Every year, the Orthodox Church celebrates the icon on Friday of Bright Week. Mother of God"Life-Giving Source". On this day, the rite of consecration of water is performed in Orthodox churches. The history of the appearance of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" dates back to the time of the 5th century and is a reminder of the miracle of the healing of a blind man by the Mother of God at a source located near Constantinople. The warrior Leo Markell, who later became the emperor of the Byzantine Empire, witnessed this amazing event.

When Leo passed by the spring, he saw a blind man. The warrior went to the spring in order to draw water for himself and give the blind man a drink. Suddenly, Markell heard a voice commanding him to draw water from the spring and not only give the blind man a drink, but also put a wet bandage with water on the sick man's eyes. It was the voice of the Mother of God. Lev Markel fulfilled the command and the blind man received his sight.

When Leo took office great empire, he erected a temple in honor of the Virgin Mary near the source. The House of God has been called the "Life-Giving Spring". After the Muslim conquest of Byzantium, the temple was destroyed. The House of God near the source was restored only in the 19th century.

The image itself life-giving spring" is a later "prototype" of the ancient icon of the Mother of God of the "Sign" type. The ancient Blachernae prototype depicted the Mother of God at the source. Holy water flowed from the hands of the Virgin Mary. Initially, the icon "Life-Giving Spring" did not depict a healing spring. Later, a bowl with holy water, as well as a source or fountain, entered the iconography.

The earliest images of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Source" include an image found in the Crimea, related to historians XIII century. Since the middle of the XIV century, images of the Virgin "Life-Giving Spring" with a bowl and a healing spring located above it appear. In the 15th century, an image of the "Life-Giving Spring" type appeared on Mount Athos in the monastery of St. Paul. The Virgin and Child are depicted in a bowl.

In Rus', icons of the "Life-Giving Spring" type began to appear in the 16th century, when the custom came into practice to consecrate water sources at monasteries, dedicating them to the Most Holy Theotokos.

It is also necessary to say about other names of the icon that have found their reflection in the Russian tradition. These include the names "Life-giving Source", "Source" and "Life-giving Source".

Advice 2: Icon of the Mother of God "Fadeless Color": history and iconographic features of the image

The Most Holy Theotokos is especially loved and revered by the Russian people. One of the manifestations of love for the Mother of God has always been the writing of holy images of the Virgin Mary. On April 16, the Orthodox Church celebrates special celebrations in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "The Unfading Flower".

The time of the appearance of the image of the Mother of God of the type "Fadeless Color" is considered to be the 17th century. IN currently There are two versions about where this holy icon was painted. According to one version, the author of the image is Athos monk, others suggest that the icon was painted in Constantinople.

The basis for creating the image "Fadeless Color" was the words from the Akathist to the Mother of God, in which the Mother of God is compared with unfading and fragrant flowers. Cultural scientists suggest that the type of writing the icon "Fadeless Color" was formed under the influence of Western iconography.

an integral part of all artistic images Icon "Fadeless Color" is the presence of flowers. Options may vary. Flowers can be painted along the edges of the icon, or a flourishing rod is depicted, and sometimes the Mother of God with the baby stands on a pedestal of flowers.

The clothes of the Virgin Mary and the baby Christ are most often royal, which indicates a special divine power Lord and the great position of his Most Pure Mother.

The icons "Fadeless Color" depict various flowers. For example, lilies or roses. Snow-white represents the special purity of the Queen of Heaven, and the rose is a universal symbol of love inherent in the Mother of God as the main intercessor before God for people.

Celebrations in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God "Fadeless Color" take place twice a year: on April 16th and on January 13th.

Before the image of the Mother of God "Fadeless Color" they pray for the preservation of spiritual purity and guidance on the path of spiritual perfection. This icon is especially revered among unmarried girls, since in Russian culture and Orthodox tradition it is customary to pray for a worthy bridegroom in front of this holy image of the Mother of God.

