A story about the Vladimir icon. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: a history of origin

A story about the Vladimir icon. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: a history of origin
A story about the Vladimir icon. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: a history of origin
20.09.2019

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered Orthodox icons. Her story is mysterious. According to legend, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on the board of the table at which Jesus Christ, the Mother of God and Joseph the Betrothed dined. Until 450, the image stayed in Jerusalem, then it was transported to Constantinople, and in the 12th century it came to Russia.

Orthodox Christians believe that the icon, painted two millennia ago, has come down to us in its original form. However, impartial scholars date the Virgin of Vladimir to the beginning of the 12th century and believe that if it is related to the icon by the Evangelist Luke, it is only a list from its more ancient copies. According to art historians, the Virgin of Vladimir was painted in Byzantium.

Around 1131, the patriarch of Constantinople, Luka Chrissover, sent her to Kiev as a gift to Prince Mstislav. The icon was placed in the Mother of God Monastery in the town of Vyshgorod, hence the Ukrainian name for this icon - Mother of God of Vyshgorod. In 1155, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky transferred it to Vladimir, therefore in Russia the icon is known as the Vladimir icon. The shrine was kept in the main temple of the city - Assumption Cathedral... The prince ordered to decorate it with an expensive salary, the manufacture of which, according to the legend, took 5 kilograms of gold.

In 1237, Vladimir was captured by the Mongol Khan Batu. His troops plundered the Assumption Cathedral, smashed many icons, but the frame of the Vladimir Mother of God was only removed, and the image itself was left unharmed.

Many miracles are associated with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. In 1395, during the devastating invasion of Russia by Khan Tamerlane, the shrine was brought to Moscow to protect the city from the enemy. Plundering one city after another, the troops of Tamerlane, reaching the outskirts of Moscow, stopped and, having stood in one place for two weeks, turned back. According to legend, Tamerlane had a vision: a high mountain appeared before him, from which the saints in golden robes descended, and in the sky, surrounded by radiance, the Mother of God appeared and ordered the commander to leave the borders of Russia. Tamerlane was seized with an inexplicable fear, and he gave the order to retreat.

The miraculous salvation of the city from destruction was associated with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. At the meeting place ("Meeting") of Muscovites with a miraculous shrine, the Sretensky Monastery was erected, which gave its name to Sretenka Street.

Icon of Our Lady of Vladimir (detail)

In 1451 another miraculous deliverance of Moscow from the invaders took place. The Nogai prince Mazovsha with his army besieged the city. Muscovites, whose forces were too small to resist the enemy, decided to resort to the help of their Heavenly Defender. They took the Vladimir Icon from the Assumption Cathedral, where it had stayed since the invasion of Tamerlane, and made religious processions with it along the city walls, praying for the intercession of the Mother of God. The next day, the untold hordes of Mazovsha retreated. Tradition says that the invaders heard an unusually loud noise. They decided that a huge army was approaching them, and in fear they fled.

The next miracle associated with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God happened in 1480, during the epoch-making "standing on the Ugra River", which put an end to the Tatar-Mongol yoke in Russia. Grand Duke Ivan III refused to pay tribute to the horde, and Khan Akhmat sent his troops to punish the disobedient. The Russian and Tatar armies met on the Ugra River, and no one dared to be the first to cross the water barrier. The Russian wars held the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in the forefront. The Tatars did not dare to attack. They retreated and never returned to Russian soil.

The miraculous salvation of Russia from the invasion of the Crimean Khan Makhmet-Girey in 1521 is also associated with the Vladimir icon. A hundred thousand army of the enemy, sweeping through the Russian lands in a devastating whirlwind and reaching Moscow, suddenly turned back. This miracle, like other supernatural deliverance from invaders, is considered by Orthodox Christians to be the providence of the Mother of God the Intercessor.

After so many miracles associated with the Vladimir icon, it began to be revered as one of the main Russian Orthodox shrines. Before her, they took an oath of allegiance to Russia, performed prayers, going on military campaigns, elected patriarchs and metropolitans.

Until 1918, the image was stored in Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, from where, after the church was closed, it was moved to the Tretyakov Gallery. Today the Vladimir icon is in the church-museum of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi. Her luxurious precious salary became a separate exhibit that added to the collection of the Armory.

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Video

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God belongs to the iconographic type of Eleus or "Tenderness". The Christ Child pressed his cheek to the cheek of his mother, whose head is bowed to her son. The Vladimir icon differs from other icons of the Eleus type in that the baby's left leg is bent in a special way and we can see its foot.

Over the nine centuries of its existence, the Vladimir Icon was at least 4 times recorded with new painting, and also underwent several restorations. During one of the renovations at the beginning of the 15th century, a plot was painted on the back of the icon board depicting Etimasia - the throne prepared for the second coming of Christ, and the instrument of the Passion of Christ.

The last large-scale restoration of the icon was carried out in 1919 with the aim of freeing the ancient painting from later layers. Unfortunately, only small scattered fragments remain from the original letter.

A huge number of copies were written from the Vladimir Icon. Many of them are revered as miraculous, for example, the well-known Pskov-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" (1524). In addition, the famous shrine became the basis for the creation of new iconographic subjects, such as The Legend of the Vladimir Icon, the Vladimir Icon with an Akathist, the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon, and Praise to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. The tree of the Russian state ”.

