The image of the Mother of God is one of the most ancient and especially revered icons. Prayers to the Iveron Mother of God help with serious illnesses, family discord, and the threat of war. This image has always been especially revered in Russia. Although the original is kept far away - on Mount Athos, its amazing story has found a response in the hearts of believers.
Celebration date:
- April 21—transitionable
- the 6th of May
- October 26
- 25 February
The history of acquiring the image
According to canonical sources, this icon was painted by the Evangelist Luke at the dawn of Christianity. However, most likely, we are talking about the primary image of the Hodegetria (“Guide”) type, from which the lists were subsequently made.
In any case, the more or less reliable history of the Iveron icon begins in the 9th century.
In the 8th – early 9th centuries, the Christian world was torn apart by serious internal contradictions. During this period in Byzantium there was a struggle against icon veneration: Christian icons were actually equated with pagan idols. Many priceless images, sculptures and altars were destroyed by the iconoclasts.
In the glorious city of Nicaea (now Turkish Iznik) there lived a pious widow who reverently worshiped the icon of the Mother of God. One day, iconoclast warriors (according to other sources, just robbers) came to her house and demanded that she give up the image or pay a decent amount of money.
The widow begged: she simply did not have that kind of money. Then the angry warrior struck his spear directly at the face of the Virgin Mary, from which blood immediately gushed out. This impressed the blasphemers; they left home, but promised to return tomorrow.
The widow was forced to part with her beloved image. That same day she went to the river, prayed to the image and lowered it into the water. The icon took a vertical position and slowly floated with the flow.
This event determined the spiritual path of the son of a pious widow. He chose to serve God, became a monk and entered the Iveron Monastery, where he spoke about the miracle that had appeared to him.
Iveron Monastery, Athos.
The Iveron Monastery is located on the holy land of Athos. It was built on the site of the former Temple of Poseidon by the Bagration dynasty of Georgian monarchs around the 10th century. It is clear that it was originally Georgian, but in the 19th century it became Greek.
Approximately a couple of centuries after the events described, the monks of the Iveron Monastery saw a miracle: an icon of the Mother of God floated vertically on the water, and above it a pillar of flame was visible, going into the heavens. They wanted to save the shrine from the water, but the image miraculously moved away from the approaching boat.
At night, one of the monks, the hermit Gabriel of the Holy Mountain, had a vision: the Queen of Heaven ordered him to go and take away the wonderful image. And what do you think? In the morning, the elder walked on water, as if on dry land, and the icon easily fell into his hands.
They placed the miraculous image in the temple and began to pray to it tirelessly. But as soon as the monks left, the image strangely disappeared, but did not go far: the next morning it was discovered above the gates of the monastery. The monks tried several times to return the icon to its place of honor in the altar, but each time it was moved to the gate.
The Mother of God visited Gabriel of Svyatogorsk in a dream again. Ever-Virgin said that there was no need to protect her: she herself wanted to become the intercessor of the monastery, Iveria (Georgia) and Athos.
Since then, the wonderful image settled above the gate, where it remained in the open air until a personal chapel was built for it on this site. And the icon received an alternative name: Portaitissa or Gatekeeper.
Description and meaning of the Iveron image of the Mother of God in Orthodoxy
Tradition says that the face of the Mother of God, called the Iveron Icon, was painted during the life of the Queen of Heaven by the Apostle Luke with her blessing.
The prototype was kept by a Christian woman in the city of Nicaea (Byzantium). In the 9th century, a heretical movement appeared in the Orthodox Church, denying the importance of icons in religion. At the behest of the ruler of Constantinople, holy images began to be destroyed everywhere.
Military detachments entered the dwellings and crushed the holy images with a blow of a spear. Soldiers came to the guardian of the holy face of the Mother of God. One of them, seeing the icon, hit it with a spear. To the horror of the perpetrators of evil will, blood began to ooze from the wound on the cheek of the Virgin Mary.
The woman begged the soldiers to leave the image with her until the morning in order to pray for the last time. At night she went to the seashore and with prayer lowered the image of the Mother of God into the water. The discovery of the icon happened 200 years later. The monks of the Iveron monastery on Holy Athos saw at dusk a pillar of fire rising to the sky.
At night, the Mother of God appeared to the monk Gabriel and commanded him to take Her face from the sea and install it in the monastery. The next day, the monks served a prayer service for the donation of the shrine. Gabriel walked across the surface of the sea, as if across the firmament of the earth, to the icon standing in the water and returned with it to the shore.
The icon was installed in the temple, but in the morning it was discovered above the entrance to the monastery. The holy image was returned to its place, but the next day the same thing happened. It was revealed to the monk Gabriel in a dream that the icon should stand above the gate, because it would not be the monks who would keep it, but it would become their Guardian.
The monks fulfilled the will of the Mother of God. The holy icon began to be called “Iveron” and also “Goalkeeper” after its location. The Iveron icon became famous for many miracles. Extracts made from the image of the Queen of Heaven by Athonite monks in a special consecrated way also have miraculous properties. On all copies of the holy image, icon painters depict a bleeding wound on the cheek of the Mother of God.
Archimandrite Nikon (the future Patriarch of Moscow) asked the abbot of the Iversky Monastery to make a copy of the wonderful icon. At the end of the 17th century, the exile with the Iveron Mother of God arrived in the Russian capital. This list became a relic of the royal family. A new design was made from it for the Chapel of the Resurrection Gate in the Kremlin.