The icon "Life-Giving Spring" can be found in a number of Orthodox churches. What is her help to man? What prayers should be addressed to this icon? I want to tell you about all this in the article below.

The history of the appearance of the holy image goes back to the fifth century, when there was a grove near Constantinople, which, according to legend, was dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary. In this grove flowed a spring, known for its miracles, but over time it was hidden behind thickets of bushes and mud, and gradually completely disappeared.

In the year 450, a warrior named Leo Markell (who later became emperor) happened to meet a lost blind man in this grove, the warrior helped him find the path and planted him in the shade. And he went for water to quench the thirst of an exhausted traveler. Unexpectedly, Leo heard that the Mother of God herself was calling him, giving him the task of discovering an abandoned source and applying mud from it to the eyes of a blind man.

Markell did everything he was told and a miracle happened - the blind man began to see again. The Mother of God also told Leo that he would sit at the imperial throne, this also became true after seven years. When the promise came true, Leo Markell remembered the Mother of God and gave the order to ennoble the source, establish a circle of stones around it and build a church in honor of the Virgin Mary on it.

The sacred key of the emperor was given the name "Life-Giving Spring", because he began to manifest the miraculous grace of the Virgin. They also named a new icon, painted specifically for this temple.

In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian the Great also had to drink water from a healing spring, which cured him of serious illness. To celebrate, he ordered the construction of another temple next to the one erected by Leo, and with him a monastery was organized.

In the 15th century, when it collapsed Byzantine Empire, a similar fate befell the temple - it was destroyed by Muslims. Then, in its place, a small church was rebuilt, which was also demolished in 1821, and the source itself was covered up. But the Orthodox removed the ruins, cleaned the source and again began to use its healing water. Later on this place was built new church, at which a hospital with an almshouse was organized.

The image of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" was very revered by the ancient Russians. For example, in the Sarov desert, a church was built in honor of this image. On the advice of St. Seraphim of Sarov, all the Orthodox who were stricken with illnesses went to offer prayers at the miraculous image, and their ailments miraculously passed.

Until now, the icon of the "Life-Giving Spring" has not lost its popularity. In particular, on Friday in Bright Week, when the Liturgy ends in Christian churches, it is customary to perform a prayer service for the blessing of water at this image. And the water consecrated at the Liturgy is used by believers to sprinkle their gardens and orchards.

What is depicted in this image

The shrine shows us the Mother of God sitting in the font, holding the baby Jesus in her arms. Initially, the source was not applied to a sacred object, but later the composition was supplemented with a Fiala (cup). And a little later, the icon is already depicted with a reservoir and a fountain.

Characteristics of the icon, how can it help?

Many people are interested in the characteristics of the icon "Life-Giving Spring" and in what it can help. It should be noted that the face of the Mother of God has a much deeper characteristic and meaning than the healing properties of holy water alone.

He personifies the Holy One herself, who in her bosom bore the Savior of all mankind and gave eternal life to all who believe in him and in his Father and keep faith in both in their souls.

You can come across the statement that God is our whole Life, and the source represents the feminine principle, embodies the image of the Mother of God. It is for this reason that the Russian icon-painting tradition bestows the name “Source” on this face. So, this is the personification of the beginning, from which life itself flows (the festive kontakion designates it as the Water Savior or the Source of God-grace).

The image contributes to the healing of the spirit and body of all people living on earth like a real caring mother, who is on guard of the whole human race. Next, we will consider in what specific problems this icon will help you.

When should prayers be offered to the "Life-Giving Spring"?

The Sacred Image, which received its name in honor of the healing waters, is traditionally asked for help in the presence of such problems:

• when they want to remove bad habits, eradicate pernicious passions;
• to heal physical and mental pathologies;
• the holy Mother of God will also render her help to all the righteous who sacredly believe in the Savior;
• all those whose soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, who suffer from a lack of vital energy will be able to receive help from her;
• thanks to sincere sincere prayer before the icon, it becomes possible to get rid of even the most serious ailments.

