In literal translation, the word “icon” is used to mean “image.” Icon veneration is the honoring and respect of Orthodox images, which is carried out in accordance with the dogmas of the church. Although icon veneration is a distinctive and traditional feature of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Holy Family icon is controversial in theological circles. The attitude towards this image remains ambiguous to this day.
History of the Orthodox icon
The Holy Family icon was created by the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael Santi, after which it became popular in the Catholic world. In Russia it gained fame only at the end of the 18th century.
“The Holy Family” was created by the Italian painter Raphael Santi
According to one version, the icon was brought to Russia from Israel by pilgrims. In Jerusalem she was treated with special reverence and love. But, presumably, it appeared in Russia thanks to one young man who went to Europe to get an education. He left it for safekeeping with the rector of the Moscow Trinity Church in Gryazi. For a long time, the holy image was undeservedly forgotten, but soon miracles began to happen, thanks to which she was remembered. Icon painters painted a copy of the icon according to Orthodox canons. It was called "Three Joys". In the center is Mary with Christ, in the background is Joseph the Betrothed with John the Baptist.
A copy of the icon is kept in the Trinity Church on Gryazi in Moscow. The original disappeared in the 1930s. during times of raging atheism, when churches were destroyed and shrines were plundered. Another mention of the icon is associated with the current Spassky convent in the village. Kostomarovo, Voronezh region.
How the image of “Three Joys” was created
One of the clergy of the Trinity Church was struck by the image of the “Holy Family” brought from Italy. On its basis, the Orthodox icon of the “Three Joys” was created. The image was placed on the porch in front of the entrance to Trinity Church.
The name of the new image is associated with a miraculous event that occurred 40 years after the icon was painted. One woman suffered many misfortunes, but she did not lose hope for the best and entrusted her fate into the hands of the Lord, praying daily and trusting in His mercy. In a dream, the Lord pointed her to this image of the Mother of God and ordered her to pray at this icon. The woman traveled to many churches, temples and chapels before she found the necessary image. Through the prayers of this icon of the Mother of God, three happy events occurred one after another in the life of a woman. After these incidents, the icon received a new name “Three Joys”.
Traditionally, this icon contains a half-length image of the Mother of God holding the Infant Jesus on her lap. To the right of the Mother of God stands Joseph the Betrothed, depicted as an elderly man: his image is associated with wisdom and Christian humility. On the left side of the Most Pure Virgin stands John the Baptist, who looks lovingly at little Jesus.
The image of the Mother of God expresses peace and tranquility. With one hand the Most Pure Virgin holds the Divine Infant, Her second hand is lowered, palm down. The Virgin Mary is dressed in traditional red and blue clothes.
Iconography
The icon of the Holy Family was painted by Raphael. At first it was just a painting, which only over time received the status of an icon. Not all painters who paint on religious subjects can boast of this.
Raphael depicted happy parents with their son Jesus in their arms in a homely manner. The image emanates the joy of motherhood, the care of a father, a feeling of security and peace. The spouses embody the symbol of a loving married couple and caring parents. In Rus', the style of the icon has undergone significant changes. The Virgin and Child are depicted in the foreground, and Joseph the Betrothed, as befits a guardian, is depicted behind along with John the Baptist. Many painters interpreted the image in their own way and depicted Saint Anne instead of the Baptist.
The image of the “Three Joys” is more familiar to the perception of an Orthodox Christian. The severity of the biblical plot, along with caring maternal affection and fatherly care, permeates it through and through.
Historically, the icon “Holy Family” is mentioned in the village. Kostomarovo
Description
The Holy Family icon is one of the most common gifts brought from Jerusalem as a shrine and in memory of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In its composition, it represents an image of Jesus Christ as a child, behind whom stand his mother Mary and his father (as believers believe - imaginary) Joseph. By the nature of its writing it is a Greek icon. The Holy Family is depicted on it, although within the framework of traditional Orthodox iconography, but quite vividly - so that it is associated not so much with a religious image, but with a photograph from a family photo album. This icon awakens a feeling of warmth, home care, love and understanding.
