The Mother of God is considered the patroness of Rus', but this is not the only reason why her image enjoys special veneration among the Orthodox. The Mother of God is both the Queen of Heaven and an intercessor for all of us before the Lord. We turn to Her in difficult moments of life; it is not for nothing that the icon “Quench My Sorrows” has become one of Her most revered images.
Day of celebration: February 7
The name of the icon goes back to the stichera (liturgical verses), which speaks of the Mother of God as hope for believers, who is able to “quench the sorrows” of both soul and body.
History of the icon
The appearance of the image in Moscow dates back to 1640. According to legend, one noble woman was seriously ill and hoped that prayer in front of the image of the Virgin Mary would heal her. They brought her many icons from the Church of St. Nicholas, but there was no improvement. Then they collected all the icons of the Mother of God, even those that were simply kept in the bell tower, and brought them to the sick woman. The woman, who previously could not even lift a finger, crossed herself at the sight of this image of the Mother of God, and the prayer in front of the icon “Quench my sorrows” finally restored her to health.
The fame of the miraculous icon instantly spread among the people, a real pilgrimage began to it, and church ministers recorded all the miraculous healings that occurred thanks to the prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Quench my sorrows.” Unfortunately, as a result of a fire in 1771, these records were lost, and only oral tradition has reached us.
The history of the appearance of the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In terms of iconographic type, the image is very close to “Hodegetria”, but has a number of differences from the traditional form of writing. As in other images, the Mother of God, dressed in red robes, holds the Infant Savior in her arms. The left hand of the Virgin Mary is pressed to her cheek, and in the hands of Jesus is a scroll with instructions. It is believed that such a composition shows the viewer the Mother of God’s readiness to listen to the prayers of believers.
“Assuage my sorrows” is a copy of an ancient icon kept in Shklov, in the Mogilev province. In 1640, the list was brought to the capital of Moscow Rus' by the Cossacks. The image was placed in the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on Pupyshi in Zamoskvorechye. Due to fires and restoration work in the temple, the icon had to be moved to the bell tower.
For many years the shrine remained there in oblivion. However, the Mother of God did not like such neglect of her image, so in the 18th century the icon became famous. According to legend, one noble woman was very sick and suffered. One day, the Virgin Mary herself appeared to her in a dream and ordered her to go to the temple, where there was an image unknown to anyone, to worship it and receive healing.
The woman fulfilled the command of the Mother of God and arrived at the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. However, the icon seen in the dream could not be found for a long time. Finally, on the bell tower they found the same image with the inscription “Quench my sorrows.” When the sick woman saw the shrine, she immediately stood up, although before that she could not even move her arm. This event took place on January 25 (February 7, old style) 1760. Thus Moscow acquired a new relic.
Since then, the church has kept a detailed chronology of miracles sent down by the Lord through the prayers of people before the image. It is believed that thanks to prayers before “Quench My Sorrows,” the city was freed from the terrible plague, and hundreds of people were saved. Unfortunately, the chronicle of the St. Nicholas Church burned in a fire in 1771. But in the people's memory there remains many evidence of the help of Higher powers received through prayer in front of the image.
Nowadays, the icon of the Most Pure Virgin Mary and the Child Christ is kept in the Church of St. Nicholas in Kuznetsy.
Many believers come here to venerate the ancient shrine and ask for the intercession of the Mother of God. By the grace of God, even today the source of miracles does not dry out.
Description of the icon
In terms of iconographic type, the icon of the Mother of God “Quiet My Sorrows” goes back to Hodegetria - the Guide and belongs to the “eleus” type, which means merciful, compassionate. It is characteristic that in Russian icon painting this type of image of the Virgin Mary was most common. This testifies to Her deep reverence as a merciful and compassionate Intercessor for sinful people. This is precisely the meaning of the “Quench My Sorrows” icon - in veneration and hope for the intercession of the Mother of God.
The icon “Quench My Sorrows” can be recognized by one single detail: the hand of the Mother of God raised to Her bowed face. We usually make this gesture when we listen carefully to someone: we rest our hand on our cheek.
This purely human gesture seems to bring the image of the Mother of God closer to ordinary people and reminds us that She, too, was a mortal woman, chosen for her purity and piety for a great role - to become the Mother of the Messiah, the Savior, the sacrificial Lamb for all humanity. With this gesture, She seems to express attention to the request of the person praying.
Sitting on Her lap, the Baby Jesus holds a scroll, on which there may be different inscriptions, but invariably calling to observe God’s commandments of justice and mercy. Only this path will help you avoid “sorrows” and hardships.
