History of the “Education” icon
In 1917
the Education icon was lost
Before the October Revolution, the icon of the Mother of God “Education” was located in the Moscow Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. During the events of 1917, the temple was destroyed by the Bolsheviks, most of the images of saints were lost, including the “Education” icon.
Today, the cathedral has been restored; it houses a copy of the face of the Holy Virgin Mary with the Eternal Child, called “Education”. She is known for her strength and good deeds.
Icon of the Mother of God “Nurturing”
A copy of the shrine has no less power and is placed in the Cathedral of Education. The cathedral was named after the icon and is located in the village of Nekrasovka near Moscow.
It depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Child in her left hand. The child points his hand to the face of the Mother of God. The face of the Mother of God is filled with love and care not only for her Son, but also for the entire human race. Despite the severity and asceticism of early Byzantine icons, the face of the Mother of God is solemn and bright. The effect is achieved through a sophisticated color scheme.
The Mother of God points with her right hand to the Child. She is dressed in a red robe, on which three stars are depicted. Chado himself is dressed in a cloak-like fabric, which leaves part of his chest exposed.
Where to place the icon in the house
Orthodox Christians know that in the home of believers there must be a Cross, icons of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos. Also, next to them are placed the faces of saints who are revered in the family.
Since ancient times, they have been placed in the most visible and honorable place in the house. After all, this is the largest shrine that needs to be carefully stored indoors. It is better if it is in a specially designated corner intended for prayer. In the old days, such a place in the house was called the “red corner”. Icons were hung on the wall and decorated with elaborately embroidered towels.
Sometimes, in a modern cramped room it is difficult to allocate a separate wall, shelf or chest of drawers for icons. Then they are placed on the windowsill, desk, bookcase, piano. In this case, it is worth taking a close look at the surroundings of the icon. What books, papers, objects are lying nearby. Do they interfere with prayer, distracting you with extraneous thoughts? If this is the case, it is better not to keep them together with the shrine. If removing them is problematic, it is worth closing them, at least for the duration of prayer.
If a final decision has not been made on where to place the Education icon, it is better to locate it where you sleep or where you can be in complete solitude during prayer. It’s good when this icon is in the room where children live. They may turn to the Most Holy Theotokos more often when they see her image.
Some believers believe that icons must be in the living room, where the whole family gathers for dinner, and on holidays, guests. And it is right. Where else, if not in the living room, should one keep the face of the patroness of family well-being? In a word, the “Education” icon can be kept in any living room where it has a worthy place. So that the whole family believes that it is protected by the holy cover of the Mother of God.
The meaning of the “Education” icon
Orthodox parents keep the “Education” icon of the Mother of God in their house. Many characteristics of a child are formed in childhood, up to three years. A child will have a positive attitude towards faith if he is surrounded by piety and icons of saints. The meaning of the “Education” icon is to help parents instill in their children important qualities: mercy, love, etc.
Before the face of the Mother of God with the Eternal Child in her arms, they pray for the protection of the Mother of God for children, including the unborn.
With a prayer to the Mother, Orthodox mothers ask:
- Guide children on the righteous path;
- Protect from sin;
- Relieve mental suffering;
- About help in education and faith.
Akathist to the Mother of God - a mother’s prayer for sending down to her children:
- Wisdom;
- Devotion;
- Piety;
- Sincerity.
The peculiarity of the akathist is in the light syllable and deep meaning inherent in it. Every mother, turning to the Holy Virgin, hopes for the protection and patronage of the Mother of God.
The appearance of the image in Rus'
As documentary evidence tells us, in the mid-16th century (1596), landowner A.E. lived not far from the place where the Pochaev monks built their monastery. Goyskaya. At that time, Bishop Neophytos, the Greek metropolitan, was passing through the Volyn lands. He found himself in these parts on some church business and decided to stop by Pochaev on the way, venerate the shrine and pray.
The pious landowner hosted the guest of honor with all honors. In gratitude for the respect and hospitality shown, Neophyte gave Goyskaya the image of the Mother of God and Child, with which he had never parted before. After the Metropolitan’s departure, the landowner saw that the iconographic face at times radiated a wondrous light.