Miracles performed by this divine shrine

One Thessalian from childhood dreamed that when he grew up he would see with his own eyes the place from which holy water flows. And finally, the moment came when he and other Orthodox were able to begin their long pilgrimage journey.

But on the way, the young man became infected and when he realized that he would soon die, he asked other travelers with him not to bury him after death, but nevertheless they carried him to his destination and poured 3 jugs of healing water on him, and only then buried his body in the ground.

His request was fulfilled, but when the third jug of water was poured onto the body of the righteous man, a miracle happened and he came to life. After such an amazing resurrection, the young man decided to serve God and the Mother of God until his death, prayers to which helped him return to life again.

There are also other examples of the healing effects of spring water. But we must remember that a miracle occurs only on the condition of a fervent, sincere and sincere prayer to the Creator, and if a person leads a righteous lifestyle, he does not commit any sins. Only in this case, he can count on receiving the long-awaited relief and healing.

How the icon of the Life-Giving Spring is celebrated

They appointed a day on which the memory of the reconstruction of the church "Life-Giving Spring" in Constantinople, erected at the behest of Leo Markell and at the direction of the Mother of God, is honored.

This date was the Friday of the Bright Week, and from now on, every year in Christian churches on Holy Week, the consecration of water is honored, the Easter procession is performed.

In which churches can you find the icon of the Mother of God the Life-Giving Spring?

On this moment time there are more than a hundred chapels and churches that have received their name in honor of the Mother of God. Let me take a look at some of them below:

• Temple of the Image of the Mother of God (Cosmodamian) in Metkino, Moscow Region. Ancient chronicles tell that in the 17th century, not far from Moscow, there was a wooden temple of Damian and Cosmas, but in 1701 it was burned down. Fortunately, most the images were saved, they were transferred to a small chapel located nearby.

The destroyed church in 1848 was replaced by the present god's temple, which is dedicated to the miraculous face of the Mother of God. This is also not accidental, since in 1829 the miraculous appearance of the Saint happened. And in 1840, Avdotya Evdokimova, the widow of a soldier, transferred a miraculous icon to the village of Metkino, which was given to her by the merchant Kiriyanova. Since that time, people from nearby areas have been coming to the temple to bow to the holy image.

• Another icon dedicated to the Mother of God can be found in Tsaritsyno (Moscow).
• In the city of Tver there is a Cathedral with a miraculous image of the Mother of God (in the Sorrowful Church).
• The Church of the healing icon of the Holy Virgin Mary is also in the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery (Zadonsk).
• In addition, you will find a healing icon in the Church of the Mother of God (Arzamas city).

Now you know complete description the image of the "Life-giving source". In conclusion, I would like to note only that the most important condition receiving divine help is a sincere belief in this help.

Therefore, believe in miracles and finish reading the article by watching a fascinating thematic video:

Fortune telling today with the help of the Tarot "Card of the Day" layout!

For correct divination: focus on the subconscious and do not think about anything for at least 1-2 minutes.

When you're ready, draw a card:

All Christian icons have their own unique stories of creation or acquisition and secret meaning. Many of them, including the icon of the Life-Giving Spring, depict the Virgin Mary and the Infant Savior.

Without faith, our lives would turn into chaos and disorder. Icons help us find the strength in ourselves to move on when it seems that everything has collapsed or is moving towards it. Icons should be in every home: when a person cannot visit the temple, he can pray in front of the icon, establishing contact with God.

History of the icon

The history of the “Life-Giving Source” image is rooted in the distant past. In the 5th century, a life-giving, miraculous spring was found in Constantinople. This place was consecrated, because the grove where the spring was located was sown in honor of the Virgin. Many people have found healing by drinking holy water that springs from the very earth itself.

Subsequently, the source almost dried up, and over time it completely turned into an abandoned place. In the 6th century, in honor of the miraculous land from which water flowed, a temple was built and a monastery attached to it. Later, the first icon dedicated to this land was invented and painted. They dedicated the icon to the Mother of God, as it is a symbol of purity and goodness, humility and chastity. This image was very popular and famous, but was later forgotten, and then restored again. He was honored in Rus' throughout history.

