Feast of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God: dates of celebration of the church celebration + history of discovery and meaning of the image

The history of the acquisition of the Iveron Icon

The history of this miraculous image of the Queen of Heaven begins in the 9th century. In those days, Emperor Theophilus reigned - a furious persecutor of icons. The Iveron Icon was then in the vicinity of Nicaea, with a pious widow woman who revered it very much and built a special temple for it. When, following a denunciation, soldiers came to take away and destroy the image, the woman paid them and begged them to leave the shrine in her house until the morning. The warriors agreed, but one of them hit the holy image with a sword, and real blood flowed from the resulting wound on the face of the Most Holy One.

At night, the widow, accompanied by her son, took the icon to the seashore and, having prayed, bowed and kissed it, lowered it into the water to protect it from desecration and desecration by persecutors. But she did not drown, but standing vertically walked through the water to the west. The son of that woman hid from persecutors in Greece, settled on Mount Athos and became a monk. From him the inhabitants of the Holy Mountain learned about this miracle.

The history of this miraculous image of the Queen of Heaven begins in the 9th century

Once, after the death of the Iveron monk, the monastics of the Iveron monastery on Athos saw a column of fire on the sea. This phenomenon lasted for three days. The brethren went down to the sea and saw an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos on the water in a pillar of fire. But the closer the fathers came to the water, the further it moved away from them. Elder Gabriel, who was then living on Athos, famous for his piety and purity, comparable to that of an angel, had an apparition of the Most Holy Theotokos, in which she ordered him, walking on the water, to accept Her image, since she wanted to bestow it on them. Everything was fulfilled according to the word of the Mother of God, the elder walked on the water and accepted the icon.

After three days of incessant prayer at the image, it was placed in the altar of the temple, but the next day it was discovered above the gates of the monastery. Repeatedly, the icon itself miraculously moved to the gate, and then it was returned to the temple. As a result, the Mother of God again appeared to Elder Gabriel and ordered him not to tempt Her any more and not to return her image to the altar, since she wanted to protect the brethren herself, and not to be protected. Then, for the miraculous image, a small temple was built above the gates of the monastery, which still exists. Its other name is Portaitissa, or Goalkeeper. In 2019, jewelry and precious donations from people placed near the icon were stolen.

It is known that when the Iveron Icon leaves the Holy Mountain, Athos will plunge into the depths of the sea. The Most Pure One herself told the monks not to be afraid of anything while her icon was above the gates of the monastery, but when it disappeared, then the monks should leave there too.

Due to the massive retreat from Orthodox canons and dogmas among the laity, monasticism and clergy, as well as the adoption of ecumenism even by the patriarchs and inhabitants of Athos, this time is approaching. Through the hands of the clergy they began to confuse Orthodoxy with heretics and pagans under the silence of the flock, although the Mother of God herself called Catholics “...My enemies and the enemies of My Son.” The Most Holy Theotokos, in an appearance to one pious monk, revealed that she was “already at the water.” There is an opinion that the icon has already moved from its place above the gates of the monastery, and in its place there is a copy. On the icon, on the face of the Queen of Heaven, a wound has been preserved - a mark from a blow with a sword.

Icon of the Mother of God “Iverskaya” “Goalkeeper”

February 25 (February 12, old style), October 26 (13), Tuesday of Bright Week

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Description of the icon of the Mother of God “Iveron” “Goalkeeper”: In the 9th century, during the heresy of iconoclasm, near the city of Nicaea (modern Turkey) there lived a pious widow and her son, in whose house there was a miraculous icon of the Mother of God. When the soldiers sent to seek out and destroy the holy icons of the Mother of God entered the widow’s house, she, in the hope of preserving the shrine, begged the soldiers to leave the icon of the Mother of God until the morning, promising them a reward for this.

The selfish warriors agreed, but at the same time one of them, leaving, hit the face of the Mother of God with a spear, and blood immediately flowed from the pierced icon of the Mother of God. The amazed warriors left. Wanting to save the miraculous icon of the Mother of God from desecration, the widow took it to the sea and lowered it into the water. The icon of the Mother of God did not lie down on the water, but, standing upright, moved across the sea.