Based on materials from the works of I. I. Mosin. Other articles about Old Russian art - see below, in the "More on the topic ..."

FAITH

"Our Wednesday online" — On July 6, the Russian Orthodox Church commemorates the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This holiday is established in memory of the liberation of Moscow from Khan Akhmet in 1480.

Description of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos:

According to legend, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was written by the holy apostle and evangelist Luke during the life of the Mother of God on the board of the table at which the Holy Family was eating. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God remained in Jerusalem until 450. Under Theodosius the Younger, it was transferred to Constantinople. At the beginning of the XII century, Patriarch Luka Chryssoverg sent a special copy (copy) of it as a gift to the Grand Duke of Kiev Yuri Dolgoruky.

The son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Andrei, later nicknamed Bogolyubsky, traveling from the south of Russia to the north to create an independent possession from Kiev, took with him the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. After a short rest in the city of Vladimir, Prince Andrey continued his journey, but, having driven several miles from the city, the horses carrying the icon suddenly got up, and all attempts to force them to move were unsuccessful. The change of horses also came to nothing.

During fervent prayer, the Queen of Heaven herself appeared to the prince and ordered to leave the Vladimir miraculous icon of the Mother of God in Vladimir, and in this place to build a temple and a monastery in honor of Her Nativity. To the general joy of the inhabitants of Vladimir, Prince Andrew returned to the city with the miraculous icon. Since then, the icon of the Mother of God began to be called the Vladimir icon.

The Russian Orthodox Church has established a three-time celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Each of the days of the celebration is associated with the deliverance of the Russian people from enslavement by foreigners through prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos. September 8, new style (August 26, according to the church calendar) - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane in 1395. July 6 (June 23) - in memory of the deliverance of Russia from the Horde king Akhmat in 1480. June 3 (May 21) - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the Crimean Khan Mahmet-Girey in 1521.

In 1480, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was transferred for permanent storage to Moscow in the Assumption Cathedral. In Vladimir, however, there remained an exact, so-called "spare" copy of the icon, written by the Monk Andrei Rublev. In 1918, the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin was closed, and the miraculous image was transferred to the State Tretyakov Gallery. On September 8, 1999, the miraculous icon was transferred from the Tretyakov Gallery to the Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, connected to the museum by a small corridor.
Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Vladimirskaya" they pray for deliverance from the invasion of aliens, for instruction in the Orthodox faith, for preservation from heresies and schisms, for the peace of the warring, for the preservation of Russia.

Prayer of the Mother of God before Her icon, called "Vladimirskaya"

O All-merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, All-powerful Intercessor, our shameful Hope! Thanks to Thee for all the great blessings, in the generations of the Russian people from Thee, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (or: all this, or: this holy abode) and your forthcoming servants and all the Russian land from gladness, destruction , lands of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of aliens and internecine warfare. Save and save, Madame, our Great Lord and Father Alexy, Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and our Lord (name of rivers), Most Reverend Bishop (or: Archbishop, or: Metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend Archbishops and Metropolitan Orthodox bishops. Grant them the goodness of the Russian Church to govern, the faithful sheep of Christ are infallible to keep. Remember, Lady, and the entire priestly and monastic rite, warm their hearts with zeal for Boz and walk worthy of your title and strengthen someone. Save, Lady, and have mercy on all Thy servants and grant us the path of the earthly race without blemish. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, temperance in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for the enemy, prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensibility, on the terrible day of Judgment vouch for us with Thy intercession to be at the right hand of Thy Son, Christ our God. All glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever, befits Him. Amen.

Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called Vladimirskaya

Troparion, voice 4

Today the most glorious city of Moscow flaunts brightly, as if the dawn of the sun is perceived, to the Lady, your miraculous icon, to her now we are flowing and praying to you, we call out to you: oh, wonderful Lady, the Theotokos, praying from you to our incarnate Christ our God, may this city deliver and all the cities and countries of Christianity are safe from all the slander of the enemy, and will save our souls, like the Merciful.

Kontakion, voice 8

To the victorious Voevoda, who will be freed from the evil by the coming of Your honest image, to the Lady of the Theotokos we lightly create the feast of Your meeting and we usually call Ty: Rejoice, Bride Unmarried.

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called "Vladimirskaya"

Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voevoda, our Intercessor, looking at the first described Thy image, we sing of praise to Thy Rabbi Thy Bogomati. You, who have an invincible power, preserve and save the crying ones, who are grateful to You: Rejoice, Most Pure One, exuding us from the icon of Your mercy.

