History of the icon
As you know, this ancient icon was painted in ancient times by the holy evangelist Luke himself and for centuries aroused reverent respect among believers. The holy image came to Russian soil as a wedding gift to the daughter of Emperor Constantine Anna, who was marrying the eldest son of Yaroslav the Wise. The emperor's daughter was blessed for the long journey precisely by the image of the Holy Mother of God.
Later, Anna's son, Vladimir Monomakh, placed the ancient shrine in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where a huge number of believers could pray to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. It was at this time that the icon was called “Hodegetria”, as it protected all those suffering from troubles and anxieties, instilled love and peace in their hearts, and inspired them to heroic deeds. For example, one of the ancient Russian warriors, Mercury, who said a prayer to the Mother of God Hodegetria the guide, was able to single-handedly kill a huge number of warriors of Batu Khan.
Later, the icon with the face of the Mother of God was transported to Moscow to the beautiful Annunciation Cathedral, where thousands of Orthodox Christians flocked to see the shrine and offer prayer to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria.
In the 15th century, the miraculous icon returned to Smolensk. Offering a prayer to the Mother of God of Smolensk, Russian soldiers went to the Battle of Borodino, inspired by the Intercessor, and fought fearlessly on the battlefields. More than once the icon inspired Russian people to feat of arms.
Unfortunately, the icon itself disappeared without a trace during the Great Patriotic War in 1941 in Smolensk, but exact copies of the icon are in many Orthodox churches in Russia.
What do they ask for before the image?
The Smolensk image of Hodegetria protected Russia for many centuries, helping to overcome both enemies and terrible epidemics. But this holy face helps not only countries, but also ordinary people.
Orthodox Christians turn to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, asking:
- improve marital relationships;
- find mutual understanding with children;
- heal the sick;
- protect sons serving in the army;
- strengthen your faith and resist temptation.
The Smolensk Mother of God Icon provides special protection to travelers. Therefore, those who are going on a long journey, be it a business trip or a vacation, turn to the icon of the Mother of God the Guide. The Queen of Heaven will not leave anyone without her love and protection. The main thing is to pray sincerely, with all your heart.
Prayers before the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God
Troparion, tone 4
We are now diligent to the Mother of God, / sinners and humility, and let us fall, / calling in repentance from the depths of our souls: / Lady, help, who have had mercy on us, / struggling, we are perishing from many sins ,/ do not turn away your slaves, // you and the one hope of the imams.
Translation: Now we, sinners and humble ones, will diligently run to the Mother of God, and we will fall to Her, crying out in repentance from the depths of our souls: “Mistress, help, take pity on us, hurry up, we are perishing from many sins! Do not let Your servants go empty-handed, for in You we have our only hope!”
Kontakion, tone 6
The representation of Christians is unshameful, / intercession to the Creator is immutable, / do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, / but advance, like the Good One, to the aid of us, / faithfully calling to You: / hasten to prayer and labor come to supplication, // interceding ever since, the Mother of God, who honor Cha.
Translation: The protection of Christians is reliable, Intercession to the Creator is unchangeable! Do not despise the prayerful voices of sinners, but come quickly, as the Good One, to the aid of us who call upon You with faith: “Hasten with your intercession and hasten your prayer, Mother of God, always protecting those who honor You!”
Kontakion, tone 6
We are not the imams of other help, / are not the imams of other hope, / do You, O Lady, / help us, / we hope in you / and we boast in you, / for we are your servants, / / let us not be ashamed.
Translation: We have no other help, we have no other hope, except You, Lady. Help us: we hope in You and boast in You, for we are Your servants; let us not be ashamed!
First prayer
To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I turn in my grief, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will hear my cry and receive my sighs, if not You, Most Immaculate, the Hope of Christians and the Refuge for us sinners? Who will protect them more than You in misfortune? Hear my groaning and incline Your ear to me, the Lady and Mother of my God. Do not despise the one who seeks Your help and do not reject me, a sinner, Queen of Heaven! Teach me to do the will of Your Son and grant me the desire to always follow His holy commandments. For my murmur in illnesses, labors and misfortunes, do not retreat from me, but be the Mother and Patroness of the less cowardly, my Most Gracious Queen, Zealous Intercessor! Through your intercession, cover my sins, protect from visible and invisible enemies, soften the hearts of those at war against me and warm them with Christ’s love. Grant to me, who is weak, Your all-powerful help to overcome my sinful habits, so that, cleansed by repentance and subsequent virtuous life, I may spend the rest of my days on earth in communion with the Holy Church. th journey. Stand before me, Hope of all Christians, at the hour of my death and strengthen my faith in the difficult hour of death. Offer up your all-powerful prayers for me, who have sinned many times in this life, after my departure, that the Lord will justify me and make me a partaker of His endless joys. Amen.
