Prayer to the Tikhvin Mother of God - read and listen online. Prayer to the Tikhvin Mother of God for a child Prayer to the myrrh-streaming Tikhvin Mother of God
Icon of the Mother of God “TIKHVINSKAYA”
One of the most revered shrines in Rus'.
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Description of the icon of the Mother of God of Tikhvin:
It is believed that the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God was created by the holy evangelist Luke during the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Until the 14th century, the icon was in Constantinople, until in 1383 it unexpectedly disappeared from the Blachernae Church. According to the chronicle, in the same year in Rus' the icon appeared before fishermen on Lake Ladoga near the city of Tikhvin.
Ancient chronicles describe how in 1383 an icon appeared over the waters of the lake in radiant light. Mother of God with the Child of God on his arm, carried by an unknown force through the air. Several times the icon sank to the ground, but after construction of the temple began on this site, the icon miraculously moved again until it stopped in a swampy place near Tikhvin.
With joy, the people began to build the temple on the site finally chosen by the Mother of God for the residence of Her icon. Subsequently, a stone temple, and then the Tikhvin Mother of God-Assumption monastery.
Many miracles and healings took place before the Tikhvin icon; more than once it saved the Tikhvin monastery from the Swedes who besieged the monastery for three years from 1613 to 1615. Every time through the prayers of desperate defenders Holy Mother of God with her intercession she helped them put to flight several times the enemy forces. Since then Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God considered the patroness of the northwestern lands of Russia.
In 1944, the future Archbishop of Chicago and Minneapolis John (Garklavs) and a layman named Sergius (later his adopted son), saving the miraculous Tikhvin icon, took it to Europe and then to the USA. Before his death in 1982, Archbishop John bequeathed to his adopted son, Archpriest Sergius Garklavs, to take care of the icon of the Mother of God of Tikhvin and return it to Russia when the attitude of the secular authorities towards the Church in the country changes and the Tikhvin Monastery is restored. The ceremonial return of the shrine took place in June 2004.
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Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “Tikhvin”
First prayer before the Tikhvin icon
O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the highest powers, Queen of Heaven and earth, our city and country, Almighty Intercessor. Accept this singing of praise and gratitude from us, unworthy Thy servants, and lift up our prayers to the throne of God Thy Son, that He may be merciful to our untruths and add His goodness to those who honor the all-honorable. your name and with faith and love those who worship Your miraculous image. You are not worthy of being pardoned by Him, unless you have propitiated Him for us, Lady, since everything is possible for You from Him. For this reason, we resort to You, as to our undoubted and immediate Intercessor; Hear us praying to You, cover us with Your all-powerful protection and ask God Your Son to be our shepherd, zeal and vigil for souls, a city ruler for wisdom and strength, judges for truth and impartiality, a mentor for reason and humility, love and harmony for spouses, obedience for children, patience for the offended, to those who offend the fear of God, to those who grieve complacency, to those who rejoice at self-control: to all of us is the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth. To her, Most Holy Lady, have mercy on Your weak people: gather the scattered, guide those who have gone astray to the right path, support old age, educate young people with chastity, raise infants, and look upon us all with the gaze of Your merciful intercession, raise us up from the depths of sin and enlighten our heartfelt eyes to vision of salvation, be merciful to us here and there, in the land of earthly arrival and at the terrible judgment of Your Son: having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, our fathers and brethren in eternal life Make life with the Angels and with all the saints. For you are, Lady, the glory of Heaven and the hope of earth. According to God, You are our Hope and Intercessor of all those who flow to You with faith. We therefore pray to You, and to You, as the Almighty Helper, we commit ourselves and each other and our whole life, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer before the Tikhvin icon
We thank Thee, O Most Blessed and Most Pure, Most Blessed Virgin, Lady, Mother of Christ our God, for all Thy good deeds which Thou hast shown to the human race, especially to us, the Christ-named people of the Russian people, about which below the most angelic language to praise he will be pleased. We thank You, for even now You have surprised Your ineffable mercy on us, Your unworthy servants, with the supernatural self-coming of Your most pure icon, with which You have enlightened the entire Russian country; Likewise, we, sinners, worshiping with fear and joy, cry out to Thee: O Most Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on all people, and grant them victory over all their enemies, and save all Christian cities and countries, and this holy temple Deliver us from every slander of the enemy, and grant everything for the benefit of everyone, who now come with faith and pray to Your servant, and who worship Your most holy image: for blessed are You with the Son and God born of You, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called “Tikhvin”
Troparion, tone 4
Today, great worldwide joy has arisen for us, bestowed upon us holy mount Thy celibate Athos, Lady Theotokos, icon, with the image of Thy three-numbered and inseparably most pure hands, in glorification of the Holy Trinity: for Thou convenes the faithful and those praying to Thee to know this, as two imash the Son and the Lord to hold, but show the third for refuge and protection to those who honor Thee Deliver from all misfortunes and troubles, so that all who flow to You by faith receive liberation from all evils and protection from enemies. For this reason, we, together with Athos, cry out: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
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Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called “Tikhvin”
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, let us sing a song of thanksgiving about the appearance of Her wondrous icon, to which those who flow continually are delivered from enemies visible and invisible. But You, Lady of Heaven and earth, as a merciful Mother, now accept this little prayer of ours and never fail to show Your mercy and intercession on us, protecting us from all troubles and misfortunes, calling to You: Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God Intercessor.