Ikos 1
The Angelic Powers in Heaven ceaselessly praise Thee, the Most Pure, seeing the Divine Glory, by which Thy Son glorify Thee; but you did not leave us, earthly ones, like a certain ray, by sending us your icon, which was first painted by Saint Luke. About her, you once uttered: "With this image, may my grace and strength abide." The same faithful Thy servant, for all days and in every place the fulfillment of Thy words is seen, we flow to Thy image of celibacy, and, like Thyself, who exists with us, cry: Rejoice, Queen of Angels; Rejoice, Lady of the whole world. Rejoice, ever glorified in Heaven; Rejoice, and magnified on the earth. Rejoice, who bestowed this grace on Thy icon; Rejoice, for the salvation of men you have set. Rejoice, speedy Giver of God's goodness; Rejoice, diligent novice of our prayers. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 2
Seeing a multitude of miracles, from the holy icons of Thy being brought to Vyshgrad, the faithful Prince Andrei will kindle in spirit and beg Thee, and say Thy holy will and bless him to the limits of Rostov. The same, having seized the desired and take Thy icon, going on his way, rejoicing and singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2
Stirring up all people Thy wondrous procession, Queen of Heaven, from Kiev to the land of Rostov, the sick one will be healed and other signs and wonders have been to all those who flow with faith to Thy image. For this, for the sake of praising You: Rejoice, the miracles of the procession of Your icon, signifying; Rejoice, you who healed many who were weak. Rejoice, you who do not reject our sighs; Rejoice, our recipient of unworthy prayer. Rejoice, Mother of Thy mercy pouring out on us; Rejoice, benefactor to us through Thy icon. Rejoice, granting an ambulance to those in existence; Rejoice, returning hope to the desperate. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 3
By Thy power we protect, the faithful Prince Andrei reaches the limit of Vladimir, and here Thy good will, Lady, is known. In a night vision, you appeared to that, you commanded not to depart from this place and put your miraculous icon here, in the city of Vladimir, to put it in our northern country as a blessing and as your people in a veil crying to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3
Having in itself a blessed treasure - your icon of Vladimir, our Fatherland is succeeding from strength to strength. In the days of more circumstances and misfortunes, you did not leave our family, the Lady, and in good time you were near, Thy faithful people intercede with Thy omnipotent intercession, singing Thy: Rejoice, the wrath of God, righteously moved against us, quenching; Rejoice, bowing down to the Lord for mercy on us sinners. Rejoice, for you are listening to the humble pleas of Thy servants; Rejoice, for Thy consolation makes haste to us. Rejoice, for you protect us from all troubles with your icon; Rejoice, for you destroy the machinations of the enemy. Rejoice, in the hour of trouble Thy people strengthen; Rejoice, granting you a quiet and serene life. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 4
The blessed Prince Andrew will pass through the storm of speculative thoughts, from a multitude of enemies there was once a situation: You, the All-Singing, by your marvelous sign from your icon, you foreshadowed a glorious victory. By the same faith, having been renewed and daring about Your name, I will sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4
Hearing the mutineers of the murder of the noble Prince Andrew, the city of Vladimir rushed to plunder, but Thy miraculous icon, worn out on the hailstones, suddenly beheld, touched in heart and fell on his knees in his sin, repenting. But to pious people, who rejoice at such a blessed appearance from Your icon, praising You with a song of thanks: Rejoice, quenching of internecine strife; Rejoice, softening of hardened hearts. Rejoice, for you return the wrongs to the right path; Rejoice, for you protect us from the temptations of vain. Rejoice, destroying all souls' evil; Rejoice, denouncing teachings of the soul. Rejoice, to the Kingdom of Heaven you show us the unselected path; Rejoice, eternal peace and joy that gives us. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 5
The divine star by our father was Thy icon, Lady, lead the way with light, many victories of the kingdom, I can overcome weakness, I turn the shelves of strangers into flight and the path to dark prosperity and heavenly salvation will be found. For this reason, the Russian land praises Thee, singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5
Having once seen the people of Vladimir in a wonderful vision, their city in the air was lifted up and Thy icon was lifted up on top of it, like the sun, shining, with emotion of understanding, Lady, Your unrelenting protection of Thy city and, Thy gracious providence for them is glorious, praising Ty: Rejoice, Mother of God ; Rejoice, Source of Miracles. Rejoice, our cheerful Guardian; Rejoice, Hail to our Protection. Rejoice, woe to heavenly treasures our minds uplifting; Rejoice, instilling love for God in the hearts of the faithful. Rejoice, teaching you little faith; Rejoice, enlightening wrong meanings. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 6
Preacher of Thy ineffable miracles, Lady, appear Thy cathedral temple in the city of Vladimir, decorated with Thy holy icon. By the permission of God, all his splendor was once in the fires of perdition, the icon is Your holy, like the bush is burning to stay, and when they see and feel Your presence, the faithful will sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 6
Vossiya pack the light of your icon, the Mother of God, during the days of Batu's invasion. Even though the Hagarians were wicked and burned thy cathedral church with fire and the Saint of Vladimir and the people praying in the church, they killed and betrayed all the final extermination, both Thy icon and packs were found intact, struggling to petition Thee: Rejoice, Burning Kupino: Rejoice, Treasure not. Rejoice, indestructible Wall; Rejoice, Refuge to all who trust in Thee. Rejoice, for Thy icon and in the flame you have kept it whole; Rejoice, for you have left this for consolation and salvation. Rejoice, Thou art our Protection; Rejoice, Thou art unceasing joy of all the pious. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 7
Although the Grand Duke Vasily won the protection of his capital city, he ordered the Vladimir Icon of Yours to be brought to Moscow. And at her meeting, the prince and saint of Moscow Cyprian, with the consecrated Cathedral and all the multitude of people, bowed to the ground before her zealously, bowing down to the ground, as if the Most Pure One who comes to them, calling out to You: "O Mother of God, save the Russian land", together and forgive to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7
Thou didst create a new sign, O Immaculate One, on the day of the celebration of the meeting of Thy Vladimir's icon in Moscow: in a formidable vision of God, like the almighty Tsarina, with the multitude of the Heavenly Host, Thou didst appear with the saints of Moscow to the wicked Agarian Khan and from the limit of the land of the Russian Thou didst otiti. Then faithful Thy people, seeing the enemy ashamed and fleeing, I poyah to You with joy: Rejoice, invincible victory; Rejoice, Queen of Heavenly Forces. Rejoice, formidable disgrace of the enemy; Rejoice, unintended joy of Thy servants. Rejoice, Hope of all who are devoid of hope; Rejoice, salvation to those who descended into hell. Rejoice, with the coming of your icon you have rejoiced Moscow; Rejoice, thy intercession, and did not leave the city of Vladimir. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 8
A strange victory by Thy omnipotent help, Lady, accomplished without battle, and to this day the Orthodox Church glorifies with light. The meeting of Thy icon of Vladimir is celebrated and all the faithful children of Thy convocation of Thy mercies are grateful to confess, but Thy Son and God petit: Alleluia.

