Images of the Most Holy Theotokos are depicted not even on dozens, but on hundreds of Orthodox icons. Many of them are unique, inimitable in their composition, history of origin, they are almost impossible to see within the walls of churches, but this does not make them less famous. Among these rare icons is the icon of Addition of Mind with an amazing origin.
Celebration date: August 30—transitionable
What does the image symbolize?
The main plot of the picture is quite unusual. In the icon, the Mother of God and little Jesus are depicted under a phelonion, which is a type of sacred clothing. This vestment is worn by representatives of the Orthodox clergy during services. In the past, they were made only from snow-white fabric, but later a phelonion of various colors appeared.
There are crowns on the heads of the Mother of God and the Child. Around them one can see the starry sky, seraphim, angels holding lit candles in their hands. Under the feet of the Mother of God and Her Son lies Heavenly Jerusalem - a white city in which righteous people are destined to find themselves together with Christ after completing their earthly journey (photo below):
The icon carries a deep meaning:
- the phelonion with which the Blessed Virgin and Jesus are shrouded is a symbol of the indestructible power of the Holy Spirit descending from heaven and speaks of the unearthly purity of the Mother and Son;
- the sky with stars symbolizes paradise, the Kingdom of Heaven. According to the icon painter’s plan, the Holy Virgin and the Infant Christ stand at the gates of heaven, which open to people only thanks to their prayers;
- four six-winged seraphim (three above the head of the Most Pure Mary and one at the feet) are the executors of the will of God. Four angels in apostolic robes with candles carry the light of truth and belong to the main archangels.
In some versions of the icon, from under the rich vestment of Christ, his right hand is visible, with which He depicts a blessing gesture. In the left hand of the Son of God there is an orb indicating that Jesus is the King of kings. Seraphim and angels soaring in the air sing praises to their Lord and the Virgin Mary.
The “Adding Mind” icon reminds Orthodox Christians of the famous biblical saying: “The wisdom of this world is foolishness before God...”. As the Holy Scripture says, it is contrasted with genuine wisdom, pure, modest, impartial, filled with mercy, capable of transforming a person in an unrecognizable way.
Iconography of the image
In the “Addition of Mind” icon, the Mother of God, together with the Child of God, is covered with a bell-shaped red cape (similar to a liturgical chasuble). Their heads are decorated with royal crowns. In his left hand, Jesus holds an orb (symbol of power), which is directed towards those praying. The starry sky is spread over the image of the Mother of God. On both sides there are angels with burning candles (meaning the light of truth). Above the heads and at the foot of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus are cherubim and seraphim. At the bottom of the icon is an image of the city (symbolizing Heavenly Jerusalem).
The location of the prototype is currently unknown. In many churches in Russia there are lists (copies) of the “Addition of Mind” icon.
The story of finding a face
There are two legends that tell how the “Addition of Mind” icon appeared (other options for the name of the image are “The Most Wise Mother of God”, “Giver of Mind”).
- The first version says that this face appeared in Russia in the 17th century. The discovery of the icon was preceded by a schism that occurred in the church after Patriarch Nikon corrected spiritual literature. The legend tells how an unknown artist, who compared old and new texts, began to pray to the Mother of God for admonition. Hearing a man calling to her, the Most Holy Virgin appeared before him and commanded him to paint a new icon. The artist worked on the painting for a long time. When the face was ready, he began to pray in front of it and felt extraordinary clarity of thought, as well as the ability to solve any, even the most difficult, issue.
- The second story about the appearance of the icon is based on scientific evidence. Some researchers claim that the predecessor of the Orthodox image was a wooden figurine of the Mother of God from the Italian city of Loreto. This figure depicts the standing Virgin Mary with the Child in her arms. Numerous decorations cover them so that only their heads are visible. Based on this sculpture, an icon of Our Lady of Loretto was created, surprisingly reminiscent of the image from Russia.
Later, the relationship between the Italian statue of the Virgin Mary of Loreto and the Orthodox icon of the Addition of Mind was scientifically confirmed. It was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century by Andrei Aleksandrovich Titov.