About two centuries have passed since then. One day, the monks of the Iveron Monastery on Athos saw a pillar of fire reaching to the very sky on the sea, at the base of which was an icon of the Mother of God standing on the water. After the prayer service, the monastery elder Gabriel, at the command of the Mother of God who appeared to him in a dream, walked on the water as if on dry land, accepted the icon of the Mother of God and placed it in the temple.

But the next day the icon of the Mother of God was not found in the place where it had been placed, but was discovered above the monastery gate. The image was taken to its original place, but the next morning it was again above the gate. This happened several times. Finally, the Most Holy Theotokos again appeared to the Monk Gabriel, saying that she did not want to be kept by the monks, but wanted to be their Guardian.

The monks built a gate church, in which the miraculous icon of the Mother of God remains to this day. By the name of the monastery, this icon of the Mother of God is called Iverskaya, and by the place of its location above the monastery gates - “Goalkeeper” or “Portaitissa”.

The history of the Iversky Monastery has preserved many cases of the miraculous help of the Mother of God through Her miraculous icon: the deliverance of the monastery from barbarians, the miraculous replenishment of food supplies, the healing of the sick.

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God was well known in Russia. During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich (1645–1676), Archimandrite Nikon of the Novospassky Monastery (later Patriarch of All Rus') turned to Archimandrite Pachomius of the Iveron Athos Monastery with a request to send a list (copy) of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The priest Iamblichus Romanov was blessed to paint the icon of the Mother of God for Russia. Before this, the entire brethren of the monastery (three hundred and sixty-five monks) performed a great prayer service from evening until dawn and blessed the water with holy relics. They poured holy water over the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Portaitissa” and again poured it over a new board prepared for writing the icon, made of cypress wood. After the Divine Liturgy, holy water and particles of holy relics were handed over to the icon painter, who, mixing them with paints, began to paint the icon of the Mother of God.

On October 13, 1648, the icon was brought to Moscow and solemnly greeted at the Resurrection Gate by many people, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Patriarch Joseph.

When Nikon ascended the patriarchal throne, he planned to build a monastery on one of the islands of Lake Valdai in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, in the likeness of the Athos Iveron Monastery. Skilled painters were sent to Athos to paint a new copy of the ancient Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and draw up an accurate plan of the Iveron monastery. Through the efforts of Russian architects, the Iveron Mother of God Svyatoozersky Monastery was founded in Valdai, to which in 1656 the newly painted Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was brought from Athos.

Other revered copies of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, installed in the Iveron Chapel at the Resurrection Gate, were also written on Athos. Thousands of Orthodox Christians from all over Russia came to venerate the miraculous image (one icon never left its place, while the other was taken from house to house in Moscow in a special carriage). Arriving in Moscow, Russian sovereigns, before entering the Kremlin, always prayed in the chapel at the Resurrection Gate in front of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

In 1929, the chapel was destroyed, the icon of the Mother of God disappeared, but the mobile icon was preserved and is now in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Sokolniki. Nowadays, by the grace of God, the chapel has been recreated, and Orthodox Russia, on October 26, 1995, again met the image of the Iveron Mother of God, painted on Holy Mount Athos.

There are icons of the Iveron Mother of God with a wound on the right cheek of the Mother of God, oozing drops of blood, and without a wound.

At the end of the twentieth century, the myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Montreal, whose custodian was the Orthodox Spaniard Joseph Muñoz Cortes, became famous. Unfortunately, in October 1997, after the villainous murder of Joseph, the miraculous image disappeared without a trace.

The celebration of the miraculous Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in the Russian Orthodox Church takes place three times: February 12/25 (this day is associated with the transfer of the copy of the Iveron Icon to the monastery in Valdai), October 13/26 (the day of the solemn meeting of the Athos shrine in Moscow in 1648) and on Tuesday Bright Week (it was on Tuesday of Bright Week, according to legend, that the icon appeared on the waters in front of the monks of the Iveron Monastery).