Ikos 8
God consecrate all Thee, Most Immaculate, and like His Mother in a ready-made refuge and a warm cover is a gift to all of us. The same, from the lesser lands and the unknown, magnify the city of Moscow, blessed by You, worship Your icon piously; All the Russian tribes have gathered together and their region over the surrounding languages ​​from sea to sea and even to the end of the earth, spread out, proclaim the faith of Christ to all, crying to you: Rejoice, our land has taken away; Rejoice, Church affirmation. Rejoice, praise of our prayer books. Rejoice, salvation of Thy people; Rejoice, our fearsome enemies. Rejoice, driving away the strangers' regiments from afar. Rejoice, for you maintain Orthodox Russia; Rejoice, for the Christian race boasts of You. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 9
Every angelic nature praises Thee, the Mother of God, standing at the throne of Thy Son and praying for our country and all Christians. We, Thy people, mean Thy prayers, we flow to Thy miraculous icon with love and diligently cry to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9
Vity of earthly art does not prevail on the heritage of the praise of Thee, Most Holy All-Immaculate, and Thy icons can be counted miracles, the Orthodox Church is magnified in image, our cities are affirmed and all Christians are Divinely rejoicing. Even so, for Thy great love for us and all Thy mercy, receive from us this singing of praise: Rejoice, by the Cathedral of the saints who shone forth in our country, surrounded and glorified;
Rejoice, our representatives, Russian miracle workers, receiving prayers. Rejoice, through Thy intercession for us God propitiates God; Rejoice, who ever overshadows us with Your honest cover. Rejoice, glorious Defender of our country; Rejoice, the ambulance assistant who calls Thee. Rejoice, you who labor the grace-filled strengthening; Rejoice, unreasonable salvation of repentant sinners. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 10
Seeking salvation, we are running to You, Merciful Mother, and, Thy miraculous icon is now, all Thy mercies, revealed by our father, we remember with love. May it not be in vain, Lady, and our hope for You, for our weakness, have mercy and save those crying to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10
Thou art the wall and intercession to all who come running to You with faith, O All-blessed Maiden, always for Thy mercy to the Christian family, Thou art and our father in many parts and variety blessed Thou, from the invasion of aliens and from all troubles and needs of those who delivered. Do not become scarce even now, Lady, quenching the fierce uprisings of sinfulness against us and the clouds of temptation to take away, You petite with skill: Rejoice, Mother of God, Mother's love for us, sinners, extending; Rejoice, filling our weakness with Your power. Rejoice, mercy of God, teach us; Rejoice, for the work of mercy and excite us. Rejoice, you put the fear of God into the hearts of the faithful; Rejoice, you who call sinners to repentance. Rejoice, patient for our inattention; Rejoice, for raising us up from the sleep of laziness. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 11
Singing praiseworthy praising the people of Muscovy, Your salvation was once improved: Thou hast defended thy temple with a shining garment, thy temple and the city of Moscow from being ignited by thy fiery robe. Persevere, O omnipotent, from this place and now, grant us your deliverance, and let us sing joyfully: Alleluia.

Ikos 11
Thou art the light of joy shone, Lady, and in the days of you, when by the gaze of God the ancient beauty of the church returns to us and the Holy Cathedral to the Patriarch of Moscow, affirm the whole country of our one shepherd and prayer book. You, Most Pure One, from your icon of your Vladimirskaya lot of primacy to your chosen one bestowed you, but the wasteful sheep of the verbal flock of the Russian Church will gather together. For this reason, we cry to You: Rejoice, joy of those who grieve; Rejoice, Shelter overwhelmed. Rejoice, for you did not leave us in misfortune; Rejoice, in our humiliation the light of hope has shone upon us. Rejoice, seeing the humble one; Rejoice, you who have exalted the one who has descended. Rejoice, our Church Praised:
Rejoice in Thy people for joy. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 12
Do not take your grace away from us, mercy Source, as in the days of the hard times of our saints Job and Hermogenes you heard the Russian land from the final plunder, but you saved the Orthodox faith in it from destruction, so let us sing to God for your deliverance: Alleluia.