Description of the icon

The very place where the source was located is depicted on the icon. The Mother of God sits in the Holy Chalice, holding the Christ Child in her arms. Holy water pours from the Chalice - a symbol of pure faith and salvation. Below, near the Chalice, are depicted people who drink or draw water into vessels. Sometimes this icon is attributed to the feast of Epiphany, although in fact it has nothing to do with Baptism. There are many variants of the icon, but in general they are all very similar. Now in many churches in Russia there are icons of the "Life-Giving Spring", but it is mainly associated with the temple that was built on the miraculous place where there was a holy spring.

What does the icon help with?

This icon saves the house from trouble, from all misfortune and evil people. If you are sick, then you can put this icon next to the bed in order to find salvation and improve your health as quickly as possible.

This is a miraculous icon, since in the annals there is a lot of evidence of how people healed serious ailments by applying to the image: blindness, weakness, incurable diseases, infertility. This happened not only in the 5th-6th centuries, but also later, when they were only talking about that wonderful place. That temple was destroyed and built three times in history, but the icon of the "Life-Giving Spring" has always been and will be miraculous, regardless of where it is located.

Days of veneration of the icon

Day of veneration of the icon "Life-Giving Spring" - April 15. At the divine service, miracles connected with the holy image are remembered that took place in the 5th century on the site where the Constantinople Church now stands. It still contains one of ancient icons. This sacred place to be visited if possible.

Prayers to the icon "Life-Giving Spring"

Before this icon, you can read any prayers for the coming dream and in the morning, prayers for the salvation of the soul, for health. This is a universal image that does not have any connection to events or the theme of prayers. Despite this, there is a prayer that can be read on April 15 in honor of finding that sacred source:

“Our Lady Mother of God, chosen from all generations, giving us grace-filled help, we praise you. You are our blessed Mother of God, pour out Your great and rich mercies on us, heal our ailments and quench our heavy sorrows, let us thank You for this: Rejoice, Mistress, Life-Giving Source faithful people pouring out yours."

The Virgin Mary personifies an insatiable source of goodness, light and forgiveness for all of us, so this icon is not just evidence of a miracle that happened one and a half thousand years ago. This is something more, because this image tells us that the life-giving source is always with us. It feeds us every second of our lives. This is one of the best icons to have at home. Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

13.05.2017 05:49

Among the holy miraculous icons of the Mother of God, the image “Unexpected Joy” is especially revered. Prayer in front of this icon is capable of ...

Icon of the Mother of God
"LIFE-GIVING SOURCE»

All the days of Bright Week appear before us as a single bright Easter day. Friday of Bright Week stands out in particular: the fact that on this day, for the first time after the Great Agiasma for the Epiphany, the consecration of water is performed in all the churches of the Russian Orthodox Church, and by the fact that in the very liturgical rank of this day, to the Paschal stichera and troparia, they add chants of the service to the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Source» . The appearance of this image is associated with the following miraculous event.

In the 5th century, there was a grove near Constantinople, dedicated, according to legend, to the Most Holy Theotokos. In this grove there was a spring, long glorified by miracles, but gradually overgrown with bushes and mud. In 450 the warrior Leo Markell, future emperor, having met a lost blind man in this place, helped him get out onto the path and settle in the shade. In search of water for an exhausted traveler, he heard the voice of the Virgin, commanding to find an overgrown source and anoint the eyes of a blind man with mud. When Leo obeyed the command, the blind man immediately received his sight. The Mother of God also predicted to Leo that he would become emperor, and seven years later this prediction came true.

Having become emperor, Leo Markell remembered the appearance and prediction of the Mother of God and ordered to clean the source, surround it with a stone circle and erect a temple in honor of the Mother of God on it. The holy key was called by the emperor “Life-giving source. The icon of the Mother of God, painted for the new church, was also named in the same way.

