Great intercessory power of the Mother of God for the entire human race before the Lord.Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, God helps us all, eliminating the sadness and sickness.That is why the feast of the Holy Virgin Shroud is one of the most important in the life of the Orthodox.
history
«Rejoice, our Joy, covering us from all evil honestly Thy omophorion" - so believers are turning to the Blessed Virgin in the hope of her intercession.Omophorion - a cloak that covers the head of the Mother of God, in another way it is called the cover.The history of this festival allows a different interpretation of its name.
great miracle that we still remember October 14 (Protection of the Blessed Virgin), took place in Constantinople in the year 910.Then the city was surrounded by enemies, and its inhabitants had no choice but to ask the intercession of the heavenly powers.Gathered in the main temple of the Greek capital, people prayed fervently.Among the crowd was a blissful and Andrew, who was considered mad.Holy constantly subjected to ridicule and abuse others, but humbly endured all, walking the streets barefoot and in his shirt.
all the money that he was fed passers in charity, the blessed Andrew handing out others in need.For a great feat of self-sacrifice of the holy fool the Lord gave the gift of clairvoyance.Being together with other parishioners at the all-night vigil, Andrew saw the vault of the temple of Queen of Heaven, marched together with John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.
approached the altar, the Mother of God knelt down, beginning a long and pray fervently to the Lord to other people and then took off her omophorion and spread it over the parishioners.All this now beheld the blessed Andrew, along with his disciple Epiphanius holy fool.After the service the Most Holy Mother of God took his cloak, leaving an invisible grace of the parishioners.After that, the city was a miracle - the enemy retreated from the walls of Constantinople.The Great Mother of God imprinted phenomenon in the history of October 14th.Intercession of the Theotokos since invisibly protects the inhabitants of the Greek capital.
temple in honor of the Virgin
Despite the fact that the great event of the descent of the Mother of God took place in the Greek capital, Russian Orthodox people consider it their own.For the first time celebrated the feast began at the behest of Prince Bogolyubsky who built the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin (world famous temple on the river. Nerl).
lighting in honor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven, St. Basil's Cathedral - the famous holy fool who lived in Russia during the time of Ivan the Terrible - was constructed after the capture of Kazan in 1552.
Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl
This church consecrated in honor of the festival on October 14 is a unique example of architecture: the walls, which have a strict vertical seem little inclined to the center.This achieves the illusion Majesty complex.Another interesting fact is that the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin was built on a hill, which is created manually.This was necessary to ensure that the water of the river Nerl, surrounding the church building is not flooded during spring floods.The walls are decorated with drawings of lions complex and female masks.The central figure of the church is the image of a seated on the throne of King David, of a kind which came the Messiah himself.
Pskov Intercession icon of the Mother of God
still remains a mystery who is the author of the image of the Queen of Heaven.We only know that the reason for writing was the miraculous appearance of the icon of Our Lady of the abbot of the Pskov-Intercession Monastery.This occurred before the Polish troops rushed to attack the city.Tsar Ivan the Terrible, concentrating military forces near Novgorod lands, Pskov left to fend for themselves.
army town was no more than 6,500 thousand. People.Residents ventured to appear in an unequal battle with the Europeans, the forces which numbered 100 thousand soldiers.But Pskovians no choice but to fight to victory or to death.Spiritual warriors of the city - the monks - with the lord of the monastery and prayed fervently awaited the arrival of the Mother of God Icon "Assumption" and "Tenderness".
Before the storm elder Dorofei, is in the works, was the Blessed Virgin.It was at that moment he realized why the city was abandoned Higher Powers.The Mother of God spoke about the grave sins and abominable deeds committed by residents who have insulted the Lord God who has made thus unequal battle.But in addition to the Lady and the old man he was able to witness some of the saints, kneeling before the Virgin and tearfully pleading for the salvation of Pskov.Queen of the All-Merciful has promised to protect the city from enemies if its people are to pray without ceasing, and grieve for their sins.She also ordered the city wall to hang Pechersk icon and banner.
During the battle were brought relics of holy Gabriel, then Pskov troops were already three long-dead monks.Monks say the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her incessant appeals to the Lord.Thus, they urged residents in the quick victory.All happened as predicted showers monks: Pskov repulsed the enemy offensive.Wanting to thank the heavenly forces, Pskov created the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, as the people have won it on September 21 according to the Julian calendar.It was written by an image of the Mother of God, named the same as novovozvedenny Cathedral in Pskov.
Miracles icon
image of the Pskov-Intercession of the Mother of God is truly multi-faceted: it shows the phenomenon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Elder Dorofei.This icon was kept in the church until the beginning of the 1917 revolution.During the Great Patriotic War, the image was taken from Russia to Germany, where he was in one of the museums.It was only after a century icon was attained ROC and taken to the Pskov Monastery.A few years later the image began to copiously stream myrrh, which, according to the clergy, it is the miracle-working power.
Intercession icon
Those who are lucky enough to see the image, talking about his unprecedented drawing power.The icon reflects the history of bygone years, frozen in time and space.True Orthodox people believe that the holy image,
if a book can be read.
If you peer into the story of the icon, you can see a set of Blachernae Church, which has not survived to the present day, but forever imprinted in the shrine.In the center on a small hill called pulpit is Roman Melodist, next to which is the emperor with his people.This human race look down from above with the saints of the Most Holy Mother of God, extends its saving omophorion over the whole Orthodox world.Above the people and holy is the Lord God to whom their prayers are turning the inhabitants of earth and heaven.Intercession of the Holy Virgin - the icon that should be in every Orthodox family.
healing power of the image
Icon of the Holy Virgin is truly a healing power.Before you can ask for the gift of health, cure serious diseases.Prayer, contact the Queen of Heaven through this way, and it is sure to protect your omophorion of your home and family from any troubles.You can read the Akathist before the image of the Mother of God, or to turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary in your own words, but sincere and from the heart, asking to protect your family from troubles and misfortunes saving omophorion.Pray before the icon, and October 14 - cover of the Virgin Mary will always invisibly over you.
