One of the most revered shrines of Christianity is the icon of Our Lady of Bethlehem.Its history is not rich, but rather confused.Some historians believe that it was written in Russia.For others, it was the creator of the Evangelist Luke.This saint wrote three of these icons - Constantinople, Ephesus and Jerusalem.The latter is called Bethlehem.
History icon of Our Lady of Bethlehem
Many believe that Luke wrote this way during the life of the Mother of God, and therefore it is most accurately shows how the Virgin Mary appeared.First Evangelist created one icon of the Mother of God, and then two more.One of them, he decided to show itself to the Virgin Mary.The image of the Mother of God like, and she blessed him, adding that all who pray, looking at it, "abide grace."
Luke wrote several icons, which the founders of Christianity depicted authentically.It is believed that some of the images of the Saviour and the Apostles Peter and Paul made it to them and are not other than the usual portraits, rather than the actual fictional icons.
In 463, the Scythians attempted to seize the capital of the Byzantine Empire - Constantinople.In order to win the support of the Lord, in this city the wife of Emperor Theodosius, Evdokia, was brought to the icon of Our Lady of Bethlehem.Through her intercession Constantinople survived, and the Scythians retreated.This was the first miracle of the image.After that he was placed in the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae.Icon stayed here for a long time - about 300 years.There is also a version that passed the image was not Valhernsky temple, and in one of the monastery church Odigon, hence its name.
In 988, the image was transferred to Korsun as a gift to Prince Vladimir, who passed it in the Novgorod Sophia Cathedral.In this temple, it was about 400 years.
legend about the icon
About this icon is also a very interesting legend.According to legend, the icon was brought not only to Russia, and served as a patronizing relic for the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porfirorodnogo - Anna.This image had to defend it on the route to Chernihiv region from Constantinople.I went to Anna to her future husband.Then, the icon and its name "Hodegetria", which translates as "Putevoditelnitsa."
special way
interesting fact can be considered that the icon of Our Lady of Bethlehem - the only way in which the Virgin smiling.Reese made the icon of the dress of Princess Elizabeth Romanova (1864-1918 gg.), Christian Martyr.It is believed that she passed this icon to Bethlehem.There is also a legend that the princess was healed the sick, prayed before this image.
Infant Christ is depicted on the icon had in his hand a symbol of royal power - the power.His other hand raised in a gesture of blessing.Sama Virgin points to Christ.It is believed that in this way it is trying to say that her son Jesus - Way of Life.
special way "Hodegetria»
All Catholic and Orthodox icons, which points to the Mother of God of Jesus, is called "Hodegetria".In all these images of the Virgin Mary is shown seated and holding the infant Jesus in her arms.He also holds something in his hand.Usually it is not power, as the icon of Bethlehem (though it became the prototype for all the images "Hodegetria"), and a scroll or book.This corresponds to the iconographic type of Christ as Pantocrator, ie the Almighty.Typically, the Blessed Virgin is portrayed in such a way to the waist.However, there are icons of Odigitria in which the Virgin is written oplechno or upright.The main feature of the images of this iconographic type is that in the center of the composition is Christ himself, and not his mother.
where the icon is now
Bethlehem icon of the Mother of God, the value of which, as we found out - the worship of the divine infant, and not actually a woman who gave birth to him at the moment is still in Bethlehem, in the Basilica of the Nativity.She can pray before entering the cave, where he once came into the world by Jesus Christ.The image is placed in a wooden Kyoto and is on the right wall.Every year, pilgrims from all over the world flock to Bethlehem to worship the miraculous image.
how to pray, standing in front of an icon?
In some cases, it may help to Bethlehem icon of the Mother of God?Prayer it is pronounced in the case of children's illness.To ask the Mother of God and the healing can be adults.Of course, the words need to say from the heart and with deep faith.Just like any other image of the Virgin Mary, the icon can help those who do not have, but would like to have children.Some special prayer Bethlehem icon does not exist.You can simply ask her intercession in their own words.Also in this case suitable and regular prayer to the Blessed Virgin - "Hail Mary, Hail ...".
What akathist?
Akathist icon of the Mother of God or any other - is a special hymn, performed in the church in honor of Christ, the saints, and so on. D. When his utterance can not sit.The first hymns glorify the Name of the Blessed Virgin.They were written in the Greek language, and were prepared according to certain rules.Structure akathist very interesting: after the first stanza are alternately twelve large and twelve small.
story of Orthodox icons in the world and in Russia
As already mentioned, it is believed that the first image is a conventional portraits of the Saviour, the Virgin, the apostles and saints.The oldest Christian icons Holy Face is considered.According to legend, the artist decided to paint the image of Ananya preach Christ as he taught the people in Jerusalem.However, it did not work quite as well as the expression of the Savior is constantly changing.Seeing that the artist was upset, Christ allegedly asked for water, washed it and wiped his face with a towel, which miraculously and showed him the picture.
first icons were created to people it was easier to communicate with Jesus, his mother and the saints on the spiritual level.From the Byzantine tradition of writing images spread around the world.Icons are clear and close to the people who spoke different languages altogether.The ancient way called "Bible for the illiterate."These images medieval man, who can not read, could study the history of the life of Christ, his apostles and Christian saints.
icons on Russia also came from Byzantium after the adoption of Christianity in 988. Until the end of the seventeenth century it became the basis of ancient art.Fashion on secular paintings began to spread in our country only during the reign of Peter the Great.
to train Russian masters of the Greeks invited to paint the Russian Christian churches.The founder of the first purely national school of icon painting was the Metropolitan Hilarion, who called the clergy and parishioners to the creation of his Slavic religious culture based on Christianity came from Byzantium.The first Russian icons of saints, apostles, and the Savior of the Virgin were monumental Byzantine had large size and different color is gloomy.
Icons Saints
Initially, Russian icons still repeated scenes of Byzantine icons.However, with the passage of time in Russia there were also their holy.And with them the icon representing them.One of the first images began to Boris and Gleb Russian princes killed by his own brother Svyatopolk of Christian beliefs.It happened crime in 1015 during the civil war.These princes and became the first Russian canonized saints.Until now, Boris and Gleb considered heavenly protectors of the rulers of the Russian land.
Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Bethlehem
In addition, there are other icons of the Mother of God, in the presence of which there are all sorts of miracles.In fact, many such images.As an example may be given the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Perishing."Once it belonged to a Russian noble families.Last its owner went bankrupt, washed down with grief and was on the verge of death.However, prayed with sincerity to the icon, get help.His daughters successfully married.The grateful father gave way to a local church.
Not to mention the icon of the Iberian Mother of God, the shrine Iver monastery on Mount Athos.This image is one of the options Odigitrii.Before it was just a huge number of miraculous healings.Considered as the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God "Soothe My Sorrows", "Gracious" Thivinskaya and many others.
Mirotochenie icons of the Virgin
known that the image of the Virgin often streaming myrrh.That is, on the surface of the icons themselves appear a drop of oily substance, similar to the sacred world, used for baptism.To explain this phenomenon to allocate the properties of wood resin is simply impossible, because there is evidence mirotocheniya even conventional paper photocopies of images.Very often, this phenomenon portends any trouble.In particular, in the event that the icon does not exudes fragrant oil, and red liquid that looks like blood or transparent, similar to tears.
Icon of Our Lady of Bethlehem and others in a similar way - not only the most important Christian shrines, but also works of art, which are of great historical value.Most of these images are stored a lot of secrets and mysteries.Perhaps someday historians will be able to solve them.
