aThe image of “Softening Evil Hearts” is well known in the Orthodox world. This icon can be seen in many ancient and modern churches. As a rule, it is located among the main faces revered by the clergy and parishioners. The image is recognized as miraculous and possessing great power. For many centuries, he has been saving believers from various troubles, protecting them from evil, and strengthening their faith in the Lord Almighty.
Description and symbolism of the holy image
In the central part of the icon “Softening Evil Hearts” the Virgin Mary is depicted with seven swords (arrows, daggers). They are directed with their points at the Mother of God, piercing her soul and heart (see photo below).
There is another version of the icon, in which the Mother of God holds the Baby Jesus on her lap. At the same time, she is also surrounded by sharp blades that have symbolic meaning. This image is also recognized as miraculous, but it is less common to come across.
Sometimes “Softening Hearts” is confused with the Seven Arrow Icon. They are indeed similar in many ways, but have some differences. On the “Softening” there are 3 swords on each side of the Virgin Mary, and the seventh is located below. On the “Seven Arrow” icon this point is drawn on the side.
The sharp objects surrounding Saint Mary symbolize imperfect human nature. The Orthodox Church believes that every sword carries within itself one of the seven deadly sins mentioned in Holy Scripture:
- pride;
- greed;
- despondency;
- envy;
- anger;
- gluttony;
- lust.
The points depicted in the image pierce the Mother of God and also wound the soul of every person. The icon conveys the suffering of the Mother of God, which arises due to evil, hatred, and enmity between people. At the same time, the picture shows the boundless mercy and compassion of the Mother of God, the desire to help all those who repented before the Lord, and the readiness to pray for everyone who resorts to her intercession.
The “Softening” icon also has a second name – “Simeon’s prophecy.” It is believed that the symbolic signs depicted on it indicate the prophecy of Simeon the God-Receiver. On the day of the Presentation of the Lord, while in the Jerusalem Temple, this Saint said to the Virgin Mary: “... A weapon will pierce your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Gospel interpretation of the image
The first of them relates this symbolism to a famous episode from the New Testament. The Gospel tells how on the appointed day the Baby Jesus was brought to the temple, as required by the Law of Moses. In the temple, the Mother of God with Jesus in her arms and her betrothed Joseph were met by an old priest named Simeon. He was righteous and spent his life in fasting and prayer.
For many years, the words of the Holy Scriptures lived in his soul, which predicted the birth of the Son of God from a virgin. Seeing Mary with Jesus in her arms, he saw God in him through the Holy Spirit. Filled with the consciousness of the fulfilled prophecy, Simeon turned to Mary with words in which he told about the greatness of what had happened, but predicted Her suffering as a result of the atoning sacrifice made by Her son.
Origin and celebration of the icon
Exact information about the origin of “Softening Evil Hearts” has not been preserved. There is a legend according to which several centuries ago it was found by a serf who had long suffered from severe pain in his legs and lameness. One day in a dream, this elder heard an unusual voice that told him about the ancient Church of St. John the Evangelist and its bell tower. Having gone there, he found an icon of the Mother of God among other shrines, sincerely prayed in front of it and received healing from a long illness.
The study of one of the most common variants of “Softening Hearts” helped to establish that the image was created in the 17th–18th centuries. Initially, the icon was created on canvas and then glued to a wooden base. Experts claim that this image is only a list that was copied by the master from an older painting.
The Orthodox Church venerates the icon on the first Sunday after the celebration of Trinity, on All Saints Sunday. Also, the feast of the sacred image takes place annually on August 26th.
Meeting of two icons on Italian soil
In 2011, the myrrh-streaming “Semistrelnaya” arrived in Italy. According to the Vorobyovs accompanying the shrine, no one specifically plans the routes for the Mother of God; She herself arranges Her travels, sending donors and favorable circumstances.
Temperamental Italians greeted the icon at the airport “on the verge of riots”: such is the love of this people for the Mother of God. Moreover, the well-known “Don Madonna” was supposed to meet her sister icon in Venice.
When the case with “Semistrelnaya” was opened, everyone was surprised to find that an unusual amount of the world stood out. The Mother of God thus sent a special blessing to the Italian land. All the airport employees came running to get at least a drop of the wonderful world.