The Iveron Mother of God left Moscow only once: before Napoleon’s army entered the ancient capital, His Eminence Augustine took the icon to Vladimir. After 2 months, “Goalkeeper” returned to its original place. Since that time, every year, in memory of the expulsion of the French, a procession with the image of the Most Pure Mother of God was held around the Kremlin.
In the 20s of the last century, the chapel was destroyed. The holy image was transferred to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Sokolniki, where it is kept to this day.
Days of celebration of the Iveron Icon:
- October 26 (arrival in Moscow from Athos);
- May 6 (second acquisition of the list);
- 25 February.
The image of the Iveron Mother of God is revered by believers for the generous mercy of the Queen of Heaven to all who turn to her with sincere prayer and faith.
Where is the original
The masterpiece of icon painting and the spiritual pearl of all Orthodox Christians is located in the same place where it deigned to appear almost a thousand years ago. “Portaitissa” never left the gate church of the Iveron Monastery, so it is unlikely that you will be able to worship her in person: entry to the holy land is strictly limited even for pilgrims.
Nevertheless, many copies have been made from the miraculous image, many of which are revered as miraculous. There are several “Gatekeepers” endowed with divine power in Russia.
Original Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
Lists of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
The first copy of the miraculous image appeared in Russia in the 17th century. This happened thanks to the initiative of Archimandrite Nikon - he wrote a letter to the Iversky Monastery with a request to send the list to Moscow.
The icon painter worked on the image for a whole year. All this time he maintained a strict fast, eating food only on weekends. As a result, the painter managed to create an exact copy of the sacred prototype while preserving its miraculous properties.
The image was greeted in Moscow with the greatest honors, they prayed to it day and night. Subsequently, the Iveron Icon became a spiritual treasure and protector of the royal family, from where it was transferred to the Novodevichy Convent, where it spent almost three centuries.
During the years of Soviet power, the monastery was closed, and a branch of the State Historical Museum was established on the territory of the complex. The Iveron Mother of God was assigned to the museum’s collections for a long time, until it was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church free of charge. She is now available for worship and veneration.
A copy of this icon, made several years later, all in the same 17th century, decorated the Resurrection Gate of the Kremlin. Every traveler entering the city hurried to venerate the miraculous icon, and among the pilgrims there were also members of royal families. Sometimes the icon was taken out for the procession of the Cross or carried to homes and hospitals, where it performed miracles of healing and intercession.
Unfortunately, in the 30s of the last century, the Resurrection Gate was dismantled, and the icon ended up in the church in Sokolniki. However, in the 90s, the Resurrection Gate and the Iverskaya Chapel were rebuilt again, and a new copy of the legendary icon arrived from Athos. Thus, the Intercessor again took guard, protecting Moscow and its inhabitants from all misfortunes.
Another list, under Patriarch Nikon, was transported to the Iversky Bogoroditsky Svyatoozersky Monastery in Valdai. During the troubled years of godlessness, the icon in a precious robe was taken to an unknown destination, and the monastery was desecrated and dilapidated. Now the building has been restored, and its main spiritual property is a new copy of the sacred icon.
On the left is the Iversky Valdai Monastery, on the right is a list of the Iverskaya Mother of God, the Valdai Monastery located in this monastery
is one of the favorite brainchildren of Patriarch Nikon. It was on his initiative that a monastery appeared on Russian soil, which is an almost complete copy of the Athos Iveron Monastery.
The Mozdok Iveron Icon is also known, capable, like the original, of independently choosing its place of residence. During the resettlement of the Ossetians, she suddenly became so heavy that several men could not lift her. I had to give it to the nearest temple in Mozdok. Nowadays this icon is the protector of the North Caucasus and the Don lands.
The Montreal Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was copied from the original in 1981. Almost immediately she began to show miracles. Unfortunately, in 1997, the guardian of the icon, who carried it around the world, died, and the miraculous image disappeared under unclear circumstances.
There are revered lists of the Iveron Icon in many cities around the world. There is even one in an Orthodox parish in Hawaii. And it even streams myrrh!
What do they pray for in front of the Iveron Icon?
Prayer to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God helps believers in various needs. Texts of prayer requests can be found in any prayer book.
Refer to this image when:
- serious illnesses, including cancer;
- the threat of war;
- family discord;
- fear that an unkind person, a thief, will enter the house;
- fire hazards;
- internal despair, confusion, disappointment;
- seeking to find peace of mind.
Many miracles are associated with the image and its lists. Often in temples you can see that the holy image is hung with gold and silver jewelry. These are signs of gratitude from those believers who were helped by prayer in front of the Iveron Icon.
The meaning of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
The Mother of God is revered as the protector of all humanity, but in Rus' she is revered especially deeply and reverently. In hard times, she saved the Russian lands from many misfortunes: enemy invasions, fires, epidemics, famine, natural disasters.
The Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, located above the city gates, is rightfully considered the protector of Moscow. In addition, it stands guard over Russia’s southern borders, protecting them from potential invaders.
The image of the Mother of God reminds us that the road to the Kingdom of Heaven is open for everyone. Even a very sinful person can count on forgiveness, especially if he sincerely repents and atones for his guilt with righteous deeds.
Prayer to the “Iveron” Mother of God for help with translation into Russian
O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos, accept our unworthy prayer, and save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death,
and grant us repentance before the end, have mercy on our prayer, and grant joy in sorrow a place.
And deliver us, Lady, from all misfortune and adversity, sorrow and sorrow and from all evil.
