There are many images of the Mother of God in Orthodoxy, each of them has its own unique value. Reading proclamations before the icon of the Mother of God “The Unbreakable Wall” is a guarantee of the protection and patronage of the Mother of God. To protect the house from the thoughts of evil and wicked people, it is customary to hang the miraculous image facing the front door.
Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “The Unbreakable Wall”
What does the holy face help with?
For more than 800 years, the mosaic face of the Most Pure Mother of God “The Indestructible Wall” stood before the eyes of believers without damage, giving everyone:
- protection during natural disasters;
- protection from enemies and destruction;
- the ability to resist evil forces and evil people;
- healing during epidemics and incurable diseases.
Icon of the Mother of God “Unbreakable Wall”
Staying in a prayerful state in front of the holy image fills families with peace and tranquility; the cover of the Most Pure Virgin Mary withstands the evil attacks of Satan with a real fortress.
Important! When praying to the Most Holy Theotokos with a holy invocation, you should pass every word through your consciousness, soul, heart, realizing that only in God can you find reliable protection, a strong cover, a real fortress from the storms of life.
Why do they read prayer?
For Orthodox Christians, prayer is part of daily life, a way of communication, a plea for help, repentance, and offering praise. The divine presence fills every second of human life. Believers pray several times a day: in the morning, in the evening, before and after eating, before starting and after finishing any important task.
Prayer is addressed to the Mother of God “The Unbreakable Wall” in cases where protection is needed from:
- natural Disasters;
- enemy invasion;
- intruders, evil eye;
- accidents, man-made disasters, fires;
- criminals and slander;
- serious diseases and epidemics;
- problems at work;
- misfortunes during travel;
- family disagreements;
- unclean temptations.
You can ask the Most Pure Virgin for intercession both for yourself and for your friends, loved ones and everyone who is faced with trouble. You can purchase an icon for your home, as well as give it to friends and relatives.
People often use the so-called “Prayer of Detention.” But the church has an ambiguous attitude towards it. Its text contains contradictory elements, so some priests classify it as an apocryphal prayer.
History of the image
The image of the “Unbreakable Wall” goes back to the ancient icon “Oranta” (translated from Latin as “Praying”), which the Apostle Luke painted during the life of the Virgin Mary.
The name of the icon “The Unbreakable Wall” is associated with a real miracle. A mosaic image of Our Lady Oranta adorns the high place in the Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral, erected by order of Yaroslav the Wise. The cathedral survived many enemy raids and wars, its walls were often destroyed, but the wall with magnificent mosaics (its height is more than 5 meters) always remained intact. The miraculous icon withstood the fires; even pagan robbers did not touch it.
The composition of the icon is full of simplicity and grandeur. The Blessed Virgin stands with her arms raised, palms facing the audience - this is the position in which intercessory prayer was traditionally performed in biblical times. Behind the belt of the Mother of God you can see a handkerchief, which is needed to wipe away people’s tears. The blue robe of the Mother of God symbolizes heavenly purity, and the red cloak symbolizes the suffering that she had to endure during her earthly life and the agony of her Son on the cross.
Words of petition in front of the “Unbreakable Wall” icon
Our good Queen, our hope, Mother of God, refuge of the poor and wandering, Representative of those who have sorrow, Joy of those who are offended, Patroness, See our misfortune, dispel our sorrow, grant us help, those in weakness, feed us. Weigh our grievances, resolve them according to Your good pleasure: for there is no other help but from You, no other representative, no good comforter, only You, O Mother of God, will preserve and cover forever and ever. Amen.
Oh, grace-giving Mother of God, Queen of Heaven. Most Pure Mother of God, accept praise and thanksgiving from us, and bring to our Lord and Creator Your warm prayers for us unworthy, and ask Him for forgiveness for us, so that all sins, evil and unclean thoughts, and nasty deeds may be forgiven by the Merciful Creator.
