ancient legend claims that the icon of the Mother of God "Gracious" was painted by St. Luke.The second title of his own - "Kikkotisa" - she got thanks to the mountain of Kykkos, which is located on the island of Cyprus.Here it is stored in the temple, in the royal monastery built in her honor.
Where are traveling this wonderful image of the Queen of Heaven before was on the island of Cyprus?First, they had one of the first Christian community of Egypt.After he was transferred to Constantinople, where it was kept until the time of the reign Alexius Comnenus (beginning of the XII century).It was then that the hermit Isaiah in miraculous signs was told that his efforts miraculous image of who wrote the evangelist Luke, will be stored on the island of Cyprus.
old man spent a lot of effort before executing divine revelation.When the icon of the Mother of God "Gracious" arrived on the island, she began to work miracles.And to this day the monastery extraordinary way from all corners of the world come obsessed with all sorts of diseases: they get healed by his faith.
Interestingly, in the miraculous power of this icon believe not only Christians, but also foreigners who troubles and diseases are also asked her help.Infinite mercy of the Blessed Virgin, the patron saint of all those who suffer: it is no accident image is named "Merciful."Wonderful "Kykkos" icon of the Heavenly Queen has stunning quality: it is not known how long, is covered by a shroud until the mid - on the lower right corner to the upper left.Because of this curtain, no one can see the faces of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus, and did not try.
image of the Blessed Virgin in the icon looks like a Odigitrii image as the face image of the Queen of Heaven Smolensk: her head a crown.It should be noted that today the list of the image is especially revered in Nikolsky convent city of Mukachevo.
Kykkos Monastery
Let's explore Kykkos Monastery?It Stauropegial Monastery Orthodox Church of Cyprus, one of the richest and most famous monasteries in Cyprus.He is called the Holy Kykkos monastery royal image of the Virgin.
This monastery was founded in the late eleventh century Byzantine ruler of Alexei I Comnenus.It is close to the Troodos mountain range at an altitude of 1140 meters above sea level.
history monastery
Legend has it that the ancient hermit named Isaiah lived in a cave on Mount Kykkos.Once in the village came to the Byzantine Marathasa satrap of Cyprus Manuel Vutomitis.It should be noted that this person came every summer to rest in this place.And that governor went hunting in the forest and suddenly lost his way.He was looking for the road leading to the house and accidentally met Isaiah.Satrap asked him to help find his way, but removed from the mundane life of a hermit said nothing.Manuel was very angry and hit Isaiah.
Some time passed, and the governor returned to Nicosia, where he suddenly dumped incurable disease "Shatikov": it felt a certain kind of paralysis.He suffered terribly, every cell of his body in pain, and suddenly he remembered how he entered a recluse.And the same hour accident began to pray the Lord's recovery, as only he could meet with Isaiah and ask his forgiveness.
God heard the prayers of the satrap, and he was healed.Soon the Lord appeared to the hermit and told him that he had met the governor of the will of God.Among other things, the Almighty told Isaiah to ask Manuel Vutomitisa bring him an icon of the Virgin, painted by St. Luke that in Cyprus.It is known that this relic was kept in the imperial palace of Constantinople.
hearing request hermit Manuel Vutomitis very disappointed, because I thought it impossible to execute this request.Then Isaiah told him about the will of God and offered to go with Manuel in Constantinople.They had come to the capital for a long time and walked through it, but governor could not gather the courage to appear before the emperor.Not wanting to exhaust Isaiah, he told him to go to Cyprus, providing a variety of ceremonial decorations and icons.He also reassured him, promising that will meet with the emperor.
little later the governor's daughter fell ill with the same disease that previously Manuel Vutomitis.Steward took advantage of this opportunity, that hour went to the lord Alexios I Comnenus.He told him about the monk Isaiah, and what happened to him.Manuel assured the governor that if he will allow to carry the icon to Cyprus, the child instantly healed.The Emperor was sad, so Manuel obeyed, and soon his daughter was healthy.
should be noted that the emperor liked the icon of the Mother of God "Gracious," and he did not want to part with it.Alex ordered the best artists of the empire to draw an exact copy of it, which he planned to send to Cyprus.That night was the mighty Queen of Heaven in a dream: she said she wants to see on the island of his original image, but let him keep a copy at home.
