The Orthodox faith has been a faithful companion of Slavic wives for many centuries. But their meekness, devotion and wisdom towards their husbands, children and people were dictated not only by their personal qualities, but, above all, by their deep faith in our Creator. It was thanks to faith that the well-being of the inhabitants was ensured, churches and monasteries were built, and lands were conquered. For their services to people and our Lord, many of the outstanding women were canonized.
Their path was not filled with roses. But they did not ask for much, they responded to any call for help, worked hard, supported all those suffering and prayed. Deep faith in Our Lord was their main companion. Defending their faith, they suffered, were tortured, starved and doomed to many other sufferings. But prayer, as well as the voice of God, supported them in the most difficult moments and gave them strength.
Our Creator generously rewarded them; they could see the future, feel the pain of others and heal. Many of them had a strong character and could lead entire nations. Their voice was heard far away, because in the name of the Lord they did good deeds. That is why people still remember them, despite the fact that many centuries have passed since the date of death of some.
Duchess Olga
Photo: Krestilnoe.ru
The life of women in the 10th century in Russia was not easy. They had no opinions and were subordinate to men, mostly traders and warriors. There was no great power yet, individual volosts were separated and were united only by trade interests, a common language and customs of the Varangians.
But Olga was beautiful and intelligent, and also endowed with many talents, such as wisdom, patience, mercy, chastity and diplomacy. The Lord generously rewarded her, because she was assigned a very important role - to become the progenitor of Christianity in Rus'. And her religious procession began.
In 903 she became the wife of Prince Igor. Thanks to her intelligence, as well as patience and beauty, she soon became not only his beloved wife, but also the prince’s adviser, taking 2nd place in the political hierarchy. During long military campaigns, Prince Olga single-handedly ruled the country and was very successful, the people loved her.
20 years later, Igor died in another skirmish with the Drevlyans; Olga found solace in the Christian faith. Soon after the death of her beloved husband, she was baptized in Byzantium and became the beloved sister of Basileus. Her faith was so deep that she carried it throughout Rus', visiting all major cities and towns.
But Olga understood that the Russians would not convert to the Christian faith overnight, so she not only talked about God, but also redistributed the tribute, evenly distributing the funds received among the suffering. Her mercy knew no bounds, she provided help to everyone who needed it, and she retained this attitude towards people until the end of her life.
At her command, monasteries and temples began to be built in Rus', which led to the spread of Christian teaching. Her son Svyatoslav did not understand his mother’s aspirations, so he refused to change his faith, but Olga’s holy work was completed by her grandson Vladimir, who, one might say, continued the mission begun by Olga after her death in 969.
After 25 years, her grandson Vladimir retrieved Olga’s relics, which remained incorrupt, and solemnly placed them in the Church of the Tithes. The flow of sufferers to her relics was endless, and many received healing. In 1547, Olga was canonized by the Orthodox Church, moreover, she became the first woman recognized as an Equal-to-the-Apostles saint. After all, she managed the almost impossible, to create a great and strong power, uniting the scattered Varangians and turning her people away from paganism, giving them faith in Christianity.
Saint Febronia
Photo: Pravme.ru
Marrying a simple girl from the people in the 13th century was not considered an honor for a ruler. But Peter, Prince of Murom, kept his word. Fevronia healed him of leprosy, and he married her. The boyars did not accept Fevronia, considering her origin an insult. But Peter fell in love with the girl for her modesty and piety, as well as her wisdom, so he went into exile with her. His beloved wife was more valuable to him than the Murom throne.
We recommend reading: Icon of Peter and Fevronia
After their departure, the city plunged into turmoil, the boyars fought for power, taxes increased, and lawlessness reigned. The wrath of God overtook Murom, and the boyars prayed for help; they sent ambassadors to the spouses with a request to return. Peter and Fevronia reigned again on the throne of Murom and their reign, which took place under the sign of mercy, kindness and love for others, became a byword that has survived to this day.
Peter and Fevronia passed into another world on the same day a quarter of a century later. For their good deeds they were canonized as saints by the Orthodox Church. And thanks to their loyalty and patience, as well as their great love for each other, they became the prototype of Christian marriage and the patrons of the newlyweds.
Orthodox Saints: locally revered and church-wide
Depending on the prevalence of veneration of Saints, they can be classified into two different categories:
- Church-wide Saints - Saints revered in absolutely all dioceses of the Church.
- Locally Venerated Saints - Saints who are venerated within a particular diocese. Despite the limited territory of veneration, the canonization of a locally venerated Saint takes place according to the same rules as generally venerated ones - with the involvement of the Synodal Commission for Canonization and approval by the Patriarch himself.
