History of the miraculous image
For the first time, the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God was officially mentioned in 1559. Metropolitan Neophytos, on his way from Constantinople, passed through Volyn and decided to visit the noblewoman Anna Goiskaya, known for her piety and charity. She lived on the Orlya estate, not far from the city.
The Metropolitan was met with honors, given a worthy welcome, and all conditions were created for rest on the road. In gratitude, the clergyman gave the pious noblewoman an icon of the Mother of God, which he had with him.
Anna Goyskaya hung the image in the red corner. Soon the family began to notice that a radiance was emanating from the face of the Mother of God. The icon performed its first miracle in 1597. She healed the seriously ill brother of the mistress of the house, Philip, to whom the prayer of the Pochaev Mother of God was constantly read for deliverance from the disease. After this, the noblewoman considered her house unworthy to store the miraculous icon and gave it to the monks who lived on Pochaevskaya Mountain.
Since then, the miraculous image has performed many wonderful deeds. The prayer to the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God saved many lost souls:
- sinners realized the wrongness of their actions, repented and went to God;
- homeless people found shelter;
- prisoners were freed;
- the sick, even seriously ill, received healing (follow the link for a complete collection of prayers for your health).
Already in our time, in 1975, the image of Our Lady of Pochaev saved the monastery from the invasion of Turkish troops. The conquerors destroyed all the shrines on their way, killing peasants and artisans. The monks sang the akathist around the clock and prayed before the icon of the Pochaev Mother of God.
The Turks besieged the monastery and the temple with the icon, surrounding it on all sides. When it seemed that the enemy would burst in, the Mother of God appeared above the buildings, surrounded by saints. They all looked reproachfully at the conquerors.
The Turks were shocked. They were gripped by horror, and the entire army hastened to retreat and leave the place guarded by the Mother of God herself. The fame of the invincible temple quickly spread among Christians.
Miraculous lists of the Holy Image
Lists of shrines are presented all over the world, including Orthodox churches in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia and Bosnia. However, the most famous are the images that are located in the following temples, churches and monasteries:
- Demetrius of Thessalonica Church in Moscow;
- St. John the Vvedensky Monastery for women, located near Tobolsk;
- Trinity Cathedral, located on the territory of the St. Daniel Monastery in Moscow;
- Church of the Holy Apostles in Lefortovo.
Peter and Paul Church (Moscow)
St. John the Vvedensky Monastery (Priirtyshsky village)
Demetrius of Thessaloniki Temple (Moscow)
Creation of the Pochaev Lavra
The construction of the Pochaev Monastery of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary is inextricably linked with the history of the icon. Two monks settled on the mountain in 1240. One day, after morning prayer, one of them climbed to the top and saw a miracle. The Mother of God stood on the stone and shone dazzlingly, as if engulfed in flames. The monk called his friend. Soon there were already three of them on the mountain. John Bosoy, a shepherd from a nearby village, saw the glow from a distance and climbed to the top.
All three witnesses to the miraculous phenomenon began to glorify the Mother of God, and continued until the phenomenon dissolved. All that was left on the stone was a footprint filled with spring water. The source has not dried up to this day, although pilgrims and local residents constantly draw water from it. Water heals diseases.
A footprint on a stone is often depicted on copies of the Pochaev Icon. Over time, the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God was built next to the source. Icon painters sometimes depict him behind the Virgin and Child. The icon was named after the place of its appearance and residence.
Troparion, kontakion, magnification
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her “Pochaevskaya” icon, tone 5
Before Your holy icon, Lady,/ those who pray are granted healings,/ the faiths of true knowledge accept/ and the Hagarian invasions are repelled./ Those Let us also, who come to You, ask for the remission of sins,/ Enlighten the thoughts of piety in our hearts, / and prayer to Your Son
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of Her “Pochaevskaya”, tone 4
Let us now be diligent to the Mother of God with sin and humility, and let us fall to the wondrous image of Her, likewise on the mountain of despair: looking towards him tenderly and praying to the Queen and Lady from the depths of our souls. opium: O Most Wonderful Virgin, Mother of the Lord Most High, who from ancient times chose the Pochaev monastery as the place His village! Establish our native land in Orthodoxy and peace, and save all those who stand and pray to You with a tender soul and a contrite heart, before Your Most Pure Image with tears. Do not turn away Your slaves from your vanity: You are the only Hope of the imams.
Kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of Her “Pochaevskaya”, tone 1
The source of healing and faith of the Orthodox affirmation/ Thy Pochaev icon, the Mother of God, appeared,/ also we who flow to her,/ freed from troubles and temptations,/ preserved Thy laurel unharmed,/ Orthodoxy in establish a prayer book around the standing countries, / and resolve sins Yours // if you want, you can.
Greatness
We magnify You, / Most Holy Virgin, / and venerate Your venerable icon, / since ancient times // You have been glorified on Mount Pochaev.
This shrine has long been located in one of the oldest monasteries of the Russian Church - the Pochaev Lavra, famous for the steadfastness of the faith of the inhabitants, which was manifested more than once during the history of the monastery, and also for the special choice of this place from the Most Pure One.
What does an icon help with?
The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is prayed to in different life situations:
- about the return of a loved one and maintaining peace in the family (follow the link to prayers for the preservation of the family);
- about healing and giving health to loved ones;
- if necessary, protection from unfair accusations in court and imprisonment;
- when difficult situations arise in life;
- to strengthen your faith.
Both individual Christians and large groups of people, monasteries, villages, and cities turn to the Mother of God for help.
Where is the image
The miraculous icon is located above the royal doors. In the temple where the image is located, the monks serve the midnight office, after which the holy image is lowered to the usual level with the singing of troparions. The icon hangs on silk ribbons, and a monk is constantly on duty next to it. Everyone who attended the service takes turns approaching the image.
In the temple you can get water from the holy spring, which is distributed by the novice.
Pochaev Lavra is a stronghold of the Orthodox faith throughout western Ukraine. The holy relics of St. Job, who lived in the Lavra for more than a hundred years, are also kept here. The monastery was not closed either during the first or second world wars.
Prayers before the icon
There are four canonical prayer texts asking for help from the Pochaev Mother of God. You can choose one and read it all the time. But to quickly receive help and protection, you need to read them all and regularly - daily.
On the day of honoring Our Lady of Pochaev, August 5, a religious procession is held in the Lavra with the removal of the icon and free access to it. The procession is accompanied by singing.
Troparion tone 5
Troparion Tone 4
Kontakion voice 1
Prayer
All four available texts are read one after another. At the end of each prayer, the believer crosses himself and says “Amen.” In the case where the prayer does not have enough time to read all the texts, one is selected that is most suitable for the situation.
WE RECOMMEND: Icon of the Mother of God “Deliverer”.
Who can pray for small children, they themselves do not yet know how?
Healing will come quickly if the mother asks for the child. It is advisable to hold the child in your arms or place it in front of the icon. Any relative, and even a stranger, can pray for children. The Mother of God will hear everyone and come to the aid of the child suffering from an illness.
Which prayer should I choose to read?
You should consult a clergyman or spiritual mentor on this issue. If there are none nearby, turn to a deeply religious person who has experience and understands the meaning of all texts.
An illegally captured person does not have an icon of the Mother of God with him. What should he do?
In this case, you should tune in to a quiet conversation with God. Imagine the icon of Our Lady of Pochaev and diligently, sincerely ask for help. Every year thousands of pilgrims come to pray at the Pochaev Monastery. For everyone who wants to touch the shrine, the icon is lowered down on ribbons. The Mother of God works miracles, saving many people from captivity, slander and illness.
Prayers to Our Lady of Pochaev
To You, O Mother of God, we, sinners, prayerfully flow to You, Your miracles in the Holy Lavra of Pochaev, revealed in remembrance and lamentation of our sins. We, Lady, we know, as it is not fitting for us sinners to ask anything, except for the righteous Judge of our iniquities to leave us. All that we have endured in life, sorrows, needs, and illnesses, like the fruits of our falls, have languished for us, and I allow this to God for our correction.
