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As you know, the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God was painted by St. Evangelist Luke. The fact that no one knows who brought it to Russia and at what time remains a mystery. It is the most important shrine in Russia.
The miraculous Feodorovskaya icon
It is called for the reason that it is named after St. Theodore Stratilates, who found it on a pine tree in a city called Gorodets. After a certain period, the Gorodetsky Feodorovsky Monastery was founded where it was found.
During the entire stay of the miraculous image, many miraculous events took place in the city. One of these events was that the face remained unharmed after the Kostroma Cathedral burned twice. It darkened until the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.
Not everyone knows that the image has two sides. On the second side you can see the image of the martyr Paraskeva. There is an assumption that her face on the back of the icon is associated with the wife of St. Alexander Nevsky.
The meaning of the Feodorovskaya icon
Many kings, starting with Nicholas I and members of their families, went to the miraculous image and prayed. She was the ancestral icon of the Romanov family. Prince Alexander Nevsky took her on all his campaigns. In 1262, the prince died and a decision was made about the need to return the saint to Kostroma. It is known that there is a copy of the original miraculous icon; it was brought by the nun Martha.
The Feodorovskaya icon of the Mother of God did not know a time without prayers. The geography of the Lika pilgrimage is large - Solovki, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yekaterinburg. It was kept in the Assumption Cathedral until 1929. It was also kept in the Church of St. John Chrysostom, and then in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. In 1991, the shrine was moved to the Epiphany - Anastasia Cathedral.
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The authenticity of the image was confirmed by an expedition of the People's Commissariat for Education in 1919. Until 1922, she was decorated with a ten-kilogram golden robe. A new precious chasuble from a silver-gilded frame was made at the request of Alexei the First in 1955.
Origin story
The icon has an interesting history.
Legends about the appearance
There are several versions of the appearance of the icon. Tradition says that the icon was painted by Luke. After that she ended up in the city of Gorodets. However, the settlement was burned in 1239, and the icon disappeared. But miraculously she was found again, but in another city. This was done by the younger brother of Alexander Nevsky, Prince Vasily Kostroma. The story of its appearance is rather unoriginal: the prince went to hunt animals and accidentally saw the icon on a pine tree. However, she did not give in right away, and the prince had to contrive to get her. The Kostroma icon became a symbol of the city of Kostroma, where it was immediately brought.
Scientific versions
If there are various scientific versions that tell about the history of the appearance of the icon. Historians note that:
- the icon may have been commissioned by Andrei Bogolyubsky in the mid-12th century;
- the icon was painted specifically for Yaroslav Vsevolodovich for the wedding of his son, Alexander Nevsky;
- The icon was made by order of Yaroslav on the occasion of the arrival of his wife Theodosia.
Each of these versions has the right to exist. There are reliable arguments both in favor of the fact that the icon was painted by Luke, and in favor of the fact that it was painted for Andrei Bogolyubsky. One way or another, it is clear that in the history of the icon the names of such famous people as Alexander Nevsky and the Romanov princes are often found.
First mentions
The first mention of the icon appears when it was brought to Gorodets. The icon was recognized as miraculous a little later. The reason for this was a miraculous rescue from a fire. But fame was assigned to the Feodorovskaya icon after it helped save Kostroma in the Battle of the Holy Lake.
Calling to the kingdom of Mikhail Fedorovich
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Zemsky Sobor elected Mikhail Romanov. The embassy moved to the Kostroma Monastery. Patriarch Filaret described this day in the chronicles as follows: “On that day in Kostroma there was joy and celebration for the icon of the Mother of God of Theodore.” According to some legends, Romanov’s dedication took place precisely with this icon of the Mother of God.
Shrine of the House of Romanov
The icon became a real shrine of the Romanov dynasty. Hundreds of mentions were dedicated to her in the chronicles of those years. It is indicated that the German princesses, who were part of the Russian family, took the patronymic Fedorovna in honor of the icon.
Description and meaning in Orthodoxy
The Mother of God in Orthodoxy is perceived in a pure, immaculate, but very strong way. Belongs to the Tenderness type. The icon depicts the Mother of God holding Jesus the Savior in one hand and wrapping him in a light scarf with the other. The Savior gently presses his mother's cheek.
The icon is very similar to the Vladimir icon, which is why some historians call it a replica. However, there is a difference - the left bare leg of Jesus is visible.
The icon is in poor condition; dozens of specialists are fighting for its safety. The faces are noticeably worn. The reverse side depicts the Great Martyrs Paraskeva.
How does the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God help?
Many people talk about its miraculous influence. They ask the Most Holy Theotokos with prayers for:
- birth of a child;
- easy birth;
- happiness in marriage;
- promoting health;
- help get rid of diseases.
The miraculous gift of the image of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God to children:
- There is a known case when a married couple from the Nizhny Novgorod region could not have children for seven years. For a year they prayed in front of the image every day, without missing a day. A miracle happened. A boy was born.
- The second case was of a woman who had a serious gynecological disease. The doctors firmly stood that it was impossible and dangerous for a woman to give birth. After reading the prayers, after some time she safely gave birth to a boy.
- The third case was of a woman whose leg was paralyzed. Arriving with difficulty at the miraculous image, she began to pray that it would help get rid of the illness. The woman walked home on her own, and a day later her leg didn’t bother her at all.
When should you use a relic?