Basilica of Saint Ambrose, Italy
Crowds of people constantly accompanied “Semistrelnaya” along the streets of the city. In the Church of St. Ambrose of Milan, where the shrine “spent the night” during their stay in Italy, both Milanese and visitors prayed around the clock. The Mother of God visited in Her image all the cities where there were Orthodox churches.
Italian Catholics, who have long been interested in Orthodoxy, did not remain aloof from the obvious miracle. “Semistrelnaya” was invited to bless a conference dedicated to the Royal Passion-Bearers (the executed family of the last Russian Tsar).
Then the Mother of God visited Venice, where a prayer service was served in the Chapel of Peace in front of two icons, the Don Madonna and the Moscow Seven Shore. Even Catholic monks came under the anointing with myrrh.
The Orthodox Church does not consider miracles the main and only proof of the existence of God. The appearance of myrrh-streaming on icons can occur either by the will of God or by the temptation of the devil.
Important! A Christian believer does not doubt the holiness of the Mother of God even if miracles do not occur from the icon. To pray to the Mother of God, it is enough to have any home icon, preferably an Orthodox canonical letter.
Where can you see the face of the Virgin Mary
Today the icon is kept in the beautiful Church of the Archangel Michael, which is located in Moscow. On Sundays, as well as on church holidays, a large number of Orthodox believers flock here in order to venerate the image, honor the memory of the Mother of God and turn to her with sincere requests.
The icon “Softening Evil Hearts” repeatedly surprised with myrrh and bleeding, which were accompanied by an unearthly fragrance. These inexplicable phenomena occurred even with images created not by hand, but by typography.
Other accurate lists of the divine face of the Virgin Mary can be found in the Church of the Mother of God, erected on the territory of Bachurino near Moscow, in the Church of St. Lazarus, located in Volgograd, in the Intercession Cathedral of the city of Barnaul.
How does the icon of the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts” help?
Since ancient times, the icon of the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts” has been of utmost importance for all religiously believing citizens. It helps people improve relationships with each other and prevent the most unfavorable consequences between spouses, children and loved ones.
The “Softening Evil Hearts” icon helps in various cases. It differs in the following action:
- helps when people are at enmity;
- improves relationships between family members and different generations - the Mother of God acts as the guardian of the family hearth;
- protects against manifestations of anger, rage, irritation and impatience;
- relieves negative thoughts;
- prevents enemy attacks when there is a war;
- protects from misfortunes;
- relieves mental suffering;
- bestows mercy and pacification.
The face helps to cope not only with one’s own negative qualities, but also with those of others. It is recommended to hang the Seven Arrows icon in your home. They do this to protect against the arrival of people with bad intentions. You can cover it with a towel. The image of the Mother of God is often placed above the door, opposite it, or in the kutka next to other icons.
Photos of relatives should not hang nearby.
Prayer Rules
The prayer to soften evil hearts is one of the most powerful prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos. In order for this to happen as quickly as possible, it is necessary:
- come to an Orthodox monastery;
- place a candle in front of the icon of Jesus Christ;
- apply your lips and forehead to the Holy Crucifix;
- go to the “Softening Evil Hearts” or “Seven Arrow” icon, light a candle and read a prayer (you can pray in your own words).
You can pray at home in front of the icon. To do this, you need to purchase a candle in the church, light it during prayer and ask the Queen of Heaven for help in business and intercession before the Lord for the bestowal of Divine Grace.
Prayer before the icon
According to a long-established tradition, before the face of the Holy Virgin, they pray for their enemies, to soften hostility between people and to bestow a sense of mercy.
“O most holy and sorrowing Mother of God, I appeal to you in my great sorrow. The servant of God (name) asks you, all-merciful protector of the human race! Do not reject my sincere prayers, protect me from human wrath, deliver me from persecution and turn your gaze on me, a sinner. Soften my heart, drive out of it the blackness that is not worthy of a true son of God, and guide me along the right road, freed from filth and leading to the kingdom of God. Amen".
“Mati, soften our evil hearts, extinguish the anger directed at us. Heal our ailments, those of our loved ones, and those who hate us. Just as we forgive their sins and do not take upon ourselves sin for their repentance, so do you pray for us sinners before the Almighty Lord. We are touched by your compassion and mercy, we offer righteous prayers, and let us not forget about your true purpose, which the human race protects. Amen".
Important! Your desire will be fulfilled only if it does not contradict the Commandments of the Lord and if it is the Will of God!
