in Heaven silently sings praises to Thee, Lady, and we earthly beings, flowing to Thy icon, called the “Hearer,” cry out to Thee from the depths of our hearts:
Rejoice, for the Council of Angels and the human race rejoice in You.
Rejoice, for Your glory surpasses the praises of Heaven and earth.
Rejoice, You who send Your mercy to us from above through Your miraculous icons.
Rejoice, our All-Good Teacher, who draws us to You with Your love.
Rejoice, you who exude great mercy and generosity to those who love You.
Rejoice, quickly presenting Helper to all who call upon Thee.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 2
Seeing, O All-Immaculate One, the good desire of the Venerable Cosmas, who calls upon You: “Most Holy Theotokos! Pray to Thy Son and God, that He may guide me on the path of salvation!” You deigned to graciously show Your intercession before Your Son, so that He can sing to Christ: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Having understood the Providence of God about himself, the Venerable Cosmas, in a wondrous voice from Thy icon, Most Merciful, came out: “My Son and God! Teach Your servant Cosmas how to be saved!”, cry out to You, the good Hearer of our prayers, with tenderness of heart:
Rejoice, Mother of the Never-Evening Light and the Holy Spirit, village.
Rejoice, Unfading Flower of incorruption and rejoicing of the Angelic forces.
Rejoice, speedy Hearer of those who fervently pray to You.
Rejoice, unashamed hope of those who flow to You.
Rejoice, Thou who mercifully bestows Thy countless bounties upon all.
Rejoice, Kupino, who burns uncontrollably, comforting us with spiritual joy.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 3
By the power of the Most High and Your grace, O Lady, strengthened Saint Cosmas, when you hear the answering voice of your Creator to Your prayer: “Let Me serve in silence!”, thank Him for His gracious care for yourself with the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having such a Trustee for our salvation and an inexhaustible source of Heavenly gifts, the monks of the Holy Mount Athos flock to the wonderful image of Your “Hearer”, called the “Hearer,” with grateful lips crying out to You, the Mother of God:
Rejoice, Most Holy Virgin, who named Mount Athos by Your lot.
Rejoice, Most Pure One, who has marked this Holy Mountain with many miracles.
Rejoice, you who soon heard the prayer of Your saint Cosmas.
Rejoice, and our fervent prayers are not rejected.
Rejoice, Thou who hast given Thy holy icon to help the faithful.
Rejoice, you who glorified these signs and wonders.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 4
Having a storm of doubtful thoughts within, the Venerable Cosmas marveled when he saw the Woman of royal beauty in the monastery of Vatopedi, who Herself commanded various commands in the church and the meal, telling everyone. Having recognized in Her the Queen of Heaven, who cares for the nuns of the monastery, cry out to God with gladness of heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing about the miracle of the Most Pure Theotokos quickly hearing the prayer of Her servant, who was in the monastery of Zograste, the monks of Mount Athos rejoiced, seeing the new manifestation of Your mercy, O Mother of God. For this reason, we cry out to You in gratitude:
Rejoice, zealous intercessor for us, temporal and eternal blessings.
Rejoice, thou who openest the doors of the Kingdom of Christ to the faithful.
Rejoice, you who raise us to Heaven with Your love.
Rejoice, thou who bendest the compassion of Thy Son to us.
Rejoice, God's mercy and love are abundantly fulfilled.
Rejoice, those who cry to You will soon be heard.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 5
The God-bearing star appears to us, Lady, Your honorable icon “The Hearer”, with the rays of Your miracles the darkness of sorrows and the darkness of all sorts of ailments and sorrows from our hearts, driving away and guiding on the path of salvation all who flow to You with faith and cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing the currents of miracles flowing from the holy icon of Your Hearer, all the monks of Mount Athos and the surrounding countries flock to her to worship. Thou, O Blessing One, unsparingly bestow upon all the gifts of Thy mercy from Thy miraculous image, struggling to cry out to Thee with gratitude:
Rejoice, our joy and consolation.
Rejoice, our protection and protection.
Rejoice, healer of our mental and physical infirmities.
