In the heart of the Sinai desert is one of the oldest Orthodox monasteries - the monastery of St. Catherine. Within the monastery walls there is a chapel, near the altar of which grows an unusual thorn bush - this is the same burning bush described in the famous biblical legend. The story about the incident with the prophet Moses at Mount Sinai is reflected in many literary and theological works, and in the iconographic tradition. It is not for nothing that one of the most famous images of the Blessed Virgin is called “The Burning Bush”: the image fully conveys the symbolism of this biblical event and explains to believers the deep meaning of the sign that appeared to the prophet Moses.
The oldest icon, “The Burning Bush,” was created already in the 4th century after the birth of the Son of God.
A bush is called a thorn bush that did not burn under the influence of Divine fire. According to Christian tradition, at Mount Sinai the prophet Moses heard the voice of God and saw an angel of God appearing in a bush that was burning, but was not consumed. It was on that day that the Lord commanded Moses to leave Egypt and lead the people of Israel to the Promised Land.
This unusual sign has several interpretations: many theologians associate the burning bush with the Most Pure Virgin herself. The sign at Mount Sinai was a prophecy of the coming into the world of the Son of God and the future glory of the Most Holy Theotokos. Just as the fragile plant was not scorched by fire, the Divine fire did not scorch the human nature of the Most Holy Theotokos, who bore the Savior under her heart.
The burning bush still grows in the monastery of St. Catherine. It was near this bush that the great martyr hid so as not to become the wife of one of the pagans, since she was saving herself for the Heavenly Bridegroom.
History of the icon of the Mother of God
Initially, the image of the Mother of God was painted in a burning thorn bush, before which Moses knelt. Afterwards other images appeared. It is believed that the Burning Bush is one of the most ancient icons; many stories are associated with it, but it is enough to tell one to be convinced of the miraculous power of the image. The 18th century turned out to be difficult for Russia; the number of fires and arson increased sharply, which was associated with the material from which buildings were built. Cities were burning, and the fire could not be stopped.
In 1822, one parishioner had a dream; she saw the Mother of God in it, who told her that in order to stop the elements, she needed to paint a miraculous image. The woman immediately went to church and told the archpriest about her dream. He gave the order. When the icon was painted, the fires stopped, and soon the culprits were exposed.
Now this image is in the Slavic Church of the Trinity, and on the ark, which was built by the parishioners, there is a memorable inscription: “In memory of 1822 for saving the city from fire.”
There is another story that tells about the torment of the human soul, but it is connected with a holy image. During the war with Napoleon, one of the soldiers decided to steal an icon brought from Palestine to our country. The attacker managed to carry out his plan, but after the theft the man fell into indescribable melancholy, which forced him to return the image and confess his sins.
Actors and roles
- Klavdiya Korshunova - Antonina Ivanshina
- Daniil Strakhov - Valentin, artillery officer
- Artyom Bystrov - Fedor, truck driver
- Alexey Kravchenko - Nikolai Troshin, single father
- Oleg Vasilkov - Klim
- Helga Filippova - Lyuba
- Arina Shinkina - Zinka
- Elizaveta Arzamasova - Lara
- Valentina Mazunina - Nyurka
- Alina Babak - Tanya Troshina
- Roman Klabis - Yurka Troshin
- Olga Volkova - commandant
- Irina Cherichenko - head teacher
- Sergey Frolov - Gena, director of the bakery
- Alexander Vorobyov - military commissar
- Lyudmila Knyazeva - Nyurka's grandmother
- Vyacheslav Chepurchenko - junior lieutenant
- Nikolay Machulsky - Alexey
- Vasily Kozlov - Kostromskoy
Description and meaning
The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appears in different variations; it looks like a set of symbols that add up to the overall picture. Symbolism means many things. Let's take a closer look at the image and study its main components.
- In the center, as a rule, the Virgin Mary herself is depicted, she is holding a baby in her arms - this is Jesus.
- With her other hand she holds a ladder, which symbolizes the descent of the son of God. If you look closely, you can see in the picture in the diamonds that form an eight-pointed star, a mountain is a symbol of the terrible death and torment of Christ.
