Origin story
The sovereign icon of the Mother of God is an image revered by the Russian Orthodox Church. This image is symbolically associated with the Russian monarchy and is considered the main shrine of monarchists. The most holy image was found, according to historical facts, exactly on the day of Emperor Nicholas II’s abdication of his throne, that is, March 2, 1917.
It happened like this: a peasant woman living near Moscow saw the Mother of God in a dream. She told her to go to Kolomenskoye, find a black icon depicting the Mother of God seated on a throne, and restore the shrine. The woman did everything as the Immaculate Virgin ordered her. In Kolomenskoye, a peasant woman went into the Church of the Ascension and told her priest about her wonderful dream. In the basement of his temple, he found an icon, blackened by age, depicting the Mother of God with Child, and in her hands the Virgin Mary was holding a scepter and an orb. Due to the presence of royal regalia in the image, this image is called “Almighty”.
Previously, the shrine was located in the iconostasis of a destroyed Moscow church, which belonged to the Ascension Monastery for women. Queens and royal relatives were buried on the monastery territory. This icon was painted at the end of the 18th century. Then the image ended up in the Ascension Kolomna Church. When the shrine was found, it was restored in the workshop of the Alekseevsky Monastery. During the years of the USSR, the image was kept in the storage rooms of the Historical Museum for a long period of time. In 1990 the shrine was returned to Kolomenskoye. Sometimes the most holy image is taken from the Kolomna Kazan Church to other churches for veneration.
Icons of the Mother of God with photos and descriptions
Below is a list of Holy Faces, the most popular or, on the contrary, little known, whose history or description is very interesting.
"Kazan" Icon of the Mother of God
Celebrated on July 21 and November 4. The miraculous image saved the country in times of unrest, disasters and wars. Its significance is to preserve the country under the shadow of the Mother of God.
The most revered image in Rus'. Found in 1579 in Kazan in a fire during the persecution of Christians. They bless married couples, pray for the healing of eye diseases, and to repel foreign invasion.
Icon of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice”
Celebrated on May 18th. They pray for deliverance from drunkenness.
In 1878, one retired soldier suffering from heavy drinking had an apparition of St. Varlaam to go to the city of Serpukhov and pray there in front of a certain image. This icon turned out to be the now famous “Inexhaustible Chalice”.
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Theodorovskaya”
Celebrated on March 27 and August 29. They ask her for a happy marriage and healthy children.
Possibly written by the Apostle Luke. It was located in the 12th century in the city of Gorodets. She miraculously moved to Kostroma: she was seen in the hands of St. the warrior Theodore Stratilates, who walked with her through the city. Hence the name “Feodorovskaya”.
"Sovereign" Mother of God
Celebrated on March 15th. The meaning of the image is that power over Russia passed from the Tsar directly to the Virgin Mary.
Revealed in 1917 in the village of Kolomenskoye, in the Moscow region, on the very day on which Nicholas II abdicated the throne. The Most Holy Theotokos seemed to have received the power from the Tsar.
"Vladimir" icon
Celebrated on June 3, July 6, September 8. The significance of the image for Orthodox Christians in preserving Russia from foreign warriors.
Written by the Apostle Luke on the tabletop of the Holy Family. Saved Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane. Under Soviet rule, she exhibited at the Tretyakov Gallery.
"Tikhvin" Mother of God
Celebrated on July 9th. The meaning of the image is that it protects the northern borders of Russia.
This image, according to legend, was written by the evangelist and apostle Luke. He miraculously appeared near the city of Tikhvin. Particularly remarkable among the many miracles revealed by the image was the salvation of the Tikhvin monastery during the Northern War in 1613.
"Three-handed"
Celebrated on July 11 and 25. Means the omnipotence of God's miracles.
So named after a miracle that happened to St. John of Damascus. His severed hand grew back into place through prayer at the image of the Mother of God. In honor of this event, a silver hand was attached to the frame of the image.
"Unexpected Joy"
Celebrated on May 14 and December 22. The meaning of the image lies in the mercy of the Mother of God even towards unrepentant sinners, leading them to repentance.
The icon is named in memory of the conversion of one lawless man, who, with the Archangel's greeting, asked for a blessing for his lawless deeds.
"Blessed Womb"
Celebrated on May 21st. Provides assistance during childbirth.
In the 14th century it was located in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin. Glorified by many miracles.