Ikos 1
The faces of angels jubilantly serve You, Lady, and in reverence for You, who carried the Creator of visible and invisible creatures in Your hand, they carry Your icon from place to place. We, earthly beings, marveling at the wonderful appearance of Your icon, carried by Angels, cry out to Tisitsa: Rejoice, highest of all Heavenly Powers; Rejoice, surpassing all ranks of angels. Rejoice, Most Honest Cherub; Rejoice. The most glorious without comparison, Seraphim. Rejoice, joy of the Angels; Rejoice, praise of the heavenly faces. Rejoice, praised by the Angels. Rejoice, glorified by the Seraphim. Rejoice, worshiped Archangel; Rejoice, honored by the armies of heaven. Rejoice, honored in Your icon by Angels; Rejoice, borne in Your visible image by invisible forces. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, the Intercessor.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the fisherman over the abyss of water, carried by invisible power and light like the sun, Your shining icon, Mother of God, with the Eternal Child, who called the fishermen to catch the world in the net of salvation, crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The misunderstood mind of the wondrous appearance of Your icon led people to understand, as if the most honorable icon, revered in Constantinople, was given as an inheritance to the Russian family. Likewise, we, giving thanks for Your mercy to our family, cry out to You: Rejoice, Mother of true life; Rejoice, through Your obedience you healed Eve’s disobedience. Rejoice, you who opened the closed Eden; Rejoice, thou who hast revealed to the world the Crusher of the head of the serpent. Rejoice, thou who bore the ark of the Destroyer of the World; Rejoice, you who saved the world from the drowning of sin. Rejoice, God brought down the ladder; Rejoice, you who raise those on earth to heaven. Rejoice, the sea of Pharaoh who drowned his thoughts; Rejoice, bush, unscorched by the fire of the Divine indwelling You. Rejoice, tablet written by God; Rejoice, O stone, who poured out the water of life to the thirsty. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High has overshadowed the country of Tikhvin, always with the icon of the Most Pure Mother of God, often appearing and sanctifying the land for a temporary stay, stirring up the erection of churches of saints, so that the name of the Lady may be glorified for the glory of the Trinitarian God, to whom we cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the good will, the people of the Tikhvin country desire Your presence with them and remember Your protection, You showed Your icon in many parts, until You indicated God’s chosen place of its residence. In the same way, we cry out to Ti: Rejoice, tabernacle, in which the physical Divinity dwells; Rejoice, holy of holies, in the midst of no one is the eternal Bishop. Rejoice, thou art gilded by the Spirit, who bore the Lawgiver; Rejoice, lamp, kindled by the Divine fire. Rejoice, you who bore the manna of the life of Christ; Rejoice, table, containing animal bread. Rejoice, censer, possessing the coal of the Divine, making the whole world fragrant; Rejoice, rod of color that vegetated Christ. Rejoice, pillar, leading to an eternal inheritance; Rejoice, cloud, covering from enemies visible and invisible.