- The bush, in whose honor the miraculous face was named, is regarded as a symbol of a miracle.
- One of the diamonds is painted red - this is the symbolism of fire.
The Virgin Mary is surrounded by angels, each of which has its own meaning. Thus, the icon depicts the angel of wisdom and teaching. It is also customary to depict three spirits, these are:
- The Lord is with Jesus;
- with gates and with a sword - symbols of protection and patronage.
More often, those who suffer ask for protection while standing before the miraculous image, which is why the icon depicts a spirit with a ball; it symbolizes the protection that the Mother of God provides.
What does the icon look like?
The ancient icon and its numerous copies can be attributed to the iconographic type of hodegetria. This is the most common image of the Virgin Mary in the Orthodox tradition: many ancient icons, including those painted by the Evangelist Luke, were made using this iconographic technique. In the image of the “Burning Bush” the Mother of God is depicted together with Her Son; the age of Christ in this image is close to adolescence. The Mother of God and Her Son in this image do not touch their cheeks. In this icon, the Most Pure Virgin is depicted directly next to the burning bush that Moses once saw.
The icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” by the church belongs to the akathist type of images: it is called upon to glorify the Mother of God, her Christian feat and piety. The deep meaning of the image contains not only the immaculate conception, but also the spiritual characteristics of the personality of the Most Pure Virgin: being a simple woman born in a sinful world, the Virgin Mary turned out to be immune to sinful thoughts and actions, for which she was awarded the honor of becoming the Mother of the Savior of the whole world.
The composition of the icon is particularly complex and diverse in its graphic forms. The background of this image is made in the form of two diamonds that overlap each other, thus forming an eight-pointed star. The first rhombus is made in bright scarlet color, as it symbolizes fire rising above the burning bush. The second diamond is painted in soft green colors, symbolizing the bush itself and the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary embodied in this sign.
On later copies of the icon, the rhombus, against which the Blessed Virgin herself is depicted, is often painted blue. This is due to the fact that the combination of blue and red is traditionally considered a characteristic feature of icons depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary. The red color symbolizes the suffering of the Savior on the cross, the pain and sorrow of the Most Pure Virgin about the fate of Her Son. The color blue in the Christian tradition denotes the unity of the earthly and heavenly principles.
There are many versions of this image, but the most complete icon is considered to be the one that depicts many symbols and signs that most accurately reveal the Christian and maternal feat of the Virgin Mary, her dedication, fortitude and love for all humanity.
What does it help with?
The Queen of Heaven patronizes all those who suffer, but she favors those whose work involves danger and saving lives. The icon also protects cities and houses from fires and fiery elements. The priests say that the face will help all those who sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. Thus, doctors and firefighters can count on favor, as well as employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Defense in battle
The image will help you avoid death in battle; it protects you from bad people who have unkind plans for another person. It will help to disrupt evil plans if you ask for protection while kneeling in front of the image.
From sins committed
Believers believe that the face of the Mother of God saves souls, protects them from passions and sins of fiery hell, and helps them find the right path.
For mental conditions
You can ask the Mother of God for protection even if the enemy is invisible to the eye, she helps with clouding of mind, protects and cures mental illnesses.
Home protection
The image keeps the fire burning in the hearth and helps maintain peace and prosperity in the house. It also protects the home from fire, fire, and arson.
Protects against fire
The Burning Bush is the name of the thorn bush, which burned but did not burn; it was through this plant that the Lord spoke to Moses and showed him his face.
Attention! Thus, like a bush, the icon subjugated the element of fire. She repeatedly protected cities from the elements, saved people’s lives, and helped stop fires.
If you want to protect yourself and your family from fire, then be sure to buy this icon from the chapel.
Icon of the Virgin Mary “Burning Bush”
Audio:
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode, the Most Pure and God-Delighted Virgin Theotokos, whose fiery icons, with the appearance of Her, delighted the Church of Christ and with it, protecting the faithful from the fiery blaze, we proclaim praiseworthy singing; But You, O Mother of God, the Burning Bush we call, as having an invincible power and much mercy, hasten to help us who demand Your intercession, and free those who call upon You from all troubles:
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Ikos 1
The Queen of the Angels and all creation, the Lady Lady Theotokos, who receives the singing of praise from the angelic faces, grant us, earthly and earthly, to lift up to You the voices of praise of thanksgiving for Your great mercy to the human race. And even if we are not worthy to sing to You according to our heritage, yet You, as you are good, do not disdain our insufficient praises and, as Your Son mercifully accepted two mites of widows, so graciously hear us, crying out to You with tenderness:
Rejoice, who bore the Fire of the Divine in Your womb without burning;
Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Savior of fallen humanity.
Rejoice, having abolished the power of hell by Your most honorable Nativity;
Rejoice, you who freed Adam and Eve from the ancient curse.
Rejoice, thou who served immaculately for the incarnation of the One of the Trinity;
Rejoice, you who without seed embodied the Creator of heaven and earth.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 2
Seeing a bush on Sinai that was burning with fire and not consumed, he was horrified, and behold, a Divine voice came to him from the bush: Break the boots from your feet: for the place where you are standing is holy ground. To this we listen, and we, in humility, confess the mystery of the incarnation of God the Word from the Most Pure Virgin, the miracle of the burning bush, foreshadowed, and with fear we worship the place of the appearance of God, calling to the Creator of all: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The human mind cannot comprehend the mystery of God’s vision, from the foundation of the world the redemption of fallen humanity was predetermined in the eternal Council of the Trinitarian Divinity, even the holy prophets of God inspired by the Holy Spirit, from afar foreseeing the miracle of miracles, as if the Creator would take on the form of a slave, saving even the work of His hands from eternal destruction, I proclaim the types and prophecies that are not false, that the redemption of the human race will be accomplished by the promised Redeemer, to whom You, the All-Pure One, having given flesh to each other, have been honored to be the Mother of Your Lord, inspiring us to cry out to You:
Rejoice, fiery chamber on the seated cherubim;
Rejoice, luminous spoon of the Commanding Seraphim.
Rejoice, bed of the great King at the top of the mountain of heaven;
Rejoice, animated throne of the Possessor of things above and below.
Rejoice, O sacred ark of the Divine, Greater Holy of Holies;
Rejoice, all-golden one, in Neizha the saving manna has been prepared, the flesh and blood of the Divine Lamb.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 3
Acting by the power of the Most High, bestowing upon the Lady, you tame the power of the fiery nature with Your holy icon and work many miracles with it in the universe; In the same way, the Christian race pleases You with voices of praise and in sudden troubles, especially during a fiery ignition, flows to You in prayer, receiving timely help from You. For this reason, we cry out in gratitude to Christ, the King of glory who glorified You: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having great love for people redeemed by the honest blood of Your Son and God, Most Pure Mother of God, you received from Him the power to build and cover the Christian race; You are the helper of sinners’ repentance before the Creator, the hope of salvation for the unreliable, ambulance for the needy, sovereign retribution for the lost, and protection for the whole world. To you, our merciful and benevolent intercessor, we repay love with love, and humbly say:
Rejoice, universal joy, whose tears are taken away from the eyes of the suffering and mourning;
Rejoice, kindly refuge, in Nemzhe they are saved when overwhelmed by the storm of passions of the sea of life.
Rejoice, all-powerful quencher of the righteous wrath of God moving against us;
Rejoice, thou who extinguishes the flame of fire with the dew of Thy prayers before the Throne of the Almighty.
Rejoice, preserving Thy heavenly intercession from thunder and lightning;
Rejoice, Who bestows Your holy help in good time to every soul who faithfully prays to You.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 4
When a fiery storm suddenly finds us and the flames of hail and weight engulf us, then, O All-Merciful Lady, hasten to help us helpless and protect us with Your honest icon and deliver us from the fiery punishment, which we have created, worthy of our sins for the sake of You, for the sinners imams intercessor unashamed, we place our trust in You and, glorifying the power of Your prayers, we call the Savior of the world born of You: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
We hear and see the great miracles that come from Your icon, Our All-Good Queen, which You have given us as consolation and protection in misfortunes; Therefore, the all-consuming fire is exhausted in its strength before the gracious power of Your most pure image, as many times we have seen and experienced the Burning Bush, naming You in the image of this Your image and singing before it with voices of praise:
Rejoice, never-ending prayer to Christ God, bowing His mercy to us;
Rejoice, you avert God's punishment for our iniquities from our heads.
Rejoice, Thy honorable robe that preserves us from all misfortunes;
Rejoice, protecting our dwellings from fire and thunder with the maternal cover of Your bounties.
Rejoice, all-merciful hearer of the voices of our prayers in sorrow and situation;
Rejoice, our sovereign helper in the days of difficult trials.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 5
The God-bearing star, Your all-honorable icon, the Virgin Mary, throughout the whole world of miracles, gracefully shines with many miracles and enlightens human souls and hearts to the knowledge of the greatness of Your mercy, with whom You cover and intercede the Christian race, like a merciful Mother. For this, rejoicing, we thank Christ God, You, Your Mother according to the flesh, and Who has given us as Mother according to the spirit, and we call to Him with deep emotion: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
We see Your icon, Lady, as truly an unburnt bush, unburnt by fire, and with its presence making human dwellings inflammable; For You have been given grace from above to tame the power of the fiery nature, the Fire of the Divine in Your womb without burning. The sowing of grace and Your most pure image appeared, and from the faithful it was called the Burning Bush, which we honor splendidly and cry out in praise to You:
Rejoice, Unquenchable Holy One, ever-burning in Your prayers at the Throne of the Lord;
Rejoice, igniting our cold hearts with the fire of God’s love.
Rejoice, thou who coolest the heat of our passions in the shade of Thy prayers;
Rejoice, in the hour of sorrow and bewilderment, you send down to us thoughts that are beneficial to your soul.
Rejoice, in times of our helplessness, when we are in need and there is no helper imams, who hastens to help us;
Rejoice, in times of sudden misfortunes, by Your sovereign hand you snatch us from destruction.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 6
The Church of Christ preaches Your miracles, O Mother of God, as the sand of the sea and the stars of heaven multiply; from the east to the west your name is praised for miracles and there is no city or country where you have not accomplished the power of God for the deliverance and salvation, enlightenment and healing of people named after Christ, especially through your holy icons you are accustomed to work miracles, pouring out from them streams of mercy and generosity to needy and sick humanity. For this reason, let us glorify You with spiritual songs, and cry out to Your Son and our God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You have shone in the light of divine glory, the Virgin of God, the Child of the Eternal Lord Jesus Christ, holding in Your hand and surrounded by the face of angelic powers, as we see You depicted in the icon, the Mosaic Burning Bush, mysteriously named, from the unknown gifts of grace you bestow upon the faithful, from fire and thunder you save , you heal the sick, you console the grieving, and you send down to everyone all that is good and beneficial for your soul, so that silent voices sing to you:
Rejoice, for Neizha the angelic council and the human race rejoice and triumph;
Rejoice, whose glory surpasses earthly and heavenly praises.
Rejoice, thou who, from the heights on high, watches over the entire Mother Universe with Thy love;
Rejoice, thou who visitest the earthly vale of many sorrows through Thy good deeds.
Rejoice, because of Your innumerable goodness you do not abandon the despised and rejected;
Rejoice, through Your compassion you snatch away the hopeless from the pit of destruction.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 7
Although the Lord showed His love for people redeemed by His blood, He gave us His Immaculate Mother for protection and protection, and created this kind refuge for every Christian soul, grieving and embittered, in need of help and mercy. Leading such merciful service of Yours to the human race, the All-Blessed Lady, we raise our eyes to You in sorrow and stretch out our hands in prayer, asking for the only consolation from You, that You may save us by Your intercession from temporary and eternal sorrows and make us worthy to sing on the living lands in the joy of the saints To God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Thou hast wondrously glorified by miracles Thy holy icon, the Burning Bush, called the Virgin Mother of God, with which Thou preservest the cities and weights from the burning of fiery and lightning thunder, and blesseth the houses of the faithful, in which the likeness of Thy most pure face is reverently honored. For this reason, since the gift is valuable, Your gracious image is joyfully accepted, we honor You with due worship, and we dutifully please You with these blessings:
Rejoice, alabaster of healing, containing medicine for every ailment;
Rejoice, world-maker of the fragrance of Christ, which has fragrant fallen humanity.
Rejoice, you who loosen the bonds of sin for the repentant sinner;
Rejoice, captivity of passions, crushing those who strive for purity.
Rejoice, tender joy of virgins and mothers;
Rejoice, compassionate care for widows and orphans.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 8
It is strange to see how your icon, Lady, written on a tablet and by nature subject to its fiery action, reveals a more natural power and tames the power of fire with its presence. Recognizing in this the power of God and the effect of Your prayers, we magnify You, the Creator of all Gods, who for joy and consolation has given us Your miraculous image and thus saves us from fiery burning, and let us always call Him with gratitude and praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
The whole Christian world glorifies Your most blessed name, Mary Theotokos, and it is sweet and comforting for every faithful to look upon Your most pure face, in whose likeness You were wont to show many and glorious miracles. Behold, we, the humble ones, see Your holy icon, we worship it splendidly and kiss it with love, expecting from it the help and intercession of Your sovereign, especially in times of our helplessness, when sin for our sake suddenly finds a fiery ignition on us, may we be saved by You from the destructive flame, we cry out to You with grateful lips:
Rejoice, tabernacle of God the Word not made with hands, surpassing the cherubim and the seraphim in holiness and purity;
Rejoice, thou clothed in a light cloud of the Sun of Truth, Whom the Heavenly One came to the earthly, and brought them to heaven with Him.
Rejoice, thou who hast opened the doors of heaven to fallen humanity with Thy Holy Nativity;
Rejoice, thou who unite heaven and earth together, and sing ceaseless praise to Thee and to Him Who was born of Thee.
Rejoice, Divine source, flowing out the Water of life, those who drink from unworthiness do not die;
Rejoice, blessed vine that has grown into the Grape of Salvation, who draws out the wine of immortality for man.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 9
Thy glory, Most Blessed and Most Glorified Mother of our Lord, surpasses all praise; for they are perplexed and mindless of the incorporeality of singing Thee according to our inheritance, moreover, it is inconvenient for us earthly and earthly to eat this, but we are overcome by love for You, we dare to bring You all possible singing of praise and thanksgiving for Your great mercy to the human race, whom You have loved and to whom You have not ceased to do good. , striving at every age of the faithful to cry out to the Savior Christ born of You: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The revolutionaries of humanity are exhausted from comprehending the great mystery of Your ever-virginity, O Mother of God, which the Lord hid from the wise of this age and by faith revealed to the humble and reverent, the inquisitive trial of strangers, from whom the Virgin is preached Orthodoxy and undoubtedly before Christmas and at Christmas and after Christmas. Accept then, O Mother and Virgin, our all-soulful confession about this and strengthen us to follow You with an immaculate life and purity of heart, so that we may be able to gladly sing to You the songs of the blue:
Rejoice, snow-white crescent of virginity and purity, unfadingly blooming mountain;
Rejoice, thou who invisibly guides the living to virginity and purity.
Rejoice, you who wonderfully combined motherhood and virginity in Yourself;
Rejoice, having kept both Yourself immaculate and holy.
Rejoice, leader of the monastic faces in virginity pleasing to God;
Rejoice, leader of the virgin regiments in purity of soul and body.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 10
Having arranged the salvation of man, One of the Trinity deigned to be incarnate from You, the Bride of God, the Lady, glorifying human nature by sitting at the right hand of the Father on the throne of the Divine, like the Only Begotten Son, the same as Your Son in the flesh, and He glorified You with Himself in glory, exceeding all glory, which is overshadowed by kindness , do not mercifully forget the human race, but prayerfully intercede before the Creator, in the One Trinity, for all those who faithfully sing praises to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art the wall of the virgin face and monastic cathedral, the Virgin Mary, and of all who fervently flock to Thee in prayer, and reverently honor Thy holy icon; You alone have been granted from the Lord the grace of universal intercession and the faithful in virginity and purity of affirmation. In the same way, zealots of an immaculate life, under Your Mother’s cover, run from the storm of passions and find peace of mind, crying out to You:
Rejoice, great patron of pious monks and nuns and warm intercessor to God for them;
Rejoice, ever-present helper and spiritual guide in the midst of the world of God’s servants.
Rejoice, teacher of chastity and abstinence to young people;
Rejoice, peace and joy for the reverent elders.
Rejoice, thou who overshadows the homes and families of Christians with Thy good protection;
Rejoice, thou who have made every age of the faithful worthy of Thy merciful care.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 11
The holy Church of Christ, the All-Singing Lady, continually brings you songs of praise, proclaiming your mercies and miracles, in whose image the whole universe has been enriched. Truly, who, like You, is quick to obey our prayer requests? But you are also accustomed to precede the petition, to be merciful and gracious to those who require Your holy help, so as not to deprive us, the humble, who at this hour sing to the glory of Your name and cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Your luminous icon, the Most Pure Mother of God, enlightens our souls darkened by sins with the radiance of Divine miracles, in which we recognize God’s omnipotent power and Your innumerable mercy, ever ready to assist us in repentance and conversion from evil deeds to the path of salvation. We pray to You, O All-Merciful One, do not leave us to go astray in the wilds of sins and passions, but lead us to a quiet refuge of a pious and God-pleasing life, so that we may worthily bring You these sung gifts:
Rejoice, our invisible enemies, who pray with Thy cheerful prayer;
Rejoice, who does not allow us to be possessed by the violence of this mortal body.
Rejoice, for the devils fear and tremble in Thy holy name;
Rejoice, for Your honest icon drives away all the power of the devil with its presence.
Rejoice, strengthening ascetics of piety in spiritual warfare against the enemies of human salvation;
Rejoice, at the hour of death, helping those who have love and faith in You.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 12
We partake of the grace of God, confessing Your holy icon, God-blessed Virgin, and brightly celebrating the feast of its appearance; In the image of this burning bush, having appeared, the action also shows its miracles, preserving our homes from the fiery flame and preserving our homes with its presence. For this reason, like a shield and visor, we praise You, our sovereign helper, with song praises and cry out to our Savior born of You: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
We sing to Thee, Mother of God, our only hope and hope, we confess Thy mercy, we do not hide Thy miracles, we glorify Thy innumerable goodness to the Christian race, we bless Thy holy name, which truly is the myrrh poured out to those who love Thee, filling pious souls with a spiritual fragrance. Bless us too, O Lady, who stink with sinful passions, and grant us with a pure heart and undefiled lips to cry out to You:
Rejoice, you who exude sweet and soul-saving myrrh, with which God-loving hearts are anointed;
Rejoice, you who heal mental and physical ailments with a single touch of Your holy icon.
Rejoice, good guide, who guides repentant sinners to the path of pleasure and salvation;
Rejoice, thou who by the ladder of virtues leads the ascetics of Christ to the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, you who crown humble and patient sufferers with grace-filled consolation;
Rejoice, you who innocently delight the expelled and persecuted with the anticipation of the bliss of heaven.
Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Kupino, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 13
Oh, all-sung Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the most holy Word and the Burning Bush, called by us unworthy! Listen to the voice of our prayers and songs, which we earnestly offer up to You before Your holy icon, and through Your warm prayer to the Lord of the temporal and eternal fire, deliver us who praise Your name and glorify Your miracles, crying out to Your Son and our God: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “To the Queen of Angels...” and the 1st kontakion to “The Chosen Governor...”.
Prayer
Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ! We fall down and worship You before Your holy and most honorable icon, which has worked wondrous and glorious miracles, saved our dwellings from fiery flames and lightning thunder, healed the sick, and fulfilled all our good requests for good. We humbly pray to You, the omnipotent Intercessor of our family, to grant us, weak and sinners, Your maternal participation and care. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the roof of Your mercy, our God-protected country, its authorities and army, the Holy Church, this temple (or: this monastery) and all of us who fall to You with faith and love and tenderly ask with tears for Your intercession. She, the All-Merciful Lady, have mercy on us, overwhelmed by many sins and not having the courage to ask Christ God for mercy and forgiveness, but we offer you to Him for supplication, His Mother according to the flesh; But You, All-Good One, extend Your God-receiving hand to Him and intercede for us before His goodness, asking us forgiveness of our sins, a pious peaceful life, a good Christian death and a good answer at His Last Judgment. At the hour of God’s menacing visitation, when our houses are set on fire or we are frightened by lightning thunder, show us your merciful intercession and sovereign help, so that we may be saved by your omnipotent prayers to the Lord, we will escape God’s temporary punishment here and we will inherit the eternal bliss of paradise there, and with all with the saints let us sing the Most Honorable and Magnificent name of the worshiped Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy to us forever and ever. Amen.
Examples of miracles
Some of the miracles that the Mother of God is capable of have already been mentioned earlier, but there are others that are worth telling the general public about. Dimitri Koloshin, who was the Tsar's groom, was once convicted on false charges. He pleaded for justice, asking for protection. The Mother of God heard the prayers of the innocent, she appeared in a dream to the head of state and told about the groom’s non-involvement in the atrocities.
The king decided to check all the arguments and delve into the study of documents. The investigation revealed that the groom was not involved and the charges against him were fabricated. The man was acquitted, after which he built a church in memory of the Burning Bush, which saved his life
In the Middle Ages, when wooden buildings in Moscow burned almost every day, believers prayed and believed that the image would save them from the elements. They placed the icon in a prominent place, and before moving into the house, they walked around it with the miraculous image in their hands. The icon from Palestine was brought to Moscow in 1390, and ever since then one can find references to the fact that the image works miracles for which there is no scientific explanation.
Medicinal properties of Caucasian ash
The perennial is not used in official medicine. There have been no relevant studies proving the benefits of Caucasian ash in the treatment of various diseases. It is generally accepted that wild star anise has the following healing properties:
- diuretic;
- sedative;
- anthelmintic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antifever.
In folk medicine, warts are removed with the juice of the burning bush herb. Decoctions are used to eliminate dysentery, scabies, dermatitis and urticaria.
Remedies based on medicinal plants contribute to:
- normalization of the nervous system;
- narrowing of blood vessels;
- decrease in temperature during fever;
- eliminating swelling and spasms;
- increasing the secretory function of the stomach;
- regulation of the female cycle;
- improving digestion.
The presence of beneficial properties allows the use of burning bush for cosmetic purposes.
Where is the holy image located?
In the Church of St. Catherine, which was built near a popular resort location (Egypt, Sharm el-Sheikh), there is the same bush that burned, but did not burn down. An altar was built around the plant, so that the plant was visible to parishioners. The chapel still functions today, and before air traffic with Egypt was closed, tourists could get to the holy place by bus.
Attempts to cultivate the holy plant were unsuccessful. The roots never sprouted. In any church in Russia you can find an image of the Burning Bush, but in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin you can see a wonderful icon, which was brought from Palestine to Moscow. In the church called the Burning Bush, which is located in Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad region, there is also an icon of the same name. There is also a face in the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in the Urals.
Reproduction of ash
Often in natural conditions you can see an ash tree growing, grasping a rock. It can really take root in a crevice and feel great there, between the stones. As soon as it gets into home conditions, the ash tree will require cultivated soil. Growing ash is carried out in three ways: you can propagate ash by seeds, dividing the bush or cuttings.