In the future, this temple was repeatedly rebuilt and decorated. But after the fall of Constantinople, it was destroyed by the Muslims. And only in 1834-1835. an Orthodox church was again erected over the Life-Giving Spring.

It just so happened that all the famous monasteries of Constantinople were rebuilt into mosques or are now in ruins. And a small one, standing on the source, is still alive. For one and a half thousand years, people have been coming to the place, which the Turks called "Balykly", and collecting water in bottles. Closets are arranged around the source, where the sick are poured; Greeks, Turks, Turkish women, Armenians, Catholics constantly come to the water - everyone asks the Queen of Heaven with tears and accepts healing. Mohammedans involuntarily confess the Mother of God and say: "Great in wives is St. Mary!" and call the water: "St. Mary"

A Thessalian from his youth experienced desire visit the Life-Giving Spring. Finally, he managed to set off, but on the way he fell seriously ill. Feeling the approach of death, the Thessalian took a word from his companions so that they would not betray him to burial, but would take the body to the Life-Giving Spring, where they poured three vessels with life-giving water on it, and only after that they buried it. His wish was fulfilled, and life returned to the Thessalian at the Life-Giving Spring. He accepted monasticism and spent in piety last days life.

Iconographically, the image of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" is associated with the ancient Byzantine image of the type "Nikopei Kyriotissa" - "Mistress the Victorious", which, in turn, goes back to the image of the type "Sign".

Initially, the image of the "Life-Giving Source" was distributed in the lists without the image of the source. Such is the Blachernae miraculous image, made of marble, located near the imperial baths. It depicts the Mother of God, from whose hands holy water flows? "agiasma". Later, a cup (phiale) was included in the composition. In later times, they also began to depict a reservoir and a fountain on the icon.

In Russia, over time, the composition of the icon "Life-Giving Spring" is gradually becoming more complex. A wooden well appears, from which a water jet beats, on the sides of it are depicted the ecumenical saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. They draw life-giving water and distribute it to people standing around. On foreground depicted obsessed with various ailments.

Gradually, the composition of the icon became so complicated that the independent image of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" became only a component in the overall complex composition. So, in 1668, the famous Russian icon painter Simon Ushakov, with one of his students, painted the icon of the Life-Giving Spring “with miracles”. In sixteen hallmarks, he depicted the miracles of the Mother of God, performed at the Life-Giving Spring.

Icon Holy Mother of God The "Life-Giving Spring" was deeply revered in Rus'. In the Sarov desert, a temple was erected in honor of this icon. Those sick pilgrims whom Reverend Seraphim Sarovsky sent to pray before miraculous icon Mother of God, received healing from her.

The concept of springs as a symbol of the Mother of God's help and the grace of God is quite ancient. On many icons of the Theotokos, for example, "The Driver", Zhirovitskaya, the icon "The Annunciation of the Mother of God at the well", the image of the source is invariably present. And each icon of the Mother of God in this broad sense can be called the "Life-Giving Spring", meaning the Mother of God's help and Her rich mercy.

Even though history has kept the exact date events of the appearance of the Mother of God to Leo Markellus (April 4 (O.S.) 450), the actual celebration of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" is set to take place on Friday of Bright Week, when the renewal of the Church of the Life-Giving Spring in Constantinople is celebrated and the great miracles that occurred in this temple are remembered.

Beginning with XVI century in Russia, a custom, similar to the Greek one, is being established to consecrate springs located in monasteries and near them, to dedicate them to the Mother of God and to paint icons of the Mother of God, called the “Life-Giving Spring”.

Lists from the miraculous icon "Life-Giving Spring" are in the Sarov Hermitage; Astrakhan, Urzhum, Vyatka diocese; in a chapel near the Solovetsky Monastery; Lipetsk, Tambov diocese. An excellent image is placed in the Moscow Novodevichy Convent.