Rejoice, land of promise; Rejoice, fleece, Christ is worthless, like rain descended from heaven. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 4
Eagerly to quench the storm of confusion and sorrow, faithful people cry out to the Lord: show us the Divine gift, whose love for mankind you sent to the Russian country, do not hide the treasures with which we hope to enrich our spiritual poverty, transform our sadness into joy, wipe away tears and sobs. And having achieved what she wanted, she cried out: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the joyful discovery of the shepherd of his flock and the Mother of the Chief Shepherd who fell in the Tikhvin countries, he builds a temple in honor of the newly appeared icon of Her, and establishes presbyters, and glorifying the Mother of God, they cry out to Her: Rejoice, Daughter, who inclined her ear to the voice of the Heavenly Father; Rejoice, for the ancestral lamentation was destroyed by Your Nativity. Rejoice, Bride, who the Heavenly King desired for kindness; Rejoice, Queen, who appeared at the right hand of the King. Rejoice, adorned with golden robes and possessing all the glory within; Rejoice, leading many into the palace of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, apple, whose fragrance is smelled by the whole world; Rejoice, crystal of purity, shining with brilliance. Rejoice, fragrant myrrh, poured out to the whole world; Rejoice, royal purple, flesh of the Creator of all, from Your virgin blood. Rejoice, living, sealed fountain, who brought forth the water of life; Rejoice, mental grape, divine grape that has grown. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 5
Your God-bearing star has appeared, Your icon, Mother of God, flowing around the entire country of Tikhvin, and illuminating those who are in the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge of God, illuminating those who mourn with joy, and instructing those who go astray on the path of doing the commandments of Your Son and God. To him we cry out in gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing George sitting on a treasure of wood, a woman seated with a scarlet rod in her hands and shining with an indescribable light, the wondrous Saint stood conversing with her, recognizing You through the fragrance of grace, the Mother of God, who received the sensual form and Saint Nicholas standing before You, and cried out with trepidation: Rejoice, home, which the Wisdom of God created for Himself to infuse; Rejoice, Virgin, who gave birth to Emmanuel. Rejoice, rod of Jesse, from the worthless flower of Christ God; Rejoice, Unmarried Bride, who by the overshadowing of the Spirit conceived a Son. Rejoice, O witch, in whom the Word of the Father was written with the finger of the Father; Rejoice, sealed book of virginity, given to Joseph for safekeeping. Rejoice, mystical mite who received the coal of the Divine in her belly; Rejoice, exalted throne, on which Christ is seated in flesh. Rejoice, light cloud, on which the Lord of glory came; Rejoice, gates closed, in the image of Christ alone he passed through. Rejoice, uncut mountain, from which the cornerstone was cut off, O Christ; Rejoice, fiery cave, who unburntly received the fire of the Divine. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 6
Preacher of Your visible stay in the country of the Tikhvins and the wondrous providence about it, the pious George proclaimed Your appearance and Your will to the people, and those who disobeyed miracles are admonished to glorify Thee, the Lady, and sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You deigned to shine the light of the knowledge of God with the appearance of Your icon, and You deigned to desire the light of monastic life, O Mother of God, at the place of the appearance of Your icon, so that the faces of the monks cry out to You incessantly: Rejoice, O fruitless vegetation of the barren root; Rejoice, dedicated to God from infancy. Rejoice, you who were raised in the holy temple; Rejoice, ignorant of God. Rejoice, adorned with all virtues; Rejoice, luminous chamber prepared for the Lady. Rejoice, purified by the grace of God; Rejoice, you who have been chosen since the beginning of time to be the head of our salvation. Rejoice, Bride of the heavenly Architect, entrusted to the earthly tecton for safekeeping; Rejoice, you who magnified little Nazareth with your presence. Rejoice, praise of the powers above; Rejoice, glory to all earth-born. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 7
For those who want to strive in solitude for the monks Martyrios and Cyril, and to please God through their labors and monastic exploits, you showed the way to the place of the desired feat in a pillar of fire and in a voice. Having come to know Thee as the good Hodegetria traveling with them, they cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new source of miracles in the country to the north has appeared Your icon of Tikhvin, the Most Holy Lady, unapologetically bringing healing to all who come with faith: they despise blindness, they are speechless, they hear deafness, they rise up in weakness, they are freed from the bonds of demons. In the same way, glorifying You, we cry: Rejoice, for the Father’s favor rests on You; Rejoice, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, for in You the Son of God has become incarnate, the Savior of the world; Rejoice, ineffable advice to the Mystery. Rejoice, you who received the gospel from the Angel; Rejoice, angelic ones, rejoice, you who have brought joy to the whole world. Rejoice, for the Lord is with You; Rejoice, for through You all earthly beings have been brought closer to God. Rejoice, Blessed One among women; Rejoice, you who have bestowed blessings on all wives. Rejoice, Mother who remained a Virgin before and after Christmas; Rejoice, firstfruits of the honor and glory of virginity. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 8