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Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called “Iverskaya”

Before the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos they pray for deliverance from various misfortunes and for consolation in troubles, from fire, for increasing the fertility of the earth, for deliverance from grief and sadness, for the healing of physical and mental ailments, in difficult circumstances, for help to farmers.

First prayer

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and Earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother, of all those who mourn and are burdened! Help us, the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, the merciful Intercessor will appear to us, and always We sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.

Second prayer

O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos, accept our unworthy prayer, and save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, and grant us repentance before the end, have mercy on our prayer, and grant us a place of joy in sorrow. And deliver us, Lady, from all misfortune and adversity, sorrow and sorrow and from all evil. And make us, Thy sinful servants, worthy to be at the right hand at the second coming of Thy Son, Christ our God, and to be our heirs, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life, with all the saints throughout the endless ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion, tone 1 From Your holy icon, O Lady Theotokos, healing and healing are given abundantly to those who come to her with faith and love. Thus, visit my weakness and have mercy on my soul, O Good One, and heal my body with Your grace, O Most Pure One. Kontakion, tone 8 Even though Your holy icon, Mother of God, was thrown into the sea from a widow who could not save her from her enemies, the guardian of Athos and the goalkeeper of the Iveron monastery appeared, terrifying enemies and in the Orthodox Russian country who honors You from all troubles and misfortunes delivering. Greatness We magnify Thee, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Thy holy image, through which we heal our illnesses and raise our souls to God.