She had a brother, Porfiry, who was born blind and has remained ill ever since. When they were sure that the difficult image had entered the house, they decided to pray for the healing of the unfortunate man. And the long-awaited joy happened,” Porfiry saw the light.
The healing of her brother, which took place in front of many people, shocked Anna. She made a will in favor of the monastic monastery, allocating part of her property to it. And the holy image, the significance of which was great for all Orthodox people, accompanied by monks, priests and other believers, was transferred to Pochaevskaya Mountain. So the landowner transferred it to the holy monastery for eternal storage.
The heirs of Anna Goyskaya plundered the monastery and took away the iconographic face with them. The litigation between the monastery and the nobles for the return of the stolen goods lasted for a long time, almost a quarter of a century. Victory remained on God's side. The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God returned to its rightful place, and again lines of people reached out to it for help and healing.
More than 4 centuries have passed since the appearance of the icon of the Pochaev Mother of God. Every day at five o'clock in the morning, in the fragile pre-dawn silence, the miracle of a living sacrament invariably occurs. The iconographic face of the Mother of God begins its movement towards people solemnly and strictly. The same ancient one, famous for its miracles. The icon stops its movement at the height of human growth. You look at the image of the Mother of God, which is so close, and you believe that a miracle is possible. It makes you want to touch him.
In this early pre-dawn hour, people go and go to the temple. They believe in the protection and patronage of the miraculous face of the Pochaev Mother of God, as evidenced by their prayers and worship. The image again ascends to the top of the temple, as if taking with it the memory of the countless miracles it created.
The story of another miracle
The year was 1759, when one incredible incident occurred with Count Nikolai Pototsky and his servant, who became the unwitting cause of what happened. The culprit of the incident himself tells: “My master did not sit still. He traveled all over his property. One day we were driving past Pochaev. The horses are beasts, and the carriage is new. There is God's beauty all around, and the gentleman is cheerful. And then they lied to us. The horses were afraid of something, but they would carry them. I told them: “Whoa! Whoa!”, and they got even worse - the reins were torn out of my hands, the carriage turned over. And I’m head over heels downhill from it, I look and my gentleman is lying there, obviously hurt.
Here my hands and feet went cold. I know the gentleman won’t let this happen. Well, I think that's it, I'm finished. All he had time to do was turn towards the monastery and say a prayer: “Save and have mercy, Mother of God!” And the gentleman pointed the pistol at me and pulled the trigger. The first, second, third time - everything is a misfire. The sir can't shoot. He realized that some Power that was higher than him was preventing him from doing this. And his anger disappeared somewhere, and he shouted: “I want to see this icon! Go to Pochaev immediately!” We rushed to the church that stood at the foot of the mountain. Pan entered, found that miraculous image with his eyes, and with tears and prayer, he knelt down before it.”
Count Pototsky, after everything that happened, came to faith. He began the construction of the Assumption Cathedral and became the soul of construction. While the temple was being built, the count lived in the monastery as a simple monk, and he himself supervised all the work. Eleven years later, the temple showed its splendor to the world. And Count Pototsky ended his days there in the monastery.
We advise you to study the Prayer “Different of Loaves”
The entire sacred history of the Old and New Testaments is permeated with miracles. The Lord does not cease to perform miracles in his holy church to this day. And always the most majestic and amazing miracle is a person’s turning to God, his repentance, changing his sinful life towards the eternal path to his Heavenly Father.
Day of Veneration of the Icon “Education”
18th of March
venerate the icon Education
Day of veneration of the Icon of the Mother of God “Education” - every March 18 (or March 5 according to the old calendar). On the holiday, prayers are read asking for intercession for children, and the prayer “Education” is sung. Those praying ask for help in raising a child and for protection. On this day, an akathist to the Mother of God is often sung.
Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Moscow
What is an akathist
Akathist is a song of praise or hymn that is created in honor of Jesus, the Mother of God or another saint.
- An akathist is read to a specific saint with a request for help or for consolation.
- The Akathist is always listened to while standing, with an exception made only for sick people.
- You need to read the akathist facing the icon in front of which the believer is praying.
- If there is no icon of the saint in your house to whom the prayer is addressed, you can visit the temple and read the prayer.