The miracle of the appearance of Your image, Lady, is strange, and unspeakably, it surprises the worldly and horrifies the earthly, and at the same time it enlightens the grace of Christ our God, born of You. It is also strange that the monastery will be defended by enemies who boasted of destroying Your property. For this reason we cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You are all in the highest, Lady, but You do not abandon those below, protecting Your abode like a wall and a visor, with Your honorable icon. For when the enemy invaded, you said that people would take my icon and walk around the walls and see the mercy of God. In the same way, through Your deliverance from the enemy, I cried to You: Rejoice, Mother of Your Creator and Lord; Rejoice, even for the sake of the baby John leaped in the womb of Elizabeth. Rejoice, blessed one from all generations; Rejoice, sublime in humility. Rejoice, thou who bestowed heavenly joy and earthly peace by Thy birth; Rejoice, you who received praise from the Angels, magnification from the shepherds, who received the worship of Your birth from the Magi. Rejoice, Thou who nourished the one above and below with milk, the Nourisher of Thy grace; Rejoice, you who wrapped Him in swaddling clothes around Him who dresses with light like a robe. Rejoice, who bore the whole world in your hand; Rejoice, you who brought the sacredness of the temple to the temple. Rejoice, blessed by Simeon; Rejoice, glorified by Anna the prophetess. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 9
Of every angelic nature of the purest essence, Lady, the monastery, for the sake of Your coming, the icon was created, from the uncleanness of sin, which was near destruction, but was cleansed by repentance, as if the general Prayer Book for the Christian race delivered You from enemies, in the likeness of unclean animals, undermining those who worked. Let us also cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The prophets of many things are perplexed to sing according to the wealth of Your many miracles, O Lady, and the secrets of Your structure for the salvation of people: both by goodness and by visiting punishments you led people on the path of salvation. Having preserved the previously invincible monastery from visible enemies, You deigned to cleanse the invisible enemy from the wounds of the invisible enemy with fiery cleansing, admonishing that purity, abstinence and heartfelt prayers are more pleasing to You than the praise of a single mouth. We also cry out to You: Rejoice, O thou who sanctified Egypt by Thy coming; Rejoice, thou who glorified the country of Galilee by Thy presence. Rejoice, thou who sought Thy Son throughout all Jerusalem, Whom Thy soul loved; Rejoice, you who found Him in His Father's house. Rejoice, you who composed all the words about Your Son in Your heart; Rejoice, having known God in Your Son before all others. Rejoice, thou who served Thy Son in His earthly life; Rejoice, you who suffered through His suffering. Rejoice, having received the adoption of John the Apostle and all believers at the Cross of Your Son; Rejoice, thou who motherly loved those redeemed by His blood. Rejoice, Thou who, first of all, understood the mystery of the resurrection of Thy Son;
Rejoice, thou who enjoyed much joy in the ascension of Thy Son into heaven. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 10
Those who want to save many people from the sorrows and illnesses that beset them and strengthen their faith in Thy all-powerful intercession, O Lady, in many cities, monasteries, villages of the Orthodox country, Thou hast granted the power of miracles through the image of Thy honorable icon, so that seeing the mercy shown by Thy, they cry out to God with tenderness: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and a shield, O Lady, to the Orthodox army, under the sign of Thy icon, against the twenty tongues of the warriors, preserving them from the arrows of the enemy. Be the same wall and protection from all enemies, visible and invisible, for us, who fall to Thy most honorable icon with faith and love and cry out to Thee: Rejoice, consolation to the faithful after the Ascension of Thy Son; Rejoice, Teacher and Helper of the Apostle. Rejoice, we are rejoiced at the announcement of Your departure to God; Rejoice, the disciple's face like a cloud for the burial of You who has gathered together. Rejoice, we have been received from the earth by the hands of Your Son; Rejoice, escorted from all the angelic authorities. Rejoice, earthly heaven to the sublime settlement of the mountains;
Rejoice, throne of the Lord, lifted up from the earth into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, thou who hast sanctified the air by Thy ascension; Rejoice, through Thomas you assured your transmigration into heaven with the flesh. Rejoice, fulfilling the promise to the disciple’s face; Rejoice, having given peace to this through Your presence from Your Son and God. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 11
All singing is overcome by diligently meeting the many miracles that come from Thy holy and miraculous icon. Like an ambulance, you heal ailments, deliver from troubles, free demons from torment, in every place calling on You with faith and crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