In the village of Vorobyevo near Moscow (Vorobyovy Gory) from the 16th century there was wooden church at the royal palace in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring", "furnished with exceptional luxury." It probably owes its name to the numerous underground springs flowing along the slopes of the Sparrow Hills. Over time, due to dilapidation, it was repeatedly rebuilt, having existed until early XIX century, after which it was abolished. Today, its existence is reminded by the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring", located to the left of the Royal Doors in the temple Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills - the only remaining of the 4 temples of the village of Vorobyevo.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of the icon of Her "Life-Giving Spring"
Oh, Blessed Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ! You are Mati and the patroness of all who resort to You, look with mercy on the prayers of Your sinful and humble children. You, who are called the Life-giving Source of grace-filled healings, heal the illnesses of the afflicted and implore Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to send down and all those who flow to You, spiritual and bodily health, and, having forgiven us our voluntary and involuntary sins, grant us all that is needed for eternal and temporal life. You are the joy of all those who mourn, hear us, the mournful; You are the quenching of sorrow, quench our sorrow; You are the exaction of the lost, do not let us perish in the abyss of our sins, but always deliver us from all sorrows and misfortunes and all evil circumstances. To her, our Queen, our indestructible hope and invincible intercessor, do not turn Your face away from us for our many transgressions, but extend to us the hand of Your motherly mercy and create with us a sign of Your mercy for the good: show us Your help and prosper in every good deed. From every undertaking of sin and the thought of the evil one, turn us away, but always glorify the most honorable your name magnifying God the Father and the Son of the Only Begotten Lord Jesus Christ and the Life-Giving Holy Spirit with all the saints forever and ever. A min.

Troparion, tone 4
Today, by the faith of faithfulness to the Divine and wholesome image of the Most Holy Theotokos, pouring out drops of her outpourings, and showing miracles to the faithful people, we even see and hear spiritually celebrate and kindly cry out: heal our ailments and passions, as if you healed the Karkin and numerous passions; we also pray to Thee, the Most Pure Virgin, pray to Christ our God, incarnated from You, that our souls be saved.

Troparion, tone 4
Let us draw, people, healing souls and bodies with prayer, the River foreshadows everyone - the Most Pure Queen of the Mother of God, exuding wonderful water for us and washing away the hearts of blackness *, cleansing sinful scabs, but sanctifying the souls of the faithful with Divine grace.

Kontakion, tone 8
From the inexhaustible You, the Source of God-grace, give me, sharpen, the waters of Your grace, ever-flowing more than words, as if the Word gave birth to more than meaning, pray, sprinkle me with grace, and I call Thee: rejoice, saving water.

With boundless love and reverence in the Christian world, they treat the Heavenly Queen - the Blessed Virgin Mary. And how can one not love our Intercessor and Prayer Book before the Throne of God! Her clear gaze is directed at us from countless icons. She showed great miracles to people through her images, which became famous as miraculous. One of the most famous among them is the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring".

Miracle in the Sacred Grove

Sacred tradition tells that in old times When Byzantium was still a prosperous state and the heart of world Orthodoxy, there was a sacred grove near its capital, Constantinople, not far from the famous Golden Gate. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Under the shade of its branches, a spring flowed from the ground, bringing coolness on hot summer days. Then there were rumors among the people that the water in it has some healing properties, but no one took them seriously, and the source, gradually forgotten by everyone, was overgrown with mud and grass.

But then one day, in 450, a certain warrior named Leo Markell, passing through a grove, met a blind man who got lost among dense trees. The warrior helped him, supported him while he got out of the thickets, and seated him in the shade. When he began to look for water to give the traveler a drink, he heard a wonderful voice telling him to find an overgrown spring nearby and wash the blind man's eyes with it.

When the compassionate warrior did this, the blind man suddenly regained his sight, and both of them fell to their knees, offering the Blessed Virgin, as they realized that it was her voice that was heard in the grove. The Queen of Heaven predicted the imperial crown to Leo Markell, which came true seven years later.