And make us, Thy sinful servants, worthy to be at the right hand at the second coming of Thy Son, Christ our God, and to be our heirs, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life, with all the saints throughout the endless ages of ages.
Amen.
Send this prayer to your loved ones
Send this prayer to your loved ones
Send this prayer to your loved ones
Iconography
The Iveron Mother of God belongs to the canonical type of Hodegetria, that is, the Guide. However, it also contains characteristic features of the iconography of Eleus (“Tenderness”), which is expressed in the closest possible arrangement of the figures of the Mother of God and her Divine Son, as well as their heads bowed to each other.
The mother holds her son on her bent left arm, the right one pressed to her chest in a prayerful gesture. The son sits on the right hand of the mother, as if on a throne, blessing the Mother of God with his right hand, and holding a scroll with the Gospel in his left.
Among the characteristic features inherent in this particular version, one can note the large and expressive features of the faces, as well as the “wound” on the face of the Virgin Mary, oozing blood. This is a trace from that very spear of the blasphemer.
Back in the 16th century, Georgian craftsmen made a luxurious silver frame with gilding and precious stones for the Iveron Mother of God. It covers almost the entire area of the icon, leaving only the faces of the Mother of God and the Savior visible.
What does Goalkeeper help with?
They pray to the Mother of God for the most secret things, expressing everything that hurts in their souls.
Most often, an icon is asked for:
- Consolation. Sincere prayer helps restore peace of mind after the most severe trials and the loss of loved ones. You can remove a heavy burden from your soul and learn to live on.
- Healing. The Mother of God helps in healing illnesses and serious addictions (drug, alcohol, gambling, and so on). Cases of healing from blindness and diseases of the musculoskeletal system have been documented.
- Protect. Our Lady of the Goalkeeper stands guard over the house and household. She protects the homes of parishioners from natural disasters, thieves, malicious guests and other misfortunes. And also from all kinds of sorcerers and magicians.
- Mutual love. You can ask the Mother of God for mutual love and happiness in marriage. There were cases when, after turning to her, spouses returned to the family with repentance, and children left bad companies and became much more diligent in their studies and more respectful to their parents.
- Conception and birth of children. The Mother of God patronizes children and bestows the happiness of parenthood. She is asked for relief from infertility, easy childbirth, the health of babies and women in labor.
- Getting rid of sinful thoughts. Even in our time of great temptations, one can live in accordance with Christian commandments. Sincere prayer will help maintain spirituality, moral and physical purity.
The great Alexander Vertinsky wrote in his memoirs about the honors given to the Iveron Icon at the Resurrection Gate. Not a single merchant began business until he bowed to the Defender of Moscow. And the great artist himself did not forget to take fresh flowers to the icon, even as a needy student.
Orthodox texts in Russian
In front of the Iveron Icon, Orthodox believers ask the Mother of God for protection, healing and offer prayers of thanks for the miracles that have happened.
Troparion
From Your holy icon, O Lady Theotokos, healing and medicine are given in abundance to everyone who comes to her with faith and love. Also, visit my illness and have mercy on my soul, O Good One, and heal my body with Your grace, O Most Pure One.
Troparion
The impudence of those who hate the image of the Lord, the power of the wicked, has ungodly come to Nicaea, and those sent inhumanly torture the widow who piously venerates the icon of the Mother of God, but the widow and her son at night released the icon into the sea, crying: “Glory to Thee, O Pure One, since the impassable sea offered Thee (like) shoulders (your waves), glory to your straight path, the only imperishable one.
Akathist
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, we offer You songs of praise, Thy servants, who, at the coming of Thy honorable image, acquired a strong shield, an invincible wall and a vigilant guard. You, as having an invincible power, shelter and protect us, Lady, from all enemies visible and invisible and deliver us from all harm, mental and physical, so we call You:
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Ikos 1
A representative angel was sent to notify the Mother of God when the lot of apostolic service in the land of Iveron fell to Her: “Do not be separated from Jerusalem, the lot that fell to You will be enlightened in the last days, but You have to work in the lands where God wills You.”
Rejoice in the same, for in the same the Gospel is preached; Rejoice, through it the idolatrous charm will be abolished.
Rejoice, through it the power of the prince of darkness will be destroyed; Rejoice, through her the Kingdom of Christ will be established.
Rejoice, you who have fallen into the darkness of idolatry to the light of the Gospel; Rejoice, bringing the children of God from slavery to the devil into freedom of glory.
Rejoice, ready servant of Your Son and God; Rejoice, you who heal the disobedience of Eve through obedience.
Rejoice, height of virtues; Rejoice, depth of humility.
Rejoice, through it the unbelievers will recognize the Creator; Rejoice, for by Her the faithful are adopted as sons of the Father.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the Holy Virgin, God’s wondrous and new providence for Herself, as the servant of the Lord, always ready to do His will, cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The incomprehensible meaning of the angelic verb is clear to You, Most Pure One, Lord, making Your coming to Mount Athos, where You preached the Gospel, and so Your lot appeared. We joyfully cry:
Rejoice, you who sanctified Athos with Your coming; Rejoice, you who cast down the idols there.
Rejoice, you who planted the true faith there; Rejoice, you who have driven away unbelief.
Rejoice, you who have chosen this Mountain as your lot; Rejoice, you who promised grace to this place.
Rejoice, O giver of earthly blessings to the faithful who live in it; Rejoice, supporter of their eternal salvation.
Rejoice, warm intercessor for those living in Your lot; Rejoice, all their enemies are intimidated.
