When it comes to giving a gift to a loved one, you don’t want to get away with standard presents or, especially, banal money in an envelope. If you give a gift, then it should be with meaning, so that even years later, looking at the donated item, the giver will be remembered with gratitude and warmth. One of these significant gifts is icons in different variations. These can be wall images the size of a painting, miniatures, even jewelry - amulet. But is it possible to give icons to loved ones or just people you know, or to present images of saints as a gift? The attitude of the people towards such a gift is ambiguous.
Is it possible to give an icon for a birthday?
The icon is a good birthday gift for both adults and children. It should be given to a relative or someone very close to your heart. Children are most often given icons by their parents, godparents, and grandparents. Adults are given icons by brothers and sisters and godfathers.
You should not choose an icon yourself, but on the advice of a clergyman. Take the time to ask important questions to the church clerk if you don't make such purchases often. Choose an icon based on the person’s needs (for example: health, family happiness, protection of children) and his name (personal icons).
Is it possible to give an icon to friends for the New Year?
The icon is a rare gift for the New Year holidays. However, if you want to please your family, you can choose the image of the Saint on the icon and purchase it in the church. A gift is good if the person to whom you are presenting it has no icons at home. Thus, you will give him a real amulet that can bring many benefits to his family and home: love, prosperity, happiness, pregnancy, spiritual strength, health.
When choosing an icon, you should not be cheap and be sure to leave a donation to the temple after purchasing a gift (you decide the amount yourself). When purchasing an icon in a church, you can be sure that it has been consecrated and therefore has a positive charge of energy. A beautiful icon with any image will protect the house from harm; give it to your young family, parents, and children for the New Year.
Icon as a gift for the New Year
Is it possible to give an icon as a housewarming gift?
An icon is a wonderful gift for such an occasion as a housewarming. The family finds and moves into a new home, which may be completely unprotected from “dark forces” and be imbued with negative energy. In this case, the image of the Saint will become the protector of the house, which will allow people to find peace, happiness and harmony in their new home.
Try to give paired icons ( the image of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary ) so that positive male and female energy is present in the house. In addition, the image of the Mother of God can protect children in the home or help ensure that the couple has a successful conception and pregnancy.
Church opinion
Church ministers are unanimous in their opinion - it is possible and even necessary to give icons. It is believed that such a gift symbolizes the most sincere and kind feelings, will become a real amulet for the owner and his family, and will help in difficult times. Just by its presence in the house, an icon can help get rid of quarrels, anger, anger. The icon helps to find inner balance, strengthen faith and spirit, and makes owners calmer and more peaceful.
If it is not possible to purchase an icon in a gold or silver frame, an ordinary wooden one will do - the cost does not play any role. The significance of such a gift is determined by the person’s good intentions. An icon in a wooden frame is not inferior in its holiness to more expensive ones framed in gold or silver.
The Church approves of such a gift, the main thing is to first consult with the priest to choose the right icon suitable for the occasion, then it must be consecrated.
Now you need to figure out which icons are suitable for certain events in a person’s life.
Is it possible to give an icon to a lover?
Adultery is a serious sin according to the Orthodox Church, and therefore, if you have such guilt, you should immediately repent and take “the true path,” choosing a righteous lifestyle. Giving an icon to your lover or mistress is a sign of your disdain for the church and ignorance of the commandments of the Lord.
INTERESTING: On the other hand, this issue seems very controversial, because a person may simply not know about the presence of lovers and marriage, and therefore gives an icon only out of sincere motives and pure love. In any case, the icon as a “gift from the heart” is a good step.
Features of an icon as a gift
Signs
There are many signs associated with the donation of shrines. This is why many people are now afraid to accept images of saints as gifts.
If you have been given a shrine as a gift, you should not be upset or upset. It is right to be happy about a gift, because it brings happiness to the house and serves as a strong amulet for the family.
But people tend to believe signs that prohibit accepting images as gifts. These signs appeared during times of destruction of churches and alienation from the church.