Most Pure Mother of God, cover with Your mercy, send everyone an answer according to their needs: heal those who are sick, give consolation to the grieving, enlighten those who are lost, protect the infants, guide the youth on the righteous path, encourage and instruct spouses, support and warm the elderly, stay with us now and here, and in eternal life, the Indestructible Wall, delivering from troubles and misfortunes, eternal torment, always singing Your Motherly love, we give praise to Your Son, His Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Orthodox icons and prayers
“Merciful Lord! You once, through the mouths of your servants Moses and Joshua the son of Nun, stopped the movement of the sun and moon while the people of Israel fought on the battlefield with their enemies (Joshua 10:13).
With the prayer of Elisha the prophet, You struck with blindness the Syrian army that surrounded the city of Israel, thereby delaying them, and when they were brought captives to the center of Samaria, You again opened their eyes (2 Kings 6:18-20).
You once said to the prophet Isaiah: behold, I will return back ten steps the shadow of the sun, which passed along the steps of Ahaz, and the shadow returned ten steps back. (Isa.38:8). You once, through the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel, closed the deeps, stopped the rivers, and held back the waters (Ezek. 31:15). You once stopped the mouths of the lions in the den through the fasting and prayer of your prophet Daniel (Dan. 14:31).
And now hold back and slow down until the right time all the plans around me that stand and want my death, or fall, or displacement, or expulsion.
So now, destroy the evil desires and demands of all those who condemn me, stop the mouths and hearts of all those who slander, are angry and growl at me and all who blaspheme and humiliate me.
Bring spiritual blindness into the eyes of all who rise up against me and my enemies.
Didn't you tell the Apostle Paul: Speak and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will harm you.
Soften the hearts of all those who oppose the good and dignity of the Church of Christ.
Therefore let my mouth not be silent to reprove the wicked and glorify the righteous and all your wondrous works. And may all our good undertakings and desires be fulfilled.
To you, the righteous and prayer books of God, our daring intercessors, who once with the power of their prayers restrained the invasions of foreigners, fierce campaigns, destroyed the evil plans of people, blocked the mouths of wild animals; Now I turn with my prayer, with my petition.
And you, the venerable great Elius of Egypt, who once fenced the place of your disciple’s settlement in a circle with the sign of the cross, commanded him to arm himself with the name of the Lord and henceforth not to be afraid of demonic temptations. (D.memo. 27.07). Protect my house, in which I live, in the circle of your prayers and save it from fiery burning, robbery, theft, all evil and insurance.
And you, Reverend Father Poplie of Syria, once with your unceasing prayer for ten days you kept the demon motionless and unable to walk either day or night (D.memo.07.02); Now, around my house, keep behind the fence all the opposing forces and all those who blaspheme the name of God and those who despise me.
And you, venerable virgin Piama, who once with the power of prayer stopped the movement of those who were going to destroy the inhabitants of their village (D.memory 16.03), now stop all the plans of my enemies who want to expel me and destroy me: do not allow them to approach this house and the place of my work , stop them with the power of your prayer: “Lord, Judge of the Universe, You, Who is displeased with all unrighteousness, when this prayer comes to You, may the Holy Power stop them at the place where it will overtake them.”
And you, blessed Lawrence of Kaluga (D.memory 23.08), pray to God for me, as having the boldness to intercede before the Lord for those suffering from the wiles of the devil. Pray to God for me, may He protect me from the wiles of Satan.
And you, Rev. Vasily of Pechersk (D.memory 24.08), perform your prayers of prohibition over those who attack me and drive away all the devil’s machinations from me.
And you, all the Saints of Rus', with the power of your prayers for me, dispel all the demonic spells, all the devilish plans and intrigues - to annoy me and destroy me and my property.
And you, great and formidable guardian, Archangel Michael (Pavement 21.11), cut off with a fiery sword all the desires of the enemy of the human race and all his minions who want to destroy me. Stand inviolably on guard over this house, everyone living in it and all my property.
And You, Lady, not in vain called the “Indestructible Wall”, for all those who are hostile against me and plotting to do something nasty to me, truly be a kind of barrier and an indestructible wall, protecting me from all evil and difficult circumstances.”
From the history
According to ancient legends, the city is not in danger as long as it is under the protection of this icon. The history of the emergence of this amazing icon is not simple. It arose because of the vision of Elder Gabriel.