Second prayer
To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I turn in my grief, if not to You, Lady Lady Theotokos, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, O Most Immaculate One, Hope of Christians and Refuge for sinners? Incline, O Most Pure Lady, Your ear to my prayer, Mother of my God, do not despise me, requiring Your help, hear my groaning and inspire the cry of my heart, O Lord aka the Mother of God Queen. And grant me spiritual joy, strengthen me, who is impatient, sad and careless towards Your praise. Understand and teach me how it is fitting for You to pray, and do not depart from me, Mother of my God, for my grumbling and impatience, but be my protection and intercession in my life and bring me to the quiet haven of blessed peace, and count me to your face Your chosen flock and there deign me to glorify and glorify You forever. Amen.
Prayer three
Oh, Most Wonderful and Above All Creatures, Queen Theotokos, Mother of the Heavenly King Christ our God, Most Pure Hodegetria Mary! Hear us sinners and unworthy at this hour, praying and falling before Your Most Pure Image with tears and tenderly saying: deliver us from the pit of passions, O Most Blessed Lady, hut protect us from all sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all misfortune and evil slander, and from the unrighteous and the fierce slander of the enemy. Thou mayest, O our Blessed Mother, save Thy people from all evil and provide and save Thy people with all good deeds; Are there other Representatives for You in troubles and circumstances, and warm Intercessors for us sinners, not imams? Pray, Most Holy Lady, Your Son Christ our God, that He will honor us with the Kingdom of Heaven; For this reason, we always glorify You, as the Author of our salvation, and we exalt the holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity we glorify and worship God, forever and ever. . Amen.
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Orthodox texts
You can pray in your own words or choose any of the special prayer texts dedicated to the image of the Smolensk Mother of God: troparion, kontakion, prayer, akathist, canon.
Any of the sacred texts can not only be read alone, but also performed in choir by the whole family. Joint prayer has great power. Therefore, in case of family problems, it is advisable for all family members to participate in prayer.
Troparion
Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams.
Kontakion
The intercession of Christians is not shameful, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance as good help to us who faithfully call Thee: hasten to prayer and strive to entreat, interceding ever since, the Mother of God, who honor Thee.
In kontakion
There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, except You, the Lady: Help us, we hope in You and we boast in You: We are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.
First prayer
O Most Wonderful and Above All Creatures Queen Theotokos, Mother of the Heavenly King Christ our God, Most Pure Hodegetria Mary! Hear us sinners and unworthy at this hour, praying and falling before Your Most Pure Image with tears and tenderly saying: lead us out of the pit of passions, Most Blessed Lady, deliver us from all sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all misfortune and evil slander, and from the unrighteous and fierce slander of the enemy. You may, O Our Blessed Mother, save Your people from all evil and provide and save You with every good deed; Do You need other Representatives in troubles and circumstances, and warm Intercessors for us sinners, not imams? Pray, O Most Holy Lady, Thy Son Christ our God, that He will make us worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven; For this reason, we always glorify Thee, as the Author of our salvation, and extol the holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, glorified and worshiped God in the Trinity, forever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer
To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Lady Lady Theotokos, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, O Most Immaculate One, the Hope of Christians and the Refuge for sinners? Incline, O Most Pure Lady, Thy ear to my prayer, Mother of my God, do not despise me, requiring Thy help, hear my groaning and inspire the cry of my heart, O Lady Theotokos Queen. And give me spiritual joy, strengthen me, who is impatient, sad and careless towards Your praise. Enlighten and teach me how You should pray, and do not leave me, the Mother of my God, for my grumbling and impatience, but be my protection and intercession in my life and lead me to the quiet haven of blessed peace, and count me to your face Thy chosen flock and there deign me to sing and glorify Thee forever. Amen.
Prayer three
To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will hear my cry and receive my sighs, if not You, Most Immaculate, the Hope of Christians and the Refuge for us sinners? Who will protect You more in misfortune? Hear my groaning and incline Your ear to me, the Lady and Mother of my God. Do not despise the one who seeks Your help and do not reject me, a sinner, Queen of Heaven! Teach me to do the will of Your Son and grant me the desire to always follow His holy commandment. For my murmur in illnesses, labors and misfortunes, do not retreat from me, but be the Mother and Patroness of the cowardly me, my Most Blessed Queen, Diligent Intercessor! With your intercession, cover my sins, protect from visible and invisible enemies, soften the hearts of those who are hostile against me and warm them with Christ’s love. Grant to me, who is weak, Your all-powerful help to overcome my sinful habits, so that, purified by repentance and subsequent virtuous life, I may spend the remaining days of my earthly journey in communion with the Holy Church. Appear to me, Hope of all Christians, at the hour of my death and strengthen my faith in the difficult hour of death. Offer up for me, who has sinned many times in this life, Your all-powerful prayers after my departure, that the Lord will justify me and make me a partaker of His endless joys. Amen.