As a light-receiving candle we see Your holy icon, Mother of God, in the Tikhvin countries kindled by Your grace, enlightening the whole country and attracting many to its light for the salvation of souls. We also cry out to Thee: Rejoice, who promised to preserve and save all who call upon Thee; Rejoice, you who glorify You, glorify You. Rejoice, thou who bringest the prayers of the faithful to Thy Son and God; Rejoice, and You Yourself unceasingly praying for everyone at the throne of Your Son and God. Rejoice, Thou who bestowed Thy grace upon Thy venerable icons; Rejoice, you who have illuminated the entire universe with the rays of Your grace. Rejoice, Most Honest Cherub and Most Glorious Seraphim; Rejoice, highest of all creation. Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and Earth; Rejoice, for Your prayer can accomplish much before Your Son. Rejoice, speedy intercession of the entire Christian race; Rejoice, firm hope for all the faithful. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 12
Having desired to give Thy new sign of grace, Thou hast opened up a source of miracles to the city of Peter, O Mother of God, in Thy icon, so that the faithful may come to their senses, those who labor and mourn may find ready refuge and intercession, glorifying God who has given such, and cry out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles and the mercies revealed to our race, we touchingly fall to Your most pure image, Lady, and kissingly, with fear and love we pray to You: guide us on the path of salvation, so that we may be worthy of Your merciful intercession, always be the Intercessor and Intercessor for us, crying Ti: Rejoice, affirmation and protection of the faithful; Rejoice, admonition and enlightenment of the unbelievers. Rejoice, desperate Hope; Rejoice, salvation of sinners. Rejoice, consolation for the sad; Rejoice, healing of the sick. Rejoice, protection of widows and orphans; Rejoice, refuge for the offended. Rejoice, strengthening of kings; Rejoice, fertilizer for the saints. Rejoice, praise is given to those who are virgins; Rejoice, joy for all the pious. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 13
O All-Singing Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word, protection and protection for us in this life from enemies visible and invisible, from troubles and sorrows, save us from temptations and falls, and in the future life, at the judgment of Your Son and our God, be the Intercessor and Intercessor, delivering us from eternal condemnation, so that we may be saved by You, cry out to God from the faces of the angels: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
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The stories of the numerous images of the Virgin Mary have a different nature in their appearance. One of the miraculous meanings of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God lies in its amazing manifestation. Orthodox online store Svyatsy (Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God). In the article we will learn the meaning of the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God and how it helps.
A true prayer to the Mother of God, performed by an ardent believing heart, does not remain unanswered. When turning to Her in need or bringing thanksgiving, it is important to know the history of the image. This will help an Orthodox Christian understand the significance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, and how it helps sincerely praying people.
We thank Thee, O Most Blessed and Most Pure, Most Blessed Virgin, Lady, Mother of Christ our God, for all Thy good deeds, which Thou hast shown to the human race, especially to us, the people of Russia named after Christ, about whom the most angelic tongue will be pleased with praise. We thank You, as even now You have surprised Your ineffable mercy on us, Your unworthy servants, with the supernatural self-coming of Your Most Pure Icon, and with it You have enlightened the entire Russian country. Likewise, we, sinners, worshiping with fear and joy, cry out to Thee: O Most Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on Thy people, and grant them victory over all their enemies, and save the reigning cities, and all Christian cities and countries, and deliver this holy temple from every slander of the enemy, and grant everything for the benefit of all, who now come with faith and pray to Your servant, and who worship Your Most Holy Image, for blessed are You with the Son and God born of You, now and ever and unto the ages of ages . Amen.
How does the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God help?
In the mid-15th century, the waters of Lake Ladoga were miraculously consecrated. 200 km from St. Petersburg, fishermen noticed a radiant icon of the Mother of God moving independently. They tried to lift the icon from the water, but it seemed to lead them through the water to a specific place.
After the earnest prayer of the fishermen, the image finally stopped in one of the small tributaries of the Syas River, near the town of Tikhvin. Here it was decided to found the Tikhvin Monastery. Thus, the acquired Tikhvin icon acquired its earthly abode.
Tikhvin Dormition Monastery
From that moment on, the shrine more than once demonstrated the miracle of saving the Russian people from attacks by external enemies. Spiritual victories and faith forced enemies not only to flee from the battlefield, but also to change their decisions without engaging in battle, to abandon military operations without ever starting them.