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Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of her Icon, called “Iveronian” Kontakion 1 To the chosen Governor, our Lady Theotokos, we offer songs of praise to Thy servants, for by the coming of Thy honorable image we have acquired a strong shield, an insurmountable wall and a vigilant guard. You, who have an invincible power, cover and protect us, Lady, from all enemies, visible and invisible, and deliver us from all harm, mental and physical, so we call You: Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Ikos 1 A representative angel was sent to quickly say to the Mother of God, when the lot of apostolic service fell to Her in the lands of Iverstei: “Do not be separated from Jerusalem, the lot that fell to You will be enlightened in the last days, and You will work in the lands where God wills You.” In the same way, rejoice, because the Gospel is preached; Rejoice, Her idolatrous charm will be abolished. Rejoice, for the power of the prince of darkness will be destroyed; Rejoice, for the Kingdom of Christ will be established. Rejoice, you who have fallen into the darkness of idolatry to the light of the Gospel; Rejoice, having brought the children of God from slavery to the devil into freedom of glory. Rejoice, ready Servant of Your Son and God; Rejoice, you who heal the disobedience of Eve through obedience. Rejoice, height of virtues; Rejoice, depth of humility. Rejoice, even unfaithfulness knows the Creator; Rejoice, Her faithful ones are adopted as sons of the Father. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 2 Seeing the Holy Virgin God’s wondrous and new providence for Herself, as the handmaid of the Lord, ever ready to do His will, cry out: Alleluia. Ikos 2 The incomprehensible mind of the angelic verb is understandable to You, Most Pure One, the Lord, creating, directed Your procession to Mount Athos, where You preached the Gospel, and thus Your lot appeared. We joyfully cry out: Rejoice, you who sanctified Athos with Your coming; Rejoice, you who have cast down the idols. Rejoice, you who planted the true faith there; Rejoice, you who have driven away unbelief. Rejoice, you who have chosen this Mountain as your lot; Rejoice, you who promised grace to this place. Rejoice, faithful ones who live in her, Giver of earthly blessings; Rejoice, Helper of their eternal salvation. Rejoice, warm Intercessor for those living in Your lot; Rejoice, all their enemies are intimidated. Rejoice, you who promised the mercy of your Son to this place until the end of the age; Rejoice, foretold His grace to be everlasting. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 3 The Power of the Most High by the intercession of the Mother of God of autumn, the Holy Mountain and its abundance and wilds, like a vast village, showing everyone in the monastic life who wants to reap salvation, never singing to the face: Alleluia. Ikos 3 Having a providence for Your lot, the people of the Iveron land, You set in the place where You Yourself landed on Athos, the abode of their family, in a quiet refuge for those seeking salvation, who wanted to give her Your icon as a shield and fence, and everyone cried out: Rejoice, who sent a preacher of the Gospel to the land of Iveron; Rejoice, you who have turned this country from the deceit of idolatry to the light of Christ. Rejoice, thou who hast given the wondrous vine to Nina of unfading branches; Rejoice, from her you brought forth a cluster of miracles and good faith. Rejoice, you who planted a spiritual garden on Athos; Rejoice, you who poured out a stream of spiritual enlightenment from him to the land of Iverstia. Rejoice, Euphemia, golden-speaking lips; Rejoice, invincible fortress Tornikia. Rejoice, strengthening of all the pious; Rejoice, guardian of the monks. Rejoice, quiet haven for those seeking salvation; Rejoice, you who prepare eternal rest for them. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 4 Having a storm inside with doubtful thoughts, the honest widow, even in Nicaea, was dismayed, seeing with the spear of an iconoclast warrior pierce the holy and revered icon of the Mother of God and shed blood and, overcome by fear, so that the holy icon would not be desecrated, with a prayer, throwing tears into sea. Having seen the way right at the top of the water and flowing towards the West, cry out with joy: Alleluia. Ikos 4 Seeing the monks of the Holy Mountain appearing in the sea like a flame, like a pillar of fire, its top reaching to Heaven, like a shining sun, and in the night they flowed to the edge of the sea and, seeing the holy icon of the Mother of God carried across the sea by power from above, they cried out to the Most Blessed One: Rejoice, Kupino, foreseen by the Lawmaker; Rejoice, pillar of fire, guide those who are in darkness. Rejoice, ladder reaching to Heaven, with which God descended; Rejoice, bridge, lead those who are from earth to Heaven. Rejoice, dawn of the mysterious day; Rejoice, Star that reveals the Sun. Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Ineffable Light; Rejoice, for you who taught only one thing. Rejoice, clothed in the sun, shining with grace and glory throughout the entire universe; Rejoice, lightning, enlightening souls and illuminating the meanings of the faithful. Rejoice, lightness, shining in the darkness; Rejoice, thou shalt shine forth enlightenment. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 5 If you wanted to give your God-bearing icon to the Iverste monastery, you said to the Mother of God to St. Gabriel: “Go with the face of the monks to the shore of the sea, go down into the abyss and receive My icon.” He, who is embraced by faith and love, walks on water as well as on dry land, and is accepted into his arms and reaches a treasure otherwise unattainable, the property of the monks of his Iberian family, rejoicing from the waist up: Alleluia. Ikos 5 Many times the monks saw the icon of the Mother of God from the temple at the top of the monastery gates to the city wall carried by an invisible force, and stood in horror, calling to her like this: Rejoice, you who deigned to give us the holy icon; Rejoice, you who promised us her protection to be. Rejoice, you who have shown Your love for our monastery; Rejoice, you who showed good thoughts about her. Rejoice, our help is in a foreign country; Rejoice, there is consolation in our journey. Rejoice, God's favor is upon us; Rejoice, our boldness towards God. Rejoice, deliverance of our tears; Rejoice, Protector of us orphans. Rejoice, our fence; Rejoice, our only joy. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 6 The preacher of Gabriel, who did His will, you said to him, the Lady: I did not come to be kept from you, but may I be your guardian not only in the present, but also in the future. Behold, I give you a sign: until you see My icon in the monastery, the grace of My Son and mercy will not fail you, so that everyone may cry out to Him: Alleluia. Ikos 6 Great joy arose to those who heard Your promises, O Mother of God, and to You, the Heavenly Goalkeeper, a temple at the gates of the monastery with joy the foreigners erected and cried out like this: Rejoice, our Guardian in the present world; Rejoice, our Representative in the future. Rejoice, you who teach us the fear of God, Rejoice, who instruct us on the path of virtue. Rejoice, our boldness and hope; Rejoice, our hope and protection. Rejoice, you who bowed down the compassion of your Son to us; Rejoice, proclaiming His grace to be with us endlessly. Rejoice, you who gave the holy icon as a pledge of mercy; Rejoice, you who gave her the gift of miracles. Rejoice, you who reflect all evil from the monastery; Rejoice, you who open the entrance to all good things. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 7 I sometimes want the wicked Amir to destroy the Iveron monastery and scatter the herd of monks gathered there; soon I will recognize the strong monastery’s intercession from the Mother of God, seeing my ships in the depths of the sea, mired and warriors lost. And he came with humility; giving silver and evil to the monastery, asking for prayers. The foreigners, seeing this, cried out to God: Alleluia. Ikos 7 New and countless miracles showing Mother of God, in the monastery the shortage of wine, torment and oil, replenishing, healing demons, granting walking to the lame, sight to the blind and healing every ailment, yes, seeing these miracles, they sing to You: Rejoice, Chosen Voivode, enemies victorious; Rejoice, quick help to those who call upon Thee. Rejoice, you who do not despise our prayers; Rejoice, you who do not retreat from Your promises. Rejoice, you who transform the sorrow of the monastery into joy; Rejoice, replenishing the depletion of the monastery. Rejoice, recovery of sight for the blind; Rejoice, you who walk with the lame. Rejoice, Healer of all the weak; Rejoice, Comforter of all who mourn. Rejoice, for you do not cease providing and saving us; Rejoice, for you are delivering us from such troubles. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 8 The monastery of Iveron, strangely covered from the icon of the Mother of God, heard Patriarch Nikon, longing for the Russian country to receive Her grace; For this reason, having created a monastery in honor of the glorious image, carefully ask for an image of the miraculous image of the Mother of God, so that, protected by Her protection, they cry out to God: Alleluia. Ikos 8 All beings in the Highest, but also not retreating below, You have deigned, O Mother of God, just as the blessing of Mount Athos was granted to the Monk Anthony of old for the establishment of the Pechersk monastery, to grant Your grace to the new monastery in the Russian country, with which You blessed Athos, in the likeness of an honest image Yours; We also cry out to Ti: Rejoice, covering the Russian countries, broadening the clouds; Rejoice, the Orthodox faith is protected and affirmed in it. Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, denunciation of heresies and schisms. Rejoice, thou illuminating the whole country with the bright rays of miraculous icons; Rejoice, you who exude gifts of healing and mercies from them. Rejoice, intimidation of enemies; Rejoice, joy of the saints. Rejoice, praise of the priests; Rejoice, Teacher of monks. Rejoice, salvation of our entire family. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 9 Having every diligence in painting the honest image of the merciful Goalkeeper, the host of Iveron fasters performs prayer singing; He washes the deck with water from the wonderful icon, on which an honest image is depicted, and sanctifies the Venerable Jamblichus, who labored in fasting, prayer and vigil with all the brethren, writing off the wax, holy water and consecrated relics of the honest image of the Mother of God, taking out the prayer and crying out to God: Alleluia . Ikos 9 Vetia, who spoke many things, like voiceless fish, we see about You, Mother of God: they are perplexed as to how to properly praise all Your miracles, revealed to our race from Your holy icon: even on the way to the Russian country, this miracle worker, commanded the pious Manuel to give a ransom to the infidels , who forbade the procession of the holy icon into the Russian country, and gave it exclusively to him afterwards. We, marveling, truly cry out to Ti: Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles; Rejoice, Giver of all mercy. Rejoice, always warm Intercessor to God for us; Rejoice, His providences for us are a treasure. Rejoice, refuge for those in trouble; Rejoice, consolation to those who mourn. Rejoice, healing of the sick; Rejoice, strengthener of the weak. Rejoice, intercession of widows; Rejoice, merciful Mother of the orphans. Rejoice, conversion of those who are astray to the path of truth; Rejoice, calling sinners to repentance. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 10 Wanting to save many people from troubles and sorrows, you, O Mother of God, flow forth an endless source of mercy from Your icon to our family: behold, in the capital city of Moscow, the good Goalkeeper appears to all who worship You, giving quick help, and in the new monastery of Iversta, streams of grace flow from Thy icons are issued, and in other cities, abodes and places, those who honor Thy fulfill their useful request. Moreover, glorifying God, who gave us such grace, we cry out to Him: Alleluia. Ikos 10 You are a wall to the monastic rank, the Mother of God, and to all who come running to You; for the Creator of Heaven and earth, dwell in Your virgin womb, teach all zealots of purity and chastity to proclaim to You: Rejoice, tattered vessel of virginity; Rejoice, purest image of chastity. Rejoice, devil of seedless disgrace; Rejoice, Unbrided Bride. Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Sower of Purity; Rejoice, you who united the faithful of the Lord. Rejoice, quick Helper in the storm of temptation; Rejoice, you who reflect the enemy’s accusations. Rejoice, you who drive away the darkness of harmful passions; Rejoice, purifying thoughts. Rejoice, you who teach us to despise earthly pleasures; Rejoice, you who guide minds and hearts to the Heavenly One. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 11 All singing is conquered, striving to meet the multitude of Thy bounties: equal to the sand of the songs we bring to Thee, our Lady Theotokos, we do nothing worthily, even as Thou hast given to us, crying out for Thee: Alleluia. Ikos 11 We see the holy icon of the Mother of God, a light-receiving candle that appears to those in the darkness of troubles: for we receive the immaterial fire of grace, illuminating everyone with rays of miracles, teaching us to cry out to the Blessed One: Rejoice, speedy help in all needs; Rejoice, quick hearing in sorrows. Rejoice, thou who deliverest us from fire, sword and the invasion of foreigners; Rejoice, freeing us from hunger and vain death. Rejoice, you who protect us from the plague and all-destruction of mortals; Rejoice, sudden help to those in need along the way, on land and on the waters. Rejoice, healing of mental and physical ulcers; Rejoice, you who accept those left by doctors into Your hands. Rejoice, merciful Comforter of all those who mourn and are burdened; Rejoice, you who do not reject all the despised and rejected. Rejoice, you who snatch away the most desperate from the pit of destruction; Rejoice, and me, naked of good deeds, not leaving me with Your protection and intercession. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 12 The grace of granting the satisfaction of the debts of the ancients, of all debts, the Solver of man, who came with Himself to those who had departed from His grace and, tearing apart the handwriting, granted to us the strong intercession of God, and let us all cry out with Her prayers: Alleluia. Ikos 12 Singing Your miracles, which are revealed to us in this life, we praise You. Mother of God, as an inexhaustible source of mercy. But, falling to Thee before Thy miraculous icon, we humbly pray to Thee to provide us with protection and protection on the day of our death, and when the imams appear before the terrible Throne of Thy Son for judgment, and cry out to Thee: Rejoice, thou who sittest in glory before the Throne of Thy Son and there remembering us; Rejoice, forever reigning with Your Son and God and interceding for us. Rejoice, you who give the end of life without shame to those who trust in You; Rejoice, you who arrange a painless and peaceful death. Rejoice, deliverance from bitter ordeals; Rejoice, liberation from the power of the prince of the air. Rejoice, there is no remembrance of our sins; Rejoice, for in the Lord we have the hope of a blessed life. Rejoice, you who make a standing place for those who trust in You at the right hand of Your Son; Rejoice, thou who art worthy to hear the blessed voice of Onago, who promises the inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom. Rejoice, good Mother, who makes all who honor Thee live with You; Rejoice, strong hope of eternal salvation for all Christians. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful. Kontakion 13 O All-Sung Mother, Most Holy Lady Virgin Mary! Look upon us, who humbly offer these small prayers with tears before Your most pure image and have placed all our hope and hope in You, and deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes in this life and from future torments, so that, saved by You, we cry out: Alleluia. (This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 kontakion 1)