Rejoice, you who soften our hearts with Your love.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest us from the fall of sin.
Rejoice, raising our mind to Heaven.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 6
We sing of Your wondrous mercy towards us and your great condescension, O Most Holy Virgin, for you do not cease to pray for us sinners before the Throne of Your Son and our God, to turn away His anger, which is righteously moved against us, and to have mercy on all who truly cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
A light of gracious consolation shines in our souls, darkened by sorrow and despondency, and our hearts are filled with gladness and joy, when You, our Most Blessed Lady, admonish us to cry out to the generous God, that he may be merciful to us sinners and forgive us our sins. Do not remain silent, O Lady, when you pray for us, who call You with tenderness:
Rejoice, you who transform our sorrow into joy.
Rejoice, you who pour out inexpressible sweetness to the faithful.
Rejoice, insight into our spiritual eyes.
Rejoice, you who bring joy and joy to those who mourn.
Rejoice, you who teach us long-suffering in times of sorrow and adversity.
Rejoice, thou who covert the weak with Thy grace-filled cover.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 7
Desiring to show the currents of mercies and generosity from the icon of Thy Hearer, this not only in Mount Athos, but also in its likenesses, having lit new lamps, Thou glorified Thou in other cities and towns, so that those saved by Thy from troubles cry out to Thy Son: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
We see a new miracle of Your mercy, O Most Pure One, in the manifestation of Your miraculous image, falling down and asking for help from You, and we are admonished and instructed by You crying out to You:
Rejoice, warm Intercessor for those living in Your lot - Holy Mount Athos.
Rejoice, Giver of all good things to those who live here.
Rejoice, you who save You in every place who call upon You.
Rejoice, intervening from troubles and misfortunes for everyone.
Rejoice, Thou who bestowed upon Thy icons the power to work miracles.
Rejoice, who comforts us with Your face.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 8
It is strange and doubtful for non-believers to hear, Mother of the Heavenly King, how people, with their faithful eyes and tender souls looking at your holy icon, are delivered from sorrows and preserved from troubles. But we, heeding Thy word, O Lady, spoken to Thy first-written icon: “Let the grace of the One who was born of Me and Mine be with this icon,” we believe that this icon of Thy “Hearer” exudes Thy grace. In the same way, reverently worshiping, we kiss you, crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
It is comforting for all the faithful to look at Thy holy icon, Lady, in which we see Thee, in Thy hand holding the Eternal Infant of our Lord Jesus Christ, who adore Him magnificently as Thy Son and our God, Thee, the true Mother of God, with tenderness the verb:
Rejoice, O high and low peace to the All-Tsarina.
Rejoice, Lady of Heaven and Earth.
Rejoice, first Guide to Heaven.
Rejoice, with the Guardian Angel - our zealous Guardian.
Rejoice, you who call those who love Your Son Your own.
Rejoice, you who make our prayers pleasing to God.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 9
Thou hast appeared, exceeding all angelic nature, O Most Holy Virgin, for Thou hast conceived God in flesh, Thou hast contained the inconceivable in Thy womb. In the same way, all generations bless You out of duty, blessed Mary Theotokos, from the east to the west your name is praised; The monks call Thee their Patroness, especially those who strive in Thy lot - Mount Athos, whom Thou hast overshadowed with Thy special favor, performing many miracles in her and showing Thy rich mercies as her inhabitants, so that they gratefully cry out to God about You: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The branches of humanity are perplexed to praise the glorious heritage, O Lady, of Thy icons and the wondrous working of Thy miracles, which are exuded by Orthodox people. We, countless miracles, revealed by Your icon, seeing, rejoicing in soul and heart, say to You:
Rejoice, you who pour out blessed joy upon us.
Rejoice, you who give us spiritual consolation.
Rejoice, thou who reignest in Heaven and never abandons us.
Rejoice, you who organize our earthly life for good.
Rejoice, you who open the doors of heaven to us through our repentance.