What do they pray for in front of the Tikhvin icon?
The meaning of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, what it helps with, reviews attested by history itself speak of its help in motherhood. Before the image they bring a prayer for the conception of children, a favorable birth, its second name - “Childbearer” - directly indicates support in the main purpose of a woman.
Thousands of women doomed by doctors to infertility have found the happiness of becoming mothers through prayer. The Tikhvin Mother of God patronizes the choice of life path, which is why She is also called the Guide.
Many healings from serious illnesses, paralysis, blindness, deafness give hope to people suffering from them. Everyone understands that health is an irreplaceable and cannot be purchased value; with all due respect to doctors, they are often powerless in the face of illness.
And only through fervent, repentant prayers does a person receive recovery by the grace of the Mother of God. And of course the Tikhvin image patronizes military personnel.
The significance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God for Russia
According to legend, the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke in the 5th century. From Jerusalem it came to Constantinople, but mysteriously disappeared from there and appeared over the waters of Ladoga. It is interesting that each icon has its own territorial field of influence.
How does the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God help and what is its significance? For the north-west of Russia, the icon of the Mother of God, her help is reflected in the spiritual protection of the country’s borders. The Tikhvin Mother of God constantly fulfills this mission.
Princes and royalty came to this image to pray, asking to appease God and protect Rus' from foreign invasions, and also begged for heirs.
The defense of Tikhvin from the Swedes in 1613 revealed a great miracle - the appearance of the Mother of God herself in the monastery during the battle with instructions to carry out procession. The Swedes retreated. Although the French intervention was allowed, the monastery was ruined, but the Tikhvin image was not damaged.
During the hard times of the Great Patriotic War, the icon was taken by German army soldiers towards Pskov. It is not surprising, knowing the value of this relic, where it was transferred to the Russian mission and for more than 60 years, it left Russia, going to the USA.
Where is the image now?
In Russia they don’t talk about icons - lost, lost, they say - the icon is gone. As about a living, animate object, thereby expressing a special attitude and reverence. The Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God was outside Russia for a long time. She visited the Baltic states and America, but on the day of veneration, July 9, 2004, she was solemnly returned home - the city that She herself chose.
They say that an icon returns home when it is natural for it to be in favorable conditions, when there is a revival of faith, a return to God. Therefore, the American priest Father Sergius Garklavs, custodian of the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God, fulfilled his will spiritual mentor and adoptive father John: to return the icon to Russia, after liberation from the atheistic Soviet regime and the complete restoration of the spiritual monastery.
Today there are four monasteries in Tikhvin. This speaks of the ability of the image, through the prayers of Christians, to form new spiritual centers, to multiply the monastic brethren - the prayerful servants of the Lord, and therefore to strengthen the spiritual strength of the entire people.
Not only a resident of the city, but also every believer should know where the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God is located in Tikhvin Orthodox Christian. This shrine receives pilgrims in the Leningrad region from all over the world. The town of about 60,000 people receives up to 200,000 pilgrims every year.
The temples of the Tikhvin Monastery consist of 6 churches: Assumption, Pokrovsky, Ascension, 12 Apostles, Holy Cross and Tikhvin Church “Porch”.
The oldest, from which the Mother of God Monastery began, is the Assumption Cathedral. The miraculous Tikhvin icon is kept there. She stays in the Church of the Intercession in the winter.
Download the text of the prayer before the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God
Yakov Porfirievich Starostin
Servant of the Lord
Articles written
Orthodox believers treat the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God with reverence. This image enjoys great love among the people, because it is of paramount importance for the preservation of the state. The Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God represents Hodegetria, that is, a guide. The icon painter depicted the Virgin Mary in dialogue with her Son. She reverently bows her head to Christ, who is still a baby. Here he is both a judge and a leader: right hand blesses, and holds the sacred scroll with his left hand.
The icon has a fateful significance for Russia and has a long interesting story, full of miracles. The image of Hodegetria was first depicted by Luke. The evangelist captured the Mother of God during her earthly life. Other icon painters were guided by this image. And the history of the Tikhvin Hodegetria dates back to the 14th century.
In glorious Novgorod at that time, the Tikhvin Mother of God was a relic, so the year of birth of the icon is well known: 1383. The image appeared after the face of the Virgin and Child appeared in the sky over Ladoga.