Akathist
Kontakion 1
Chosen from all generations, Heaven and earth, to the Queen, the Most Holy Theotokos Hodegetria, for you were delivered from eternal death by the grace of You, who was born Christ our God and by Your Mother's intercession before Him, we offer thanksgiving singing to You, your servants. You, our All-Merciful Intercessor, free us from all troubles and sorrowful circumstances and guide us to the kingdom on high, so we call You: Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Ikos 1
The Archangel's voice cries out to Ti, Pure One: Rejoice, Blessed Hodegetria Mary, and fill us with spiritual joys, so that with a reverent soul and a pure heart we will bring to Ti, who gave birth to the world the Savior Christ our God, these verbs: Rejoice, blessed by God the Father; Rejoice, Mother of the Son of God, unfathomable. Rejoice, sacred abode of God the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, manifestation of the Trinity mysteries. Rejoice, wonder of angelic minds; Rejoice, ornament of the human race. Rejoice, thou who art united above with those below; Rejoice, thou who hast opened the gates of heaven to earthly beings. Rejoice, heavenly ladder; Rejoice, ever-receiving God. Rejoice, unburnt Kupino; Rejoice, Most Holy Table. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 2
Having seen the icon of Your Most Holy Face, the Virgin Mary, the all-praised Evangelist Luke wrote about it, and spoke about it with Your most pure lips: “With this icon is My grace and strength.” Having seen such Your promise, we reverently venerate Your Most Holy Image, O Lady, and sing to Your Son and God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Having understood Your favor, O Theotokos, to this icon of Yours, the glorious Apostle Luke gave it as a blessing and sanctification to the Church of Christ of Antioch, in which she was called a Guide and glorified by divine miracles. For this, thanking Thee, the All-Blessed Lady, for Thou hast left us the likeness of Thy Most Pure Face as a consolation, we earnestly cry out to Thee: Rejoice, Queen of the high and low; Rejoice, Lady of angels and men. Rejoice, peace of peace; Rejoice, destruction of ancient enmity. Rejoice, pillar of virginity; Rejoice, humility is deep. Rejoice, clothed in the sun; Rejoice, shining with Divine glory. Rejoice, Mother of the Never-Evening Light; Rejoice, heavenly sweets in paradise. Rejoice, fragrant heirloom of Christ; Rejoice, bed of the Great King. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 3
By the power of God, wondrous miracles were performed by Your icon, the Lady of God, when it was brought to Constantinople and placed in the glorious Blachernae Church; You enlightened the blind, you healed every ailment in people by Your grace, O Theotokos, and let us all call to the God who glorified You: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Constantinople had the sovereign Intercessor, the Virgin Mother of God, and in the days of attack on it by strong and skillful enemies, Hodegetria received Your miraculous help from Your holy icon. We also pray to You, All-Blessed One, just as You saved this ancient city from destruction many times, so save us humble ones from eternal destruction by Your maternal intercession to Christ God, so we gratefully call You: Rejoice, strong fence of Constantinople; Rejoice, blessed treasure of the Blachernae Temple. Rejoice, victory over the unclean armies; Rejoice, the enemies of Orthodoxy are put to shame. Rejoice, children of Christ, Leader of victories; Rejoice, speedy Helper in the troubles that flow to You. Rejoice, zealous Intercessor of those who call upon You in prayer; Rejoice, companion of the God-wise saints in the gospel of Christ. Rejoice, glory to the praise of women and virgins; Rejoice, pillar of fire, tempering the heat of passions. Rejoice, pillar of cloud, dispelling the darkness of sins. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 4
Burea of the sea ships of the Preogordo Kagan, your hail of the captivity of the resumes, crushed the lord, and the victory over him Lyudema Christ gave from the holy icon odery, the rays of the light of heaven and the warriors of the Orthodox will be seen, but they will see, as you are warning the sovereign Constantinople and glorify Your mercies and miracles, singing to the Savior God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard about Your glorious miracles, O Virgin Mother of God, which You showed from Your icon in Constantinople, we are perplexed as to how that icon, carried along the hills of the city, was controlled by the Divine power of those who carried it and directed their feet according to Your will; direct our Lady and our feet on the path of fulfilling the commandments of Christ, and teach us to faithfully fulfill the holy will of Your Son and God, so that we cry to You: Rejoice, unquenchable light; Rejoice, never-setting star. Rejoice, shining with the Divine light; Rejoice, you who enlighten the souls of the faithful with grace. Rejoice, fragrance of the peace of Christ; Rejoice, sanctification of the earth. Rejoice, cup that draws joy to the whole world; Rejoice, fountain, pouring out eternal sweetness. Rejoice, well-adorned palace of the King of Kings; Rejoice, reddest paradise. Rejoice, brighter morning. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 5