Ikos 12
Singing uncountable Thy mercies, from the ancient years to our kindred and still not depleted, we praise Thee, Most Pure, like our vigilant Guardian and intercession, and Thy Mother's love for Thy Son's flock is leading, with boldness, even as a servant, with no clues. Rejoice, you who loved Orthodox Russia; Rejoice, for you have established the true faith in her. Rejoice, our fathers preserved in piety; Rejoice, and you have not rejected our sickness. Rejoice, our unshakable affirmation; Rejoice, our unashamed Hope. Rejoice, our warm prayer book; Rejoice, diligent intercessor. Rejoice, Most Pure One, who exudes our mercy from the icon of Your mercy.

Kontakion 13
O All-merciful Mother, All-Merciful Intercessor, Virgin Mary, with your usual mercy, accept this little prayer of ours, as in ancient times, so now have mercy on our Russian land and save your servants from all troubles, crying out to you: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

ANDhorse of the Mother of God "Vladimirskaya"

V The Ladimir icon of the Mother of God (the icon of the Mother of God) is considered miraculous and, according to legend, was written by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Holy Family ate: the Savior, the Theotokos and the righteous Joseph the Betrothed. The Mother of God, seeing this image, said: “From now on, all generations will bless Me. The grace of Him who was born of Me and Mine be with this icon ”.

V The Russian icon was brought from Byzantium at the beginning of the 12th century as a gift to the holy prince Mstislav (+ 1132) from the Patriarch of Constantinople Luke Chrysoverkh. The icon was erected in the women's monastery of Vyshgorod (the ancient appanage city of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga), not far from Kiev. The rumor about her miracles reached the son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, who decided to transport the icon to the north.

NS roaming Vladimir, the horses carrying the miraculous icon got up and could not move. Replacing the horses with new ones also did not help.

V During the time of fervent prayer, the Queen of Heaven herself appeared to the prince and ordered to leave the Vladimir miraculous icon of the Mother of God in Vladimir, and in this place to build a temple and a monastery in honor of Her Nativity. To the general joy of the inhabitants of Vladimir, Prince Andrew returned to the city with the miraculous icon. Since then, the icon of the Mother of God began to be called the Vladimir icon.

In 1395 terrible conqueror Khan Tamerlane (Temir-Aksak) reached the Ryazan limits, took the city of Yelets and, heading for Moscow, approached the banks of the Don. Grand Duke Vasily Dimitrievich went out with an army to Kolomna and stopped on the banks of the Oka. He prayed to the saints of Moscow and St. Sergius for the deliverance of the Fatherland and wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow, St. Cyprian, that the coming Dormition Fast would be dedicated to fervent prayers for mercy and repentance. The clergy were sent to Vladimir, where the glorified miraculous icon was located. After the liturgy and prayer service on the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, the clergy accepted the icon and carried it to Moscow with a procession of the cross. Countless people on both sides of the road, kneeling, prayed: "Mother of God, save the Russian land!" At the very hour when the inhabitants of Moscow met the icon on Kuchkovo field (now Sretenka street) , Tamerlane dozed in his camping tent. Suddenly he saw in a dream a great mountain, from the top of which the saints with golden rods were walking towards him, and the Majestic Wife appeared above them in a radiant radiance. She ordered him to leave the borders of Russia. Waking up in awe, Tamerlane asked about the meaning of the vision. He was told that the radiant Wife is the Mother of God, the great Protector of Christians. Then Tamerlane gave the order for the regiments to go back.

V In memory of the miraculous deliverance of the Russian land from Tamerlane, on the Kuchkovo field, where the icon was met, the Sretensky monastery was built, and on August 26 (according to the new style - September 8), an all-Russian celebration was established in honor of the meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The miraculous deliverance of the Russian land from Tamerlane on the Kuchkov field

(meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos)

A second time The Mother of God saved our country from ruin in 1451 when the army of the Nogai Khan with Tsarevich Mazovsha approached Moscow. The Tatars set fire to the Moscow townships, but Moscow was never captured. During the fire, Saint Jonah performed religious processions along the walls of the city. Warriors and militias fought with the enemy until nightfall. The small army of the Grand Duke at this time was too far away to help the besieged. The chronicles tell that the next morning there were no enemies at the walls of Moscow. They heard an extraordinary noise, decided that it was the Grand Duke with a huge army and retreated. The prince himself, after the departure of the Tatars, wept in front of the Vladimir icon.

Third intercession Our Lady for Russia was in 1480(celebrated on July 6). After the resounding victory at the Kulikovo field in 1380, the Russian principalities were still dependent on the Horde for another century, and only the events of the fall of 1480 drastically changed the situation. Ivan III refused to pay tribute to the horde, and regiments were sent to Russia Khan Akhmat... Two troops converged on the Ugra River: the troops were stationed on different banks - the so-called "Standing on the Ugra" - and waited for a pretext to attack. In the front ranks of the Russian troops held the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. There were skirmishes, even small battles, but the troops did not move in front of each other. The Russian army withdrew from the river, giving the Horde regiments an opportunity to begin the crossing. But the Horde regiments also retreated. The Russian soldiers stopped, and the Tatars continued to retreat and suddenly, rushed away without looking back.