The pagan northern tribes had the opportunity to see the face of the Virgin Mary seven times. It appeared over the Tikhvinka River twice. A miraculous vision forced many to pray right on the shore, and then the icon, according to legend, itself descended from heaven into the hands of people. At this place, as expected, they decided to build a temple. The icon disappeared the very next morning and was discovered on the other side of the river. The plank for creating the first monastery also lay there. It is believed that the Mother of God herself determined her place on Orthodox soil.
A sign never happens just like that, so the saints should be given their due. The icon was sent for blessing to the homeland of St. Luke, from where it went to Jerusalem, and then Constantinople. A temple was built for her here too, and parishioners began to call the icon Blachernae.
The miraculous movement of the Mother of God continued when the Ottoman Empire began to approach Rus'. Hodegetria left the Byzantine temple and again found herself in the Tikhvin temple. The image of the Most Holy One is closely connected with the fall of Byzantium and the rise of the yoke. Orthodoxy seemed to have chosen a new center for itself. From this time on, thoughts about centralization began to come to the Russian princes.
The Mother of God and the Russian State
The icon “Our Lady of Tikhvin” has withstood many tests. The temple, built of logs, burned to the ground several times. The icon always remained untouched among the ruins. Ivan the Terrible ordered the construction of a new temple made of stone. This is how the Assumption Cathedral appeared, but the beginning of its existence was almost marked by a terrible tragedy - a stone collapsed and buried twenty workers. When they began to retrieve the bodies, they were found alive.
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Ivan the Terrible came to the Assumption Cathedral to pray before the military battle near Kazan in 1547. The king decided to found a new monastery here; it would later withstand the attack of the Swedes and all the difficult years. Although there were significantly fewer monks than professional warriors, the Polonians could not take the temple. They say they saw thousands of thousands of troops descending from the sky to help. Peace was concluded with the Swedes as a result of the painting of this icon.
The prayer addressed to the Tikhvin Mother of God was on the lips of many Russian rulers. Peter, Catherine and Elizabeth came here to ask for advice on how to establish statehood in the country. The entire Romanov house repeatedly visited the Tikhvin Cathedral.
The temple withstood a lot, but it could not withstand Soviet explosives, and in 1924 the temple disappeared. The icon of the Mother of God was sent to the city's local history museum.
Mother of God, Tikhvin icon , was written off several times. Each of the lists is also capable of performing a miracle. One of the icons is located in Kyrgyzstan, in Karakol. In 1897, the monastery was plundered; the Virgin Mary was shot at point-blank range to increase the damage, but the lead flew off the icon as if it were covered with armor.
There is a legend about the war years. Hodegetria helped the fighters when in 1941 they were already surrounded near Moscow. Miraculously, the attack was repelled, although the forces were not equal. According to legend, Stalin himself ordered a helicopter with a list of icons to be flown around the capital. Soon after this, Tikhvin was also released.
How does prayer help?
They often pray to the icon for their health and that of their child. With her, you will definitely improve your relationship with your teenage child. She is considered one of the most powerful protective children's icons. Parents read sacred texts before the face of the Mother of God and the Son in order to establish relationships with their children.
What to ask for:
- so that childbirth goes easily;
- about conception;
- on the protection of children from dark forces and crimes;
- to find contact with a teenage child;
- about getting rid of madness;
- to relieve depression;
- about the sight of the blind;
- about protecting home and family from enemies.
Children and adults can turn to this icon with the usual prayer to the Mother of God or in their own words. The most important thing is sincere faith and hope for help. Never demand anything from an icon. The meaning of prayer must be revealed to your soul. God helps those who do not forget about him and are joyful.
