Among the many miraculous image of the Virgin occupies a special place Vilna icon of the Mother of God.She has a very rich history, which is still underway on the apostolic times.Also, on account of its many different healings, just help in a variety of human affairs.To date, the list of this image of Our Lady is located in Vilnius Holy Spirit Monastery (the icons and the original is lost after the events of the Civil War and the First World War).
Legend about the origin of the icon
Vilna icon of the Mother has a special history of origin (as well as many others like her).It is believed that it was written at a time when the earth came to Jesus when she was alive Mother of God.In Constantinople, according to legend, she came out of Palestine, which is reflected in its name - "Tsaregradskaya" or "Jerusalem."
History icon in Russia
exact version that appeared in Russia as the Vilna Theotokos, no.On one of them, in Moscow this ancient image of Sophia Palaeologus arrived in 1472.The princess later became the wife of John III.There is another version of how the icon appeared in Russia.Greek emperor sent it as a gift to the king of Galicia and the Galician principality after capturing it and went to the Moscow governor.
Whatever it was, but in 1495 this icon was blessed to marry Princess Elena, the daughter of John III.Together with her, she moved to Vilnius, capital of Lithuania.Obviously, this is why it was named after the Vilna.While the princess was alive, ancient image was in her chambers.
After the death of Helena, which happened in January 1513, the shrine was placed over her tomb in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Vilnius (it was stipulated in her will).It was the residence of the Metropolitan of Kiev and Lithuania, as well as one of the oldest and ancient temples in the capital.Some historians have found evidence that Elena advance gave the image the church and not from the time of her death, he was there.
interesting fact is that this icon is not just trying to regain Moscow principality.It was suggested that a lot Taxed for it, but all attacks were rejected.
history icons during the reign of becoming Uniate
Wilensky Theotokos, after being proclaimed Brest Church Union, was moved to the church of St. Nicholas.This happened because the Cathedral of the Theotokos, where the image was the Uniate, Orthodox and tried to keep their faith in the most valuable relics.However, in 1609 and moved to the Uniate Church of St. Nicholas, so it was decided to return the Vilna icon back to the cathedral.
Further developments led to the fact that the icon was in Vilna Holy Trinity Monastery.After a fire in 1610 at the monastery Prechistensky and subsequent repairs metropolitan department was transferred to the Holy Trinity Church.According to some reports said that icon once took with them, other evidence suggests that after the desolation of the church Prechistenskaya image was transferred to the Trinity Church.Whatever it was, but in 1652 it has already been documented mention of the fact that before the icon of Vilna was accomplished every Saturday akathist is Trinity Church.
In the future, it is not just taken out of the city and the church during the war.For example, in the years 1654-1667, during the Polish War and in the years 1700-1721, during the Northern War.The first time it sought on the orders of Tsar Alexei of Moscow to return, but never found it.
In 1707 the icon was built for the new icon case (previous year before disappeared in the fire), after a few years of his gold.Attempts to move the image of the Russian Empire ceased, since it did not touch even after Vilna was attached to Russia, and after the cancellation of the union.
Since then, she was in the monastery, but it was evacuated during the First World War, its further path is unknown.The church in Vilnius is the exact copy of the icon (also, incidentally, the miraculous).
iconography of
For the manufacture of this icon were cut four boards - two fir trees, and two fake.According to their way of writing is very similar to the Jerusalem icon (obviously, with this and is the reason that it is sometimes called "Jerusalem").There is also a similarity with Georgian Tikhvin and images.
on the icon you can see the Virgin, holding the Child on her left arm.His heel naked and looks out, left hand resting on his knees with a scroll, and the right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing.
During his long residence time in the temple icon of overgrown offerings of precious materials.In 1677, for the image made chased silver robe.The silver clothes were mothers and infants, which were painted with gold eagles and flowers.We can also see that the background of the icon is in the elaborately filigree.At the head of the Mother of God was a golden crown, supported by gilded angels, and on the crown of the baby were gems.
Against the background of the icon is a lot of silver plates, as well as a variety of precious jewelry (beads, pearls, precious stones, jewelry made of gold and silver).When in 1866, made the restoration, repair and cleaning of the image, that of all the jewels and silver, which was removed from the icons, was made the new salary, as well as new haloes with diamonds and diamonds.More icons executed a bronze frame.
Days celebration
during the celebration of the image falls on the two numbers.The first day - February 15, which is confined to the transfer of event icons in Vilna, which was held in 1495.A second day of celebration - it is April 14.
Prayer to icon
It is known by various miracles Vilna icon of the Mother of God.What pray before this image?Normally it offers prayers and requests to alleviate or cure their ailments both spiritual and physical.It is these healings, and glorified the image.That's about it, and said in a prayer-appeal to the Mother of God before this icon.
also ask for protection from various afflictions, for deliverance from sin on protection against various enemies.There is a special prayer, with which you can access the icon, but it does not have separate akathist, troparion also.
Thus, on the basis of all the above, Wilensky Theotokos is of great significance for all Orthodox.
Mercy icon
also in Vilnius there is no less revered image, which is also sometimes confused with the above.It also has a rich and ancient history quite yet, and several versions of its origin.It Wilensky Mercy icon, which at the moment is in Lithuania, in the Chapel of Dawn.
origin of this icon is quite interesting.Some believe that this image was brought from Chersonese (Korsun), so in other sources, and it is called "Korsun Annunciation".Duke Algirdas brought her from a campaign against the Tatars and gave his wife Mary.However, his second wife gave the icon of Holy Trinity Monastery.
According to the second legend, the icon came to the island itself is the gate in 1431 the fourteenth of April.Yet there is a third tradition, according to which, the icon of John Palaeologus sent the Lithuanian Prince Olgerd after he converted to Christianity.Thus, on the Lithuanian soil appeared miraculous shrine.
Days celebration and prayer to the icon
Wilensky Brama Mother of God icon has its days of celebration.The first time this year falls on April 14.This day of remembrance three Lithuanian martyrs.The second day of commemoration falls on December 26.
Conclusion In conclusion, we note that the icon of the Virgin Wilensky, like Mercy, is very important for Orthodox people.Although the latter figure revered by Orthodox and Greek Catholics as a result of events that occurred on the territory of Lithuania.It's said that true faith has no limits if contact our intercessors with a pure heart and reverence, they will certainly help in this, and sometimes this is not easy, the path of life.