Meaning of the Shrine
The icon is famous throughout the world for its miraculous properties. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Shrine every year to worship and offer prayers of thanks. On the canvas, the Virgin Mary is depicted wrapped together with the Baby in a large cover, which symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven and the unity of mother and children. The angels along the edges of the image represent the fulfillment of the will of God; together with the candles, the four Archangels bring the light of truth to everyone in need.
Fig 2 The miraculous power of the icon The increase in intelligence applies to everyone: adults and children, poor and rich, highly educated and not very Christians
The icon appeared in difficult times for Orthodox Christians, when a schism in the church divided all believers into two camps. Only thanks to the appearance of the holy image did people again begin to believe in the unity of the Kingdom of God and the unity of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Pilgrims rushed to the icon to show their respect and offer words of gratitude. Many began to ask for healing after a unique incident with the artist.
Currently, the flow of Christians to the icon is not decreasing. People rush to the Mother of God as the only help and consolation for recovery, even with the most difficult medical diagnoses.
What is the power of Mind Gain?
The requests with which believers come to the icon are of a different nature. Prayers performed by Christians before the divine image mainly concern:
- admonishment when necessary to make difficult choices;
- providing assistance in studies and other types of mental activity;
- passing important exams, defending scientific projects;
- delayed mental or speech development in children;
- memory impairment, absent-mindedness;
- inability to concentrate on anything;
- mental disorders.
The “Increase in Mind” icon is considered the best assistant for students, schoolchildren, and people engaged in intellectual and scientific work. Parents whose children misbehave at school and are inattentive in class often resort to her support. On the eve of the new school year, many Orthodox churches always hold a prayer service in front of the image of the Virgin Mary.
The sacred image helps people who strive to achieve spiritual wisdom, inner enlightenment, and gain deep faith in the Lord. It is also believed that prayers before him save from feverish conditions, protect from attacks by wild animals, strong hurricane winds and other dangers.
Who does it help, what does it protect from?
From the very first days of its creation, the icon of the Mother of God “Giver of the Mind” has helped all those who pray in enlightenment. It helps to gain strength to complete complex projects, scientific developments, and provides assistance in studies. The Mother of God is a symbol of ideal motherhood, therefore, turning to her favors restless children, guides the true teenager on the path, and warns against the rash actions of their parents.
People go to the icon for help with mental disorders, psychosomatic pathologies, and sleep problems. The ascension of the holy text allows you to normalize your emotional state, recover from severe losses and mental trauma. Anxiety, tension, eliminates the fear of death. Those who pray receive peace of mind, confidence in their abilities, and energy for mental and creative activity.
Fig. 3 The most important purpose of the icon Adding intelligence is to help in raising and teaching children. They pray to her not only when necessary for protection from physical ailments, but also from mental ones.
Educating children is a very complex process that takes a lot of effort from parents; mothers, of course, worry the most. Therefore, keeping such an icon in the house also serves as a talisman for maternal health and peace of mind.
Before the image, they pray not only to receive “bookish” wisdom, which is taught at school and institute, but also for “spiritual” wisdom, which allows one to be a true Christian, with a kind and sympathetic soul. The icon heals patients suffering from mental retardation, both in adulthood and in childhood. Miraculous stories related to the healing of such patients are kept in the archives of many churches.
Prayer to the image Adding intelligence helps:
- developing patience and willpower during training;
- eliminates manifestations of mental retardation, even with medical diagnoses;
- increases the ability to concentrate during exams and sessions;
- promotes positive disposition on the part of examiners.
The legendary icon not only helps to acquire spiritual maturity, it promotes making the right decisions and protects against mistakes and rash actions. Regular prayers improve learning abilities and help eliminate chronic fatigue and apathy.
Where can you venerate the icon?
The miraculous image of the Virgin and Child, created in the 17th century, is located in Tutaev. Here is the beautiful Holy Intercession Church, which has become the main storage place for Orthodox shrines. Every year this icon is brought to neighboring Yaroslavl, where a huge number of people line up to see it, wanting to gain true intelligence, strengthen their mental abilities, and improve their academic success.