For as the God-God Star, Thy icon, O Lady of God, was brought by Thy favor from Constantinople to the Russian country, and was given to the city of Smolensk as a gracious inheritance, we also thank Thee, O All-Merciful Lady, for Thou hast given such a holy gift to our Fatherland, and we sing in Trinity to the glorified God : Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen Your glorious intercession of the city of Smolensk, Most Pure Lady, we glorify Your great mercy, by which You miraculously saved this city from the destruction of Batu, by sending the saint of Christ Mercury with the voice of the Divine from Your icon to single combat with the leader of Batu’s army; He struck him with his sword and delivered Your city from the burning of fire. You crowned him with the crown of martyrdom, and with heavenly prayers grant us on earth to cry out to You without condemnation: Rejoice, you who strengthened the martyr of Christ Mercury for his feat of war; Rejoice, who inspired him with the voice of Your holy icon. Rejoice, for you who crowned David with victory against Goliath; Rejoice, strong defense of the city of Smolensk. Rejoice, Thou who delivered Thy city from destruction; Rejoice, Deliverer from captivity and defeat. Rejoice, Russian countries, blessed consolation; Rejoice, Church of Christ, God-splendid decoration. Rejoice, everlasting joy to those who love You; Rejoice, Soothestress of sorrows. Rejoice, healing of the sick; Rejoice, encouragement to the discouraged. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 6
The Russian country preaches Thy mercy and miracles, O Most Pure Virgin, Mother of God, and the city of Smolensk brightly flaunts, having Thy miraculous icon, healing all kinds of illnesses and giving health to the sick. For this reason, we reverently venerate Your multi-healing image, O All-Blessed Lady, and worshiping it, as a guarantee of Your favor towards us, we cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou hast shone in the land of Russia with the rays of Divine miracles emanating from Thy holy icon, O Most Pure Lady, to whom our fathers came from ancient years in sorrow and illness and departed in vain. Following them, we come to You and reverently kiss Your miraculous image with love, we pray to You: quench our sorrows, heal our ailments, and we call You: Rejoice, rod of old age; Rejoice, widower Intercession. Rejoice, charity for orphans; Rejoice, raising children. Rejoice, supply for the poor; Rejoice, liberation of the captives. Rejoice, consolation for those who mourn; Rejoice, pillar and affirmation of virginity. Rejoice, Patroness of monks; Rejoice, nun Mentor. Rejoice, strengthening of the fasting people. Rejoice, admonishment of the ascetics. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 7
Although you have deigned to bestow upon the city of Moscow the communion of grace from Thy holy icon, the All-Merciful Lady, Thou hast deigned to bring Thy icon from Smolensk to Moscow, and staying there, miracles will be glorified by many. When, at the request of the inhabitants of Smolensk, Your holy image returned to their city, at the place where Your icon Hodegetria passed, a monastery of virgins was quickly built in Your name; here, under the shadow of Your miraculous icon, with faith and love we sing a silent song to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The newly created monastery of nuns in the city of Moscow reverently honors the holy likeness of Your miraculous icon Hodegetria, exuding ineffable mercy to the faithful, with its overshadowing Orthodox people are gratefully comforted and affirmed in the feats of fasting and prayer, urging them to silently chant the Maternity of Your generosity and gratefully cry out to You : Rejoice in God beloved of the Queen; Rejoice, O Lady who loved God. Rejoice, one blessed among women; Rejoice, heavenly joy. Rejoice, earthly intercession; Rejoice, demons have been put to shame. Rejoice, hell trampled underfoot; Rejoice, strengthened by the power of the Lord of Hosts. Rejoice, invested with the power of the Queen of Heaven and earth; Rejoice, good Helper who wages war on the flesh with chastity. Rejoice, O merciful Comforter of those who strive in fasting and silence. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 8
You delight us in the many-sorrowful and many-rebellious earthly journey with Your maternal care for us, Mother of God, and in days of sorrowful circumstances you show us holy help for salvation. We remember and confess, Lady, Your intercession, when the Gauls devastated the Russian country and captivated the city of Moscow, You deigned to bring Your icon of the Holy Hodegetria from Smolensk to the troops of the Russian army, and thus You inspired the Orthodox, a glorious victory was granted to them, by Your intercession to Your Son and to God. Let us sing to him: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Filled with all mercy and generosity, the All-Blessed Mother of God, you gloriously bestowed help and victory over the enemies of the Orthodox Russian army. You drove the Gauls with dishonor from our Fatherland, and when we no longer had hope of salvation, our city was captured and destroyed; You crowned us with a wondrous victory. Always remembering Your intercession, we cry out in praise to You: Rejoice, Thou who wonderfully delivered our Russian country from the invasion of foreigners; Rejoice, Thou who by Thy power brought back the proud with shame. Rejoice, Omnipotent Victorious of the armies of other faiths; Rejoice, Sovereign Helper of the Orthodox army. Rejoice, Thou who mercifully abided with Thy holy icon with the Russian soldiers; Rejoice, who consecrated their shelves with Your miraculous image. Rejoice, strengthening those who are weak with power from above; Rejoice, you who give Your holy help to the helpless. Rejoice, O just intercessor of the offended; Rejoice, unreliable Hope. Rejoice, consolation of the sad; Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 9
