addition to the images, which show certain specific spiritual person (Jesus, Mother of God, the apostles, the evangelists, the martyrs and the prophets), there are icons collective.They symbolically painted all the host of God, and praying in front of them, we can seek the assistance of its patron saint, as if it was an icon name.
essence name
Why is the image of "Icon of All Saints"?In baptism, every Christian receives himself personally heavenly protector, patron who protects him in life and which may apply to the votserkvlёnny prayers to any need, request.In honor of the patron saint, and given him a new name.However the icon of All Saints - the image of a universal, this is the essence of its name.Whoever your heavenly guardian - the Archangel Michael, Nicholas and Mother Matrona - your prayer before this image will be heard each of them.Have the support of all vital crossroads - and you will feel it a must!What is most often heard prayers icon of All Saints?Probably: "Fathers of heaven, defenders are the merciful God, pray for us!»
Description image
There are many lists of image icons.The oldest dates back to 5-7 centuries, and they were made on Mount Athos.Here, for example, it looks like an icon of All Saints in one of the Russian designs of the 18th century: at the top - the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit).Father is depicted in the center, the Son - to the right, and the Spirit (a dove) on top of the two.The second row of figures, t. E. Slightly lower amount to the Mother of God, which is called Mistress of the Virgin Mary, Advocate of sinners, and John the Baptist.Besides them, the icon of All Saints, the disclosure of which we do include St. John the Baptist and the faces of other sheep of God.
celebration in honor of the image
Memory of All Saints - the so-called special day of glorification of the icon.There he usually after Trinity, the first Sunday.More called Pentecost.After all, the icon of All Saints takes on a special significance on the fiftieth day after Easter of Christ.Prayers are held in her honor throughout the week until the 8th poslepaskhalnogo Sunday.Thus, this holiday rolling with no designated for a particular calendar day.
Our invisible defenders
Who are our invisible Savior?Consider a closer picture of the icon of All Saints and reflect on the personalities that are strictly and at the same time gentle and compassionate look down on us.Saints - people, during the life of his actions may please the Lord, firmness in faith and works, to glorify the Almighty committed in his glory.After his physical death, they were taken to heaven by God, to pray to Him about our intercession.
heavenly hierarchy
By likam saints are, first of all, the prophets.From the very God they have received a wonderful gift - to see clearly the future, see the events that must occur hundreds and thousands of years later.The most important of them - the return of the Savior on the ground.Among the most revered prophets Elijah (prayer icon of All Saints and it is efficacious in July and August, the 20th and the 2nd number, depending on the style).In addition, the Orthodox Christians respectful of John the Baptist, the days of worship of which - 24 June (July 7) and 29 August (11 September).
Apostles - the messengers of God
apostles - these are the people who knew Jesus were his disciples, the Son of God accompanied the land of Judah, wrote down his teachings.We know the 12 apostles, by name, how they know the living God, and how to find yourself in Christ.After the death of his teacher, the apostles went to different parts of the world to preach the new knowledge.Among them, too, have their own hierarchy.The main, or pre-eminent, recognized Paul and Peter.Evangelists, and so on. E. The drafters of the Holy Scriptures are Luke, Matthew, John, Mark.Some saints equal to the apostles carried out by the mission.They were personal disciples of Christ, but in different eras promoted his teachings.This Greek kings Constantine and Elena, the Russian princes Vladimir and Olga, the Georgian educator Nina.
Clan Martyrs
Many saints depicted on the icon, such a great honor to have earned not only the fact that carried the light of truth to the masses, but also suffered severely for it.These include the Christian martyrs.Those who endured the terrible bullying, abuse and torture, called martyrs.This famous healer Panteleimon, whose image is in the national consciousness merged with the archangel Raphael, healer of God;and St.George, wearing a big name Victorious;as well as a Christian martyr - Catherine and Barbara.In the canonical texts say about the First-- Christians, t. E. Those who are the first of the huge number of victims have taken the brunt of the persecution and harassment - Stefan and Thekla.A special place among the saints in the icon is occupied confessors - Christians who are self-righteous life proves the validity of God's covenant.
people "for Christ's sake»
These include the holy companions, to please the Lord about their business:
- It is so dear and Orthodox and Catholics Nikolai: endowed with great ability, he is the glory of God, createdmany miracles, for which he received the title of the Miracle Worker.John Chrysostom, Gregory the Theologian, and others named teachers of the Christian Church.
- which have become God-like, ie. E. Saints - St. Sergius of Radonezh, Seraphim of Sarov, loved all lyudom Orthodox.And to this day the belief in them is strong and unwavering.
- righteous - family people who lived according to the laws of Christianity and is doing its best to comply with the covenants of God.It is, first of all, the Old Testament prophets, the parents of Mary, her husband, Joseph, Peter and Fevronia of Murom and many others.
- Fools and disinterested help to other morally and financially, without payment, without expecting any reward, for Christ's sake: Basil the Blessed Mother and the Matron, Xenia of Petersburg and others.
Here such it amazing - the icon of All Saints!