The miraculous icon of the Image of the Mother of God, called “Assuage my sorrows”: history, photo
The celebration of the Holy Face takes place on January 25 (February 7). The icon is made in a certain style: the iconographic type is Hodegetria. The Virgin Mary is depicted from the waist up, with the Divine Infant in her arms. The icon of the Most Pure Mother of God appeared in 1640. Previously, it was located on the territory of a small town in the Mogilev Province. A list of an older version of the icon has become known. He was brought to Moscow by the Cossacks. The Holy Face was kept in Zamoskvorechye, in the local church.
The icon was forgotten for a long period - until the second half of the 18th century, when its glorification began. Before that, the image of the Virgin Mary was transferred to the bell tower, the reasons for this are unknown. Even then, with the discovery of the Holy Face, miracles began to occur, which made it possible to classify the icon as miraculous. These events were recorded. However, a fire soon destroyed all documentary evidence of miracles. All that remained were oral traditions that were passed down from generation to generation.
It is known that the first case of healing was associated with the illness of a noble lady. Her condition was bad. One day the Virgin Mary appears and orders us to go to Moscow, where the Image “Quench My Sorrows” is kept. He will heal the sick. Then the noble person fulfilled the covenant. However, upon arrival at the indicated temple, they could not quickly find the icon. It was only when all the images were brought from the bell tower that what I was looking for was discovered.
At that same moment, the sick noble person crossed herself, although previously she had not even been able to move her hand. Her healing did not end there: the woman soon fully recovered.
The first miracle involving an icon occurred on the day
when they began to venerate the Holy Face.
The icon of the Mother of God “Assuage my sorrows” looks like this: the Virgin Mary holds the baby Son of God, in turn, in his hands he has an expanded list with the inscription “Judge righteous judgment, do mercy and generosity, do not force each of your sincere ones, widows and sires.” and do not harm your brother.” What is written means helping your neighbor, maintaining kindness in your heart, lack of judgment and protecting the weak.
There are also features of the image of the Mother of God. So, she put one hand to her head in the ear area, which may mean a desire to hear all those suffering in order to help everyone. The name of the icon implies deliverance from hardships. This means that Virgo can be contacted for various problems. It is interesting that the image that quenches sorrows received its name long before the first cases of miracles appeared. The troparion reveals its meaning.
There is another meaning for the name of the icon.
So, when reading the prayer “quench the sickness of my much-sighing soul,” they ask for deliverance from eternal sorrow. After all, even if a person receives everything a person could want, he will still be missing something. And only the Lord is able to satisfy these needs.
Jesus said, “If you drink the water that I give you, you will never thirst.” This means that through the Holy Spirit (that very liquid) there is a connection with the Lord. Eternal sorrow for the Most High Father is quenched by union with him. When turning to the Virgin Mary, the power of sadness decreases. She consoles the person praying.
The meaning of the icon “Quench my sorrows”
The meaning of this icon is in trust in the Heavenly Intercessor, who is ready to listen to the prayer of any person
But this does not mean at all that She is ready to forgive everything, and this is reminded by the scroll in the hands of the Infant Jesus, which lists the responsibilities of each of us: to live according to our conscience, not to sin, and to remember the Judgment that awaits us in the end. And yet everyone has the right to repentance and forgiveness, to strengthening of strength, sent down through his prayer to the Mother of God.
How does the “Quench My Sorrows” icon help?
The very name of the icon explains what needs are addressed to it.
“Sorrows” here should be understood not as sadness for some reason, but as hardships and infirmities, mental and physical, and above all, despair that has taken possession of the soul, weakening of faith, overpowering by destructive passions
After praying in front of the icon, peace and harmony descend on the soul, faith strengthens, and sinful thoughts cease to torment the mind.
The icon helps in healing not only mental, but also physical ailments. You can also turn to her with a prayer for good luck in business.
Reading rules
You can turn to the Mother of God, depicted on the “Quiet My Sorrows” icon, both in church and at home. In the first case, you can light a candle in front of the image, say a short prayer, or ask the Most Pure One for help in your own words. In the second case, you need to purchase the image in a church store or on the Internet, place it in the appropriate place at home, and then you can pray to the Mother of God even daily. If desired, in honor of the holidays, you can decorate the icon with fresh flowers. It is believed that the favorite flowers of the Virgin Mary are lilies.