Controversy surrounding canonicity
Despite the veneration and popularity of the icon, controversy surrounding its canonicity continues. Many consider it an ordinary work of painting.
The image of Joseph with his arm around Mary's shoulders and looking only at her caused a storm of stormy criticism from the church. Stern church ministers saw sexual overtones in this. According to the Bible, the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit, being immaculate. Joseph was her official husband of advanced age, without marital relations. On the icon he is depicted as a young man.
Before supporting critics, we should remember that Christians do not have clearly defined canons regarding the writing of holy images. The order of the Stoglavy Council to call on icon painters to “create according to Rublev” was not regulated by anyone and was not put into practice.
The hug of spouses can be interpreted as a symbol of a harmonious and loving family. What's bad about it? The popularity of the image suggests that it evokes warm feelings among believers and deserves the full right to be considered a shrine. Many church shops sell this image, although the icon has not been officially canonized.
Hugs between spouses can be interpreted as a symbol of a loving family
Composition
The “image” contains the Virgin Mary, the betrothed Joseph and the Baby Jesus. Mary's clearly close relationship with her husband is demonstrated here - Joseph puts his arm around his wife's shoulders, their heads bowed to each other. The figures of adults serve as a frame for the little Christ.
The Savior is written seemingly traditionally - he makes a blessing gesture with his right hand. But the left one strives to connect with the palms of the parents. A very uncharacteristic arrangement of hands, but in the Orthodox icon-painting tradition, not only the relationship of figures, gestures, direction of gaze, but even shades of colors are important.
Usually the Lord holds a Book or a scroll in his left hand; these objects indicate the Holy Scripture. And here it turns out that His life is limited to being among relatives.
Many are also haunted by the fact that according to orthodox beliefs, Mary and Joseph were married only formally. It’s just that the Mother of God had already reached the age when it was customary in Israel to get married. Therefore, a worthy patron was found for her, ready to bring the girl into his home and take care of her. According to Orthodox tradition, Joseph was a widower of advanced years. His task was to protect the virgin’s chastity, and then to take care of God’s Son.
Icon of the Holy Family in Orthodoxy and Catholicism
Representatives of various faiths have ambiguous attitudes towards the icon. If Orthodoxy reacted to the icon with hostility, seeing in the image symbols of carnal pleasures, then Catholicism reacted positively and officially elevated it to the rank of holy images. In Israel, from where the icon was supposedly brought to Russia, it is found everywhere. In Russia, the icon gained popularity under the name “Three Joys”.
Holy Family Day in Catholicism is celebrated after Christmas (December 25) on the following Sunday, in Russia - January 8.
Where can I find the original and lists
The original icon was irretrievably lost in the 30s of the last century.
There is a list of it in the Church of the Holy Trinity. There are no other places in Russia where you can pray to the Mother of God, the Savior and Joseph. The reason is the lack of canonization. Pilgrims or tourists in Jerusalem have the opportunity to purchase a copy of the image.
Historical facts related to the icon
Where did the second name come from - “Three Joys”? There is a legend among the people about how the icon helped one noblewoman. Three griefs befell her at once - her falsely slandered husband was imprisoned in prison, the estate was confiscated, and her only son was captured. Overwhelmed by grief, the sufferer prayed to the Mother of God day and night for a miracle. In a dream, she dreamed that she had to find the icon of the Holy Family. The legs themselves led the exhausted woman to the Trinity Church. Here she invoked the image of the Holy Family. Soon a miracle happened - the husband was acquitted, the prisoner returned, and the estate was returned. Since then, the shrine has had a second name - “Three Joys”.