The image of “Adding the Mind” is also found in the Moscow Tikhvin Church in Alekseevo. Here everyone can read a prayer in front of the icon, which was also acquired by the temple in the 17th century. It is known that this face has great power and miraculous properties.
In Russia there is a statue of Our Lady of Loreta, called “The Addition of Mind.” It is located in the chapel of the Intercession-Tervenichesky Monastery, which is located on the territory of the Leningrad region.
And one more image...
Key of Understanding.
The icon described is not the only one to which Orthodox Christians turn with similar requests. There is also the image “Key of Understanding”, or, as it is also called, “Key of Reason”. This is a locally revered icon located in the city of Balakhna (Nizhny Novgorod region), in the cemetery church. They turn to her with prayers in the same problems. On the eve of the school year, prayer services are held here. There is such an icon in the Church of St. John the Baptist of the Beloberezh Monastery (Bryansk region), but it is located in the altar.
On this icon, in its center, the Mother of God is written standing at full height on a key, symbolizing the key to knowledge, and Jesus Christ and God the Father - on both sides of Her - seem to place a crown-crown on the head of the Mother of God.
How to pray in front of an image
Before turning to the “Increasing Mind” face before an exam, performing difficult work, or for other support, an Orthodox Christian needs to tune in to a sincere conversation with the Most Holy Theotokos. The prayer should be said with a pure heart, without negative emotions or negative intentions.
You can talk with the Most Pure Virgin on any day, at different times of the day: the Mother of God hears all requests addressed to her. If serious help is needed for a child or other difficulties arise, you should definitely pray in front of the icon on the day of its veneration, and attend a church service in the temple, which is held during the reading of a special akathist.
First prayer
O Most Holy Virgin! You are the Bride of God the Father and the Mother of His Divine Son Jesus Christ! You are the Queen of Angels and the salvation of people, the accuser of sinners and the punisher of apostates. Have mercy on us too, who have gravely sinned and failed to fulfill the commandments of God, who have broken the vows of baptism and vows of monasticism and many others that we promised to fulfill. When the Holy Spirit retreated from King Saul, then fear and despondency attacked him and the darkness of despair and a joyless state of soul tormented him. Now, for our sins, we have all lost the grace of the Holy Spirit. The mind has become fussy with vanity of thoughts, oblivion about God has darkened our souls, and now all kinds of sadness, sorrow, illness, hatred, evil, enmity, vindictiveness, gloating and other sins oppress the heart. And, having no joy and consolation, we call to You, Mother of our God Jesus Christ, and beseech Your Son to forgive us all our sins and send the Comforter Spirit to us, as He sent Him to the apostles, so that, comforted and enlightened by Him, we will sing a song of gratitude to You : Rejoice, Holy Mother of God, who has added wisdom to our salvation. Amen
Second prayer
Most Pure Mother of God, the House in which the Wisdom of God created for Himself, the Giver of spiritual gifts, raising our minds from the world to the worldly and leading everyone to the knowledge of reason! Receive prayerful singing from us, Thy unworthy servants, who bow with faith and tenderness before Thy most pure image. Pray to Thy Son and our God to grant to our rulers wisdom and strength, to judges truth and impartiality, to shepherds spiritual wisdom, zeal and vigilance for our souls, to mentors humility, to children obedience, to all of us the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of humility and meekness, spirit of purity and truth. And now, our All-Singing, All-Beloved Mother, give us an increase in intelligence, pacify, unite those who exist in enmity and division and lay down for them an insoluble bond of love, convert all those who have gone astray from foolishness to the light of the truth of Christ, instruct the fear of God, abstinence and hard work, the word of wisdom and Grant soulful knowledge to those who ask, cover us with eternal joy, the brightest Cherubim and the most honest Seraphim. We, seeing the glorious deeds and manifold wisdom of God in the world and our life, will remove ourselves from earthly vanities and unnecessary worldly cares, and will raise our minds and hearts to Heaven, as if by Your intercession and help glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for all in the Trinity We send our praises to the glorious God and Creator of all, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