"WITH the war on the Ugra "put an end to the Mongol-Tatar yoke. Russia finally freed itself from paying tribute. Since that time, we can talk about the final elimination of any form of political dependence of Moscow on the Horde.

R The Russian Orthodox Church established a threefold celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Each of the days of the celebration is associated with the deliverance of the Russian people from enslavement by foreigners through prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos:

8 September according to the new style (August 26 according to the church calendar) - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane in 1395.

6 july(June 23) - in memory of the deliverance of Russia from the Horde king Akhmat in 1480.

June 3(May 21st) - in memory of the salvation of Moscow from the Crimean Khan Mahmet-Girey in 1521.

The most solemn celebration takes place 8 September(new style), established in honor of the meeting of the Vladimir icon during its transfer from Vladimir to Moscow .

The feast June 3 was established in memory of the salvation of Moscow in 1521 from the invasion of the Tatars under the leadership of Khan Makhmet-Girey.

Invasion of the Crimean Tatars

T Atarian hordes approached Moscow, consigning Russian cities and villages to fire and destruction, exterminating their inhabitants. The Grand Duke Vasily was gathering an army against the Tatars, and the Moscow Metropolitan Varlaam, together with the inhabitants of Moscow, fervently prayed for deliverance from death. During this terrible time, one pious blind nun had a vision: Moscow saints emerged from the Spassky gates of the Kremlin, leaving the city and taking with them the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God - the main holy of Moscow - as God's punishment for the sins of its inhabitants. At the Spassky Gate the saints were greeted by the Monks Sergius of Radonezh and Barlaam of Khutynsky, tearfully begging them not to leave Moscow. All of them together brought to the Lord a fiery prayer for forgiveness of those who have sinned and for the deliverance of Moscow from its enemies. After this prayer, the saints returned to the Kremlin and brought back the Vladimir holy icon. A similar vision was experienced by the Moscow saint, Blessed Basil, to whom it was revealed that the intercession of the Mother of God and the prayers of the saints would save Moscow. The Tatar khan had a vision of the Mother of God, surrounded by a formidable army, rushing to their regiments. The Tatars fled in fear, the capital of the Russian state was saved.

In 1480, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was transferred for permanent storage to Moscow in the Assumption Cathedral. In Vladimir, however, there remained an exact, so-called "spare" copy of the icon, written by the Monk Andrei Rublev. In 1918, the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin was closed, and the miraculous image was transferred to the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Now the miraculous Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is located v Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi (metro Tretyakovskaya, M. Tolmachevsky per., 9).

Iconography

Iconographically, the Vladimir icon belongs to the Eleusa (Tenderness) type. The baby laid his cheek against Mother's cheek. The icon conveys the communication between Mother and Child, full of tenderness. Mary foresees the suffering of the Son in His earthly journey.

A distinctive feature of the Vladimir icon from other icons of the Tenderness type: the left leg of the Infant Christ is bent in such a way that the sole of the foot, the "heel", is visible.

Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Vladimirskaya" they pray for deliverance from the invasion of aliens, for instruction in the Orthodox faith, for preservation from heresies and schisms, for the peace of the warring, for the preservation of Russia.

Troparion, voice 4
Today the most glorious city of Moscow flaunts brightly, as if the dawn of the sun is perceived, to the Lady, your miraculous icon, to her now we are flowing and praying to you, we call out to you: oh, wonderful Lady, the Theotokos, praying from you to our incarnate Christ our God, may this city deliver and all the cities and countries of Christianity are safe from all the slander of the enemy, and will save our souls, like the Merciful.

Kontakion, voice 8
To the victorious Voevoda, who will be freed from the evil by the coming of Your honest image, to the Lady of the Theotokos we lightly create the feast of Your meeting and we usually call Ty: Rejoice, Bride Unmarried.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her icon,
called "Vladimirskaya"

O All-merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, Omnipotent Intercessor, our shameful Hope! Thanks to Thee for all the great blessings, in the generations of the Russian people from Thee, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (or: all this, or: this holy abode) and your forthcoming servants and all the Russian land from gladness, destruction , lands of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of aliens and internecine warfare. Save and save, Madame, our Great Lord and Father Alexy, Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and our Lord (name of rivers), Most Reverend Bishop (or: Archbishop, or: Metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend Archbishops and Metropolitan Orthodox bishops. Grant them the goodness of the Russian Church to govern, the faithful sheep of Christ are infallible to keep. Remember, Lady, and the entire priestly and monastic rite, warm their hearts with zeal for Boz and walk worthy of your title and strengthen someone. Save, Lady, and have mercy on all Thy servants and grant us the path of the earthly race without blemish. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, temperance in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for the enemy, prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from every temptation and from petrified insensibility, on the terrible day of Judgment vouch for us with Thy intercession to be at the right hand of Thy Son, Christ our God. All glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever, befits Him. Amen.

The image of the Mother of God is especially revered by all Orthodox Christians. The Vladimir icon is remarkable for its special power: prayers in front of it have saved entire cities from certain death more than once.