Traditions Intercession
Happy intercession of the Mother of God connect many customs and will take on Russia.So, on the Shroud was made to marry, because by this time the first snow, resembling white dress of the bride.It was believed that couples who married in the day, will live happily ever after.If the girl did not have a groom, she came to the church on the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God and earnestly prayed for the gift of her husband.In general, the Russian people spent the day fun and carefree.
Approaching the holiday was a sign for the Protection of the peasants: it's time to harvest as close, and freezing.
Protection of the Virgin and the Cossacks
believed that the celebration of the Holy Virgin Shroud is in some degree a professional military, especially to the Cossacks.Mother of God, shut the Pskov city from enemy attack his omophorion, helped the Russian people in the future.For example, Kazan was taken by Ivan the Terrible in the fight against Turks exactly on the eve of the holiday.In honor of this momentous day and built St. Basil's Cathedral.
Festive signs on the Shroud
October 14 from the start of the holiday base, the Russian people will take a lot of watching, on which to judge the weather and upcoming events.For example, it was believed that from which side the wind blows from there and wait for the first frost stronger.Winter is not severe, if the heat is on the cover.Festival October 14 promised severe frosts, if the whole day there was an east wind.
There are other signs on the Shroud.October 14 (October 1, old style), the young unmarried girls tried to come to church early and put a candle: it was thought that the next year will find that a couple of girl who will visit the church first.The others do not despair, they spent Cover with gladness and games after that, that would be happy and carefree, quickly find a good husband.Lots of snow for the holiday means a large number of weddings in the next year.
Married women tried to bake pancakes on the Shroud more.Many baking in the house - in the house will be warm in winter.Heat up the furnace with wood from apple trees - the house will be cozy.And to repair the house before the holiday was a matter of mandatory, since otherwise the family would spend the winter in the cold.That's how our ancestors celebrated October 14th.Protection of the Virgin was for them a very important Orthodox holiday.
How to spend a holiday
Orthodox people are always trying to hold in a special holy day.Intercession of the Holy Virgin - is no exception.On this day believers must visit the morning liturgy (and all-night vigil on the eve), do not forget to make a donation to those in need - orphans, poor and wretched, and bake pancakes, summoning guests to the great feast.If you can not organize such a fun, take the time to visit the temple for a holiday.Intercession of the Holy Virgin protect everyone who is drawn to her.
In memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary
addition Intercession believers celebrate other religious holidays in Russia, dedicated to the Mother of God.These include:
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 21);
- Entry into the Church of Our Lady (Dec 4);
- Annunciation (April 4);
- Assumption (August 28).
All these are the twelve great holidays - the main 12 days, marks the ROC, reflecting the earthly life of Christ and the Mother of God.In not one of them covered.Festival October 14 is a kind of spiritual mansion, which is revered by every true Orthodox.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God
born from the elders Joakim and Anna, had not had children.For a righteous life God gave them to the child at the sunset of their life.It was Mary who became the Holy Virgin.For such a priceless gift of Joachim and Anna promised to send a child to the service of the Lord.
Christmas Mother of God - this is truly a great holiday, as the Queen of Heaven to its appearance in the world opened a new chapter of spiritual history.
Introduction of the Holy Virgin in the Temple
When the Virgin Mary was 3 years old, Joachim and Anna, along his only daughter in the best clothes, took her to the temple.This day was truly remarkable, because the righteous were to fulfill this vow to God - to dedicate her child to the service of God.Before the temple was built a staircase with 15 steps high, that Mary is unlikely to be able to overcome.But what was the surprise of others, when she went all the way to the temple without the help of others and their parents.And only the invisible hand of the Lord led the girl to the entrance.The temple priest in the counsels of God in the altar of the Virgin held, where, as we know, women are not admitted.This event has shown a great role yet little Mary in the life of all mankind.Since then, the girl lived at the temple to its age - 14 years.
«Virgin, rejoice!»
great day of the Annunciation, which became a holy day, preceded the wedding of Mary and Joseph, who took over the custody of virginity Queen of Heaven.Holy Mother of God wished to keep the vows, the Lord - to live in integrity and in unceasing prayer.When Mary was 14 years old, rector were forced to marry her, because at that age the girls all the time becoming wives and mothers.
Joseph guarded the Virgin that all his spare time worked and prayed.Then one day, reading the book of Isaiah about the great woman who was established to be the mother of God, Mary wished for with all my heart to see her and humbly serve her.At this point, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Archangel Gabriel, exclaimed: "Rejoice, O Virgin, Lord is with you!Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. "Confused by these words, the Virgin cried: "How will I know not a man?" Archangel replied that the Holy Spirit visited her, so her child would be a son of God.Mary humbly accepted these words.Joseph initially wanted to release the Virgin learned of conception.But the Archangel came to him, bringing the good news, and commanded further protect the Mother of God.Joseph meekly accepting the covenant of the Lord was with Mary.
Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary - a holiday that is dear to every Orthodox Christian.After all, the Mother of God continues to care for us in the future, closing the cover of saving Russia from all troubles and misfortunes.Visit the temple and pray before the icon of the Mother of God October 14th.Cover, invisible to us, the earth will necessarily protect you for your prayers also.