Prayer before the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God
O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the highest powers, Queen of Heaven and earth, our city and country, Almighty Intercessor. Accept this singing of praise and gratitude from us, unworthy Thy servants, and lift up our prayers to the throne of God Thy Son, that He may be merciful to our untruths and add His goodness to those who honor Thy all-honorable name and worship Thy miraculous image with faith and love. You are not worthy of being pardoned by Him, unless you have propitiated Him for us, Lady, since everything is possible for You from Him. For this reason, we resort to You, as to our undoubted and immediate Intercessor; Hear us praying to You, cover us with Your all-powerful protection and ask God Your Son to be our shepherd, zeal and vigil for souls, a city ruler for wisdom and strength, judges for truth and impartiality, a mentor for reason and humility, love and harmony for spouses, obedience for children, patience for the offended, to those who offend the fear of God, to those who grieve complacency, to those who rejoice at self-control: to all of us is the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth. To her, Most Holy Lady, have mercy on Your weak people: gather the scattered, guide those who have gone astray to the right path, support old age, educate young people with chastity, raise infants, and look upon us all with the gaze of Your merciful intercession, raise us up from the depths of sin and enlighten our heartfelt eyes to in the sight of salvation, be merciful to us here and there, in the land of earthly arrival and at the terrible judgment of Your Son: having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, make our fathers and brothers live in eternal life with the Angels and with all the saints. For you are, Lady, the glory of Heaven and the hope of earth. According to God, You are our Hope and Intercessor of all those who flow to You with faith. We therefore pray to You, and to You, as the Almighty Helper, we commit ourselves and each other and our whole life, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
Troparion of the Mother of God before Her Tikhvin Icon, voice 4
Today, like the bright sun, / the all-honorable icon of Yours, Lady, has risen for us in the air, / enlightening the world with rays of mercy, / even great Russia, / like some Divine gift from above, has reverently received, / glorifies You, Mother of God, the Lady of all, / and from You He joyfully magnifies the born Christ our God./ Pray to Him, O Lady Queen Theotokos,/ may he preserve all Christian cities and countries/ unharmed from all the slander of the enemy/ and save by faith those who worship His Divine/ and Your most pure image,// The Unartificed Virgin.
Kontakion of the Mother of God before Her Tikhvin Icon, voice 8
Let us pray, people, to the Virgin Mother of God Queen, / thanking Christ God, / and, to Toya the miraculous icon, looking tenderly, let us fall down and cry out to Her: / O Lady Mary, / having visited this country with the miraculous appearance of Your honorable image, / save our fatherland and all Christians in peace and good times, / heirs showing Heavenly lives, / For we truly call to You: // Rejoice, Virgin, salvation of the world.
2 strong prayers Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God
4.8 (96%) 10 votes.Prayer with the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God for children
“O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the highest powers, Queen of Heaven and earth, our city and country, Almighty Intercessor. Accept this singing of praise and gratitude from us, unworthy Thy servants, and lift up our prayers to the throne of God Thy Son, that He may be merciful to our iniquities and add His goodness to those who honor Thy all-honorable name and with faith and love who worship Thy miraculous image. You are not worthy of being pardoned by Him, unless you have propitiated Him for us, Lady, since everything is possible for You from Him. For this reason, we resort to You, as to our undoubted and immediate Intercessor: hear us praying to You, cover us with Your all-powerful protection and ask God Your Son to be our shepherd, zeal and vigil for souls, a city ruler for wisdom and strength, judges for truth and impartiality, a mentor for reason and humility, love and harmony for the spouse, obedience for the child, patience for the offended, fear of God for those who are offended, complacency for those who grieve, abstinence for those who rejoice, but for us all the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth. To her, Most Holy Lady, have mercy on Thy weak people, gather the scattered, guide those who have gone astray, support old age, raise young children to be wise, and look upon all of us with the gaze of Thy merciful intercession, raise us up from the depths of sin and enlighten our heartfelt eyes to to the sight of salvation, be merciful to us here and there, in the land of earthly arrival and at the Last Judgment of Your Son; Having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, our fathers and brethren will live with the angels and all the saints in eternal life. For you are, Lady, the glory of heaven and the hope of earth, You, according to God, are our Hope and Intercessor of all those who flow to You with faith. We therefore pray to You, and to You, as the Almighty Helper, we commit ourselves and each other and our whole life, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."
Prayer before the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God for health and well-being
“We thank You, O Most Blessed and Most Pure, Most Blessed Virgin, Lady, Mother of Christ our God, for all Your good deeds, which You have shown to the human race, especially to us, the Christ-named people of the Russian people, about which the most angelic tongue will be pleased with praise, just as now You have surprised Your ineffable mercy on us, Your unworthy servants, with the supernatural self-coming of Your most pure icon, with which You have enlightened the entire Russian country. In the same way, we, sinners, worship with fear and joy, crying out to Thee: O Most Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', the bishops and all the people, and grant the country victory over all enemies, and save all Deliver Christian cities and countries, and this holy temple from all slander of the enemy, and grant everything for the benefit of all who have now come with faith and pray to Your servant, and who worship Your most holy image, for blessed are You with the Son and God born of You now, and forever and ever. Amen."