The history of the icon

According to legend, the Vladimir Icon was painted during the life of the Mother of God by the Apostle and Evangelist Luke. During the meal, the apostle saw a wonderful vision of the future Christian people, and he, taking a board from the table, began to paint the image of the Mother of God with the Baby Jesus in his arms. The Virgin Mary did not interfere with the apostle, for she saw that he was moved by the Will of the Lord.

Where is the holy image

For a long time, the Vladimir Icon was in the holy city of Jerusalem. In the middle of the 12th century, the image was donated to Kievan Rus and kept in the Mother of God Monastery in the city of Vyshgorod. A little later, Andrei Bogolyubsky transported the icon to Vladimir, where it was kept for a long time. At the moment, the miraculous image of the Vladimir Mother of God is located in Moscow, in the Church of St. Nicholas.

Description of the icon

The Vladimir Icon depicts the Mother of God with the baby Jesus in her arms. The gaze of the Mother of God is directed directly at the praying person standing in front of the icon, her face is serious and full of sorrow for the sins of this world.

The Mother of God tightly hugs the Infant Jesus to her, and His gaze is directed upward, towards the Mother of God. Thus, the image shows the great love of the Lord for his Mother, which should be equal to all believers.

How does the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God help

The Vladimir image of the Mother of God has repeatedly saved Russia from invaders. That is why they pray to the image for the well-being of the country, for salvation in difficult and dangerous life situations, as well as for the preservation of peace.

There are cases of miraculous healings that occurred during a common prayer in front of the icon. Therefore, the Vladimir image of the Virgin Mary is prayed for healing from bodily and mental illnesses.

Prayers before the Vladimir icon

“All-merciful Intercessor, Patroness and Protector! We humbly pray to You, bowing before You in tears: Cast out, Lady, death that tramples on the souls of the Lord's faithful servants, turn enemies around and deliver our land from all evil! Oh, Mistress, we hope in You, and our prayer flies to You, for only in You we hope and pray to save our belly and our souls. Amen".


“Queen of Heaven, merciful Intercessor, I humbly pray to You: do not leave my cry unanswered, hear me, a sinful and unworthy servant of God, take away trouble, ailments and infirmities from me. May my soul not turn away from the Lord, and a prayer to the Most High will send grace on my forehead. Be merciful, Mother of God, and send down the miraculous healing of my soul and body. Amen".

Days of veneration of the Vladimir Icon of the Virgin - June 3, July 6 and September 8 in the new style. At this time, any prayers to the Mother of God can completely change your life and destiny. We wish you peace of mind and strong faith in God. Be happy and remember to press the buttons and

06.07.2017 05:36

The icon "The Protection of the Virgin" is one of the most significant shrines among all Orthodox images. This icon ...

From ancient times, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God has worked miracles and is rightfully considered one of the most revered and famous in the Orthodox world. Several major holidays are celebrated in her honor: May 21, June 23, August 25. In memory of the salvation of Moscow from: Mohammed-Girey, Akhmat and Tamerlane, respectively. On these days it is customary to read the troparion to the Vladimir icon.


The meaning of the Vladimir icon

Prayers in front of this icon are able to protect people from adversity; people turn to her for help in a variety of situations. There are very difficult periods in a person's life and then they resort to prayers. Every believer who sincerely asks for help from higher powers receives it. Our Lady of Vladimir is a protector and protects houses from misfortunes, helps in various everyday situations.

Every Orthodox person is simply obliged to have this image at home. Many different stories have been written about the meaning and miraculousness of the icon, miracles happened hundreds of years ago, and they do the same today.


The miraculousness of the icon

Throughout the entire time, miracles have happened associated with the Vladimir icon.

  • Three times the prayers of people for the salvation of their own land were heard. Foreigners left the Russian land for various reasons.
  • When the icon was in Vyshgorod, unauthorized movements of the icon were noticed. Three times the image appeared in different parts of the monastery.
  • The water that washed the shrine had healing properties, the parishioners were repeatedly healed from various bodily ailments.
  • The wife of one of the clergy was expecting a child, she often prayed in front of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, and once by a miracle her life was saved from an enraged horse.
  • The abbess of the monastery was healed of blindness. The girl simply drank water from the holy face and said a prayer.
  • Once, in the city of Vladimir, the Golden Gate collapsed on twelve people, all these people suddenly found themselves under the rubble. One of them read a prayer in front of the image of the Mother of God, then all these people managed to escape. None of them were seriously injured.
  • The baby was washed with holy water, and he was saved from the evil spell.
  • For many years the woman suffered from a serious heart disease, she gave the priest all her gold jewelry and sent the priest with them to the temple where the icon was located. He brought the woman holy water, she drank it and prayed, and after a while the woman was completely healthy.

This is far from a complete list of miracles that are associated with the Vladimir icon. Moreover, miracles happened not only associated with the original of the icon, but also with its numerous copies.


How does the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God help

This shrine has witnessed almost all important events in the history of Russia. She saw military campaigns, how the coronations of monarchs took place, as well as the appointment of many patriarchs. Prayer addressed to the icon helps to calm down enmity, to reduce the level of anger and passions.

