story of the birth of this image is closely intertwined with the life of a man who fought for the Orthodox, he preached Christianity and called for the veneration of icons.The name of this man, John Damascene, and he lived in the distant 9th century, it is associated with Three Hands, Mother of God.
little about the life of John
St. John of Damascus at the time was in the service of the caliph of Damascus as the minister.John was an honest man, and did not hide his views: he acted vigorously against heretics and pagans, called on all to worship God united and holy icons are not profane.
Around the same time, took the throne Vizantysky Emperor Leo the Isaurian.He opposed worshipers of icons and Orthodox Christians in general.Since coming to power of the man began the terrible persecution of believers.Of course, learning about the views of John of Damascus, his sermons and sayings of the emperor Leo the Isaurian was infuriated.
In fact, because of this man soon came to light Troeruchitsa, the icon of the Mother of God, before which so often prayed Damascus.
penalty for John
As a result, the Emperor decided to punish him in this way: it was composed of a letter purporting to be from the face of Damascus, in which John called Leo seems to attack Damascus.
The letter was sent to the Caliph, who, in turn, gave the order to cut off for the betrayal of St. John of the hand and hang it as a sign of intimidation in the local market.
the evening of the same day, tormented by terrible pain, John wrote a letter to the Caliph, and asked to give him the severed hand.Brush it gave.All night I could not sleep crippled John, he sat next to the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, putting the severed hand to the joint and tirelessly prayed and asked him to heal the terrible wounds.When St. John was asleep, in a dream she appeared to him the Virgin Mary and said that his wound soon healed.But for this to work, it ordered cured by hand and not be lazy.
Miraculous healing
When John woke up, he discovered that his hand had healed and wounds from yesterday was a big scar.In gratitude for his healing, he decided to make a gift the Virgin.From a good piece of silver cast John's hand and put it to an image, then the front of which he prayed all night.It has since appeared icon of the Virgin, Three Hands.
further history image
As the story goes, except for the silver hand, as a thank you, John wrote a song, which was called "About You rejoice, grace, every creature."Subsequently, Damascus went to a monastery and devoted his life to God.
Icon of Three Hands in the 13th century was brought as a gift Sava, and he brought the relic to its homeland.From there a few years later, when Serbia went to war the Turks, the image sent to the voluntary journey tied to the donkey.So we are hoping to keep the icon from the abuse.
Much to our surprise, the donkey with the icon of safely reached the monastery of Mount Athos, where the shrine with reverence took the monks.
Wonders Three Hands
Of course, the first miracle that had created the icon, was the healing of St. John.But the miracles did not end it!
When Athos monastery abbot died, the monks began to choose a new coach, but could not do it.No amount of arguing or choose - to a common decision did not come.And one morning, coming to work, they saw that the post is Troeruchitsa Igumen.This icon was immediately moved into place, but the next morning she was again in the post of abbot.The astonished monks could not figure out what's the matter.Then it returned to the place, and in the evening, going to work, all the doors are tightly closed.
But way back in the early morning waiting for the monks on the site of abbot.On the same night to one of the monks of Our Lady came in a dream and told him that she would be the abbot of the monastery, and she wants to manage.
Since Hilendarski Monastery is operated by Virgin and abbot there.
Icon of Three Hands in Russia
first copy of this legendary image came to our home in the 16th century.Over time, this made several copies of the lists, and set them in different churches of the country.
Thus, in one of the Russian church there is evidence of miraculous healings parishioners.Prayer icon Troeruchitsa healed many people who came to her with his last hope.It is noteworthy that many of the healed had similar injuries to the one that was in John of Damascus.
So the image of "works" today, and everyone can ask him to health or just to pray for those who are sick, because Troeruchitsa - the icon, which is actually heals.