Rejoice, you who promised the mercy of your Son to this place until the end of the age; Rejoice, foretold His grace to be everlasting.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Almighty intercedes with Our Lady of Autumn, the Holy Mountain. and the valleys and its wilds, like a large village, show everyone who wants life in monasticism, life salvation, to always sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Knowing the providence about Her lot, the people of the Iveron land, in the place where She herself landed on Mount Athos, she built a monastery for their family, a quiet refuge for those seeking salvation, wanting to give her His icon as a shield and fence, so everyone could cry:
Rejoice, you who sent a preacher of the Gospel to the land of Iveron; Rejoice, you who have turned this country from the delusion of idolatry to the light of Christ.
Rejoice, unfading shoot, who gave the wondrous vine to Nina; Rejoice, from her the clusters of miracles and good faith that grow.
Rejoice, you who planted a spiritual garden on Athos; Rejoice, you who sent a stream of spiritual enlightenment from him to the country of Iveron.
Rejoice, Euphemia, golden-speaking lips; Rejoice, Tornikia, invincible fortress.
Rejoice, strengthening of all the pious; Rejoice, guardian of monks.
Rejoice, quiet haven for those seeking salvation; Rejoice, you who prepare eternal peace for them.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 4
Having a storm inside with doubtful thoughts, an honest widow, as in Nicaea, dismayed by the vision of the spear of an iconoclast warrior piercing the holy and revered icon of the Mother of God, bleeding, obsessed with fear, so that the holy icon would not be desecrated, with prayer and tears she lowered it into the sea. Seeing her right on top of the water making her way and floating to the west, exclaim with joy: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Monks of the Holy Mountain. Those who saw in the sea a pillar of flame reaching the sky and shining like the sun, approaching the edge of the sea in the night and seeing the holy icon of the Mother of God carried across the sea by the power from above, exclaimed to the Blessed One:
Rejoice, Kupino, foreseen by the Lawmaker; Rejoice, pillar of fire, teaching those who are in darkness.
Rejoice, ladder that reaches to Heaven, with which God will descend; Rejoice, bridge connecting those who exist from earth to Heaven.
Rejoice, dawn of the mysterious day; Rejoice, Star that reveals the Sun.
Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Ineffable Light; Rejoice, as you have taught many.
Rejoice, clothed in the sun, shining with grace and glory throughout the universe; Rejoice, lightning, enlightening souls and illuminating the meanings of the faithful.
Rejoice, luminous one, shining in the darkness; Rejoice, like a multi-lighted enlightenment.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 5
The Mother of God, who wanted to give Her myrrh-streaming icon to the Iveron monastery, said to St. Gabriel: “Go with the face of the monks to the seashore, go down into the abyss and receive My icon.” He, inspired by faith and love, walked through the water as if on dry land, took her into his arms and reached a treasure, otherwise unattainable, as the property of the monks of his Iberian family, rejoicing with the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
The Iveron monks, who had repeatedly seen the icon of the Mother of God from the temple at the top of the monastery gates transferred to the city wall by an invisible force, were horrified and stood calling to Her:
Rejoice, you who deigned to give us the holy icon; Rejoice, you who promised to be her protection for us.
Rejoice, you who have shown Your love for our monastery; Rejoice, you who showed good providence for her.
Rejoice, our help is in a foreign country; Rejoice, there is consolation in our journey.
Rejoice, God's favor is upon us; Rejoice, our boldness towards God.
Rejoice, deliverance of our tears; Rejoice, protector of us orphans.
Rejoice, our fence; Rejoice, our only joy.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 6
Having created Gabriel as a preacher of Her will, the Lady said to him: “I did not come to be kept from you, but may I be your guardian not only in the present, but also in the next century. With this I give you a sign: as long as you see My icon in the monastery, the grace of My Son and mercy will not fail you, so that everyone may cry out to Him: Alleluia.”
Ikos 6
Great joy will shine upon those who heard Your promises, Mother of God, and to You, the Heavenly Goalkeeper, a temple at the gates of the monastery with joy the monks erected and cried out like this:
Rejoice, our guardian in the present age; Rejoice, our representative in the future.
Rejoice, you who teach us the fear of God; Rejoice, instructing you on the path of virtue.
Rejoice, our boldness and hope; Rejoice, our hope and protection.
Rejoice, thou who didst bend the mercy of His Son to us; Rejoice, proclaiming His grace to be with us in abundance.
Rejoice, you who gave the holy icon as a pledge of mercy; Rejoice, you who gave her the gift of miracles.
Rejoice, shielding all evil from the monastery; Rejoice, you who open the entrance to all good things.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 7
The wicked Amir wanted to destroy the Iveron monastery and scatter the herd of monks gathered there, and soon received strong monastery intercession from the Mother of God, seeing his ships mired in the depths of the sea, and the warriors dead. And he came with humility, giving silver and gold to the monastery, asking for prayers. The monks who saw this cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The Mother of God showed new and countless miracles, replenishing the shortage of wine, flour and oil in the monastery, healing the demon-possessed, granting walking to the lame, healing the blind and healing every ailment, and those who saw these miracles sing to You:
Rejoice, chosen Voivode, conquering enemies; Rejoice, you are present to help those who call on You.
Rejoice, you who do not despise our prayers; Rejoice, you who do not retreat from Your promises.
Rejoice, you who transform the sorrow of the monastery into joy; Rejoice, replenishing the depletion of the monastery.
Rejoice, recovery of sight for the blind; Rejoice, lame walking.