A large number of parishioners turned to the monk for help in order to make a fateful decision, strengthen their own spirit and gain vitality during an illness. The question of how the Vladimir icon helps can be answered as follows:

  • comes to the rescue when making an important decision, shows the true path;
  • strengthens faith and gives strength, which is practically running out;
  • helps in the healing of diseases, especially people with blindness and various ailments of the heart are often healed;
  • relieves from evil intentions and sinful thoughts.

Also, the Mother of God helps in the formation of a happy marriage, since a happy and strong family is the key to a strong and successful country.

What does the Vladimir icon look like

This icon belongs to the "Caressing" type. This image is considered the most lyrical of all images of the Virgin.

Each person can see the face of the Mother of God, with her left hand she holds her little son.

They clung to each other affectionately, thereby opening up the other side of the Virgo's communication with her son. The original icon was painted on a wooden table top.

Throughout the canvas, only two figures are depicted: the Mother of God and her son. Her head is inclined to the Christ Child, he hugs his Mother by the neck with his left hand.

A distinctive feature of this icon from all the others is that the leg of Christ is bent so that you can see his foot.

Miraculous lists

Throughout the entire time, a very large number of various copies of the Vladimir icon were created. Some of them also acquired miraculous properties and received special names:

  • Vladimirskaya-Volokolamskaya, which was created in 1572;
  • Vladimirskaya-Seligerskaya, created in 1528;
  • Vladimirskaya-Oranskaya, dated 1634.

All these images also have miracles, and all Orthodox often come to them to read the Akathist to the Vladimir Icon of God.

History of the Vladimir Icon

The legend says that this icon was painted by the evangelist Luke, the lid of the dining table was used as a basis. The Most Pure Mother and Joseph the Betrothed took food for him. And when the Mother of God saw the image, she became very joyful and said the following words: "From now on, everyone will bless Me."

Initially, the icon was in Jerusalem, later it moved from this city to Constantinople, for a long time it was there. Then, Yuri Dolgoruky received this icon as a gift from one influential patriarch.

In the city of Vyshgorod (not far from Kiev) a monastery was built quite recently, and an image was placed there. Almost immediately, the icon began to be glorified with various kinds of miraculous deeds. The son of Yuri Dolgoruky very much desired to have such an icon and brought it to the city of Vladimir, where she found a new home. It was since then that it received the name - Vladimirskaya.

This icon very often saved soldiers who went to war. In the battle against the Volga Bulgarians, the icon of Bogomeria helped the prince to gain a difficult victory in battle.

Thirty years later, there was a terrible fire, then the cathedral, in which the icon was located, burned down, but it remained completely unharmed. In 1237, Batu attacked the city of Vladimir and completely ruined it, but this time too, the icon managed to survive.

The further history of the icon is fully connected with Moscow, where it came only in 1395, when Khan Tamerlane came to Russia. The conqueror completely plundered Ryazan and sent his army to Moscow, they destroyed everything in their path. The prince wasted not a minute, gathered a large army and ordered them to attack to meet the invaders. The Metropolitan at this time called on the higher powers to help them. Then the prince and the metropolitan decided to transfer the icon to Moscow.

When the shrine came to Moscow and was brought into the cathedral, incredible things began to happen. As the chronicle says, the conqueror simply stayed in one place for several weeks, he did not go on the offensive, but he did not retreat either. But suddenly fear enveloped him, he turned back and left the Moscow limits.

A little later, when an invasion was not even expected in Moscow, a huge army of invaders suddenly appeared in front of the city walls. The then prince realized that he did not have enough time and skills to assemble a worthy army to resist foreigners and simply left the capital with his family. Vladimir the Brave, who suddenly had to rule Moscow, was an experienced commander and gathered a large army, so much so that the horde did not dare to storm Moscow. However, they began to plunder the neighboring towns.

At this time, all Orthodox people prayed in front of the Vladimir icon, calling on the Mother of God to help her people. And again the pleas were heard, Edigei (the leader of the Horde) received news of the coup and was forced to leave the Russian land. So the Mother of God once again saved her people from enemies.

Prayer to the Vladimir Icon

O All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, Omnipotent Intercessor, our shameful Hope! Thanks to Thee for all the great blessings, in the generations of the people of Russia from thee, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (all this; this holy abode) and the forthcoming Thy servants and the entire Russian Land from gladness, destruction, earth of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of aliens and civil strife! Save and save, Madame, our Great Lord and Father (name), His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and our Lord (name), Most Reverend Bishop (archbishop, metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend Metropolitans, archbishops and Orthodox bishops. Grant them the goodness of the Russian Church to govern, the faithful sheep of Christ are infallible to keep. Remember, Lady, and the entire priestly and monastic rite, warm their hearts with zeal for Boz and walk worthy of your title and strengthen someone. Save, Lady, and have mercy on all Thy servants and grant us the path of the earthly race without blemish to pass. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, temperance in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for the enemy, prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from all temptation and from petrified insensibility, on the terrible day of Judgment, grant us, by Thy intercession, to become the right hand of Thy Son, Christ our God, to Him all glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Conclusion

This is a very ancient and powerful icon, it is one of the most revered faces of the Virgin. Three times with the help of the icon it was possible to stop the foreign invaders. A huge number of people received spiritual and physical strength by praying in front of her.