Description and meaning in Orthodoxy
The “Sovereign” icon depicts the Mother of God seated on a throne in scarlet royal purple with a baby on her lap. On the head of the Blessed Virgin is a crown surrounded by a halo. In her hands the Mother of God holds the royal regalia - a scepter and an orb. The Queen of Heaven in the most holy image resembles the Queen of Earth. The fact that the shrine was found on the day the emperor abdicated the throne symbolizes the transfer of royal power to the Queen of Heaven. The image of the Mother of God appeared to reassure the believers, to tell them that Russia will be saved.
And so it happened. Later, the emperor and his family were shot, religion was banned at the state level, and almost all the priests were killed. Russian clergy blamed the common people and their sinful lives for what happened. After the revolution, the people themselves received the opportunity to live normally, work and not sin.
As the Mother of God, who took control of the state, warned, Russia survived, was saved, that is, did not cease to exist as a state.
The Orthodox clergy calls on the people to repent, to be ashamed of their happy life during the years of the USSR, to ask forgiveness for their sins that led to the massacre of the Tsar, and to gain mercy from the Immaculate Virgin.
Description of the icon
According to iconography, it belongs to the “Tenderness” type: the Baby clings to the Mother’s cheek and hugs Her, but there is no smile on Her face, only sorrow and endless love for the Son, who will be sacrificed for all humanity. The color of the Mother of God's robe is purple, which symbolizes royal power, and in the Christian tradition - the Passion of Christ. The naked legs of the Baby remind us of His impending suffering.
The Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God has one amazing feature that sets it apart from other images of the Mother of God: on the reverse side of it is written the image of St. Martyr Paraskeva Friday, who in Rus' was the patroness of brides and weddings.
The history of the icon goes back centuries, and over these centuries it has demonstrated its miraculous power more than once.
What do they ask for before the image?
In Russia they venerate the most holy image of the Mother of God, pray to it, and ask for help in difficult situations. A huge number of churches have been built in honor of the “Sovereign” icon. The holy elders wrote several prayers that are read just before this image. Christians sincerely believe that “Derzhavnaya” helps in difficult times for the people, saves them from disasters, illnesses and troubles.
It is necessary to pray before the most holy image when a person cannot get a job, everything is not going well for him, there is nothing but trouble all around. The Mother of God will never leave repentant sinners in trouble, she will cover them with her cover. If a person wants to receive God's mercy, he needs to live according to God's laws and pray to the Almighty with all his heart.
The Immaculate Virgin can be asked to stand guard over the Russian land, save the people from disasters, and help in difficult situations. Believers turn to the Mother of God to help establish peace on earth and stop civil strife. It is within the power of the Mother of God to preserve the church, to save it from heresy. Christians ask the Immaculate Virgin to save them from the fall of sin, the slander of evil people, and mental and physical ailments.
How many icons of the Mother of God are there?
No one knows exactly how many different images of the Mother of God have been written. In the monthly book published by the Moscow Patriarchate, 295 names are mentioned.
But according to iconography, the images of the Mother of God are divided into only three types: Oranta (looks with arms raised up), Hodegetria (the baby blesses the Mother of God), Eleusa (tenderness, clinging to each other).
Where are the miraculous lists?
The most holy image called “Sovereign” is located in the Kazan Church in Kolomenskoye. After the collapse of the USSR, several dozen churches were built in Russia in honor of this revered icon. For example, with the construction of the chapel in honor of the “Derzhavnaya”, the Church of Christ the Savior was erected in Moscow. In honor of the holy icon, a temple was built in the monastery of Yekaterinburg. There is also a church in Chertanovo, St. Petersburg, Gdov, Samara, Zhukovsky, and the village of Gusino, Smolensk region. Each church in honor of the icon has its own copy of the “Sovereign” icon.
Copies of the most holy image can be seen in other churches. For example, in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, in Moscow, there is a revered and miraculous image of the “Sovereign”, which is an exact copy of the original.
The Moscow Church of Elijah the Prophet houses a list created back in 1920 by the famous artist Chernyshev. A copy of “Derzhavnaya” is in the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God in Trinity-Lykovo. Another list is located in the Church of St. George the Victorious on the territory of the Solovetsky Monastery.
Texts of prayers
Before the most holy “Sovereign” icon, prayers are read, specially written for this image. Words for prayer were invented by the holy elders who served the Church with faith and truth for many years and dedicated their lives to the Savior.
It is recommended to pray to the holy icon in church. The image of “Sovereign” can be bought in a church shop and hung on the wall at home. They pray to the most holy icon with a lamp or a lit candle on. It is advisable to memorize the text of the prayer.