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How does the Iveron image of the Mother of God help?

In Rus' this image is especially revered. They pray before him under various everyday needs and circumstances, and ask:

liberation from life's difficulties;
consolation in sorrows;
protection from the elements;
granting land fertility.

Giving land fertility

Elemental protection

Consolation in sorrows

Everyone who resorts to the Most Holy Theotokos and sincerely prays and repents before Her image receives help and consolation, as from her own mother, because the Mother of God adopted all humanity at the Cross of Her Son.

According to legend, the Iveron Icon was painted by St. Evangelist Luke.

Description of the icon

The Iveron icon is written according to the “Hodegetria” (Guide) type. The baby is on the right, sitting on the left hand of the Virgin. In His left hand is a scroll, and the fingers of His right hand are folded for blessing. The head of the Blessed Virgin Mary is covered with an omophorion with stars. On Her head is a royal crown.

This icon has a difference from others; on the right cheek of the Most Pure One there is a wound from a sword, from which blood flows. This is depicted in memory of the event that happened to the icon during iconoclasm.

Days of veneration of the holy image

Celebrations in honor of the miraculous image take place 4 times a year. Holiday dates determined by the church calendar:

25 February;
Tuesday of Holy Week;
October 26 - in honor of bringing the copy of the image to Moscow in 1648;
May 6 – second discovery of the icon list in 2012.

Celebrations in honor of the miraculous image take place 4 times a year.
The Iveron image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is known throughout the world. Through him, the Queen of Heaven granted many miracles and healings.

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Miracles of the Face of the Virgin Mary

They say that in front of the Face of the Mother of God there is an unquenchable lamp. When some terrible and tragic event approaches, it miraculously begins to sway. It happens that due to its strong swinging, oil spills out of the lamp.

This happened during the invasion of the Turkish army in Cyprus. Concern at the lamp was noted before the earthquake in Spitak, during the US military operation against Iran and other upcoming serious phenomena and incidents.

Read about miracles in Orthodoxy:

Lanchang Miracle
Orthodoxy and miracles
Miracle of the Descent of the Holy Fire

The Iveron Mother of God constantly showed Her help to the brethren. Once, during a severe famine, She sent the abbot to the barn, where he miraculously discovered a huge amount of flour. And the enemies who tried to attack Holy Athos could not start a war. Moreover, the fires that they tried to start in order to burn down the monastery immediately went out, unable to flare up.

According to Tradition, in the 1st century, the daughter of King Theodosius really wanted to visit Athos in order to see the miraculous shrines. But she heard a great female voice that forbade her to come to the monastery.

Important! Almost 2000 years have passed since then, but Athos is still inaccessible to women.

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, Athos

Prayer

O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos! Accept our unworthy prayer, and save us from the slander of evil people and from sudden death, and grant us repentance before the end. Have mercy on our prayer and grant joy instead of sorrow. And deliver us, Lady, from all misfortune and adversity, sorrow and illness, and from all evil. And grant us, Thy sinful servants, to the right hand at the Second Coming of Thy Son, Christ our God, and heirs of the existence of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life with all the saints throughout the endless ages of ages. Amen.

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What do they pray to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God?

The prayer service before the miraculous image of the Goalkeeper, located in the Iverskaya Chapel at the Resurrection Gate, includes a prayer that contains requests that are encountered most often. Although we must understand that there cannot be any restrictions. Just as you ask any person, turning to the Mother of God, you can pray for everything. Usually they ask:

protect from slander and evil people;
protect from sudden death without repentance;
transform persecuted sorrows and misfortunes into joy;
heal from (any) diseases, etc. etc.

Conclusion: There is a legend on Holy Mount Athos that says that before the end of the world, the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God will leave the Holy Place. Just as the image appeared in a miraculous way, so it will disappear. This will be a sign that the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is approaching.

Iconography

On the icon Mother is shown in a half-length image. Her head is bowed towards the Son, and her right hand is raised in a gesture of prayer. Little Jesus sits on his mother's left hand, His head tilted slightly back. His right hand is extended towards the Mother’s hand in a blessing gesture, and His left hand holds a scroll.

The position of the mother's hands resembles a kind of container, like a throne, which corresponds to the idea of the image of the Mother of God - a temple, a container of the Incontainable.

The Virgin Mary's facial features are large, the concentrated gaze of her almond-shaped eyes is directed forward. A significant detail of the image is the bleeding wound.

Select icons of the Mother of God on the SAINTS website - in the Orthodox online store.