There are many cases in history when a locally revered Saint was recognized by the general church: for example, the “gatherer of Russian lands”, the winner of the Battle of Kulikovo, Prince Dmitry Donskoy, members of the last royal family of Emperor Nicholas II and many others.
Saint Juliana of Lazarevskaya
Photo: Xpmi.ru
Not everyone can see the kindness and spark of God in people, despite all their shortcomings, but Juliania possessed precisely this gift. She lost her parents early and was raised by her aunt. Her brothers and sisters offended her and mocked her, but she bore all their attacks with humility and meekness. She spent all her days in prayer and hard work. She sewed clothes for the poor, widows and orphans, and was highly revered by the common people, to the surprise of her relatives.
At the age of 16 she was married off. Her husband George was a good and righteous man, he respected his wife. But he was a nobleman and was absent for a long time, fulfilling his duties, while his faithful wife remained at home on their family estate in the village of Lazarev. The change in marital status did not change either the views or habits of the young girl.
She still devoted herself entirely to caring for her neighbors, sewed a lot, prayed and did charity work, but secretly from her in-laws. She distributed bread and small amounts of money that she managed to save or gain from selling her handicrafts. She visited the sick, treated them and washed them, seeing them off on their last journey. She denied herself even a little, wearing boots on her bare feet even in severe frosts.
When famine came to the village, she complained to her mother-in-law about her increased appetite. They began to provide her with food not only for the day, but also for the night. But the food was not intended for her; Juliana donated every piece of bread to the suffering. However, her kindness was not only about helping her neighbors. Juliana tried with all her might to maintain peace in the family; in any quarrel she always took the blame on herself, considering herself a great sinner.
Soon a universal famine came to Rus'. Juliana distributed food until it ran out, and then began to bake bread from quinoa and bark. These gifts of mercy, in the opinion of those who suffered, were the most delicious and sweet, their flow did not dry out. For two years of hard work, Juliana never complained of fatigue; she was always happy to help anyone who turned to her.
In 1603, at the end of her days, Juliana passed away. As her soul ascended to heaven, a glow formed around her head. Her son buried his mother near his previously deceased father and built a church over them. Ten years later, the blessed son died and relatives, while preparing a place for his burial, found Juliana’s coffin. The resting place of the righteous woman was untouched, and the tomb was full of fragrant myrrh, with which many people were subsequently healed.
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When the question arises, “What to give a woman?”, it is appropriate to remember that the most valuable spiritual gift for a woman dear to you - mother, grandmother, wife, friend, daughter - will be an icon. The Orthodox icon serves as a link between a believer and the Heavenly Power in the image of the Patron Saint. It is important for a woman to choose a female icon that will not only delight with its beauty, but also warm the heart and soul in various periods of life. The miraculous icons of the Most Holy Theotokos are especially loved and revered by women.
The icon of the Mother of God
is the greatest shrine, revered since ancient times in the Christian world, since Her wondrous image, even during the earthly life of the Intercessor, inspired the evangelist and icon painter Apostle Luke to embody Her face in the icon of the Mother of God, and it has been preserved in Eternity for those who resort to Her help , comes to worship the image of the Mother of All. These initial images have sunk into time, but all subsequent lists have not disappeared for the future and to this day inspire icon painters, generation after generation, to recreate Her wonderful bright, mournful, forgiving and loving face... The Mother of God is called by many names - Mother Intercessor, Queen of Heaven , Theotokos, Mother of God - all these names of Her are reflected in the prayer appeals to Her that have developed over the centuries in Orthodoxy. Icons of the Mother of God are the subject of the greatest veneration. The Intercessor herself is often the only and final authority where we can turn with our sorrows and problems that cannot be resolved by earthly means. We ask Her, the main Intercessor for us before God, for help and forgiveness, for our prayer strength is small, and She, the Mother of God, always hears a truly ardent, tearful prayer for ourselves and our loved ones, for someone’s life dear to us. How many times did common prayer to Her, the strength of faith in God and in the intercession of the Queen of Heaven before the Son save Russia in troubled and difficult hours for our Fatherland! The prayer offered up in front of the icons of the Mother of God, and Her answer, inaudible to the ear, but felt by the heart, gave the Russian people courage, where there was almost no strength left for them, and the enemy, who seemed close to victory, took flight! And then it turned out: the truth is behind us, behind Russia, for Russia, for on our side was the Mother of God and Her fervent prayer to the Lord for Her lot on earth! We don’t have a single church of God, let alone a single truly Orthodox house, where the bright face of the Mother of God does not shine from the icon - Kazan, Vladimir, Iverskaya, and often more than one, since there are revered lists of icons of the Mother of God, before which they pray in the most different life situations, in Orthodoxy there are several hundred. Each has its own story, accompanied by phenomena of miracles and miraculous acquisition. From these events and phenomena we see that the Mother of God never leaves the human race, taken by Her for adoption, and through Her icons - icons of the Mother of God, She again and again shows the world Her maternal attention and favor. Therefore, if you want to give someone from your family and friends, perhaps yourself, a truly incomparable, not even a gift - a gift, give an icon of the Virgin Mary. Choose it with your heartfelt instinct from the great abundance of lists that are known - and give it as a gift. Believe me, this is a gift that will be appreciated with the greatest gratitude and will never be forgotten, just like the one who presented this holy miracle...