All the faithful see Your holy image with joy and consolation, and on it you look with tenderness at the Divine Infant Christ, for this sake we pray to You, All-Good One, as the Mother of all who contains in the right hand of Your Master: look at us with mercy, and beg the Lord to have mercy on us unworthy . Teach us, Lady, to pray favorably to Him, and without condemnation to sing to Him with undefiled lips and a pure heart the Angelic song: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Our song oratory is not sufficient to glorify Your many miracles, Mother of God Hodegetria, which You have shown from Your holy icon and have always appeared to the faithful: but You, as truly the Good Mother, accept our faith and zeal; weigh our love for You, with which our hearts burn, and graciously hear this in the simplicity of the composed praise: Rejoice, O ever-Virgin joyful; Rejoice, Unbrided Bride. Rejoice, village of God the Word; Rejoice, monastery of the Most Holy of Holies. Rejoice, forever reigning with the Son, the King of heaven; Rejoice, you who have motherly boldness towards Him. Rejoice, mercifully heeding the prayers of the faithful; Rejoice, repaying those who love You with Your Divine love. Rejoice, Zion's mountain adornment; Rejoice, protection of the world for a long time. Rejoice, city of our influx of salvation; Rejoice, holy city, glorified by the descent of God. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 10
Save us, Lady, from eternal destruction by Your maternal intercession to Christ God, and grant us to see You at the hour of our death, from the hand of the fierce ruler of the world, guarding our soul: so that with Your Holy help we will escape his snares and be worthy to receive the Kingdom of Heaven and sing in eternal joy To God who loves mankind: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You are a wall to the virgins, the Virgin Mary, and to all the zealous zealots of virginity and purity, the Helper. We pray to Thee, Most Pure One, cleanse our hearts from all sinful filth, and adorn our souls with chastity and purity; May we remain unharmed from all the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil, and may we be honored to worthily proclaim to You the following song: Rejoice, good Nurse of the Virgins; Rejoice, merciful Guardian of orphans. Rejoice, quiet refuge for those overwhelmed by passions; Rejoice, safe haven for those troubled by temptations. Rejoice, Rewarder of the ascetics of chastity; Rejoice, Supporter of those fighting invisible enemies. Rejoice, merciful Visitor of the innocently convicted; Rejoice, O good Comforter of those falsely slandered. Rejoice, Divine Liberator of those in captivity and exile; Rejoice, all-powerful Protectress of the toiling and burdened. Rejoice, supplication of the Righteous Judge; Rejoice, reconciliation of sinners with God. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 11
Hearing the all-contrite singing from Your faithful servants, You, Most Pure Mother of the Virgin, as having unspeakable mercy, satisfy us with the incorruptible food of the Word of God and teach us to always fulfill the life-giving commandments of our Lord; Pray to Him, our All-Blessed Representative, to bestow His mercy on us unworthy and make us worthy to inherit His all-bright and all-blessed Kingdom, where all the saints sing a song of praise to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
With the bright rays of Your miracles, O Virgin Mother of God, you gracefully enlighten us, and from Your holy Hodegetria icon you send spiritual consolation to the saints of God. To us, sinners, grant us healing gifts from Her abundantly, and let us call upon You with gratitude and praise: Rejoice, O Thou who gave birth to the Lamb and the Imperishable Shepherd; Rejoice, you who combined virginity and the glory of the Mother in Yourself. Rejoice, thou of virginity, leading to a pure and virginal life; Rejoice, you who show Your holy love to God’s chosen ones. Rejoice, you who reveal the commands of Heaven to the saints of the Lord; Rejoice, you who honored St. Sergius of Radonezh with Your visit. Rejoice, you who guided St. Cyril of Beloozero with a voice from Your icon to Beloozero; Rejoice, you who strengthened the Venerable Savvaty of Solovetsky in his desert exploits. Rejoice, thou who blessed St. Mitrophan of Voronezh with Thy icon. Rejoice, protection and supply of the abodes of Christ; Rejoice, servants of God in the midst of the world, secret admonition. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 12
The grace of God acts in miracles, gloriously revealed from Your holy image, O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, enlighten our souls with it, dispelling the darkness of sin with the radiance of the Sun of Christ’s Truth, so that in the light of His commandments, we may live this temporary life pleasing to God in all piety and purity and be worthy receive eternal bliss and sing to God with the elect: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles, Mother of God, we preach Your mercies, glorify Your innumerable bounties and, falling before Your miraculous icon, we pray to You with faith and love: be for us a Good Guide to the bright city of Heavenly Jerusalem, so that we may see You from the height of Your Divine glory upon us looking mercifully and, together with the saints, let us sing to thee: Rejoice, our Most Holy Joy; Rejoice, Our Blessed Queen. Rejoice, Thou who adopted us as sons at the cross of Thy Son and God; Rejoice, you who show motherly love for us. Rejoice, you who wonderfully fulfill our good desires; Rejoice, quick to listen to humble prayers. Rejoice, thou who covert us with the veil of Thy saints; Rejoice, who reliably protects us with Your honest robe. Rejoice, at the hour of our death, Omnipotent Helper to us; Rejoice, O sovereign Intercessor for us in the ordeals of the air. Rejoice, free healing of our bodies; Rejoice, salvation of our souls. Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, hope of Christians!