The elder saw on a wide hill a huge beautiful city, towards which people were moving along a wide road. A huge, scary giant was hunting for them, catching them in a net, but people seemed not to notice this. The old man decided to outwit the giant and make his way into the city along a narrow path. But he did not suspect that the giant had also placed nets on it.
But the path was too small, and no one could get caught in the net. The elder thought at one moment: “Rejoice, indestructible wall of the Kingdom...”. Because of this, he concluded that it was the Mother of God who kept people in such a dangerous place. The elder safely reached the city, in which, as it turned out, the Throne of the Lord was located.
What do they pray for to the icon of the Mother of God?
It can definitely be said that many people resort to the help of this prayer, because it protects from almost everything negative and evil. And its uniqueness lies in the fact that, in addition to protection, it instills confidence in the future, giving the person who asked for help the strength to travel the further path, which cannot be crushed.
And yet, most often in prayer the following requests are made:
Do you have a telegram? If yes, then you will like our Orthodox group: t.me/molitvaikona, come in, we are waiting for you!
strengthen in faith in order to be able to withstand the troubles that befall during life or in a specific situation; grant protection and confidence that it will be built on kindness, sincerity and truth; find a patron in all everyday affairs; deliver from enemies and adversaries, purify thoughts, give strength to forgive them; heal from various ailments, both physical and mental; save and save the family from disintegration, show the true purpose of everyone in it; protect your home from any influence of enemies and forces from outside; reduce grief for the deceased, accept, realize it and learn to live with it; take away from everything sinful and forgive for what has been done; to enlighten the seeker and guide him on the righteous path; provide assistance and protection to children in all their thoughts and deeds; to know mercy and show it to the sinners of this world; give strength for the external and internal struggle, which has no end in an imperfect world; teach to live honestly and righteously, helping others to comprehend this knowledge and apply it in worldly life.
Also read: Prayer to Seraphim Vyritsky: about work, for luck and health
And this is not a complete list of what people address in this prayer. It is great in its essence and semantic content, because its main goal is not only to protect, but also to teach and help to realize. After all, a person does not always know how to correctly use the powers that God gives him, which means that we need to help him with this, so that his future path in life is filled with blessings, joy and love.
How to properly ask the Mother of God for help
The holy image helps to concentrate and not be distracted by extraneous thoughts. It is important to realize every second that prayer is not offered to the icon, but is performed in front of it. Prayers for help should be said humbly, with deep faith, and with a sincere willingness to forgive one’s offenders and enemies. Only awareness of one’s own sinfulness allows one to receive the intercession of the Most Pure Mother of God.
The words can be read from the prayer book, but it is better to memorize them. Thanks to this, prayer work becomes more diligent. The text is pronounced slowly, in a quiet voice (or silently), comprehending each phrase. Tongue twister, fussiness, shouting (and even more so screaming), extraneous thoughts destroy the power of prayer. You also cannot hold a grudge hidden in your soul against the offenders (even if they caused great misfortune), wish them harm, or ask for their punishment. Demanding intonations, despair, anger, and despondency are unacceptable.
If prayer is performed at home, it is recommended to face the east, so the image should be placed on the eastern wall. The icon can also be hung above the front door or opposite it. No extraneous decorative objects, trinkets, secular paintings or photographs should be placed nearby.
Before proceeding with a request for protection, a believer must:
- to sincerely repent of one’s own sins (repentance cleanses the soul, prepares it for communication with God);
- forgive your enemies from the bottom of your heart, even those who caused the misfortune from which you are begging to be protected.
Any time for prayer is suitable: morning, afternoon, evening and even night. The days of veneration of the “Unbreakable Wall” icon are the first Sunday coming after the Trinity Day, and May 31 (June 13, new style). These are the most favorable days to ask for the intercession of the Mother of God.
There is an opinion that the greatest protection is provided by repeating the text 40 times. Such long reading takes at least an hour and always brings great comfort. A short prayer can be said before each time you leave the house. But this needs to be done with concentration, and not in a hurry or on the run.