Temples are gifts from grateful emperors

Having reached the highest power, Markell did not forget the miracle revealed in sacred grove, and predictions of his astonishing rise. By his order, the source was cleaned and surrounded by a high stone border. Since then, he began to be called the Life-Giving One. A temple was erected here in honor of the Blessed Virgin, and the icon of the Mother of God “The Life-Giving Spring” was painted especially for it. Since then, the blessed spring and the icon kept in the temple have been glorified by many miracles. Thousands of pilgrims began to flock here from the farthest ends of the empire.

A hundred years later, the emperor Justinian the Great, then ruling, suffering from severe and incurable disease, came to the sacred grove, where the temple of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" stood. Having washed in the blessed waters and performed a prayer service before the miraculous image, he regained health and strength. As a sign of gratitude, the happy emperor ordered to build another temple nearby and, in addition, to found a monastery, designed for a large number of inhabitants. Thus, the icon of the Mother of God “The Life-Giving Spring” was glorified more and more, prayer before which was able to heal from the most serious ailments.

The fall of Byzantium and the destruction of temples

But the terrible disasters of 1453 fell upon Byzantium. The great and once prosperous empire fell under the onslaught of the Muslims. rolled up great star Orthodoxy. Unholy invaders set fire to Christian shrines. Was thrown into ruins and the temple of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring", and all the monastery buildings that stood nearby. Much later, in 1821, an attempt was made to resume prayer services in the sacred grove, and even a small church was built, but it was soon destroyed, and the blessed spring was covered with earth.

But people in whose hearts the fire of true faith was burning could not calmly look at this sacrilege. Secretly, under the cover of night, the Orthodox cleared away their desecrated shrine. And just as secretly, risking their lives, they carried away, hiding under their clothes, the vessels filled with it. This continued until it changed. domestic politics new masters of the country, and the Orthodox were not given some relief in the performance of divine services.

Then a small church of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" was built on the site of the destroyed temple. And since Orthodoxy cannot be without mercy and compassion, an almshouse and a hospital were built at the church, in which, through prayers to our Most Pure Intercessor, many suffering and crippled people gained health.

Veneration of holy icons in Rus'

When, with the fall of Byzantium, the sun of Orthodoxy set in the East, it shone with renewed vigor on Holy Rus', and with it many liturgical books and holy images appeared. And then life was unthinkable without the humble and wise faces of the saints of God. But a special attitude was to the images of the Savior and His Most Pure Mother. Among the most revered icons were those painted in ancient times on the banks of the Bosporus. One of them is the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring".

It should be noted that since the 16th century it has become a practice in Russia to consecrate springs and reservoirs located on the territories of monasteries or near them, and at the same time to dedicate them to the Most Holy Theotokos. came to us from Greece. Also widespread numerous lists from the Byzantine image "Life-Giving Spring". However, compositions written in Rus' earlier than the 17th century have not yet been found.

The image of the Virgin in the Sarov desert

As an example of a special love for her, one can recall the famous glory of which the unsunset torch of Orthodoxy, Sarov, brought his name. In that monastery, a temple was specially erected, in which the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" was kept. Its significance in the eyes of believers was so great that the venerable elder, on especially important occasions, sent pilgrims to pray to the Mother of God, kneeling before this miraculous icon of Hers. As is clear from the memoirs of contemporaries, there was no case that a prayer remained unheeded.

An image that strengthens in the fight against sorrows

What is the power possessed by the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring"? How does she help and what can you ask her for? The most important thing that this miraculous image brings to people is deliverance from sorrows. Life, unfortunately, is full of them, and we do not always have enough mental strength deal with them.

They come from the human enemy, as they are the offspring of unbelief in the providence of God. It is in these cases that the "Life-Giving Spring" - the icon of the Mother of God - brings peace to human souls. What else do they pray to our Most Pure Intercessor? About saving us from the very sources of these sorrows - the troubles and hardships of life.