Kontakion 13
O All-Singing Mother, Queen, All-Merciful Virgin Mother of God Hodegetria! Accept this little prayer of ours and bring it to Your Son, Mother, beseeching His goodness to have mercy on us sinners and unworthy; and through Your omnipotent intercession, He will deliver us from eternal torment; will be worthy to receive the Kingdom of Heaven and there with the Angels sing to God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Canon
Song 1
Irmos: I will open my mouth and be filled with the Spirit, and I will vomit the word to the Queen Mother, and I will appear, brightly triumphant, and I will sing, rejoicing, Those miracles.
Joyfully, O Pure One, I offer the praise that has now come, rejoicing, and in a quiet voice, Hodegetria, I cry to Thee: Rejoice and fill me with reason, beginning to sing.
Who gave birth to Christ, eternal joy to us, oh, rejoice, all-sung hope of the Orthodox, Hodegetria, all-sung to the Maiden, fill me with the joys desired by the world.
All men and Angels always rejoice, in agreement with the cry in Heaven and on earth, Hodegetria: Rejoice, Maiden, for with Your Nativity you have filled all things with joy.
Rejoice, Odigitria, with the fear of You grant those who cry out for joy, Mother of real joy, relieving all sorrows, and have mercy on all who come running to You.
Song 3
Irmos: Thy hymns, O Theotokos, Living and Unenvious Source, spiritually establish the face of thyself, and grant crowns of glory in Thy Divine glory.
Christ, the Most High King, oh, rejoice, unshakable, pure and animated chamber! Rejoice, Odigitria, rejoice: by You our city is preserved indestructible.
It is impossible for the creature to contain Him in the womb, which is not made of art, the Hodegetria of the Maiden, you have physically contained Him, and so, rejoice, we sing, magnifyingly according to duty.
The world's many-sung joy, joyfully singing ever and ever, eternal, pure joy, we are honored with Your Mother's prayers to the One who was born from You, Hodegetria.
We call upon You the golden statue, and the candlestick, and the staff, and the Pure table, Hodegetria, and the voice of Rejoice, with these same names.
Sedalen
A warm prayer and an insurmountable wall, a source of mercy, a refuge for the world, we diligently cry out to Thee: Mother of God, Lady, advance and deliver us from troubles, One who will soon appear.
Song 4
Irmos: Seated in Glory on the Throne of the Divine in a light cloud, the Divine Jesus came with an Imperishable Hand and called to salvation: glory, O Christ, to Thy power.
Rejoice, we are working miracles, Hodegetria the Lady. Rejoice, all the joy of the city, and the invincible Christian repository in troubles, and a barrier, and victory over enemies.
Rejoice, rejoice, praise to the Orthodox people, and protection of the Christ-loving army for all, O Queen. Rejoice, Odigitria, refuge and affirmation for all of us.
Rejoice, speedy deliverance from troubles for all. Rejoice, consolation ready for all who mourn. Rejoice, All-Singing One, Rejoice, All-Blessed Hodegetria, Healer to all the weak.
Rejoice, even though all creation hastens to glorify its greatness, but is unable to do so, Hodegetria, and for this reason he calls to You: Rejoice, Lady, Divine Dwelling.
Song 5
Irmos: Everyone was terrified of Your Divine glory: You, the Unmade Virgin, had in your womb God above all and gave birth to the Lifeless Son, giving peace to all who sing Your praises.
You are an abyss of blessings and bounty, rejoice, Hodegetria the Maiden, rejoice, bringing joy to all the faithful. Oh, rejoice, most swift Intercessor of those in trouble and those who mourn.
Rejoice, from the fulfillment of the greatness of Your miracles, we are filled with sight, all who are blind, but with hearing, we are faithful. In the same way, rejoice, we sing to you everywhere and everyone, Odigitria.
Christ our God, O Rejoice, Hodegetria, dwelling place and house of the ineffable and Divine, Virgin, of His glory. Oh, rejoice, adorned palace, rejoice, animated city, ever reigning!
Infinite joy looking at You, like the sea, the Youth, Hodegetria the Maiden, all rejoicing, Rejoice, we cry out to You; and singing, invisibly and ever awaiting Divine gifts from You.
Song 6
Irmos: This divine and all-honorable celebration, O God of Wisdom, Mother of God, come, let us clasp our hands, glorifying the God who was born from Her.
Christ, Pure One, who received the voice, rejoice, Hodegetria the Maiden, who heard Him, having ineffably given birth, rejoice, you always hear from everyone.
You have filled all the joys, you have united the highest and the lowest, Hodegetria, and with the same joy and agreement now heaven and all the earth are calling to You.
To widows, O Rejoice, O All-Singing One, and to all orphans, Hodegetria, consolation; Rejoice, you who pour out inexhaustible wealth to all the poor.
The gold of every shine and the brightest morning of the sun, dwelling place of Christ, rejoice, Hodegetria, rejoice, Maiden, rejoice, Unbridled Bride.
Kontakion, tone 6
The intercession of Christians is shameless, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call Thee: hasten to prayer and strive to supplicate, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.
Ikos
Stretch out Thy hand, in the image of all Thou hast received the Lord like a Child, for abundance of goodness; do not forsake us, who always hope in Thee, with Thy invigorating prayer and countless sheets* spare us and grant to our souls Thy mercy, forever flowing: For thee are the imams, sinners, the Intercessor from the troubles and evils that come upon us. But, as if you have mercy and generosity, hasten to prayer and strive to entreat, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.
Song 7
Irmos: Having not served the creation of God’s wisdom more than the Creator, but having overcome the fiery rebuke manfully, I rejoice, singing: O Lord and God of the fathers, blessed art thou.
Rejoice, rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria, always instructing the faithful to follow every path of salvation; Rejoice, Lady, through You we will always get rid of real barbaric troubles.
Rejoice, rejoice, Hodegetria, vigilant and praying for us to God, and through Your intercession, all kinds of sorrows, Mother of God, delivering all people.
Rejoice, rejoice, Most Holy Hodegetria, who fulfilled our petitions for our benefit and always wished for all amicable good unity, hastening in graceful ones.
Rejoice, rejoice, the ship, Hodegetria, sailing in need, delivering the faithful and delivering everyone from all sorrows and variegated and slow illnesses, quickly resolving.
Song 8
Irmos: The pious youths in the cave saved the Nativity of the Theotokos; Then what is formed, now in action, raises up the entire universe to sing to You: Sing to the Lord, O works, and exalt Him to all ages.
Rejoice, All-Blessed Mary, from You the All-Blessed God has clothed all of me, man, and, having dressed, united to Your Divinity with an ineffable union, Virgin Hodegetria, Rejoice, Delighted One, with the joy of the whole world.
Rejoice, Driver of evil spirits; Rejoice, Mother of God Hodegetria. Rejoice, for the invisible armies of Heaven always praise You and magnify You as the former Mother of God; Rejoice, having considered the lower one with the Highest.
Rejoice, thou who surpassest all the heavenly powers without reasoning; Rejoice, Hodegetria. Rejoice, you who gave birth to all creatures of God and rule over her, the All-Singing Lady; Rejoice, for you remain a Virgin, Pure, even after Christmas.
Rejoice, glory to all women, temple of the Most Reverend of our God; Rejoice, Odigitria, rejoice, soul-saving one of the whole universe; Rejoice, covering cloud, spreading the sky; Rejoice, world-maker, full of Divine peace.
Song 9
Irmos: Let every earth-born leap, we are enlightened by the Spirit, let the nature of the bodiless minds triumph, honoring the sacred triumph of the Mother of God, and let it cry out: Rejoice, All-Blessed Mother of God, Pure Ever-Virgin.
Rejoice, O Light, who brought the unevening Light, and in Your Nativity you destroyed the darkness of polytheism, and delivered people from the abysses of hell. Rejoice, Hodegetria Theotokos, kindness of all to the Precessor.
Rejoice, O earth, from the ignorant class of Heavenly vegetated the faithful, and deliver the world from all the soul-destroying hunger, intelligent and animated. Oh, Rejoice, O vine, who gave birth to animal grapes, O Pure Mother of God Hodegetria!
Rejoice, beautiful one in paradise of secret flowers; Rejoice, Mother of God, having strangely conquered the invisible minds with purity, Mother of God. Rejoice, O Youth, Rejoice, Hodegetria, universal miracle and hearing.
Preserve the rest of our life undamaged by Your help, O Virgin Youth, and vouchsafe us to receive a good end, praising You and crying out: Rejoice, All-Blessed Mother of God, Pure Hodegetria.
The Most Holy Theotokos in front of the “Quick to Hear” icon
Most blessed Lady, Ever-Virgin Mother of God, who gave birth to God the Word more than any word for our salvation, and who received His grace more abundantly than all others, who appeared as a sea of Divine gifts and miracles, an ever-flowing river, pouring out goodness to all who come running to You with faith! In honor of Your miraculous image, we pray to You, the all-generous Mother of the Humane-loving Lord: surprise us with Your rich mercies and our petitions brought to You, Quick to Hear, speed up the fulfillment of everything for the benefit of consolation and salvation for everyone. Visit, O Blessing Thy servants, with Thy grace, grant to those who are ill, healing and perfect health, to those overwhelmed by silence, to those captivated by freedom and various images of the suffering consolation. Deliver, O All-Merciful Lady, every city and country from famine, pestilence, cowardice, flood, fire, sword and other temporary and eternal punishments, by Your maternal boldness turning away the wrath of God: and free Your servants from mental relaxation, overwhelm of passions and falls from grace, as without stumbling Having lived in all piety in this world, and in the future, eternal blessings, we will be made worthy of the grace and love for mankind of Your Son and God, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, together with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Image of the Smolensk Blessed Virgin Mary. Iconography
The Smolensk Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary belongs to the Hodegetria icon painting type. The Virgin Mary is depicted from the waist up, with her left hand she supports the infant Christ, who holds a scroll in his left hand, and with his right hand he blesses. On the back of the prototype there was a crucifixion depicted with the Greek inscription “ The King is Crucified ” and a view of Jerusalem. When the icon was renewed in 1666, the figures of the Virgin Mary and John the Theologian were added to the image of the crucifixion on the back.
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Dionysius, 1482
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Byzantium (?). End of the 14th century Moscow, State Tretyakov Gallery
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. XV century Intercession Cathedral of the Rogozhsky Cemetery, Moscow Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. End of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries. Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after. Andrei Rublev, Moscow Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. First half - mid-16th century. Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after. Andrey Rublev, Moscow
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Tver. OK. 1523–1526 Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after. Andrey Rublev, Moscow
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. XVI century Smolensky Cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent, Moscow. Fresco on the east wall
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Mid-16th century Yaroslavl Art Museum, Yaroslavl
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Beginning of the 17th century Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Karelia, Petro class=»aligncenter» width=»800″ height=»1155″[/img] Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. 1564. Comes from the local row of the iconostasis of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Spassky Monastery in Yaroslavl. A distinctive feature of the Yaroslavl Hodegetria is the image in the upper corners of the icon of two angels in cloudy circles, carrying the instruments of the Passion. These tools - a cross, a cane and a spear - remind of the coming torment of Christ, increasing the tragedy of the already mournful faces. Yaroslavl Historical, Architectural and Art Museum Reserve, Yaroslavl
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Savin Istoma. Stroganov school. End of the 16th century House-Museum of P. D. Korin (branch of the State Tretyakov Gallery), Moscow
Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. End of the 16th century Yaroslavl Art Museum, Yaroslavl
The meaning of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God
This divine image visited many countries: for several decades she stayed in Moscow in the Novodevichy Convent. Then, while the Poles were in Smolensk, she stayed in Yaroslavl. And only in 1655 she was able to return back to Smolensk.
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This divine image has been revered since the beginning of the 12th century. Translated from Greek, it means “Guide”. This name was not given to her by chance. A large number of very important events in the country ended successfully thanks to the sincere prayers of Orthodox Christians before this face.
She leads the country all the time, protecting it from terrible epidemics, protecting it from bloody wars and lands from conquest.
Orthodox Christians believe that the image of the Smolensk Mother of God will bring harmony and peace to the home in which it is carefully preserved and honored. The Smolensk icon helps to calm down the hostility of warring parties, as well as resolve family conflicts.
There are several options for the appearance of the name of this divine image. But all Orthodox Christians know that it is a guide to the salvation of humanity. He always helps those who pray to her with a pure heart and heals them from serious illnesses, helps them find peace in family matters, resolve difficult situations, and is our first intercessor before the Lord God.
If in any situation you do not know what to do, then pray to this divine image and it will help you make the right decision.
Temples and monasteries in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rus'
In honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, a monastery was founded in Moscow in 1524, now known as Novodevichy. The monastery was founded by Grand Duke Vasily III (1479-1533) in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “ Hodegetria ” - the main shrine of Smolensk, in gratitude for the capture of Smolensk in 1514. During the first two centuries of its existence, the monastery served as a place of imprisonment for female royalty. The architectural ensemble of the monastery, which took shape in the 16th-17th centuries, has not undergone significant changes since then.
Novodevichy Mother of God-Smolensk Monastery
Also in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a church in the village was consecrated. Kushalino, Rameshkovsky district, Tver region. The Smolensk Church in Kushalino was built on the estate of Prince Simeon Bekbulatovich in 1597, when the former Grand Duke of Tverskoy was already living in his village in disgrace. The large refectory and bell tower were added later. The church was closed in the 1930s. Reopened in 1991
Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in Kushalino
A monastery in Moscow was consecrated in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. In 1624-1626. Patriarch Filaret (Romanov) founded the Feodorovsky Smolensky Bogoroditsky Monastery. The monastery was a hospital and home for the patriarch. At this time, a temple and a bell tower were built, one of the first bell towers in Moscow. In 1709, the monastery was abolished, the monks were transferred to the Novinsky Monastery, and the church became a parish church. The temple was closed after 1917. The bell tower was destroyed in the 1930s. Restoration of the temple began in 1984. Divine services were resumed in 1992, and the bell tower was restored. The shrine of the temple is the icon of St. Theodore the Studite.
Temple in the name of the Smolensk Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Moscow