Troparion to the Seven Arrow Icon, tone 5 contains the following words:
Soften our evil hearts, Mother of God, and extinguish the misfortunes of those who hate us/ and resolve all the tightness of our souls, looking at Your holy image, with Your compassion and mercy about We are touched and kiss Your wounds, but we are horrified by our arrows that torment You. Do not allow us, Mother of the Gracious, to perish in our hard-heartedness and from the hard-heartedness of our neighbors, for You are truly the softener of evil hearts.
In translation it sounds like this:
Soften our evil hearts, Mother of God, and repel the attacks of those who hate us, and resolve all our spiritual sorrows, for, looking at Your holy image, with Your compassion and mercy for us we heartily lament and kiss your wounds, but for our arrows that torment You, we are horrified. Do not let us, Merciful Mother, perish in our hard-heartedness or from the hard-heartedness of our neighbors, for You are truly the softener of evil hearts.
The myrrh-streaming miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is kept on the Maiden Field in Moscow, in the Church of the Archangel Michael. The celebration of the icon, also called “Simeon’s Prophecy,” takes place annually on August 26 and on the Sunday of All Saints.
What made the image of the Queen of Heaven famous?
Miraculous events associated with the icon of the Mother of God “Softening”:
- in 1830, a terrible cholera epidemic broke out in the Vologda region, claiming many lives. To resist it and protect the people from death, a procession with the icon was organized. The image was also exhibited in one of the largest temples. Thanks to the fervent prayers of the clergy and parishioners, the Mother of God showed her intercession, and the epidemic was soon stopped;
- in August 2000, sores appeared on the Bachurin image of the Virgin Mary, from which streams of blood began to flow. It was then that a terrible tragedy occurred in the Barents Sea, as a result of which the crew of the best Russian submarine died;
- in one of the Murmansk churches, a baby, whom the mother placed to the face of the Mother of God, unexpectedly clearly said to everyone: “She is crying!” After this, those around them once again realized that they were next to a real shrine, and the myrrh of the Queen of Heaven was her tears, which she tirelessly sheds because of human cruelty.
Today, believers from different countries are awaiting the arrival of the icon. The icon consecrated with its presence many domestic dioceses, and also visited Germany, the Czech Republic, Belarus, America, and the Greek Mount Athos. Orthodox Christians, who bowed to him with love and reverence, experienced a feeling of incomparable spiritual joy, were able to resolve complex conflicts, come to mutual understanding with others, and find inner harmony and tranquility.
Wherever the icon of the Mother of God appears, inexplicable events and miracles occur. From this image, fragrant healing oil generously pours out, other faces begin to shed myrrh, and believers get rid of serious illnesses that have tormented them for many years.
Miraculous shrine
It is known that in modern times there was a discovery of a miraculous shrine. Thus, in 1997, the custodian of the famous myrrh-streaming icon “Iverskaya-Montreal” died. On the same day, the icon itself disappeared under mysterious circumstances. After a short time, the pious Margarita acquired the image “Softening Evil Hearts” in one of the many church shops. The image has already been recognized as a shrine.
Finding a wonderful image
It is worth remembering the famous legend, which speaks of the miraculous acquisition of the image back in the 17th century. If you believe the legend, this happened in one small city located in the Vologda region. There, a hardworking and pious peasant suffered severely from lameness almost all his life. No means helped him, although he diligently prayed and fasted, turned to healers and doctors. And then one day a holy face appears to a peasant in a dream: he commands the sick man to go to the local church, the Theological Church. There you need to climb the bell tower, where it was customary to keep the image of the Virgin Mary, the most dilapidated ancient icons.
At first, the clergy refused to believe this pious peasant. They didn’t want to let him in, they didn’t want to show him the ancient shrines. But the man did not lose heart and continued to strive for his goal, he wanted to fulfill the instructions of the holy spirit. Three times the peasant came to church. Finally, the third time, the priests sympathized with him. All together they went to the bell tower. But they didn’t find any images there.
The man did not lose heart. He firmly believed in the prophecy, was humble, and continued his search. As a result, to everyone’s surprise, it turned out that the icon was placed on the stairs as a step. She was covered in dust, in a layer of dirt, so no one noticed her. Of course, walking on a sacred face is blasphemous. It was necessary for someone to find the image and restore it. The icon was washed, cleaned, and then a prayer ceremony was carried out according to all the rules. And, according to legend, the peasant was healed of his lameness.