Women of the older generation - grandmothers, elderly mothers - can be given the icon of the Mother of God of Grontissa.
The icon of the Mother of God Gerontissa, which means “Elder Woman” or “Abbess,” repeatedly showed her special care for the elderly: she cured them of various diseases, including cancer. Also, the consecrated icon of Gerontissa heals from infertility, helps during childbirth, and provides obvious assistance in work and study.
The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God , the most revered icon of the Mother of God,
heals blindness, gives family well-being, and protects children.
The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
helps heal heart, eye and mental illnesses, helps mothers and children.
The healing consecrated icon of the Mother of God of the Three Hands
helps to cure diseases of the hands, feet, and eyes.
The Three-Handed Icon relieves melancholy and sad thoughts, protects the house and all family members. A middle-aged woman should be presented with the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
The Iveron icon is the guardian of the hearth. The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God helps in healing from diseases of the soul and body, in protecting the home from natural disasters and attacks from enemies. Repentant sinners come to her asking for forgiveness of their sins, and relatives pray for the unrepentant.
The Ostrobramskaya Icon of the Mother of God helps to find and maintain the happiness of a married couple, protects the family from the interference of strangers.
The Ostrobramskaya icon of the Mother of God calms and pacifies the atmosphere in the family. Before her they also pray for mentally ill, unbalanced people prone to aggression, depression and despondency. It is good to give this icon to godchildren so that peace and joy reign in their souls. Ostrobramskaya icon of the Mother of God helps to get pregnant. Expectant mothers turn to this same icon so that they do not have a miscarriage and, in general, the pregnancy goes well. Those pregnant women who must be kept in the hospital especially resort to this prayer.
The Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “It is Worthy to Eat” was originally known under the name “Merciful.”
In front of the image of the Merciful Icon of the Mother of God “It is Worthy to Eat,” you can pray for everything that worries the soul - healing of ailments, finding happiness and success in business. In front of the image “It is worthy to eat,” you can pray for the remission of sins, including those that relate to mortals. Also, next to the icon “It is worthy to eat,” they pray for the acquisition of mental and physical health, for salvation from epidemics, for family happiness and the successful resolution of any undertaking.
The Feodorovskaya (Fyodorovskaya) icon of the Mother of God is the patroness of women - brides, expectant mothers.
Prayer in front of the Feodorovskaya icon helps with difficult childbirth. They pray to her for maintaining peace and prosperity in the family, and also if the family is childless for a long time.
A woman of any age will be glad if she is given the Bethlehem Icon of the Mother of God.
The Bethlehem icon is the only icon in which the Mother of God smiles. The icon of the Mother of God of Bethlehem helps those praying for family well-being, for the appearance of desired children, their health and the health of their parents.
You can give a woman the icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color.”
The Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color” helps to preserve beauty and youth, but at the same time it is also beneficial in healing diseases. Prayer in front of such an icon helps people with family troubles, feelings of loneliness or loss of loved ones, and helps to preserve righteousness. If you pray fervently, the Mother of God will help you overcome all adversity and give you strength and courage.
For women who have children or dream of having them soon, it is good to give the “Sweet Kiss” icon of the Mother of God.
The icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss” will be a beautiful spiritual gift for mothers and their children. People turn to this icon in search of help for children, protecting them from dangers, illnesses and life’s adversities, with prayers for guiding children on the true path, respect for parents and strengthening the spirit in unfavorable life circumstances.
Icon “Motherhood” - a four-part icon of the Mother of God with the Crucifixion of Christ will be a wonderful spiritual gift for any mother or woman preparing to become a mother.
The four-part icon depicts four images of the Mother of God: “Helper in childbirth” - helps to bear and safely give birth to a healthy child;
“Mammal Nourisher” - helps with difficult childbirth, gives health to babies, adds breast milk to nursing mothers (if there is a lack of milk); “Baby Leap” - protects mothers and babies; “Upbringing” - helps in raising and raising children, protects them from troubles and dangers, and guides them on the right path. The four images of the Mother of God, united by the Crucifixion of Christ, symbolize the Mother, who foresaw and experienced the death of her son, and as the Queen and Lady of Heaven, who beheld his Resurrection. Prayers addressed to the icon will help in the safe birth of children, will protect them in infancy, childhood and adolescence, and guide them on the true path. A young girl, as well as a woman who has learned that she will soon become a mother, should be given the “Tenderness” icon
. The Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” helps to get married successfully, gives women’s health, a desired pregnancy, a successful birth, and healthy children.