Celebrations in honor of the holy icon

As another example of the special veneration of this icon, we should mention the tradition that has developed over many centuries to serve on Friday of Bright Week a prayer service for the blessing of water in front of this image. It is served in all churches immediately after the end of the liturgy. Since ancient times, it has been customary to sprinkle gardens, kitchen gardens and arable land with water consecrated at this prayer service, thereby calling for the help of the Most Holy Theotokos in granting a rich harvest.

The feast of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" is usually celebrated twice a year. Once this happens on April 4, since it was on this day in the year 450 that the Mother of God appeared to the pious warrior Leo Markell, commanding to build a temple in her honor in the holy grove and pray in it for the health and salvation of Orthodox Christians. On that day, the akathist to the icon of the Mother of God “The Life-Giving Spring” is certainly performed.

The second holiday takes place, as mentioned above, on Friday of Bright Week. On that day, the church remembers the renovated temple in honor of this icon, which was once located near Constantinople. In addition to the blessing of water, the celebration is also accompanied by the Easter procession.

Features of the iconography of the image of the Virgin

Special attention should be paid to the iconographic features of this image. It is generally accepted that the icon of the Mother of God "The Life-Giving Spring" has its roots in the ancient Byzantine image of the Most Pure Virgin, called the "Mistress of the Conqueror", which, in turn, is a rendition of the Mother of God icon "The Sign". However, art historians do not have a unanimous opinion on this issue.

If you study the lists of icons that were distributed at one time, it is not difficult to notice some significant compositional changes made over the centuries. So, in the early icons there is no image of the source. Also, not immediately, but only in the process of developing the image, a bowl called a phial, a reservoir and a fountain entered its composition.

The spread of the holy image in Rus' and Athos

The spread of this image in Rus' is evidenced by a number of archaeological finds. So, for example, in the Crimea, during the excavations, a dish with the image of the Virgin was found. Her figure with prayerfully raised hands is depicted in a bowl. The find dates back to the 13th century and is considered one of the earliest images of this kind located on the territory of our country.

A description of another image corresponding to the image of the “Life-Giving Spring” of the 14th century can be found in the work of the church historian Nicephorus Callistus. He describes the image of the Mother of God in a phial, set over a pond. On this icon Holy Virgin depicted with the Christ Child in her arms.

The fresco "Life-Giving Spring", located on Mount Athos, is also interesting. It belongs to the beginning of the 15th century. Its author, Andronicus the Byzantine, presented the Mother of God in a wide bowl with the blessing of the Eternal Child in her arms. The name of the image is written in Greek text along the edges of the fresco. Also, a similar plot is found in some icons stored in various

Help poured out through this image

But still, what is the unique appeal of this image, what is it that attracts people to the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”? How does it help and what does it keep? First of all, this image brings healing to all those who suffer bodily and in their prayers to those who hope for the help of the Queen of Heaven. It was from this that his glorification began in ancient Byzantium. By this he won love and gratitude, finding himself among the expanses of Russia.

In addition, the icon successfully heals mental illnesses. But the main thing is that it saves those who resort to it from the harmful passions that so often overwhelm our souls. It is from their influence that the "Life-Giving Spring" - the icon of the Mother of God - saves. What do they pray before her, what do they ask the Queen of Heaven for? First of all, about giving strength to cope with all the low and vicious that is inherent in us by human nature damaged by original sin. Unfortunately, there is much that exceeds human capabilities and in which we are powerless without the help of the Lord God and His Most Pure Mother.

Source of Life and Truth

In all cases, no matter what compositional decision the author of this or that version of this image stops at, it should first of all be understood that the Life-giving source is the Most Pure Virgin herself, through whom the One who gave life to all beings on earth was incarnated into the world.

He spoke the words that became the stone on which the temple of the true faith was erected, He revealed to people the way, and the truth, and life. And that blessed Life-giving source, the jets of which washed away sin and watered the Divine field, became for all of us the Queen of Heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary.