Today man is subject to sinful passions more than ever. The worst thing is that some of them are not even considered something bad. This also applies to alcohol. People's attitude towards him is loyal; many sincerely think that skipping two or three glasses at dinner is normal. This is where the main danger lies. A person does not notice how gradually it becomes an addiction. Gradually the dose increases and the habit develops into alcoholism. The “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon is an image before which people suffering from various types of chemical addictions are begged.
Drunkenness is the death of soul and body
While preaching, Saint John Chrysostom considered drunkards lower than cattle, since animals are not capable of causing harm to anyone just like that. A person in the intoxication stage can offend loved ones. Ephraim the Syrian called for avoiding noisy feasts, since the appearance of ease in such a life could lead to the fall from grace. Anyone suffering from alcohol addiction must first stop looking for excuses. Admitting that there is a problem and dealing with it on your own will not work.
Believers consider drunkenness primarily a spiritual problem. Any sin begins with a thought sent by the devil. Therefore, it is important to immediately reject them decisively. You need to turn in prayer to the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon and the Savior, asking for help in the fight against sin. Confess your past sins and begin to correct yourself. Sincerely and with all my heart, forgive everyone’s offenses and reconcile with your neighbors.
Completely eliminate alcohol from your life. If necessary, change your social circle. If possible, seek help from an Orthodox rehabilitation center.
Loss and acquisition of new shrines
There is a huge amount of confirmed evidence of truly miraculous deliverance of people from various types of harmful addictions.
The huge number of jewels with which the Life-Giving Icon is decorated in gratitude for the healings speaks of the heavenly help that people received from the Mother of God in various difficult situations.
Even those who know nothing about the icon, saints come in visions and advise them to turn to the image of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” with a prayer for help.
At numerous requests from hopeful believers, eight copies of the healing icon were painted at different times.
Initially, the miraculous image was located in the Serpukhov Vladychny Monastery. In the 20s of the 20th century, the Vladychny Monastery was closed, and this icon was able to be transported to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Bely in the city of Serpukhov.
But it so happened that in 1929 it was also closed, and all the holy relics were burned on the banks of the Nara River flowing nearby. Thus, all the shrines, including the prototype of the “Inexhaustible Chalice,” disappeared without a trace.
And only in 1980 did the veneration of icons resume. A little later, through the efforts of the rector of the Serpukhov city church of the Prophet Elijah, a tradition that had existed even before the revolution in the Alexander Nevsky Temperance Brotherhood of the ancient city was revived - prayer services began to be held every Sunday with a prayer request and the reading of an akathist for deliverance from the craving for drunkenness.
In Serpukhov on Vysokoy, a monastery soon began to operate, which is called Vysotsky after the name of this place. And the prayer service before the miraculous image began to take place there.
In 1992, another significant event occurred. The new icon “The Inexhaustible Chalice” was painted by A. Sokolov, a Russian icon painter. Now it is she who is known throughout the Orthodox world.
The magnificent Image was decorated with an amazing silver robe, and a little later a reliquary with a piece of the belt of the Blessed Virgin was placed in the lower left corner of the icon.
After the Image was consecrated, a huge number of people began to come to it. And immediately there was evidence of healing from incurable diseases and complete deliverance from addictions.
And where the Prototype appeared - in the convent of Serpukhov, another copy of the icon of the Heavenly Intercessor was consecrated. And the parishioners also began to be healed miraculously.
Appearance of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon
According to chronicles in the Tula province, in the Efremov district there lived a retired soldier who suffered from alcoholism.
This passion drove him to the point where he sold all his property and remained practically penniless. Over time, his legs became paralyzed - but he continued to drink alcohol. In a dream, an old man with a shining halo appeared to him and ordered the soldier to go to the monastery located in the city of Serpukhovo and order a prayer service in front of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. The sinner considered this nonsense and did not listen. Moreover, he could not walk and had no means. However, the dream repeated itself again and again. Having dreamed for the third time, the elder spoke to him so menacingly that the man was forced to set off, and he had to cover the entire road on all fours. Arriving at the monastery, he told the monks his story and asked to serve the Divine Liturgy. However, none of the monks had heard anything about such an icon. One of the elderly monks remembered that the image depicting the cup was hanging in the passage to the sacristy. When it was removed, the inscription “Inexhaustible Chalice” was found on the underside. Before the image, the liturgy was served and the soldier was completely healed of all ailments and got rid of his destructive passion.
Soon the news of this miracle spread among people and all those suffering from drunkenness came to pray in front of the shrine.
Don't swear at God
The history of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon originates from the early Byzantine image “Thy belly was the Holy Meal.”
This image has become known since the siege of Nicaea (Asia Minor). As the Church Tradition left by the fathers of the First Ecumenical Council (325) says, “A certain Constantine, who defended the walls of the city, despaired of victory and blamed God for the failures. Seeing an icon of the Mother of God not far from him, he broke it in anger, throwing a stone, and then began to trample the holy image with his feet.
The next day, the warrior died while defending the walls of Nicaea, struck in the head by a stone.”
Centuries have passed. Many lists of venerated Byzantine icons appeared in Rus', among them was the Nicene Icon of the Mother of God. And at the end of the 19th century, the icon of the Mother of God appeared, giving rise to the universal veneration of the image of the “Inexhaustible Chalice”.
The meaning of the symbolism of the image
There is no information about when and by whom the icon was painted. She is considered one of the oldest types of images of the Mother of God - “Oranta”, which means “Blessing One”. The Queen of Heaven is depicted with her hands raised up - a symbol of unceasing prayer for every person. The peculiarity of the image is Christ standing in a chalice, which is the personification of Holy Communion - a gift to believers as atonement for original sin. The grace emanating from the Mother of God is inexhaustible, therefore the cup is “Inexhaustible.” The Son of God sacrificed himself for the salvation of people, so rejecting Him for the dubious pleasure of addictions is an even greater sin.
Vladychny Convent
The Vvedensky Vladychny Monastery - the oldest on Serpukhov land - was founded as a men's monastery in 1360 by St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Wonderworker. The monastery arose by the special will of the Mother of God - Saint Alexy heard a voice coming from Her icon: “Alexy, it is fitting for you to build a monastery in My name, and also in memory of yourself.” Miraculously, the place for the construction of the monastery was indicated “within the city of Serpukhov,” among a dense pine forest on the right bank of the Nara River, and that event in the earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos - Her Entry into the temple, in whose honor the monastery was erected. A chronicle that was once kept in the monastery tells about this.
The builder of the monastery is the Monk Varlaam of Serpukhov, whose relics are now kept under wraps.
From the end of the 17th century, the monastery began to experience great financial difficulties. It lost its independence and was assigned either to the neighboring Vysotsky Monastery or to the Moscow Zaikonospassky Monastery. In 1727, the Vladychny Monastery again became independent, but was already in complete decline: divine services almost completely stopped, the brethren dispersed, the cells and churches fell into disrepair. In the 19th century, the monastery was converted into a women's monastery, and the period of its revival began.
How does the “Inexhaustible Chalice” image help?
They pray in front of the icon, asking for deliverance from various addictions:
- alcohol;
- nicotine;
- prodigal;
- gambling.
It also helps in healing from physical and mental illnesses. The reason to order a prayer service or start praying on your own can be the presence of any addiction. Every person should care not only about temporary life, but also about eternal life. The Gospel says that rather than succumb to sinful passion, it is better to cut off your own hand. Any sin separates a person from the Lord.
A destructive passion destroys not only the body, but also the soul, gradually subordinating the will of a person. Losing his will, he even takes pleasure in sin. It’s good if there are people nearby who will pray for him, but, unfortunately, it is not always possible to convince a person to undergo treatment. Often such help is met with hostility. Prayer is the only way to help the sufferer.
The Holy Fathers strongly recommend that before you start praying for others, you need to visit the temple, go to confession and take communion. Only after overcoming your irritation and anger can you begin to pray for the soul of a loved one. It is impossible to bring anyone to repentance through anger, shouting and condemnation.
There is also evidence that housing issues were resolved at the request of the image. Transactions for the purchase and sale or exchange of an apartment were concluded faster, mistakes in documents were identified in a timely manner, and problems with inheritance were resolved.
The akathist “The Inexhaustible Chalice” is read by parents when releasing their children into adulthood. Prayers will protect you from dangers and troubles, prevent distortion of moral guidelines and guide you on the right path.
How to avoid the pagan spirit by venerating an icon?
Moscow.
2003 Believers venerate the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice,” which was brought to the Trinity Cathedral of the Moscow St. Daniel Monastery from the Vysotsky Monastery in Serpukhov. Photo by Victor Velikzhanin (ITAR-TASS) Why does someone pray in front of an icon and receive help, while someone remains “unheard”?
Prayer is not a contract with a mandatory condition of fulfillment. Not an exchange of “services” - I am an akathist for you, you are healing for me. Prayer is the path from one’s weakness to God’s mercy. And the soul must be prepared for the fact that things can happen along this path that change it.
“The meaning of the icon is liturgical. “Inexhaustible” is not the cup from which one drinks, drinks and does not get drunk. The exact translation is “endless”, the eternal Chalice. That Cup in which every day in the temples wine and bread are transformed into the blood and flesh of the Lord.”
New wonders
Despite the fact that the original has not survived, the list also helps people get rid of terrible habits. Miracles are already known:
- Myrrh-streaming (since August 2000)
- Covering the eyes of the Mother of God on the icon (photo available).
- Healing of hardcore drug addicts.
- Changing a bad life to a pious one, giving up debauchery.
- Help with housing problems.
It has been noticed that those who treated with sincere feelings even change their lifestyle. Prayer from the drunkard or drug addict himself is especially effective; it is considered preferable than from relatives.
Schedule of services at the Vysotsky Monastery
On weekdays, services begin at 06:00. At this time, morning prayers are held, as well as Midnight Office and Matins. At 08:00, parishioners make confession, then attend the liturgy, after which memorial services and prayer services are served upon request. Vespers and ordinary akathist begin at 17:00. On Sundays and holidays, services are held from 08:00. At 17:45 every Sunday you can attend a prayer service in front of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon.
Schedule of services on the official website of the monastery
The monastery itself is open to parishioners on weekdays from 05:00, and on holidays from 07:30. It closes for regular services at 7:00 pm, and for all-night vigils at 8:00 pm. Evening prayers for pilgrims are held at 21:00. The exact work schedule of the monastery can be found on the official website.
Days of celebration icons
Immediately after acquiring the original image, a celebration was established for him on December 10 (New Art). On this day, the icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” is celebrated, which is similar in writing to the “Inexhaustible Chalice”, but is more ancient in veneration.
In 1997, the day of celebration was set on May 18 - the day of remembrance of St. Varlaam Serpukhovsky, who miraculously reminded people of the existence of a forgotten image. The previous celebration has not been forgotten either - December 10, it is celebrated in the Vysotsky Monastery.
