From historical sources it is known that in the X century in the Iberian monastery on Mount Athos appeared miraculous Iberian Mother of God, whose importance in the life of the monastic cloister huge.For many centuries it has become a treasure and a talisman, protector from enemies and assistant in all your endeavors.The sacred image has other names - portress Vratarnitsa, Portaitissa.
has a distinctive feature of which is easily recognized icon of the Iberian Mother of God.Photography allows us to consider the shrine wound on his right cheek and a trickle of blood of the Virgin.
Icons are designed to ensure that people have prayed and asked for intercession and help.The saints who are depicted on them are direct intermediaries between man and God.Especially revered image of Christ and the Virgin.Faces of the Virgin Mary a lot, and they all have their names and purpose.
And yet, among them highlights the Iberian Mother of God, the value of which - house storage, protection from enemies, the protection of women, healing physical and mental ailments.The history of the shrine begins from the time of Christ.It is believed that it was written by the Apostle Luke - the first painter, depicting the sad face of the Virgin with the Christ Child in her arms.
wonderful story Iberian Icon of the Mother of God
According to Christian tradition, in Asia Minor, near the city of Nicaea, widow lived.She was pious and believing, Christian faith and she instilled her only son.In her house and kept the icon.At that time, the country was ruled Emperor Theophilus, who strongly persecuted Christians.
Once in the house came to the imperial overseers.One of them noticed the image and pierced it with a spear.When the iconoclast saw that the right cheek of the Virgin blood flowed, he was horrified, fell to his knees and asked for forgiveness.Believing he decided to save the miraculous icon and advise the woman how to do it.
prayed, the widow of the night went to the beach and let the waves of the shrine.She swam and after some time to arrive at the Iberian monastery that on the Holy Mountain.At night, the monks noticed an unusual glow in the sea, from which ascended to the sky pillar of fire.This miracle lasted for several days.Finally, the monks decided to find out what it is, and the boat came closer.
appearance of icons in the Iberian monastery
Seeing the wonderful icon, the monks tried to get it out of the water, but they did not succeed.She did not give up, and swam farther, as soon as they approached.Returning empty-handed to the monastery, the monks gathered in the church and began to pray to the Virgin for help in finding her way.
night the Mother of God appeared in a dream elder Gabriel and told him that he wanted to give his image of the Iberian monastery.In the morning the monks procession went to the beach.Gabriel went into the water and took the face with reverence.A wonderful way to honor and prayers was placed in the monastery church.
Next, an icon other miracles occurred.In the morning she was on the wall above the gate of the Iberian monastery.Inoki repeatedly placed her in the temple, but tomorrow is again above the gate.Virgin again, and dreamed of a monk Gabriel opened his will: it does not want to be guarded, and will itself the guardian and protector of the monastery, and yet its image is in the monastery, the grace and mercy of Christ, not shall turn.
Inoki built in honor of Our Lady of the Gate Church and put the miraculous image.After many years in the monastery he came to the widow's son, and learned their heirlooms.More than ten centuries there remains Iberian Mother of God, the value of which is very large, because it is - the keeper of the monastery.His name was on the title image of the monastery, where he remains to this day.For the icon was made silver frame.Remains open only the faces of the Virgin and Child.There are many cases where the Mother of God came to the aid of monks, eliminating hunger, disease, and many of the barbarians, who were trying to capture the holy abode.
Iver Monastery
Iver Monastery - one of the 20 sacred monasteries, located on Mount Athos, located on the same peninsula in Greece.It was founded by Georgians, and Rev. Gabriel nationality was also a Georgian.
name has Georgian roots, the ancient name of their country (Iberia).Now it is a Greek monastery.The Greeks called it Ibiron and Portaitissa called holy icon of the Iberian Mother of God.The meaning of this word sounds in Russian as "portress".
Nowadays it is home to about 30 monks and novices.Twice a year, in the solemn date (day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and on the second day after Easter) processions are held with the removal of the main shrine of the monastery of Iviron Monastery (litany).Commits a procession around the monastery, and then the process goes to the place on the beach where the miraculous icon was a monastic brotherhood.
struck by the fact that the image of the saint can carry anyone from the audience present-men (women are not allowed in the monastery).Portaitissa tolerate in any weather, and nothing happens to her.It is not a precious rarity that can be viewed only from a distance.The Greeks refer to the miraculous image as a shrine, and not as a museum piece.
Iver icon of the Mother of God.The value in the history of Russian
Lists (copies of) the wonderful icons, the first of which were delivered to Russia under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich were particularly revered in Russia.Shrine of Mount Athos met in Moscow Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich himself surrounded by a large crowd of Orthodox.
One of the lists was sent to Valdai, where he was based Iver Monastery.Second placed over the Moscow parade Resurrection Gate, through which enters the city, and all the guests themselves kings.There was a ritual going on a hike or returning from it, the royal ladies were required to worship the Virgin Mary, asking her protection and patronage.
common people had free access to the Resurrection Gate and Vratarnitsa has become one of the most revered icons, defender Muscovites.Another list of ailing drove home, who themselves could not come to pray.After the October revolutionary upheavals chapel was destroyed.
In 1994, at the Resurrection Gate was laid by a new chapel, and arrived from Athos new list Iberian Icon is now stored in it.
Anyone who believes deeply finds from the Iberian Mother of God of the miraculous protection and comfort.