The akathist consists of several parts:
- Several kontakia and ikos;
- Along with the akathist, troparia are sung - chants dedicated to saints or the day of veneration.
How to pray correctly: important rules
In order for prayer to gain power and be heard, it is important for all those praying to adhere to the following rules:
It is important to believe in the power of prayer, and only in this case will the Lord hear and definitely help. If the child is not yet 7 years old, then when mentioning him in prayer, one should say not “servant of God,” but “baby of God.” It is important to pray not only when a problem occurs, but every day. It is necessary to attend church and receive communion. You can pray for both baptized children and unbaptized ones. It is best to pray in church, in front of an icon, holding a lit candle in your hands
If this is not possible, you can do it at home, the main thing is in a quiet environment to concentrate. You can pray in your own words, the main thing is to ask with great faith. After the prayers are answered and the child gets better, be sure to thank the saints for their help. Here you can find prayers of thanksgiving for every good deed of God.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before the icon of Her “Nurturing”
Oh, Most Holy Lady Virgin Mary, save and preserve under Your roof my children (their names), all youths, young women and infants, baptized and nameless and carried in their mother’s womb. Cover them with the robe of Your Motherhood, keep them in the fear of God and in obedience to their parents, beseech Your Son and our Lord to grant them what is useful for their salvation. I entrust them to Your maternal supervision, for You are the Divine cover of Your servant. Amen.
Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the “Education” icon
The text of the prayer was approved by the Holy Synod
The prayer to the icon of the Mother of God consists of several parts:
Kontakion, or a poetic sermon, is read during the celebration of the saint's day and glorifies
Kontakion
To the chosen Voivode and zealous Educator of the Christian race, as having been delivered from the evil ones, let us write thanksgiving to Thy servants, the Mother of God, but as having an invincible power, my children have been freed from all troubles , and with tears I call to You: Rejoice, good Educator, brought up in the Holy of Holies.
Ikos, the chant that follows the kontakion, is part of the morning canon and glorifies the venerated Mother of God:
Ikos 1
Send an angel from Heaven to be my child; intercede, O Most Holy One, with Your Son and our God, just as Gabriel the Archangel was sent to You, and grant me permission to cry out to You:
Raise my children as earthly angels;
Raise my children to be heavenly people.
Raise my children to be Your servants;
Raise my children to cry to You: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with You.”
Raise, O Lady, my children (names) worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and make them heirs of eternal blessings.
In each song, the parent asks for protection of the child from disasters, prays for guidance on the right path.
The second ikos is sung with a petition for reason and wisdom for children:
Ikos 2
Send me thought to my children, how to serve You well and fill their hearts with heavenly wisdom, grant them to love it alone, and despise earthly things, and do not forbid with my mouth the cry like this:
Raise my children to be wise, like serpents, and simple, like doves;
Raise my children to have a mind for good and not to sin.
Raise my children to be wise against the wiles of the devil;
Raise my children to wisely organize their lives in the image of the saints.
Raise my children to nourish them with the milk of God’s hidden wisdom, so that they may seek it in all their lives;
Ikos 3
Having my children from God, I do not want to see them in eternal torment, more so than those written in the Book of Life and inheriting eternal life. For this reason, Most Pure Virgin, incline your ear to my prayer, crying to You:
Raise my children to avoid eternal torment;
Raise my children to inherit an eternal life.
Educate my children to lead the path of life in repentance;
Raise my children, who through difficulty acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Raise my children to strive to capture the Kingdom of Heaven;
Raise my children to be written in the Book of Life.
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Prayer to St. Sergius of Radonezh
People also turn to St. Sergius of Radonezh if children have problems with their studies
Oh, sacred head, reverend and God-bearing Father Sergius, by your prayer, and by faith and love, even for God, and by the purity of your heart, you have established your soul on earth in the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, and have been granted angelic communion and the visitation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the gift received miraculous grace, after your departure from earthly people, you came closer to God and partook of heavenly powers, but did not retreat from us in the spirit of your love, and your honest power, like a vessel of grace full and overflowing, was left to us!
Having great boldness towards the All-Merciful Master, pray to save His servants, His grace existing in you, believing and flowing to you with love.