When addressing the Mother of God, candles or a lamp are lit. It is important to observe traditional rituals. Women are required to cover their heads with a scarf when praying. Otherwise, the rules are common to everyone: read the opening prayers, make the sign of the cross, make bows or bows to the ground, ending the address with the text “It is worthy to eat.” For better results, it is recommended to pray in silence, without being distracted by trifles and vain thoughts.
The most important conditions for turning to the Mother of God are sincere faith in the intercession and help of the All-Merciful Queen of Heaven. You should not expect that all requests will be granted immediately, since the ways of the Lord are inscrutable. But one must turn to the Most Pure One with humility and love, without questioning Her power. Then the Mother of God will give you strength and show you the right path.
Prayers before the icon
Troparion, tone 5
Assuage the sickness/ of my much-sighing soul,/ Who has quenched every tear from the face of the earth,/ For you drive away the sicknesses of men/ and destroy the sorrows of sinners,/ For all the acquisitive ones give you hope and affirmation,/ / Most Holy Mother of God.
Translation: Ease the illness of my much sighing soul, who has removed every tear from the face of the earth: for You drive away illnesses from people and stop the despondency of sinners. For in You we all have found hope and affirmation, Most Holy Virgin Mother.
Kontakion, tone 6
Do not entrust me to human intercession, / Most Holy Lady, / but accept the prayer of Your servant, / for sorrow will support me, / I cannot endure demonic shooting, / there is no protection for the imam, / below where the accursed will take refuge / we are always victorious, / and there is no consolation for the imam, Don’t you, Lady of the world,/ be the hope and intercession of the faithful,/ despise my prayer,// make it useful.
Translation: Do not entrust me to human intercession, Most Holy Lady, but accept the prayer of Your servant: for sorrow has seized me, I cannot bear the arrows fired by demons; I have no protection and nowhere to turn for the unfortunate me, struggling on all sides and having no consolation except You. Mistress of the world, hope and Intercessor of the faithful, do not despise my prayer, do something useful for me!
Prayer
Hope of all ends of the earth, Most Pure Virgin, Lady Theotokos, our consolation! Do not disdain us, sinners, for we trust in Your mercy. Quench the flame of sin in us and water our parched hearts with repentance, cleanse our minds from sinful thoughts; Accept the sigh from the soul and heart of those who bring you the prayer. Be an intercessor for us to Your Son and God, and tame His righteous rage with Your motherly prayers. Heal mental and physical ulcers, Lady Theotokos, quench the illnesses of souls and bodies, calm the storm of evil attacks of the enemy; take away the burden of our sins and do not leave us to perish until the end. For you are the builder of the human race, an ambulance in sorrow. True Mother of Christ our God, help us, Your sinful servants always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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The meaning of the face of the Mother of God
The first information about it appeared in 1640. When she was brought by the Cossacks to Moscow. She was immediately placed in the Church of St. Nicholas on Pupyshi in Sadovniki. But due to the constant reconstruction of the temple and fires, it was forgotten. She lay on the bell tower for a long time. But the miracles that she showed made people remember her and bring her to the temple. There, this image was given a special appropriate place.
Most often, prayers to the Mother of God “Quench my sorrows” are aimed at:
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finding happiness and joy, seeking support in difficult times, overcoming sinful thoughts, strengthening faith, healing body and soul, finding harmony, solving a difficult situation.
This icon of the Mother of God, which is called “Quench My Sorrows,” is especially famous for its large number of miracles. Most of them were committed in the 18th century, and especially during the plague epidemic. January 25 was chosen as the day of remembrance of this image in honor of the memory of the healing of a sick woman who was awarded a vision of this image and was healed after reading a prayer. Revered copies of this image are found in most churches.
In the 30s of the 20th century, this image was transferred to the Moscow Church of St. Nicholas in Kuznetskaya Sloboda. There she remains to this day.
The text of the prayer to the Mother of God “Quench my sorrows” must be said with a pure and open heart, as well as positive thoughts.
“The hope of all the ends of the earth and of Your servants (names), You, Most Pure Virgin, Lady Theotokos, are our consolation! Do not disdain us, sinners, for we trust in Your mercy. Quench the flame of sin in us and irrigate our withered hearts with repentance, cleanse our minds from sinful thoughts; accept the sigh from the soul and heart of those who bring you the prayer. Be an intercessor for us to Your Son and God, and tame His righteous fury with Your Mother’s prayers. Heal mental and physical ulcers, Lady Theotokos, quench the illnesses of souls and bodies, calm the storm of evil attacks of the enemy; take away the burden of our sins and do not leave us to perish until the end. For you are the builder of the human race, an ambulance in sorrow. True Mother of Christ our God, help us, Thy sinful servants always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."
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