Miracles associated with the icon
Now people tell, pass on from mouth to mouth legends about miracles that are associated with the icon “Softening Evil Hearts.” So, in 1830 a terrible epidemic broke out. It raged, taking lives, in the North of the Empire. The Vologda region, as well as its outskirts, were literally devastated by a terrible disease. Then the bishop who reigned at that time organized and blessed the religious procession. At the same time, the image “Softening Evil Hearts” was staged in the city church. Anyone could pray in front of the icon. And the epidemic receded soon enough.
Unfortunately, the further fate of the image remains unknown. There is information that the icon was hidden in the Church of St. John the Theologian in 1930. However, the church was closed for a long time, and started working again recently. But the famous shrine was not found there either.
What do they ask for an icon?
The requests made to the Holy Virgin Mary, depicted in the “Softening,” can be of a very diverse nature. Most often, prayers to the Mother of God contain the following petitions:
- about reconciliation between warring parties;
- about getting rid of grievances against your enemies;
- about cleansing the mind from evil thoughts;
- about protection from the intentions of ill-wishers;
- about healing from various diseases;
- about salvation from witchcraft, the evil eye;
- about giving spiritual strength, returning to the path of true faith.
Prayers to the holy image help people suffering from persecution, slander, and deception. Parents can turn to him if they have difficulties raising their child. Prayers before the face of the Virgin Mary help improve the situation in the family, smooth out conflicts, and mutual understanding.
The myrrh-streaming icon is the patroness of the army, protects and guides the defenders of the Russian land to the right deeds. Religious processions were repeatedly held with the image of the Queen of Heaven, in which the best warriors of the Fatherland took part.
Sins that destroy a person's soul
It is curious that in the tradition of the early Christian Church of the East, the so-called “eightfold” scheme for calculating sins was adopted. It became “septenary”, accepted in our church, only in the 6th century. It was introduced by Pope Gregory I, who went down in history under the name Gregory the Great. In some modern schemes, the order of sins leading to the destruction of the soul changes, but pride is always recognized as the most serious of them. It is she who pushes people to a variety of unseemly acts, and sometimes even to crimes. Following pride are listed stinginess, envy, anger, lust, gluttony (gluttony) and despondency. It is not by chance that it is included in this black list. Dejection is always generated by a person’s lack of faith in the omnipotence of God and His help.
Where can the face of the Virgin Mary be located in the house?
If you want to place a holy image in your home, it is important to understand: icons depicting the Mother of God or other faces do not belong to items for interior decoration and are different from ordinary amulets. Such images are revered Orthodox shrines, through which believers can turn to God. They should occupy a special place in the house and in the hearts of its inhabitants, carefully stored and passed on from generation to generation.
When placing an icon indoors, you should listen to the following recommendations:
- It is best if “Softening Evil Hearts” is included in the home iconostasis and located in the eastern part of the house. In this case, the faces should be placed symmetrically so that each of them is open to access and fully visible. In addition, icons must be kept clean;
- If there is no iconostasis, the image can be hung at the head of the bed or in the children's room. Often the face of the Virgin Mary is placed in the corridor, above the entrance to the living room. While here, the icon will greet the owners and guests of the house, as well as protect the home from evil and ill-wishers;
- There should be no unnecessary objects near the image - paintings, photographs, any accessories, shelves with cosmetics, toys, etc. You can place a small lamp next to it, which will need to be lit while reading a prayer in front of the icon.
It is undesirable to place the image of the Virgin Mary near distracting objects - a TV, computer, radio. It is also not recommended to hang it in the kitchen or dining room, above the dining table.
"Don Madonna" in Italy
By the time of the Patriotic War, the image of the “Seven Shot” was rewritten several times and spread throughout the southern regions of Russia. One of them was kept by residents of the village of Belogorye (Voronezh region). It was a shrine taken from one of the temples destroyed in the 20s.
In 1942, Italian soldiers who fought on the side of the Nazis discovered a large ancient icon in a house destroyed by bombing. They immediately recognized the familiar face of the Mother of God and handed the find to the regimental priest.
Feeling the approach of death, the soldiers constantly prayed before the Madonna so that they could return home alive. But on the occasion of the successful offensive of the Soviet troops, there was little hope. At the busiest time, priest Fr. Policarpo handed over the shrine with the transport leaving for Italy, with a request to all Italian mothers to pray for their sons in front of the “Don Madonna,” as the icon was called in the regiment.
