believed that the icon - an image of God or the Holy on the earth, which is the intermediary between the conductor and the earth and the spiritual world.The development of writing image goes far in ancient times.The first way, according to legend, was the imprint of Christ, who came on a towel (ubrus) when he wipes.
Byzantine Icons - this is the first preserved images, which tried to capture the images of the saints, the Lord God, the Virgin Mary and her son.
Writing images
first Byzantine icons that have survived are dated VI century.Sure, there were older, but they are, unfortunately, not been preserved.The early Christians often persecuted and were persecuted, many manuscripts and images of that time just destroyed.Moreover, while it was considered idolatry.
about writing style can be seen in some preserved mosaics.It was pretty simple and austere.Each icon was to show the power of the spirit and depth of image.
Currently many preserved Byzantine icons are stored on Mount Sinai in the monastery of St. Catherine.The most famous of them:
- "Christ Pantocrator".
- "The Apostle Peter".
- "Virgin on the throne."
Their style of writing - encaustic - considered one of the most popular at the time.Its peculiarity is that the image is written encaustic, even hot.This way of writing makes it very realistically depict the shapes on the icon.Later the technique was supplanted tempera, since it was believed that she was more in line with the canons of writing.
also very interesting point is that these three icons represent important images, which are then formed in the iconography.In the future, the style of writing is gradually boiled down to the symbolic dominated humanity not shown on the icon, and his spirituality.In komninovsky period (1059-1204 years) face images become more human again, but remained and spirituality.A striking example is the Vladimir Icon.In the eighteenth century, despite the defeat of Constantinople, appeared in a new iconography.It is calm and monumentalism.Later painters of Byzantium continued to look for the correct spelling of the face and the image as a whole.In the XIV century icons important was the transfer of divine light.Until the capture of Constantinople did not stop searching and experimentation in this direction.Also there were new masterpieces.
Byzantine icons at one time had a significant impact on all the countries where the spread of Christianity.
Writing icons in Russia
first images appeared in Russia immediately after the baptism of Rus.It was the Byzantine icons, which were written to order.It is also invited to study and master.Thus, the first time on Russian iconography very strongly influenced by the Byzantine.
In the XI century there was the first school in Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.There were the first well-known painters - it Alipio and his "employee" has been written in a single manuscript, Gregory.It is believed that Christianity went from Kiev to other cities in Russian.Along with him, and iconography.
After some time, developed a very large school in Novgorod, Pskov, Moscow.Each of them has formed its own characteristics in the writing.At this time, part of everyday life in the signing of the images, assigning them the authorship.We can say that since the sixteenth century Russian style of writing is quite separate from the Byzantine, became independent.
If we talk about schools in particular, the characteristic features of Novgorod was the simplicity and brevity, the brightness of the colors and size of forms.Pskov school has inaccurate figure that is more asymmetrical, but endowed with a certain expressiveness.Characteristic bit gloomy with a predominance of color dark green, dark cherry red with orange tint colors.Background icons are often yellow.
Moscow School of icon painting is considered the top of the time.It is very influenced by the work of Theophanes the Greek, who brought some of the traditions of Constantinople.Separately going work of Andrei Rublev, who created the magnificent examples of icons.In the paper he used a style of writing that was typical of the Byzantine Empire of the XV century.At the same time he applied and Russian direction.Finally got amazing style image.
It should be noted that the Russian iconography though and went on his way, but kept writing all types of icons that were in Byzantium.Of course, over time, they transformed some even appeared new.This was due to the emergence of new saints canonized and special reverence those who have had little importance in the Byzantine Empire.
In the XVII century icon-painting in Russia becomes more and more an art than a spiritual, as well as gains unprecedented scale.Masters more valued and are sent to other countries for the mural temples.Russian icons are ordered and disagree on many Orthodox countries.In subsequent years, this art is approved only in the skill.
Iconography in Russia during the Soviet Union experienced a decline, some ancient images were lost.However, now it is slowly reviving, there are new names of artists who are successful in this field.
Meaning of Mother of God in the lives of believers
Virgin has always occupied a special place in Christianity.From its earliest days it was as a defender and protector of the common people, and the city and country.It is obvious why so many icons of the Mother of God.According to legend, its first images were painted by Luke the Evangelist.Icon of the Mother of God has a special curative effect.Also, some lists are written with different images, eventually becoming heal and protect.