You can also give girls an icon of St. Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
In front of the icon of Xenia of St. Petersburg, they pray for the granting of happiness and love in marriage, for healing from serious illnesses, for humility and strengthening of faith, in need and poverty, in the absence of housing and work.
Icon Xenia of St. Petersburg is approached with requests for the birth of healthy children, for help in their upbringing and education. Blessed Ksenia of St. Petersburg especially patronizes unmarried girls and women, through prayer helping them in arranging their personal lives and in childbearing. Also, the icon of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg protects against slander, gossip and bad thoughts. The icon of Paraskeva Friday will help a girl who dreams of getting married.
The holy martyr Paraskeva, named Pyatnitsa, protects family well-being and happiness, and is considered a helper in motherhood and women's health. The saint prays for the gift of a good husband and in marital infertility. The holy martyr is a healer of people from the most severe mental and physical illnesses.
You can give a girl or woman an icon of the Holy Guardian Angel.
A Guardian Angel is given to every person at his Baptism. The Guardian Angel protects a person throughout his entire earthly life. Often, in an invisible way, he tells a person what good deeds he can do.
You can also give a woman an icon of the Holy Matrona of Moscow.
The icon of the Matrona of Moscow will protect a woman from all unwanted events in life. It will protect from illness, from the effects of the elements, from the machinations of ill-wishers, whom the saint, as often happened during her lifetime, will bring to clean water - from everything. She will help in requests for the conception of a long-awaited child, his safe birth and guidance on the true path. There is nothing that prayer in front of the icon of Matronushka would not protect at your righteous and fervent request. You just need to sincerely pray and listen to the advice offered by your heart. This advice, with a request and fervent prayer in front of her image, will protect and help always and in everything.
If a woman does not have her personal icon, then you can give her an icon of her patron saint.
The personalized icon will help her and protect you throughout your life.
Give the Bread Icon of the Mother of God to the woman who is the keeper of the hearth.
The bread icon of the Mother of God helps in finding daily bread, in getting rid of material problems, in finding and maintaining a job, in calming down and gaining faith in the future.
Give a woman who dreams of owning her own home or apartment an icon of St. Hypatius of Gangra.
The icon of the Holy Martyr Hypatius of Gangra helps to find a long-awaited home and solve material and everyday matters.
Also, women who want to become pregnant and give birth to healthy children turn to the icon of Hypatius of Gangra with prayer. Singer Stas Mikhailov believes that it was the icon of St. Hypatius of Gangra that helped him build his house. “With the appearance of this icon, everything began to come together brick by brick,” said Stas Mikhailov. When choosing which icon to give to a woman, listen to your heart and choose an icon you like: in silver, on a board or on canvas, in a frame or in an icon case, large or small. Is it possible to give icons, read HERE
Source: https://jenskiymir.com/vera-i-religiya/ikony-i-moli...-ikonu-podarit-zhenschine.html
Ksenia Petersburgskaya
Photo: Sofrino.ru
Little is known about the first years of Ksenia’s life, but this is not so important, because she is remembered for her good deeds and mercy. At the age of 26, Ksenia remained a widow. Her husband, a singer in the court choir, died suddenly, without having time to accept Christian repentance. And his wife took upon herself this mission, becoming a holy fool. She gave away all her property, changed into her husband’s clothes and began to answer only to his name - Andrei Fedorovich.
At first, her vagrancy, appearance and strange behavior caused only ridicule, which Ksenia endured with meekness and humility. But soon the townspeople's opinion changed, people realized that she was not an ordinary tramp. She did not take alms from everyone, and she did not keep the money she received for herself, but immediately gave it to those in need.
We recommend reading: Prayers of Xenia of St. Petersburg
During the day she wandered around St. Petersburg, and at night she went out into the field and prayed for all the townspeople, bowing to all directions of the world. Gradually, St. Petersburg residents began to notice that her words had a hidden meaning, and her touch not only brought good luck to merchants, but also healed ordinary people. Wherever she appeared, the townspeople vying with each other offered her their goods and took her to bless the children.
The repentance of Ksenia of Petersburg lasted 45 years, and during this period she did many good deeds; for her insight, mercy and dedication, the residents of St. Petersburg revered her during her lifetime. After Ksenia’s death, she was buried near the church that she helped build. But her grave did not remain forgotten; for more than a century people have been coming to the chapel, which was erected on her remains, to pray and solve pressing problems, and she hears everyone.