Rejoice, healer of all the weak; Rejoice, comforter of all the sorrowful.
Rejoice, as you who never cease to provide for and save us; Rejoice, as you deliver us from so many troubles.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 8
Patriarch Nikon heard about the extraordinary protection from the icon of the Mother of God of the Iveron monastery, wishing that the Russian country would also receive Her grace to receive communion; For this reason, having created a monastery in honor of the glorious image, he carefully asked for an image of the miraculous image of the Mother of God. Those protected by Her protection cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All that exists in the Highest, but does not forget the lower ones, was favored by the Mother of God, as in ancient times to the Monk Anthony. granted the blessing of Mount Athos for the establishment of the Pechersk monastery, and bestowed Her grace on the new monastery in the Russian country. She blessed her as Athos, in the likeness of Your honest image. We also appeal to You:
Rejoice, Russian country, wider than a cloud; Rejoice, the Orthodox faith is protected and affirmed in it.
Rejoice, Orthodox Church, unshakable pillar; Rejoice, denunciation of heresies and schisms.
Rejoice, thou illuminating the whole country with the bright rays of miraculous icons; Rejoice, you who exude gifts of healing and mercies from them.
Rejoice, intimidation of enemies; Rejoice, joy of the saints.
Rejoice, praise of the priests; Rejoice, teacher of monks.
Rejoice, salvation of our entire family; Rejoice, faithful affirmation.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 9
Having a great desire to paint an honest image of the merciful Goalkeeper, a host of Iveron fasters sing prayers, wash the board with water from the wonderful icon on which the honest image will be depicted, and the Monk Jamblichus sanctifies it, having first labored in fasting, prayer and vigil with all the brethren. Having copied the honest image of the Mother of God with holy water and consecrated relics, I pray and cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The many-spoken creatures, like voiceless fish, we hear about You, Mother of God: everyone is perplexed as to how to properly praise all Your miracles, revealed to our race from Your holy icon, even on the way to the Russian country, which worked miracles to the pious Manuel, commanding a ransom to be given to the infidels who were blocking the procession of the saint. icons to the Russian country, and after giving them back to him. We who marvel, faithfully cry out to You:
Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles; Rejoice, giver of all mercy.
Rejoice, always warm intercessor to God for us; Rejoice, His providences for us are treasures.
Rejoice, refuge for those in trouble; Rejoice, consolation for those who mourn.
Rejoice, healing of the sick; Rejoice, strength of the weak.
Rejoice, intercessor of widows; Rejoice, merciful Mother of the orphans.
Rejoice, conversion of those who are mistaken on the path to the truth; Rejoice, calling sinners to repentance.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 10
Wanting to save many people from troubles and sorrows, you, Mother of God, exude an endless source of mercy from Your icon to our family: and in the capital city of Moscow, the good Goalkeeper, who appeared to all who worship You, giving speedy help, and in the new monastery of Iveron grace, You release streams from Your icon, and in other cities, monasteries and villages, those who honor You fulfill your useful request. In the same way, glorifying God, who gave us such grace, we cry out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Wall of the monastic rite, Mother of God, and to all who come running to You, for the Creator of Heaven and earth has dwelt in Your virgin womb, teach all zealots of purity and chastity to proclaim to You:
Rejoice, chosen vessel of virginity; Rejoice, purest example of chastity.
Rejoice, palace of seedless humiliation; Rejoice, unbridled Bride.
Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Sower of Purity; Rejoice, you who united the faithful of the Lord.
Rejoice, quick helper in a storm of temptation; Rejoice, repelling the enemy’s attacks.
Rejoice, you who drive away the darkness of harmful passions; Rejoice, purifying thoughts.
Rejoice, you who teach us to despise earthly pleasures; Rejoice, you who guide minds and hearts to heaven.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 11
All singing is overcome, one strives to draw closer to the multitude of Thy bounties; We offer songs equal to grains of sand to You, our Lady Theotokos, we do nothing more worthy than those who give to us, crying out for You: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
As a light-receiving candle, appearing to those in the darkness of troubles, we see the holy icon of the Mother of God; Receiving the immaterial fire of grace, illuminating everyone with rays of miracles, teaching us to cry out to the Blessed One:
Rejoice, quick help for all needs; Rejoice, quick hearing in sorrows.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest us from fire, sword and the invasion of foreigners; Rejoice, freeing us from hunger and vain death.
Rejoice, you who protect us from the plague and destruction of mortals; Rejoice, sudden help to those in need along the way, on land and on the waters.
Rejoice, healing of mental and physical ulcers; Rejoice, you who accept those left by doctors into Your hands.
Rejoice, merciful consoler of all those who mourn and are burdened; Rejoice, not rejecting all the despised and rejected.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest the most desperate from the pit of destruction; Rejoice, and me, naked of good deeds, who does not abandon me with Your protection and intercession.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 12
Having desired to give grace to ancient debts, to all debts, the Solver, a man, came with Himself bringing grace and, having distributed the handwriting, granted us a strong God-gracious intercession, so that we all cry out with Her prayers: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
By singing about Your miracles, which are revealed to us in life, we praise You, Mother of God, as an inexhaustible source of mercy. But, falling to You in front of Your miraculous icon, we humbly pray to You: be for us protection and protection both on the day of our death, and when we must appear before the terrible throne of Your Son, so that we cry to You:
Rejoice, you who sit in glory next to the throne of Your Son and remember us there; Rejoice, forever reigning with Your Son and God and interceding for us.