There was a time in our country when the government banned faith, so the people were massively forced to believe that all church attributes carried a threat and evil, but that was not the case.
Signs why you should not accept an icon as a gift:
- The presented image attracts misfortune. To say that this sign is true is incorrect. The image of a saint cannot attract troubles and misfortunes to the family. The faces of saints protect the home from the other world and protect a person from adversity.
- The shrine is damaged. Previously, many people thought that the donated images of saints caused damage to a person. The shrine was placed in a prominent place, so its negative influence quickly spread to people. Therefore, many preferred not to accept such a gift, but to buy the shrine themselves. This sign is not substantiated by anything. Even black witches do not dare to damage a church shrine. This is one of the greatest sins. Once in the hands of a person, the icon begins to “work” for his benefit, even if the gift is tainted by black magic.
- You cannot give embroidered or self-drawn images. People believe that self-made images have no power, so they are useless. But the church says the opposite. The power lies in the image of the saint, but how he appeared on the canvas does not matter.
Not only church shrines are protected and preserved. Embroidered or hand-painted icons also have great power, but they should be consecrated by a priest before donation.
Important! To believe or not to signs is the decision of each person. But I would like to note that faith always inspires, saturates with strength and spiritually cleanses a person, so it is better to accept an icon as a gift so as not to show your disdain for the church and Christianity.
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Is it possible to give your own icon from home?
An icon is a talisman for a home, a person and a family. However, it is believed that one’s home icon can be given away as a gift (if it does not carry a certain important meaning for the family and the individual). It is believed that it is impossible to re-gift wedding, personal and baptismal icons; they are intended only for clear purposes: to store and protect.
On the other hand, icons cannot be thrown away; they must have a precise “life goal” - to help people communicate with the Lord. If you don’t need the icon or you just want to please your loved one with it, then you can re-gift this item. By presenting it to your family and friends with a “pure heart,” you endow the icon with your goodness and strength.
IMPORTANT: The superstition that by donating an icon you are giving away your well-being and happiness along with it is a deception.
What do we need to know?
The question arises: is it possible to donate, give or give away an icon? What is the church's opinion on this issue? Are there superstitions and beliefs that accompany the transfer of an icon? How to choose this item correctly? Can an icon bring misfortune instead of prosperity?
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Is it possible to give an icon to a temple?
A temple, monastery, monastery or church will always welcome donated icons. Every Holy image is revered here, every clergyman treats icons with respect and love. The donated icon to the church will certainly be consecrated and displayed in the hall or other church premises.
IMPORTANT: Consider the relevance of the icon and its affiliation with the faith, do not confuse the images of the Saints. You can give an icon to the church by bringing it from home, or bringing it from trips “to sacred places.”
Is it possible to give personalized icons: signs
A personalized icon is a talisman for every person. The image of the Patron Saint will protect every believer from the evil that surrounds him every day, eliminate turmoil, strengthen health and give faith in the Lord. Each name has its own icon, and the church will definitely help you choose it. Most often, a personalized icon is given by godparents on the day of the child’s baptism, on his birthday.
IMPORTANT: It is important to keep the personalized icon at home with everyone else, place it near the bed, hang it on the wall, or always carry it with you (if it is miniature).
Personalized icon as a gift
Important to pay attention
It’s worth talking separately about the conditions when donating an icon portends truly negative consequences:
- The icon cannot be given as a gift on the waning moon; it will only bring negativity to the owner and his family.
- You cannot wrap the holy image in thick cloth - this promises serious and long-term illness.
- The donated icon fell , which means that the family will be overtaken by financial problems.
- If chips are found on the frame or glass , quarrels, scandals, and conflicts will begin among family members.
- Stains on the icon itself , the frame, or the glass promise illness, mainly for children.
After receiving an icon as a gift, you need to periodically inspect it and wipe it from dust. If the holy image quickly darkens, expect trouble. If the icon often falls and the glass does not break, you or your family members will soon be betrayed.