Seven-shot Mother of God
The image was given to Fr.'s mother. Policarpo, who immediately began to fervently pray for her son. By the grace of God, the priest and several soldiers were wounded and captured, after which they were able to return to their homeland. The icon, which had seen many tears, was placed in a specially built chapel. It is located in Venice, where World War II veterans come annually to touch the image from a distant land and pray for the souls of those killed. There, in two vessels, earth and water from the Don are stored.
On the Don soil, where the icon came from, an obelisk in the shape of a cross was also built over the burial site of the remains of Italian soldiers discovered by search engines. Thus, the Mother of God “Softening Evil Hearts” softened the hearts of the warring parties, just as 300 years earlier she softened the inflexibility of the bell ringers who did not allow the peasant called by the Mother of God into the bell tower.
Prayers before the miraculous image
A person praying in front of the icon of the Mother of God should have pure thoughts and a heart free from anger. The believer’s request must be sincere, bright and in no case contain requests for revenge on his ill-wishers. At the same time, you need to remember: first of all, they pray to the Holy Virgin for spiritual benefits, and not for material ones.
You can turn to the Mother of God mentally or out loud - in each case, a true believer will be heard by Her and will be able to receive the necessary support. This can be done on any day, but it is best to pray to the Most Pure Virgin with the onset of All Saints Week or on the Day of Remembrance of the Icon.
Arriving at an Orthodox church, you must first light a candle in front of the face of Jesus Christ and venerate the crucifix. After this, you should light a candle in front of the “Softening Evil Hearts” icon, then begin a prayerful conversation with the Mother of God.
During services in Orthodox churches, a special akathist is read to the Mother of God. Representatives of the clergy say: you can also pray to the Blessed Virgin in your own words, coming from the soul.
Texts of prayers
Below are the existing versions of the “Softening Evil Hearts” prayers.
First
Oh, who will not please You, Virgin of Grace, who will not sing of Your mercy to the human race. We pray to you, we ask you, do not leave us perishing in evil, dissolve our hearts with love and send your arrow to our enemies, may our hearts be wounded by peace against those who persecute us. If the world hates us - You extend Your love to us, if the world persecutes us - You accept us, give us the grace-filled strength of patience - to endure the trials that happen in this world without grumbling. Oh, Lady! Soften the hearts of evil people who rise up against us, so that their hearts do not perish in evil - but pray, O Blessed One, Thy Son and our God, may he pacify their hearts with peace, but let the devil - the father of evil - be put to shame! We, singing Thy mercy towards us, the evil, the indecent, will sing to Thee, O Most Wonderful Lady Virgin of Grace, hear us at this hour, those who have contrite hearts, protect us with peace and love for each other and for our enemies, eradicate from us all malice and enmity, let us sing to You and Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Second
O Long-suffering Mother of God, Higher than all the daughters of the earth, in Your purity and in the multitude of sufferings You have endured on earth, accept our much-painful sighs and keep us under the shelter of Your mercy. For you know of no other refuge and warm intercession, but since you have the boldness to be born of You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we may without stumbling reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where with all the saints we will sing praises in the Trinity to the One God, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.
Miracles associated with the icon
This image was first talked about as miraculous back in the 18th century. The peasant who discovered the icon was cured of lameness and other ailments after a prayer service at the icon. The clergy who were in the temple recognized that the miraculous icon really has healing properties. This was soon tested in practice.
In the mid-19th century, a cholera epidemic broke out in the Vologda province. Thousands of people died from a terrible disease, and the medicine of those years could not offer anything to patients. Then the priest of the Church of St. John the Evangelist gathered all the believers and made a religious procession through the city and the surrounding area. After which the epidemic immediately subsided.
Another miracle that is associated with the copy of the original icon occurred during the Second World War. A detachment of Italian soldiers raided villages. This icon was discovered under the rubble of one of the houses. Religious Italians were so impressed by the image that they stopped all hostilities against civilians and left the village. They called the icon “Don Madonna”.
The seven-shot icon of the Mother of God is, first of all, a symbol of eternal maternal love, protection and patronage. It symbolizes grief for all those killed and injured during the endless wars waged by people. Prayers addressed to the Mother of God in this image will help protect children and the house from evil.
View all icons in the SUNLIGHT catalog
20.10.21