How to grow ash tree using seeds
You need to sow, so to speak, fresh seeds, just collected, into open soil (if you do this in the fall or spring, then for some seeds this will delay germination for a year). If you do not want self-sowing in your flower garden, then collect the seeds before they are fully ripe and shoot out of the fruiting body. But do not rush to choose a permanent place of life for the ash tree - for the first two to three years, the dictamnus will grow and develop in the seedling row. Determine a place on your site that should not serve a decorative function and sow it with seeds, then thin it out in the spring (so that there is 20 cm between shoots) and plant it, and after three years, take it from the “kindergarten” and plant the white ash tree in a flower garden. Some gardeners note that in our temperate climate, dictamnus seeds do not always have time to ripen, then you will be interested to learn about the vegetative method of growing ash on your site.
How to grow ash tree by dividing the bush
Choose early spring or early autumn for this procedure, because in the summer heat all transplanted sections will die. Even in autumn and spring, when it is no longer very hot, it is still worth choosing cloudy weather for transplanting. There are no special requirements for planting holes, except for the distance to neighboring plants - at least 50cm. After planting, constant, abundant watering is required. When you notice that the plant has taken root and begins to grow in a new place, it is better to reduce watering a little so that the roots do not begin to rot. We can say that propagation of dictamnus by bushes gives almost 100% results. Although some gardeners do not favor this method, fearing that the bush may get sick after replanting. The biggest enthusiasts place stones at the foot of the ash tree planting so that, while warming up in the sun, they can give their heat to the plant all day long. It is also recommended to plant dictamnus bushes in the south or west of the site. A little shadow is allowed.
Cuttings
Another way to propagate dictamnus on a plot is by cuttings. If you cut the young shoot correctly, there is a high probability that it will take root successfully. To achieve this for sure, do not forget about abundant watering, as well as a growth accelerator. It is recommended to cut 10-15cm shoots in the spring and plant them in a greenhouse or under a jar.
Shrub propagation
Whatever method of propagation of dictamnus you choose, do not forget to protect your skin and eyes. For safety reasons, it’s better not to even smell dictamnus – admire it from afar! After carrying out all procedures with the plant, wash your hands and face with soapy water. All this is necessary in order to protect yourself from minor redness and even burns on the body. From close contact with the plant, some may even develop a slight fever and weakness.
Sowing seeds, dividing a bush and cuttings - success will await you everywhere if you carry out the planting procedure correctly and at the right time. The burning bush will delight you with its appearance for many years.
Holy Face Day
It is believed that the thorn bush, which became a guide for the Lord God, should be venerated on September 17, according to the old style - on the 4th of the same month.
On the holiday, according to ancient custom, it was worth going around the house with an image in your hands. If there was no such icon in the house, then a white dove should have been released into the home. A bird of this color protected the house and the people living in it from fire. Later they advised to put a candle in front of the image, and if a fire started, then prayer in front of the image helped to stop it.
How to properly place it in the house
It is worth positioning the icon correctly, so that the Mother of God sees everyone who enters the house and all family members. So, where to hang the icon, or the location of the shrine in the home:
- There are no strict restrictions on the location of the icon; it can be placed anywhere, at the discretion of the believer.
- But there is a belief that if you place the face above the front door, it will be better. The icon will be able to protect the family and maintain well-being in the home.
The face is placed high above the doorway, maybe a little lower, but so that the Mother of God can see all family members, as well as guests who enter the house.
Iconography
If you study an icon, its distinctive feature is considered to be the presence of several symbols that add up to the overall picture and form the face.
In the center they depict the Virgin Mary with a child, the rest of the image is made up of rhombuses, the edges of which form that same eight-pointed star. It is noteworthy that even the color of the diamonds is symbolic. So, red symbolizes fire, and blue or green symbolizes the foot of the mountain where Moses saw a vision and where he talked with the Lord.
The icon, in general, symbolizes the conversation between the prophet and God, which took place on various topics. It is believed that with the help of a thorn bush that did not burn, Christ told Moses its purpose. He told how to free the people, and what sacrifices would have to be made for the sake of freedom. The end of the conversation was a request to depict a miraculous image on canvas, in which a woman would hold a baby in her arms. The icon is unique in that it contains several images of the Virgin Mary, in different variations, and not just one, as usual.