First
In the first prayer, the Immaculate Virgin is thanked for the fact that in difficult times for Russia she gave the people an icon in front of which they can pray for the salvation of the state. The Mother of God is asked to grant mercy, to save from trouble. Believers pray that the Mother of God will stop their enemies, bring them to their senses and guide them on the true path. Christians ask the Immaculate Virgin to instill joy and truth in their hearts, to establish silence, tranquility, and unfeigned love in the state.
People are confident that with her power the Mother of God will be able to stop lawlessness. Believers ask the Mother of God to support them in moments of weakness, infirmity, and despondency. At the end of the prayer, Christians glorify the Mother of God.
“Oh, Sovereign Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, holding in Her arms the Heavenly King who contains the entire universe!
We thank Thee for Thy ineffable mercy, for Thou didst deign to show us, sinners and unworthy, this holy and miraculous icon of Thy in these evil and cruel days, like a whirlwind, like a windy storm that came upon our country, in the days of our humiliation and reproach, in days of destruction and desecration of our holy things from crazy people, who boldly say not only in their hearts, but also in their mouths: there is no God, and in their deeds they show this godlessness.
We thank Thee, Intercessor, for Thou hast looked down from Thy holy height upon our sorrow and the grief of us, the Orthodox, and as the bright sun, cheering our eyes, exhausted from sorrow, with the sweet vision of Thy Sovereign image. Oh, Most Blessed Mother of God, Sovereign Helper, Strong Intercessor! Thanking Thee with fear and trembling, as slaves of indecency, we fall down to Thee with tenderness, with contrition of heart and with tears, and we pray to Thee and lamentably cry out to Thee: save us, save us! Help us, help us! Struggling: we are dying! Behold, our belly is approaching hell: behold, many sins have befallen us, many troubles, many enemies. Oh, Heavenly Queen! With the scepter of Thy Divine power, dispel, like dust, like smoke, the wicked machinations of our enemies, visible and invisible, crush their lofty thoughts and forbid them, and like the Mother of all, guide them on the right and godly path. Root truth, peace and joy about the Holy Spirit into the hearts of all of us, establish silence, prosperity, serenity, unfeigned love for each other in our country. With Your omnipotent power, O Most Pure One, restrain the streams of lawlessness that want to drown the Russian Land in their terrible abyss. Support us, the weak, the cowardly, the frail and the sad, strengthen, uplift and save us, as we always keep under Your Power, we sing and magnify Your Most Honorable and Magnificent Name, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen".
Second
In the second prayer, believers ask the Immaculate Virgin to help them and not turn away from them. Christians pray that the Mother of God will ask the Savior to preserve peace in the country, rid the state of civil strife, strengthen the church, and save it from schism and heresy. Believers ask the Mother of God to save them from the Fall, the slander of evil people, and physical and mental illnesses.
People believe that the Immaculate Virgin can grant them spiritual humility, purity of thoughts, correction of a sinful life, and forgiveness of sins. At the end of the prayer, believers glorify the Mother of God and the Savior.
“Peace to the Intercessor, all-sung Mother! With fear, faith and love, bowing down before Your honorable Sovereign icon, we fervently pray to You: do not turn Your face away from those who come running to You. Pray, merciful Mother of Light, Thy Son and our God, the sweetest Lord Jesus Christ, may he preserve our country in peace, may he establish our state in prosperity, and deliver us from internecine warfare, may he strengthen our holy Orthodox Church, and keep it unshakable from unbelief, schism and heresies. The imams have no other help than You, Most Pure Virgin; You are the all-powerful Intercessor of Christians before God, softening His righteous anger, deliver all those who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from the slander of evil people, from hunger, sorrow and disease. Grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful lives and forgiveness of our sins; May we all, gratefully singing Your greatness, be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom, and there, with all the saints, let us glorify the Most Honorable and Magnificent Name in the Trinity of the glorified God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".
Finding an icon in Rus'
From the 1st century AD, when the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Fedorov was painted, and until its discovery at the beginning of the 13th century in the small Russian city of Gorodets, its history is shrouded in darkness. It is only known that when the Mongols burned Gorodets in 1239, the icon disappeared, but after some time it was miraculously found by Prince Vasily of Kostroma, the younger brother of Prince Alexander Nevsky.
It happened like this: while hunting, Prince Vasily noticed an icon on the branches of a tree, but when he tried to get it, it rose into the air. Surprisingly, at exactly the same time, many Kostroma residents saw an unknown warrior walking through the city with an icon in his hands. This warrior looked like St. Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates, a cathedral was erected in his honor in the city.