Rejoice, you who give the end of life without shame to those who trust in You; Rejoice, you who give a painless and peaceful death.
Rejoice, deliverance from bitter ordeals; Rejoice, liberation from the power of the prince of the air.
Rejoice, there is no remembrance of our sins; Rejoice, for in the Lord is our hope for a blessed life.
Rejoice, standing to those who trust in You at the right hand of Your Son; Rejoice, thou who promises the inheritance of the blessed voice of It, the Heavenly Kingdom, and makes it worthy to hear.
Rejoice, good Mother, who makes all who honor You live with You; Rejoice, strong hope of eternal salvation for all Christians.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, opening the doors of heaven to the faithful.
Kontakion 13
Oh, All-Singing Mother, Most Holy Lady Virgin Mary! Look upon us, who humbly offer these small prayers with tears before Your most pure image and have placed all our hope and hope in You, and deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes in this life and the future, so that those saved by You, cry out loudly: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Representative Angel...” and the 1st kontakion “To the Chosen Voivode...”.
Canon
Song 1
Irmos: Submerge the chariot of Pharaoh, having performed a miracle, sometimes the rod of Moses, striking in the shape of a cross and dividing the sea, and saving the fugitive Israel, the pedestrian, singing a song to God.
Accept praise from profane lips, O All-blameless One, as before Your Son, my God and Lord, accepted the widow’s two mites, and forgive my sins, as I honor You out of duty.
Angelic singing befits You, the Mother of God, who gave birth to the Creator in a strange way. But also from us, Lady, accept these humble prayers, so that we may sing to the Lord: be gloriously glorified in our weakness.
Having stopped the waters, stopping the waves in the middle of the sea, bearing Your icon, Mother of God. Confirm my moving heart also on the stones of Christ’s commandments.
The Helper and Patroness was the Virgin of the Iveron monastery, who plunged Amira’s warriors from their ships into the sea, but drowned in the abyss of Thy Son’s mercy all my spiritual passions and my countless sins.
Song 3
Irmos: Establish the Heavens in the beginning with reason and the earth on the waters, establish me on the rocks, O Christ, establish Your commandments as holy as none other than You, the only One who loves mankind.
Strengthen my heart in trust in You, Mother of God, take away all pride and exaltation from my darkened mind, so that I cry: none is holy like the Lord, and none is righteous like our God.
You, O Mother of God, give strength to the weak, satisfy the hungry; visit my weakness and the hungry and thirsty me and satisfy the Animal Bread that came down from Heaven to earth through Your virgin womb.
Rise, O Lady, from the earth, me, the wretched, and remove me, the beggar, from the rotting place of sin, give prayer to me, the one who prays, and, magnified, I sing Your intercession.
Show my barren mind to be fruitful, O Good Virgin, who gave birth from an immaculate conception: You are the fruitfulness of all blessings by the appearance of Your icon..
Sedalen
On the bright day of our Intercessor, the celebration began. Let the creature leap, let the human cathedrals rejoice, let the Holy Mother of God call us to see her fiery icon, illuminating the faithful with the rays of mercy. To those who rejoice, we cry out: save, O Lady, from famine, fire, sword and misfortune all who venerate the appearance of Your icon.
Song 4
Irmos: You are my fortress, Lord, You are my strength, You are my God, You are my joy, do not leave the bosom of the Father and visit our poverty. Therefore, together with the prophet Habakkuk, I call You: to Your power be glory, O Lover of mankind.
Thy virtue covered the Heavens, O Mother of God, and the earth was filled with Thy praise, but place the love of Thy mighty fortress on me, the desperate one.
Those preparing the procession for Your wondrous icon will give their voice to the abyss, the sun will rise, and its radiance will be like light, but You came down to save people, You have come to save Your inheritance.
Those who have heard the rumor of Your coming, the monks will be afraid; Having understood Your works, they will be horrified, but when my soul is confused, remember Your mercy, Lady, and I cry: glory to Your intercession, Mother of God.
You are my strength and strength, Mother of God, I rest in You on the day of my sorrow, and I will return from the country through You to Heavenly inheritance, and I will rejoice in the Lord and God, my Savior.
Song 5
Irmos: I was completely rejected from Your presence, the Unstoppable Light, and an alien darkness covered me, the accursed one, but turn me and direct my path to the light of Your commandments, I pray.
Look, O Pure One, the people of Your flock are awakening from the night, surrounding Your God-praising icon, asking for remission of sins, and correction of life, and the Divine glory of communion: do not cast us away from Your presence, Holy One. that Never-Going Mother.
With all my soul and thought in Your flock all the jubilant psalms and spiritual songs, and with Divine singing they honor Your icon, asking for forgiveness of sins and salvation of souls. You, our healing, grant all this, Lady Bride of God.
Your temple, Virgin, like another paradise has now appeared, like the tree of life, having an icon of Your beauty, we all earnestly kiss you with reverence and love, we cry: Lady, give us peace, Mistress, gain us, otherwise we know no consolation from You.
I speak Your sweet river and the stream of satiation, the manna from Heaven, the abundance and grace that ever flows in Your monastery, the living who have acquired it, sing Your Nativity, O Maiden.
Song 6
Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, because of my many iniquities, and remove me from the depths of my evils, I pray, crying out to You, and hear me, O God of my salvation
In the sorrow of my heart I cry out to you, Lady, of the sea of life, drowned by a storm, to you, as a quiet haven, I resort: remove my life from corruption.
The final abyss of sins has embraced me, and my spirit is disappearing, but stretch out, O Lady, Your tall muscle and, like Gabriel, keep me, running to Your icon, unharmed.
Do not completely cast me away from Your presence, Mother of the Never-Ending Light, do not allow me to wallow in the abyss of lawlessness, but lead me away from the cronyism of passions, so that my life may arise from decay and I will turn to You with my eyes. a volume of praise and confession.
I wear my entire body, completely defiled, to You, the Most Pure Temple of the Eternal Word, I dare to offer my humble prayers in Your honorable Temple, before Your holy icon. You, as the Merciful One, cleanse me with Your compassion.
Kontakion, tone 8
Your holy icon, Mother of God, was cast into the sea from a widow who could not save her from her enemies, but appeared as the guardian of Athos and the goalkeeper of the monastery of Iversky, frightening enemies even in Orthodox Russia This country honors You from all troubles and misfortunes.
Ikos
When they saw the icon of the Mother of God appearing in the pillar of fire, the Iveron fasters cried out: O Master, grant us to accept the icon of Your Mother for the consolation of our journey; But you, Gabriel, dare and enter the sea, and accept into your arms the treasure that is revealed to us, may it be a vigilant guard for us, protection and joy for all Christians, and a guardian from troubles and attacks deliverer.
Song 7
Irmos: Fire was once ashamed of God’s condescension in Babylon. For this reason, the youths in the oven, overjoyed by it, like those rejoicing in a flower garden, sang: Blessed be God our father.
Sinning, lawlessness, lies before the Lord, but, my lord of the Virgin, as a good fading of his righteous nest by your mother -in -law, may he: the father of the blessings of God.
In the furnace of scorching temptations and troubles, irrigate, Mother of God, with the streams of Your bounty, may our enemies be put to shame and may everyone understand how You alone are the Lady Theotokos, glorified throughout the entire universe.
The Throne of the King of Glory, the Most Honest Cherub, the animated temple, in which the Lord dwells, the firmament of Heaven, on which will shine the Sun of Truth, Christ, We sing to You, Mother of God, and most exalted Here we are for all ages.
You are joy to those living in the deserts, You are the consolation and praise of the capital city, Virgin Mary, glorified and exalted forever.
Song 8
Irmos: The Chaldean tormentor of the Godly tormentor furiously kindled the furnace of seven days, but by the best power they were saved, they who saw, cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: youths, bless, priests, sing , people, exalt to all ages.
The Angelic Powers sing to You, the human race extols, all creation bless You, Most Pure Virgin Mother of God. Accept from me, unworthy, the praise brought to You.
Sing, monks of Athos, bless, O land of Iveron, extol, O whole Russian country, the Good Lady, flowing rivers of miracles from Her miraculous icon. We praise, bless, worship You, Mother of God, singing and exalting throughout all ages.
With the likeness of the Iveron Icon, not only is Saint Athos enlightened, but the capital city of Moscow is also beautified, and thus receives miraculous help and finds a source of consolation in it.
Also the country of Novgorod and other cities and villages in the likeness of Your Iveron icon, Lady, sanctified and enlightened by miracles, cry out: Sing to the Lord and exalt to all ages.
Song 9
Irmos: Heaven will be horrified at this and the earth will be amazed at the end, how God appeared as a man in the flesh and Your womb was the most spacious of Heaven. Thus, the Mother of God, the Angels and the people of the ranks magnify You.
The mystery of the depth of Your Nativity terrifies the angelic mind, Virgin, and Your most pure icon drives away demons, for they cannot bear to see its power, they run away and disappear. We kindly bow to her and kiss her, and we magnify You, Mother of God.
Come, all of us, let us worship, fall down and exalt the Mother of God, who has looked upon us, the humble, hungry for the fulfillment of good, and who has made a covenant of mercy with us in the appearance of Her wondrous icon.
Virgin Mary, hope for Christians, add to our race Your mercy, which came from our father, cover and keep us from all evil.
Oh, All-Merciful Helper to Christians, the human and angelic tongue cannot adequately sing of You, as of all the most honest and most glorious creatures on earth, but graciously accept this offered to You from Pray and save us always, who have placed their trust in You.
Luminous
Your all-honorable icon was received by Gabriel into his arms, the Lady crying out to You: O sweet Mother of the King Christ, be the cover of Your abode, the joy of all Christians, and the Helper of life eternal.
First prayer
O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and Earth! Listen to the much-painful sighing of our souls, look from Your holy height at us, who worship Your most pure image with faith and love. Loaded with sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, we look at Your image, as if alive to You, living with us, we offer our humble prayers. We have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation, only to You, O Mother, of all those who mourn and are burdened! Help us, the weak, quench 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, give us Christ death and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, the merciful Intercessor appeared to us, and always We sing, magnify and glorify You as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.
Second prayer
O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos! Accept our unworthy prayer, and save us from the slander of evil people and from sudden death, and grant us repentance before the end. Have mercy on our prayer and grant joy instead of sorrow. And deliver us, Madam, from all trouble and misfortune, sorrow and illness, and from all evil. And grant us, Thy sinful servants, to the right hand at the Second Coming of Thy Son, Christ our God, and heirs of the existence of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life with all the saints throughout the endless ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion
Although Your holy icon, the Mother of God, was immersed in the sea by a widow who could not save the icon from enemies, she was found and became the Guardian of Athos and the Goalkeeper of the Iveron monastery, frightening enemies, and in the Orthodox Russian country who honor You, from all troubles and relieving misfortunes.
Miracles associated with the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
The Iveron Mother of God is revered as a miraculous icon. Naturally, the longest list of miracles is in the original, located in Athos, in the monastery of the same name.
Once the sea gates of the Iveron monastery were besieged by the Persian fleet. The monks fervently prayed to the Mother of God for salvation, and a miracle happened: a storm arose and the ships of the invaders sank. And the Persian naval commander Amir, who miraculously escaped, repented of his deeds and made a generous donation for the restoration of the monastery.
Of interest is also the case that happened to Nectarius Vlah, a famous singer. He was invited to a religious holiday at the Iverskaya monastery. During the meal, Nektarios suddenly felt ill: one of the monks treated him with poison (obviously out of envy of his wonderful voice). However, after a prayer to the Goalkeeper and a couple of drops of oil from the lamp that stood in front of the face of the Ever-Virgin, the singer returned to life. On this day, the psalms in his performance sounded especially clear and soulful!
The lists of the Iveron Mother of God who are in Russia also perform miracles. All cases of miracles are recorded in special books. There are many records of healings, conceptions after many years of barren marriage, miraculous salvations and even finding a well-paid job.
When is the feast of the Iveron Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated?
The Iveron Mother of God icon has three celebration dates: two permanent and one transitory.
The moving holiday, dedicated to the discovery of the icon by the Iversky Monastery, is celebrated on Tuesday of Easter week. It is believed that on this day the image floating along the river was given into the hands of Gabriel of Svyatogorsk.
February 25 marks the date of transfer of the list to the temple of the Valdai Monastery. And October 26 marks the day when in 1648 the Iveron Mother of God arrived in Moscow with honors at the request of Patriarch Nikon.
Service at the Novodevichy Convent on the day of the Iveron Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Not long ago, the miraculous icon received another date of celebration: May 6. On this day, in 2012, the oldest and most revered list in Russia was transferred free of charge from the State Historical Museum to the Novodevichy Convent, which was returned to the fold of the Russian Orthodox Church.
What does the Iveron Mother of God Icon look like? (photo and description)
The main feature of each image is that it belongs to one or another type of iconography. Thus, the Iveron face refers to Hodegetria. If you look closely at the image, you can see a drop of blood running down the face (cheek).
This wound was received during the reign of the iconoclast emperor
when his warriors hit the icon with a spear, and it became myrrh.
Our Lady holds Jesus. Both have their hands raised. Moreover, the Son of God has his fingers folded to make the sign of the cross. In this way his blessing is conveyed to the Virgin Mary and all people. In addition, he holds a scroll with his left hand - this is the Holy Teaching. The image of the icon is half-length; the Mother of God has an icon on her head. The Ever-Virgin and Christ have halos.
Since the 16th century, the image has a frame. He adorns the holy face. Moreover, it is made in such a way that it almost completely covers the image. But the faces of the Virgin and Jesus remain open. The frame is made of hammered silver. Authorship is attributed to Georgian masters.
Download the Iveron Mother of God Icon for free
Send this prayer to your loved ones
Pictures (images) of Happy Iveron Icon of the Mother of God: download and print for free
Send this prayer to your loved ones
Send this prayer to your loved ones
Send this prayer to your loved ones
How to pray to the image correctly and where to place it
Half-length icons of the Mother of God in home iconostases are traditionally placed to the right of the image of the Savior. However, in the case of the Goalkeeper, it would not be a mistake to hang the image directly above the entrance to the house or directly next to it.
Prayer
O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and Earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. Behold, 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. 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 to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, the merciful Intercessor will appear to us, and always We sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.
Kontakion, troparion, magnification
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Iveron Icon of Her
Tone 1. From Your holy icon, / O Lady Theotokos, / healing and healing are given abundantly, / with faith and love, to those who come to her. / So visit my weakness, / and have mercy on my soul , Good One, // and heal the body with grace Yours, Most Pure One.
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Iveron Icon of Her
Voice 1. The insolence of those who hate the image of the Lord,/ and the power of the wicked came ungodly to Nicaea,/ and sent an inhumane widow,/ piously venerating the icon of the Mother of God, they tortured,/ but melting night I and my son let the icon into the sea, crying out:/ Glory to Thee, O Pure One, / Like the impassable sea, its waves have succumbed, // Glory to Your righteousness, O One Imperishable.
Kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Iveron Icon
Tone 8. And yet Thy holy icon, O Mother of God, was cast into the sea/ from a widow who could not save her from her enemies,/ but there appeared the Guardian of Athos/ and the Goalkeeper of the monastery of Iveron, enemies ́ frightening / and in the Orthodox Russian country / / who honor Thee delivering from all troubles and misfortunes.
Kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Iveron Icon
Voice 4. Today the light of Thy pure icon shines upon the Light of the Resurrection, / we both joyfully cry out triumphantly // preserve Thy servants with grace, O Lady.
How to Pray for Help and Healing
The most important thing when turning to the holy image is to focus on prayer. When performing the ritual at home, the believer must have a decent appearance (washed, dressed, combed). During this time, you should turn off the TV, phone, and computer. No one should talk loudly.
In front of the image they light a blessed candle, sign themselves with the sign of the cross, and bow. You can pray standing, kneeling, sitting or lying down (for the sick and disabled). The text is learned by heart or read from a prayer book. At the end of the prayer, they cross themselves and bow.
Before praying for health (your own or those of loved ones), you need to ease your soul with repentance, free yourself from anger, hatred, and envy.