If we talk about what kind of icon of the Mother of God than it helps, then you should know that in different troubles should ask for help and have different images.For example, the image of the Mother of God, called "Seeking the Lost", will help with headaches, eye diseases, and the saving will in alcoholism.Icon "It is Truly Meet" will help in various diseases of body and soul, and it is good to pray at the end of a case.
Types Mother of God
It may be noted that each image of the Virgin has a meaning that can be understood from the type of writing icons.Types were formed as far back as the Byzantine Empire.Of these, the most outstanding are.
Orans (Praying)
So presented early Christian Byzantine icon of Our Lady, where she displayed in the full-length or waist with his arms raised, that separated the sides, palms outward, without baby.Similar images were found in the Roman catacombs, more widespread iconographic type was after 843 years.The main value - is the intercession and mediation of the Mother of God.
There is also a version of the image of the Virgin with the Christ child in a circular medallion at chest level.In Russian iconography is called "The Sign".The meaning of the image - it is Epiphany.
famous icons:
- "Yaroslavl".
- "Inexhaustible Chalice" and others.
Hodegetria (Putevoditelnitsa)
This type of Byzantine icon of the Mother of God is widely spread throughout the Christian world after the VI century.According to legend, the first time it also wrote the Evangelist Luke.After some time, the icon became the defender of Constantinople.The original is lost when the siege forever, but remained a lot of lists.
The icon depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus in her arms.He is the center of the composition.With his right hand Christ blesses and the left holds a scroll.Mother of the hand pointing to it, as if to show the true path.That this is the meaning of the images of this type.
famous icons:
- "Kazan".
- "Tikhvin".
- "Iver" and others.
Eleousa (the Merciful)
These icons also appeared in the Byzantine Empire, but more widespread in Russia.This style of writing appeared only later, in the ninth century.It is very similar to the type of Hodegetria, only more gentle.Then the faces of the baby and the Mother of God in contact with each other.The image becomes more gentle.It is believed that the icons of this type convey love of a mother to her son, like human relations.In some versions of this image is called "caresses."
Icons of this type:
- "Vladimir".
- "Pochaev".
- "Perishing" and others.
Panahranta
Images of this type appeared in Byzantium in the XI century.They depict the Virgin Mary, who sits on the throne (the throne) with the baby sitting on her lap.These icons symbolize Our Lady of its greatness.
images of this type:
- "Reigning".
- "Vsetsaritsa."
- "Cave."
- "Cyprus" and others.
Image of the Virgin "Tenderness" ("Rejoice, Bride Nenevestnaya")
icon "Tenderness," which depicts the face of the Mother of God without her baby, belonged Seraphim of Sarov.She stood in his cell, before it is always burning lamps, oil from which he anointed the suffering, and they were healed.Its exact origin is unknown.It is believed that the image has been written about in the XVII century.However, some think that the icon was revealed Seraphim of Sarov, as he had a special relationship with the Mother of God.It is not time to save him from the disease, often appeared in visions.
After the death of the elder icon "Tenderness" was bequeathed Diveevsky Convent.Since then, it has been written with a lot of lists, some have become miraculous.
image is the image of a lap.It was written without the Virgin's son, with his arms folded and his head slightly tilted.This is one of the most delicate image of the Virgin, where it is shown to the birth of Christ, but after her indulgence of the Holy Spirit.This female icon of the Mother of God.What helps it?Of particular importance is the image of girls and women from ten to thirty years.It is believed that his prayers would facilitate the difficult teenage years, will retain her maiden purity and chastity.Also, the icon is an assistant at the time of conception and child at birth.
Pochayiv icon of the Mother of God
This is another no less famous image of the Virgin.He is famous for his miraculous acts for a long time and very revered among Orthodox believers.Pochayiv icon is in Pochayiv Lavra, which is an ancient orthodox place.The image was donated by a local landowner Anna gentile in 1597.Prior to that, she got it as a gift from the Greek Metropolitan Neophyte.The icon was painted in the Byzantine style letter tempera.Since she had made at least 300 scrolls, which later became miraculous.
Pochaev icon many times saved the monastery from invaders, in addition, it has been made a lot of healing with it.Since then, the prayers ascended this image, help with foreign invasions, cure for eye diseases.