Since its acquisition, the icon has been considered the patroness of women. Therefore, it is given to little girls, brides, expectant mothers, and mothers. It is believed that sincere prayer to the image will ease difficult childbirth, cure any problems with the reproductive sphere, and prevent infertility and other “female” diseases. Bowing before the shrine, young girls ask for a successful marriage, a faithful and loving life partner, patience, meekness and mercy.
When listing the ways in which the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God helps, we must not forget that it has long been famous as a protector of families. Her grace allows you to improve shaky relationships, to once again feel tenderness, trust, passion and care. Such an image will bring peace, well-being, prosperity to your home, and will protect you from evil, conflicts, illnesses, temptations, seductions and other dangers.
You can also buy an amber icon as a gift. An exclusive piece made from multi-colored pieces of petrified resin will delight your loved ones and friends, strengthen them in faith, support them in difficult times and protect them from sin.
Fragment of the frame of the icon case of the miraculous icon “Our Lady of Feodorovskaya”. Kostroma, 1783
What do they pray for to the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God?
Everyone reads a prayer about what worries or bothers them. The image helps not only with difficult childbirth, but also with the good upbringing of the child, which is important for future parents.
As you know, all miraculous requests are documented in the annals of churches. Prayer should not be treated as a spell. Remember that prayer is your appeal to God, the Mother of God or the Saint. You need to pray from a pure heart and sincerely.
You should not pray in the form of an ultimatum. If you don't have enough spiritual experience, there are written prayers that will help you find the words you need. You can also pray in your own words, because God is pleased with such an appeal.
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Don’t forget to ask for strength and help to endure life’s trials, reason, wisdom and a bright mind.
This is how they say the prayer itself to the image of the Mother of God:
“To whom will I call, O Lady, to whom will I resort in my sorrow; to whom will I bring my tears and sighs, if not to You, Queen of Heaven and earth: who will pluck me from the mire of sins and iniquities, if not You, O Mother of the Belly, Intercessor and Refuge of the human race. Hear my groaning, comfort me and have mercy in my sorrow, protect me in troubles and misfortunes, deliver me from anger and sorrow, and all sorts of ailments and illnesses, from visible and invisible enemies, pacify the enmity of those who suffer me, so that I will be delivered from slander and human malice ; Likewise, free me from your flesh’s vile customs. Cover me under the canopy of Your mercy, so that I may find peace and joy and cleansing from sins. I commend myself to your Motherly intercession; give me Mother and hope, protection, and help, and intercession, joy and consolation, and a quick Helper in everything. Oh, wonderful Lady! Everyone flows to You, without Your all-powerful help does not leave; For this reason, even though I am unworthy, I come running to You, so that I may be delivered from sudden and cruel death, gnashing of teeth and eternal torment. I am worthy to receive the Kingdom of Heaven and to You in the tenderness of my heart the river: Rejoice, Mother of God, our zealous Representative and Intercessor, forever and ever. Amen".
Where is the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God located?
This miraculous image is one of the oldest Russian icons that has survived to this day. On August 17, 1991, the location of the icon was changed. From the Church of the Resurrection it was transferred to the Epiphany Cathedral in Kostroma.
And nowadays you can see her there. The miraculous image was at an exhibition in Moscow at the Don Stavropegic Monastery in 2013, after which it was taken to the Kaliningrad diocese.
The days of celebration are the twenty-seventh of March and the twenty-ninth of August. You can see the Temple of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God at the address: Kiev, Manuilsky Street, 32. Address in Russia: Mosina Street, 27, Astrakhan.
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Where can you venerate Fedorov’s image of the Blessed Virgin?
- The original icon, which has come down to us from ancient centuries, is kept in the Epiphany-Anastasinsky Cathedral in the city of Kostroma.
- An ancient copy of this icon, which enjoys special respect among believers, is kept in the Nativity Cathedral of the Kremlin.
- One of the copies of the miraculous image is kept in the Ascension Monastery in the city of Syzran.
- Another copy of the icon is kept in the Alekseevsky Church in Nizhny Novgorod.
- Lists of the icon can be seen in Kazan, Yaroslavl and the Gorodets Monastery of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese.
Prayer of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God for the birth of a child
Married couples want to have a child, because their child will become a symbol of their love. But not everyone is able to give birth to a baby. The Holy Face really works miracles and you need to pray to the Most Pure One to conceive a child. First, you need to cleanse your mind and soul, strengthen your faith, and get rid of bad habits. It is necessary to pray every day.
Prayer to the Mother of God for the gift of children
“Oh, All-Merciful, Good and True Defender of ours, Lady Theotokos, who knew the happiness of Motherhood, in whom you received the excitement, hopes, anxiety and sorrow of all earthly mothers, do not leave with Your prayers those who fall to Your holy and miraculous icon of these servants (names) and ask Your Son and all God have permission for infertility, in childbirth there is help and happiness, and as a baby they have reliable protection and protection.
Look, O Most Pure Mother, upon these Thy servants, united in marital union and begging for Thy help, may Thy mercy be upon them, may they be fruitful and may they see their sons' sons to the third and fourth generation and may they live to the desired old age and enter the Kingdom The heavenly Thy Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor and worship is due with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen".
Before this image, girls also ask for a successful marriage, an easy pregnancy, and health for the child. Ask the face of the Mother of God for what you want and She will definitely help you.
God bless you!