Rejoice, you who illuminate our souls with eternal joy.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 10
Wanting to save Your people from the overwhelming sorrows and illnesses, You have given us, Lady, the venerable icon of Your Hearer, and seeing the mercy You show, we cry out with tenderness to God, who adopted us to You at Your Cross and gave us such a Guide to Heaven: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You are a wall of intercession, O Blessed Virgin, and a pillar strong from the face of the enemy to all ascetics of piety: For you have been given great power against the dark forces of hell. For this reason, according to You, the name is:
Rejoice, Thy motherly love embraces the whole Christian world.
Rejoice, full of compassion for the suffering.
Rejoice, instructing the faithful on the path of salvation.
Rejoice, for guiding our life towards piety and chastity.
Rejoice, vigilant Guardian of the monastic monasteries.
Rejoice, tireless Guardian of the homes and families of the pious.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 11
Our singing, which does not suffice for the worthy glorification of Your mercies, Most Blessed One, offered to You out of the fullness of love and zeal, do not despise or turn away from us, unworthy, but help us, O All-Blessed One, to cleanse ourselves through repentance from the filth of sin and to succeed in a pure and God-pleasing life. , and remembering Your countless miracles, we cry out to the Supreme Creator of miracles, God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
With the light-giving rays of miracles, Your holy icon shines unwaveringly, O All-Merciful Lady, and graciously enlightens the entire Christian world, driving away every enemy action by the power of God emanating from it. For this reason, Orthodox cathedrals have come to her from ancient times to worship, tenderly singing the following praises:
Rejoice, Thy hand stretched out to the Lord for us.
Rejoice, you who continually pray to Him for us.
Rejoice, endless source of healing for the sick.
Rejoice, quick healing for the weakened body and spirit.
Rejoice, you who never forsake the faithful through intercession.
Rejoice, you who teach us to have trust in God in everything.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Kontakion 12
The grace of God, associated with Your icon, called the Hearer, draws to it all those who grieve and are burdened, and they do not depart in vain from this source of Your mercies and bounties: in sorrow there is joy, in adversity there is protection, in illness there is endless healing, and they cry out in gratitude to Your Son and a song of praise to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Thy miracles, O Lady, we praise Thee, as the Life-Giving Source of grace, as an inexhaustible river of miracles, and falling diligently before Thy holy icon, we kiss Thee with heartfelt love and pray to Thee: look upon us with Thy mercy, humbly bringing Thy songs to Thee:
Rejoice, good Helper to those in need.
Rejoice, speedy Hearer of those who pray.
Rejoice, for you have clothed yourself with the bright robe of chastity and help us.
Rejoice, for you have endeavored to prepare us for the meeting of the Bridegroom Christ.
Rejoice, standing at the right hand of God at the Last Judgment of Christ, interceding for us.
Rejoice, you who help us bring Your Son and our God into the bridal chamber.
Rejoice, All-Good Lady, quick Hearer of our prayers.
Copies of the “Hearer” icon
In the Kyiv region, in the village of Fasovaya, Makarievsky district, there is an old copy of the Zograf icon. In 1999, the icon was revealed to the world: a resident of this village, one of the parishioners, donated the image of the Mother of God to St. Nicholas Church. During the liturgy, a miraculous renewal of the image took place: it had previously been darkened and faded with age, but now all the colors were renewed, and an undoubted resemblance to the Zogathian “Hearer” became visible. In the icon, the artist depicted a lily in the hand of the Mother of God, apparently in order to emphasize Her purity and innocence.
There is also a copy in the recently opened Orthodox church in Ashgabat. It was created at the beginning of the 20th century on Mount Athos and in the middle of the last century ended up in the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Ashgabat (by God’s inscrutable providence and there, as in the village of Fasovaya, the Mother of God showed miracles through the “Hearer” icon in the St. Nicholas Cathedral), where it was kept until June of this year.
Help for those praying at the miraculous icon
There are many cases when, according to the faith of those praying, the Mother of God sent them help and protection from troubles. It is believed that those suffering from cancer, spinal diseases and other health problems, childless families and people addicted to alcohol should pray at the “Hearer” icon. The Mother of God, through the “Hearer” icon from the village of Fasovaya, in Her mercy, helped in healing from drunkenness a man whose sister prayed for this while visiting St. Nicholas Church. Another case of miraculous help is also known: a daughter was sent to a priest who had not had children for several years. He and Mother prayed fervently at the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “The Hearer,” and She soon responded to their prayers.
One girl who was going to Greece was blessed by the priest with the image of the Mother of God “The Hearer.” Arriving there, the girl met a young man who decided to visit Mount Athos. After meeting, the young people fell in love and got married.
A woman from Ashgabat really wanted to visit her daughter in Moscow, but she did not have money for the trip. She prayed at the Ashgabat icon of the “Hearer” and, leaving the temple, met a man who helped her resolve financial difficulties.
An Orthodox resident of Turkmenistan was cured of a terrible injury by the mercy of the Mother of God. The father, who was a parishioner of the St. Nicholas Church in Ashgabat, where the “Hearer” icon was then located, brought his son, who had injured his spine in the accident. The young man venerated the image, and soon began to visit the temple on his own.
So how does the icon of the Mother of God “Hearer” help? In search of a spouse, family problems and health problems, difficulties at work and other situations. At the behest of the soul, in these and other cases you can read prayers at the “Hearer” icon of the Mother of God. The Mother of God never rejects sincere prayers.
In the St. Nicholas Church in the village of Fasova, Makarovsky district, Kyiv region, there is a newly appeared icon of the Mother of God, called the “Hearer”. This is a copy of one of the revered shrines of Athos. Information about the Athonite icon “The Hearer” can be gleaned from the biography of the Monk Cosmas, the hermit of Zograf, who asceticised at the end of the 13th - beginning of the 14th centuries. The life describes an incident from the first years of the monastic life of the Monk Cosmas, when the Queen of Heaven deigned to let him see with his own eyes Her touching care for the inhabitants of the monastery. The Monk Cosmas, who labored in the Zograf Monastery, once came to the Vatopedi Monastery for the temple feast of the Annunciation. Here in the church he saw a Wife of royal beauty and grandeur, who herself was in charge of everything in the church during the service, as well as at meals.
Cosmas wondered how a woman ended up here on Mount Athos, where none of them had set foot, and why the monks allowed Her presence here. Reflecting on this, he returned to Zograf to his elder. Having talked about what he saw at the holiday, he sincerely told all his doubts and thoughts on this matter. “What did the Wife look like? What kind of attire was she wearing? - asked his spiritual father. And when Cosmas described Her, the elder remarked with a sigh: “Didn’t you really find out what kind of Wife appeared to you in the monastery dedicated to the Divine Mary? This was not a mere mortal woman, the Queen herself of our Holy Mountain and all creation!”
Some time later, left alone at the end of the service in the church, the Monk Cosmas, wishing to receive from the Lord an indication of the further course of his monastic life, prayed before the icon of the Mother of God: “Most Holy Theotokos! Pray to Your Son and God to guide me on the path of salvation!” As soon as he said this, he heard the voice of the Mother of God: “My Son and God! Teach Your servant how to be saved.” The answer to this prayer immediately followed: “Let him retire from the monastery into silence.” And Cosmas followed the Heavenly revelation - he withdrew into the desert, carved a cave in the rock and spent his entire life here in constant monastic deeds. For his purity of life and strict deeds, the wondrous hermit was awarded by God the gift of miracles. And the icon from which Saint Cosmas heard the voice was called the “Hearer,” for the Most Holy Theotokos soon heard the voice of Her faithful servant praying. Great is truly the love of the Queen of Heaven for the monks of the Holy Mountain, Her Motherly care for their needs is touching.
This image of the Mother of God is still in the cathedral church of the Zograf Monastery, and is placed in the altar. There is only one known icon of the “Hearer” - located in the Athos Zograf Monastery; there is no information about the revered lists of the icon. Perhaps this image has not received as much fame as others because it is located on Mount Athos, which is called the capital of monasticism, far from the world.