Moreover, the Lord brought all this truth and judgment to His sinful servants, who in their sorrows came to Your intercession, the Most Pure One, and in the tenderness of their hearts they cry out to You: Our sins and iniquities, O Good One, do not remember, but more than Your all-honorable hand Having risen up, stand before Your Son and God, so that the evil we have done may be forgiven us, and for our many unfulfilled promises, He will not turn His face away from His servants, and He will not take His grace, which contributes to our salvation, from our souls.
To her, Lady, be an intercessor for our salvation and, not disdaining our cowardice, look upon our groans, even in our troubles and sorrows we lift up before Your miraculous image. Enlighten our minds with tender thoughts, strengthen our faith, confirm our hope, grant us the sweetest gift of love to accept us. By these gifts, Most Pure One, and not by illnesses and sorrows, may our belly be elevated to salvation, but protect our souls from despondency and despair, deliver us who are weak from the troubles and needs that come upon us, and human slander and unbearable diseases.
Grant peace and prosperity to the Christian life through Your intercession, Lady, establish the Orthodox faith in our country, throughout the world, do not betray the Apostolic and Catholic Church to disparagement, preserve the statutes of the saints forever, unshakable, save all who come to You from the perishing ditch. Also, bring the heresy of our deceived brethren or the saving faith of those who have been destroyed by sinful passions to true faith and repentance, so that together with us those who worship Your miraculous image will confess Your intercession.
Vouchsafe us, O Most Pure Lady Theotokos, even in this belly the victory of truth by Your intercession to behold, vouchsafe us grace-filled joy before the end of our perception, just as the ancient inhabitants of ancient times were shown by Your appearance to the victors and enlighteners of the Hagarians, so that we all have a grateful heart, together with the angels, and prophets, and apostles, and with all the saints, glorifying Your mercy, let us give glory, honor and worship in the Trinity to the sung God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Special love for the Mother of God and glorification of the Pochaev Icon
The Orthodox of Holy Rus' treated and still treat the Most Holy Theotokos with special reverence and love. In all corners of the country, prayer and adoration of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God rush to heaven. The Mother of God does not leave anyone without help and consolation. Why did this particular icon become so revered among believers?
Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra - location of the Pochaev Icon
The meaning of the Pochaev Icon
Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God the meaning of the image - for all believers, the role of the Mother of God in salvation is great, so many pray in front of this icon for peace in Russia and Ukraine. There is even evidence of the Most Holy Theotokos punishing blasphemers and blasphemers through the prayer of St. Job. During his lifetime, the pious owner of the village of Pochaevo died, and it was inherited by a high-ranking person of the Lutheran faith, governor Andrei Ferley, who hated monasticism. But this blasphemer destroyed the monastery and seized the miraculous Pochaev Icon, and gave the jewelry from the icon frame to his wife for blasphemy. However, God soon struck this woman with an incurable disease. The queen was very frightened and returned the miraculous image of the Mother of God to the monastery.
Miracles that occurred through prayers before the holy image
The first miracle of healing occurred while the image was in the house of the noblewoman Goyskaya. This was the epiphany of a man who was blind from birth.
Count Potocki, angry with his coachman for not performing his duties properly, decided to shoot him. The servant overlooked, and the horses galloped so that the carriage overturned. The poor coachman began to pray fervently, looking at Pochaev Mountain. And a miracle happened, not a single bullet touched him. Count Pototsky was so amazed by this miracle that he donated money to the monastery, with which the Holy Assumption Cathedral was built.
The landowner's son died. The grandmother, grieving, fervently prayed for her grandson in front of the holy image all night. The next morning the child opened his eyes and asked for food.
After suffering a serious infection, the boy Yura became deaf. Doctors prescribed long-term treatment. The boy kept the Pochaev Icon, which his grandmother gave him, near him all night. In the morning he was completely healthy.
Anna Yakimchukova, who was blind from birth, washed her eyes with water drawn from the miraculous foot, and immediately received her sight.
Before the image they also pray for release from captivity.
- During the war, the monk was captured by the Turks. The monk prayed to the Mother of God day and night for liberation. Help came quickly. Miraculously, the monk found himself among the well-dressed people at the courtyard of the Pochaev Lavra.
- The miraculous face frees you from the attacks of dark forces. In a house where there is a holy icon, there is no enmity, anger or quarrels between family members.