The next day, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Gracious" went by ship to Cyprus, where she was expected to Isaiah.By the Troodos mountains to the coast image carried on foot trees bowed their branches and trunks, greeting him, nodding their tops, greeting him.So, the icon was brought to the island, and the emperor ordered the construction of a tree in the mountains of the monastery and chapel to hold such a precious relic.
In 1365 there was a fire, and the monastery had to build anew.The second time it was built of stone and wood.Unfortunately, in 1541 the monastery was burned again, and again it was rebuilt, but now stone.Previously, the building was single-nave but in 1745 it increased, and it turned into three naves.It should be noted that the average nave designed Virgin Mary, which is why the monastery celebrates Christmas holy day of the Virgin September 8th Feast of the Assumption on August 15th.The left nave is dedicated to Archangels Michael and Gabriel, and the right - All Saints.
way, the bell tower was built in 1882, long after the monastery.This is due to the fact that during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, Christians were forbidden battle bells.The bell tower has six bells, one of them melted in Russia, its weight is 1280 kg.
Current state
Buildings Kykkos monastery belong to different epochs.The temple is situated in the center.Around it are built cathedral room, the abbot of the house, the library, the monks' cells, the museum, reception halls and other buildings.There is also a well dug in the middle of a large paved courtyard.As noted above, originally a monastery, and all the buildings were felled wood: the top of the mountain is located near the Kykkos pafskogo forests, so the area has no shortage of lumber.
Skeet decorated with frescoes and mosaics, created in 1991-1993 Kipola brothers painters and other artists from Romania and Greece.
Image of the Virgin
For centuries, Mother of God "Gracious" was revered by locals, who worked on the island of miracles attributed only its presence.For example, say that getting rid area in 1760 by locusts occurred due to the influence of the image.
general Kykkos "Gracious" icon of the Mother of God served as a model for a great number of images of the Queen of Heaven in the Orthodox community.In 1975 he was decorated with the image of a silver frame, completely covered her face, which has since not been seen.The icon of the Virgin Mary and today is kept in the monastery, its magical properties to attract a huge number of pilgrims.
Compound monastery
Compound Kykkos monastery is located in the suburbs of Nicosia, called Metohion Kykkos.Previously, it was a suburb of the city, but eventually land in Nicosia widened and farmstead is located near the city's buildings.In this monastery in 1974, he is hiding from pursuing its military junta of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III: for this reason the structure of tanks attacked and some of them were destroyed.
Museum Museum of Kykkos Monastery - a unique repository of the history and culture of Cyprus.Since 1992, this restaurant is open daily for numerous pilgrims and travelers from 10 to 16 hours from November to April and from 10 to 18 hours from May to October.The museum has several rooms where there are works of Christian art.Amazing exhibits icons, embroidery, relics, carvings, manuscripts, vestments and other relics - express reverence of the Lord and the living history of the monastery.In general, the history of Cyprus introduces visitors an impressive collection of antiques.Browse treasures museum exhibition is accompanied by a Byzantine music.
miraculous icon "Gracious»
So, we found that the Kykkos "Merciful" Icon of the Mother of God has a lot of duplicates.Take a look at one of them, placed in the cathedral of the Conception Convent.The image is stored in the old Kyoto in white stone tent and exudes currents wonders resorting to faith under the cover of the blessed Virgin.
Interestingly, the monastic legend associates the image of the ancient icon of the Virgin Mary "Kykkos-Merciful."Generally, it is called Eleousa, which means "a spring of mercy."This image is one of the basic types of the image of the Queen of Heaven in the Russian iconography.
first icon of the Mother of God "Gracious, Kikskaya" mentioned in the catalogs of the monastery of the XVIII century.Before the closure of the monastery that image was in his cathedral church, built in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.
In 1909, the abbess of the monastery abbess Maria (box) has been drawn up an inventory in which the icon of "Mother of God Merciful 'is marked as one of the very revered shrines Conception monastery.It is written that before it was executed on Wednesday prayer and akathist.
Soviet power
In 1918 the Soviet government issued a decree on the nationalization of church property and land values began to confiscate the church.Abbess Mary decided to protect the shrines and charitable institutions of the monastery.For this purpose, she founded the Brotherhood in the name of the Virgin Mary, in honor of her icon "Gracious," under the protection of the All-Russian Patriarch Tikhon.In 1923, we decided to close the monastery, so the icon Mother of God "Gracious» together with other revered images were transferred to the church of the Prophet Elijah, who was in Obydensky lane.
the shrine removed expensive silver robe trimmed with gold, and hidden to prevent mockery.In the last prayer before the icon of "Virgin Merciful" Abbess Maria convened sisters.With tears, with a feeling of sorrow of heart they offered up fervent prayers to the Blessed Virgin: they are aware that for them to start a new, full of suffering and trials of life.