"Mourning"
Icon "Grieving" - a picture of the Virgin with lowered eyes, which are covered with lids.The whole way of showing grief the mother of the deceased son.Mother of God is depicted alone, as is the image and with the baby.
There are many spellings.For example, in Jerusalem, in the chapel of Christ Uz is the old icon, which depicts a weeping Virgin.In Russia, the miraculous image of the popular "Joy of All Who Sorrow", which is famous for its healing.
Icon "Mourning" is the helper and savior during the loss of loved ones, praying this way will help strengthen faith in eternal life.
origin of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God
This image in its iconographic type Hodegetria belongs to, and it is the most famous icon.It is for certain not known whether it is original or just a list.In Russia Smolensk icon came in 1046.She was like a blessing Constantine IX Monomakh sovey daughter Anna to marry Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich of Chernigov.The son of Vsevolod, Vladimir Monomakh, suffered this icon to Smolensk, where it was stored in the church of Our Lady of the Assumption, which he had built.So this way, and got its name.
Later icon made a lot of different miracles.For example, 1239 could be fatal to Smolensk.A huge horde of Batu then walked the earth Russian, coming to the city.The prayers of the people, as well as the Mercury feat warrior before whom the Virgin appeared in a vision, Smolensk was saved.
Icon traveled frequently.In 1398 it was brought to Moscow and placed in the Cathedral of the Annunciation, where she stayed until 1456.This year has been written off her list and left in Moscow, and the original sent back to Smolensk.In the future, the image has become a symbol of the unity of the Russian land.
By the way, the original icon of the Virgin (Byzantine) was lost after 1940.In the 20s it confiscated by order of the museum, after which its fate is not known.Today in the Dormition Cathedral is another icon, which is a scroll.It was written in 1602.
icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov
Seraphim of Sarov - a Russian miracle worker who founded the women's Diveevo monastery and later became its patron.God's sign he was marked from an early age, after the fall of the bell tower was spared from the disease after praying before the icon of the Mother of God.At the same time the saint was her vision.Seraphim always sought to monasticism, so in 1778 he was accepted as a novice to the Sarov monastery, and in 1786 became a monk there.
Very often seen Seraphim angels, once even had a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ.In the future, the holy hermit sought, had experience pustynnozhitelstva.Also performed the feat of pillar-dwelling for a thousand days.Most of the exploits of that time have remained unknown.After some time, he returned to St. Seraphim of Sarov Sarov monastery, because he could not attend because of illness feet.There, in his old cell, he continued to pray before the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness".
According to the stories, after some time Virgin told him to stop and start zatvornichat heal souls.He received the gift of clairvoyance and miracles.Obviously, this is why today an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov value for the believer has enormous.Monk knew about his demise and prepared in advance to her.Even he told his spiritual children about it.They found him praying before the icon of the Mother of God which was with him all his life.After the death of St. Seraphim was performed many miracles at his grave, in 1903 he was canonized.
icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov important for those who are disheartened.Prayer also helps in trouble.In any of the physical and spiritual icon of St. disease will help.There is also a rule of prayer Seraphim of Sarov.
Icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh
Sergius of Radonezh - is one of the most venerated saints in Russia.He is the founder of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.He was also its first abbot.Charter Trinity monastery was very strict, since he Sergius strictly observed the monastic life.After some time, because of dissatisfaction with the brethren he had to leave.Elsewhere he founded Kirzhachskiy Annunciation Monastery.There he spent a short time as he was asked to return to the Holy Trinity Monastery.Immediately he went to God in 1392.
oldest hagiographical icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh made in the 1420s.Now she is in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.This embroidered cover, which shows a depiction of St. Sergius, and about nineteen are hallmarks of his life.
Today, there are more than one icon of Radonezh.There is also an image that is in the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow.Dated it abroad XV-XVI centuries.The Museum of.Andrei Rublev, there is another icon of the period.
image of Radonezh is an assistant in the physical and spiritual illnesses, as well as during everyday problems.Refer to the saint, if the need to protect children from the bad influence, and that there were no failures in the study.Prayer before the image of St. Sergius is useful for the proud.Icon of Radonezh is very respected among Christian believers.