Thus, today the “Hearer” icon from the St. Nicholas Church in the village of Fasovaya is the only copy of the Athonite shrine known to us. It was donated to the temple in 1999 by one of the parishioners. As eyewitnesses say, on the feast of the Epiphany, the rector of the church, Archimandrite Kirill (Bilan), not only solemnly blessed the water in the church itself, but also sprinkled the houses of the village residents. In the house of one of the parishioners, Fr. Kirill drew attention to the icon depicting the Virgin Mary and Child holding a white lily in her hand. This flower marks the unfading color of the virginity and purity of the Most Pure Mother of God, and this image of Her is called the “Unfading Color.” Next to this icon stood an icon of exactly the same size with the face of the Savior. The darkened background and faded colors spoke most eloquently of the fact that the icons were decades old. This was confirmed by the owner herself, telling those present that the images belonged to her grandmother, and were inherited into the family and were preserved for a long time as a family heirloom. The icon was remembered by everyone for its rare iconography. When they compared it with the famous icon “Fadeless Color”, they discovered a difference between them. We managed to find out the exact name of the icon a little later.
Father Kirill asked to transfer these icons to the temple, although he understood how people valued the few family heirlooms that they managed to preserve with such difficulty during the times of bans and persecution of the Church. The hostess hesitated for some time, although her niece tried to convince her that only in the church the icon would belong to all believers, and people would be able to pray before one image of the Savior and Heavenly Patroness. But soon she nevertheless agreed to transfer the icons to the newly rebuilt St. Nicholas Church.
Both icons were placed in the church under the Crucifixion at the very beginning of the morning service. The Liturgy went on as usual, and suddenly, when they sang the Cherubim, the parishioners noticed that something began to happen to the icon: the face of the Mother of God brightened, She seemed to come to life, the clothes of Her and the Child were painted with bright colors, the lily sparkled with whiteness. This miracle happened in front of dozens of parishioners and made a strong impression on everyone. The parishioners greeted the miracle of the renewal of the icon with sincere prayer. When the icon was updated, it became possible to take a closer look at it. The inscription “Similarity of the Icon of the Mother of God...” became clearly visible, and Father Kirill was convinced that in front of him was a list (copy) of the Athonite “Hearer.” And the lily, a symbol of the Purity and Immaculateness of the Virgin Mary, was probably placed by the artist in the hand of the Mother of God in order to once again emphasize Her spiritual beauty. It should be noted that the paired icon of the Savior remained in the same condition, without any visible changes. There is no answer to why this happened, and there is no need to try to explain something that is inaccessible to the human mind. The celebration in honor of the miraculous image of the “Hearer” takes place on September 22 (October 5) in the Zograf Monastery. From now on, this holiday has become a temple holiday in St. Nicholas Church.
In itself, the renewal of an icon is usually not an event on the basis of which the icon is considered miraculous, but the Mother of God, through her image, can manifest the power of grace through prayers to Her, and show visible examples of intercession or provision of specific assistance, as the residents of the village of Fasova were soon able to verify .
During the celebration of the “Hearer” icon, the son of one of the parishioners did not go to church with everyone, but was going to start repairing his car. His mother tried to dissuade him from this idea, explaining that today is a special day, which is celebrated only on Athos, where the special love of the Mother of God for her chosen destiny is manifested. At the mother’s request, the son simply waved his hand, saying: “What kind of holiday is this if it’s not even on the calendar?” When he got to work, the car suddenly caught fire and then exploded, and the flames engulfed the garage. The residential building did not burn down only because, having learned about the fire, the parishioners began to pray intensely and the flames were extinguished. Thus, the Mother of God not only enlightened the unbelieving man, but also helped him take the path of repentance and correction of his life, thanks to which he began to constantly go to church. This incident speaks volumes about how important it is to monitor not only your actions, but also your words, especially when it comes to sacred objects. The Mother of God does not refuse her gracious help to everyone who turns to Her with fervent prayer and faith.
Father Kirill once blessed a girl who was going to visit her friend living in Greece with the miraculous icon “The Hearer.” There, in Athens, this girl accidentally meets a young man who planned to make a pilgrimage to Athos. The acquaintance of two young people changed their fate and soon they were legally married.
The Queen of Heaven, through prayer in front of Her holy icon, helped the family of a parish priest who had no children for three years. Together with his mother, the priest fervently prayed in front of the newly-appeared icon of the “Hearer” and soon they had a daughter.