Everyone knows what miracles creates "Merciful" Icon of the Mother of God.Prayer over and Abbess Maria murmured the last word: it requested the nuns and all the care of the monastery abbot of the Highest - Holy Virgin.She said that now would be the Mother of God and mentor, and the abbess, and chairwoman for the sisters.Then his mother left the abbot's baton in the image to confirm his words.
subsequent history of the monastery
Next Conception monastery was closed and most of the sisters were sent to the camps stage Siberia and Kazakhstan.Some nuns were evicted from the monastery to the street, the little sisters managed to go to the relatives and friends living in the villages.Incidentally, the nuns constantly read Akathist "graciously" Mother of God: that's what they were trying to alleviate their suffering.It should be noted that part of the Exile still remained in Moscow, but they had to huddle in basements and attics, earning a livelihood any work available.Some of the quilts, and some engaged shitёm.
small community of novices Conception Convent secretly led a monastic life in the world, saving possible tradition of the monastery.In Elias temple was "the Compassionate" Mother of God - prayer precious treasure was accomplished with infinite love.The image is stored in the right side of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
Sisters cared for the icon.For example, the nun Magdalene from a noble family until the closure of the monastery served as the head of the passport office obedience to the monastery.It is up to the end of his life to keep clean Kyoto and image, corrected the lamps.During worship sisters in the church have always been a special place.
Among highly revered religious icon of the Mother of God was "the Compassionate."Meaning it in their lives can not be measured.Birthday celebration image appointed for November 25.Every year on this day the inhabitants of Conception monastery were going to serve in the temple Ilyinsky.According to monastic tradition, the other day was done all-night vigil ceremony, accompanied by the singing of the Akathist.
After the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and the Conception sisters went to the festive meal to one of the nuns.They kept the monastic tradition, constantly reading the Akathist "graciously" Mother of God. shrine of the monastery and parishioners Elias devoutly revered temple: in the fifties, they have made for her robe with gilded silver with precious stones and chasing.
In honor of the icon in 1991 was established sisterhood, and later began training for the revival of the Conception Convent.Then the sisters began to think of returning shrines of the monastery, and the first thing they want to return the main relic - the icon of the Mother of God "Gracious."What it helps she hears all prayers and whether complaints brought by her - about her miracles could tell each nun.And after a long wait November 25, 1999 image appeared in the monastery.
«Uslyshatelnitsa»
Prayer Mother of God "Gracious" quite often read believers flowed in Conception monastery under her mantle of grace.This icon is sometimes popularly called "Uslyshatelnitsa" because the eye of the Virgin Mary in the picture ajar.Our Lady of All entreaties, heave her hearing and represents his mother's love and mercy.
Akathist icon "Gracious" read when they want to get rid of the drought or heal from infertility, bleeding.Saying the prayer line, many asked her about strengthening in sorrow and needs, the granting of procreation, for the healing of headaches, recovery relaxation.And yet the image can help carry the cross and Ionic rid of family grief.
way, the icon "graciously" can be seen in the church of All Saints, which is Kulishki.Its exact address is: Moscow, Slavyanskaya Square, d. 2. A distinctive feature of this image is a bee depicted in salary.
And Rybinsk state historical architectural and art museum-reserve (Rybinsk, Volga Embankment. 2) there is an icon of "Our Lady of Kykkos."This image of the painter written Leonty Jakovlevichem Tyumeneva in the early eighteenth century.In those days, Leonty served in the church Updates Church of the Resurrection (village Borzov Rybinsk district).It is noteworthy that the "Merciful" always listens attentively to the prayers offered to her, and puts them in the faith.
Prayer Mother of God "Gracious» rises from all suffering with faith and hope in her all-powerful intercession.Some help comes immediately, while other changes in life occur only after months or years.Sometimes Our Lady does something amazing, totally unrelated to the fact that he asked or expected.But her love for the children of the wicked is visible to everybody without exception.
Virgin teaches and heals, helps in the most desperate situations everyday.Many people visiting the monastery, talk about the grace of assistance they receive from the Queen of Heaven by her image of "Merciful."