The image of a saint constantly hangs unevenly, no matter how much you correct it, you have enemies, and they are up to no good. This sign generally warns the family of serious danger.
It happens that you cannot find a place for an icon or cannot drive a nail in any way - a powerful negative impact has been exerted on a person or his family, for example, damage, the evil eye or a curse. It is necessary to carry out energy cleaning at home.
Is it possible to give icons embroidered with beads yourself?
Each icon is certainly created by a master and consecrated in the church, since it must certainly have a connection with the Lord. If a person, even a believer, creates an icon with his own hands (draws, embroiders, carves), he is just creating a picture. Only the church will help to give meaning to the image and infuse the Holy Spirit into it.
IMPORTANT: A consecrated icon embroidered with threads or beads will definitely become a talisman for a home or person. It can be presented as a gift to friends and family.
What icons are given for a wedding?
For weddings and weddings, two images are given: the Savior and the Mother of God. With these icons the wedding vow itself takes place, blessing the couple for a happy, good family life. It is believed that parents should give icons to newlyweds: the groom’s mother and father give the face of the Savior, and the bride – the Mother of God. These images should be kept in a place of honor in a young family all their lives.
Icons are a good wedding gift
What icons are given for Christmas?
Christmas is a great Orthodox holiday, and therefore it is not uncommon for close people to give each other gifts on this day. An icon is no exception; it will bring joy and goodness to the family. For Christmas it is good to give such icons as:
- “The Nativity of Jesus” is a symbolic and beautiful holiday gift that brings goodness to the family.
- “The Resurrection of Christ” - gives goodness and blessings, protects from evil.
- "Virgin and Child" - protects the family
- “Guardian Angel” - protects a person
Signs and superstitions
An icon is a special object; certain rules of acquisition and donation are associated with it; there are signs that have come to us since ancient times. In Rus', it was customary to pass icons on from generation to generation. New images of saints could not be bought just like that. First, it was necessary to ask the priest for advice, to have a conversation - icons appeared in the family on special occasions. Only household members bought them themselves, or ordered them from an icon painter. Images of saints could not be given to strangers. It was believed that such a gift would bring only troubles; it could be damaged or jinxed. Our ancestors noticed that after praying in front of the donated icon, their health could worsen.
Moreover, if relatives gave each other an icon, it was a good omen.
For example, an icon given to a child helped him throughout his life, he received a blessing. If one of the family members was seriously ill, they could give him an icon with the hope of a speedy healing.
Important: if a person painted the icon himself, embroidered it on fabric, or made it in any other way, it is better to keep it and not give it as a gift. The holy image could absorb the negative thoughts that overwhelmed the master.
The most important thing is to give the icon only with good intentions, thoughts, and sincerely wish all the best to its future owner. When choosing and presenting an icon, there must be a bright heart, thoughts and soul.
How to give an icon correctly, what to say: words
How to give and receive an icon:
- It is best to purchase an icon in a church shop
- You only need to give a consecrated icon
- Give the icon in packaging (paper bag, velvet bag, wooden box) without unnecessary drawings or inscriptions.
- Accept and give the icon only with bright thoughts and kind words.
- Only those people who have the same faith should give and accept an icon.
- A person should be sincerely and warmly thanked for such a gift.
- Venerate the image on the donated icon and kiss it.
For christening
The rite of baptism usually takes place in infancy, but it happens that an adult decides to accept the Orthodox faith. In any case, it is customary to give icons at christenings. Usually a personalized icon is selected that corresponds to the name chosen at baptism.
The name for the godson is chosen according to the calendar and agreed with the priest. He is the one who offers options, if any.
In the old days, baptized babies were given a so-called measured icon - its size corresponded to the height of the child.
Now you can also give such an icon. It is made to order, blessed and presented after the baptism ceremony.
If the icon is given to a child, it is hung or placed at the head of the crib or above it. There is a belief that in this way the child involuntarily turns his gaze to the face of the saint and communicates with his guardian angel.