The image of the family was reverently revered by the wives who accompanied their husbands to war. They asked in their prayers to protect them from bullets and adultery. Many soldiers carried a small icon with them. Leo Tolstoy's father spent the entire Patriotic War of 1812 with the image of the icon under his overcoat. Tolstoy himself also took the icon when going to the defense of Sevastopol in 1854. These facts are presented in the guide to the Yasnaya Polyana estate museum.
The image of the family was reverently revered by the wives who accompanied their husbands to war
The “Holy Family” played the role of a talisman and guardian of the family of Tsar Alexander II. In 1861, the first praise was offered to the image of the “Holy Family”. Then the text of the akathist was lost. Another fact or miracle happened in 1996, on January 8th. Then, after a long debate about who to offer the akathist to - St. Nicholas the Pleasant or the “Three Joys” - the lamp involuntarily lit up in front of the Trinity. Since then, January 8 has been celebrated as the day of the “Holy Family” or “Three Joys”.
How does the Holy Family icon help?
The shrine is a symbol of a strong marriage, home comfort and the birth of a new life. It is customary to give it at the birth of children, on wedding anniversaries and weddings. The icon helps in many difficult situations. The main thing is to pray with pure thoughts and faith in a successful outcome of the event.
On what occasions can one offer prayers to the Holy Family icon:
- desire to find a life partner;
- strengthening marital ties;
- ridding the family of quarrels and adversity;
- safe return from war and long trips;
- getting rid of slander and slander;
- maintaining mental clarity and getting rid of rage;
- debt recovery, etc.
Debt recovery
Freeing the family from quarrels and adversity
Strengthening marital ties
They say that all marriages are made in heaven. A single girl who dreams of finding a good husband should acquire the image of the “Holy Family” or “Three Joys” and pray, focusing on the end result.
If a girl wants to get married just for the sake of her status as a married lady, then her prayers will not be answered. There must be a sincere desire to start a family and start a new life. It is advisable to go to church, confess and take your spouse’s request very seriously. In order for the prayer to be heard, you should retire, cover your head with a scarf, and light a candle in front of the icon. The text of the prayer varies, but you can ask in your own words, coming from the heart and testifying to the purity of thoughts.
All prayers for the gift of a husband are made with pure thoughts. You cannot ask someone else’s husband, destroy other people’s families and strive for a marriage of convenience.
Prayers to the Holy Family icon
“Oh, Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Most Blessed Son, and the all-merciful betrothed Joseph, intercessors and intercessors of all Christians!
Hear our prayers, beg your Son and our God Jesus Christ to grant to everyone according to his needs: to sinners he will give effective admonition, correction and salvation, to those in troubles and sorrows - help and consolation, to the embittered - softening of hearts, to the faint-hearted - patience and hope, those living in joy and prosperity - constant gratitude to the Lord, the sick - healing.
Oh, holy Parents of the divine Son, be merciful to all who honor you, and provide us all with a powerful cover of your intercession from enemies visible and invisible. Confirm those in marriage in love, fidelity and unanimity, educate children, grant chastity to youth and open their minds to the perception of teaching.
Protect your relatives from domestic quarrels and reward them with peace. Give us all love, harmony and understanding, piety and long days of life in good health. We, having found in you strong representatives and intercessors, will give thanks and together with you glorify God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Forever and ever! Amen!"
It should be remembered that along with the petition there must also be words of thanksgiving addressed to the Mother of God and the Lord. People should not remember God only in difficult times. The icon must be purchased and kept at home. It can be ordered online or purchased in church shops called “Three Joys”.
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Troparion, kontakion, magnification
Troparion, tone 4
As the apostles of oneness and the universal teacher, pray to the Lord of all to grant greater peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.
Kontakion, tone 2
The sacred and divinely preached preachers, the supreme teachers, O Lord, Thou hast accepted into the delight of Thy good things and repose: for Thou hast accepted their labors and death more than all fruitfulness, Alone, glorifying Thy saints.
Greatness
We magnify you, Saints Basil, Gregory and John, and honor your holy memory, for you pray for us to Christ our God.