The Mother of God showed her mercy through a miraculous image and helped to heal a man suffering from the disease of drunkenness, for whom his sister, who twice visited St. Nicholas Church, offered her sincere prayers.
The newly-minted icon of the Mother of God “The Hearer” has already made several trips; in November 2002, it was solemnly received in the parish church in the village. Bobrik, Brovary district, Kyiv region, and repeatedly, by invitation, the icon arrived at the Kiev Holy Vvedensky Monastery.
When printing lithographs with the image of the Mother of God “Hearer” and the Savior, produced at the present time, specialists from the Kyiv printing house “Tekhnika” LTD drew up their written conclusion. They confirmed that the icon of the Mother of God is much lighter, richer in color and more detailed in texture than the icon of the Savior. This applies, first of all, to the faces of the Mother of God and the Baby Jesus, their hands, robes and graphic elements of the icon’s design. Printing specialists gave their conclusion that, despite all the differences in the icons, they were made at the same time, by the same master, and testified that the changes that occurred to the icon were not made by hands.
The Holy Synod of the UOC, at a meeting on December 23, 2010, blessed the establishment in the Kyiv diocese of a celebration in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Hearer,” which will take place on September 22/October 5 (magazine No. 38).
From the editors of the Temple of the Nativity website:
The paired icon of the Savior mentioned in this description has also been updated over time and can be seen and venerated in the Church of St. Nicholas in the village. Fasova.
How to pray at the icon of the Mother of God “The Hearer”?
We must distinguish faith from superstition and remember that Orthodox Christians pray to the one depicted on the icon, and not to the icon itself.
There is an akathist for the icon of the Mother of God “Hearer” and a prayer from it. You can see the text in the picture below.
You can also read other prayers of the Mother of God at the icon (“Theotokos, Virgin, Rejoice,” “It is worthy to eat,” “The most honorable Cherub”) and pray in your own words.
Iconography of the image
Below are photos of the “Hearer” icon of the Mother of God. The Virgin Mary is depicted from the waist up. She is holding the baby Jesus with a rolled scroll in one hand and the other raised in blessing.
The iconographic type of the icon is “Hodegetria” (The Mother of God holding a baby in her arms). The “Hearer” is similar to another icon of the Mother of God - the “Akathist” Hilendarskaya, on which the Mother of God also holds the Child of God with a blessing right hand and a scroll. But, unlike the “Hearer,” on the “Akathist” the Mother of God is depicted in full height, seated on a throne. The mentioned image of the Mother of God “Akathist” resides in the Hilendar monastery on Mount Athos.
Description of the image
The Greek name of the icon is “Epakuusa”, which means “Answering prayers”. The original was written on Mount Athos in the 14th century. This is a half-length image. The faces of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus are turned straight to the front. The icon radiates spirituality and solemnity.
The central location of the Savior gives the image a resemblance to the type of Nikopeus. The Mother of God supports her Son with her right hand and holds a lily branch with her left. Jesus blesses with his right hand and also holds the stem of the flower with his left hand.
The lily and the execution in red tones on the chromolithographs make the image similar to the more famous “Unfading Color” icon, which belongs to the Hodegetria type and is distinguished by the arrangement of the figures of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Child in half-turn.
In the original “Hearer,” the Mother of God is dressed in a yellow robe. The halos of the holiness of the Child and the Virgin Mary are composed of blue flowers. Their figures are depicted on a golden background. There are also flowers on the sides. An angel with outstretched arms and a triangular halo hovers above the Virgin Mary. Cherubs are depicted on either side of the angel.
Another new version of the execution is based on the Panachranta type: the Mother of God is depicted sitting on a throne with the Child on her lap. The Most Pure Virgin is dressed in a scarlet maforia, from under which the hem of her dark blue dress is visible.
The throne is made in scarlet, like Jesus' tunic. There is a red pillow under the Mother of God's feet, but her feet are hidden under clothing. The Eternal Child is depicted with half-open feet, with a scroll in his left hand. To the right He gives blessing.
